23 replies to this topic

[Zensei]

So how is this addressed for the new guy to the game? If you do not buy in, how do you get in to CW? Is the new player to MWO expected to LTP from grinding solo? And then join a group based on what and then somehow get to CW.

This isn't a complaining post, forum warriors will always do what forum warriors do. I am sincerely asking about growing the game for everyone's benefit.

So the question is, what is the expected path for the very new player to get to and be a contributor to this game?

Forum warriors aside.

[Davers]

Every drop a new player makes contributes to the game.

Personally, I don't think CW is for brand new players. Only when a player feels comfortable with the game should he or she consider trying out CW. If I had to set a 'expected path', I would say when a player has a full dropship with 4 mechs at least Elited, and can afford to pay out for consumables, and has a few modules to spread around they would be ready for CW.

[MischiefSC]

Throwing a new player into CW is terrible for them and terrible for everyone else. When he derps through his first matches he could be costing his faction a planet or two.

100 matches prior to CW. Otherwise you're punishing everyone.

[Zensei]

Davers, on 21 December 2014 - 05:19 PM, said:

Every drop a new player makes contributes to the game.

Personally, I don't think CW is for brand new players. Only when a player feels comfortable with the game should he or she consider trying out CW. If I had to set a 'expected path', I would say when a player has a full dropship with 4 mechs at least Elited, and can afford to pay out for consumables, and has a few modules to spread around they would be ready for CW.

That is a very good reply, how many games would you expect for a new player to reach that level where they would have those resources and be able to drop in CW and help a team they joined?

Edited by Zensei, 21 December 2014 - 05:22 PM.

[Zensei]

MischiefSC, on 21 December 2014 - 05:20 PM, said:

Throwing a new player into CW is terrible for them and terrible for everyone else. When he derps through his first matches he could be costing his faction a planet or two.

100 matches prior to CW. Otherwise you're punishing everyone.

What is the math on that MischiefSC, 100 games builds a new player 4 elite mechs ready to rock? And I'm still asking because its important to the game to get these recruits up to a playable level, and if it is a free to play game as advertised, how.

[Davers]

Zensei, on 21 December 2014 - 05:22 PM, said:

That is a very good reply, how many games would you expect for a new played to reach that level where they would have those resources and be able to drop in CW and help a team they joined?

As MischiefSC mentioned above, 100 matches minimum. PGI has stated the learning curve for MW:O seems about 100 matches. Players have a noticeable improvement in their w/l after that.

It would probably end up more than 100 in order to get what I would consider 'the basics'. Probably more like 200. Less if they skimp on the modules, or just bought weapon mods instead of the expensive ones like Seismic Sensor.

Not that they are needed for CW but information is king, especially for a solo player, so knowing someone is behind him is very useful.

If he is a team player, able to read the battlefield, or dropping with a unit, then he will be ready quicker. All this is hypothetical and subjective though.

But trust me about the sun screen.

[MischiefSC]

Zensei, on 21 December 2014 - 05:26 PM, said:

What is the math on that MischiefSC, 100 games builds a new player 4 elite mechs ready to rock? And I'm still asking because its important to the game to get these recruits up to a playable level, and if it is a free to play game as advertised, how.

That's actually exactly correct. It takes 12-20 matches to get a mech up on basics at least. 100 matches would make sure they've got their favorites at least with double-basics and enough money in to pay the DHS and Endo tax and at least one mech with a good setup. Still playing at a disadvantage but at least it's not bordering on hopeless.

[Zensei]

I can dig that, but I do not think 200 matches buys anyone into CW

[TheCaptainJZ]

100 matches sounds reasonable.

[Bigbacon]

just play it if you want to. Only one way to learn.

Only thing you'll learn in CW that you can't learn in the solo queues is that you'll get stomped to high hell vs coordinated teams.

[Davers]

Zensei, on 21 December 2014 - 05:54 PM, said:

I can dig that, but I do not think 200 matches buys anyone into CW

37.35 million Cbills and 200 drops worth of experience should be enough to start playing CW. Maybe it isn't your 'dream deck', but you can put together a solid line up if you stay away from assault mechs.

[Mystere]

I say let the new players decide when they want to join CW. An artificial requirement for 100/200/whatever matches is just that, artificial.

The earlier a person gets to experience CW, the sooner they realize teamwork is critical.

Edited by Mystere, 21 December 2014 - 06:07 PM.

[Zensei]

Davers, on 21 December 2014 - 06:05 PM, said:

37.35 million Cbills and 200 drops worth of experience should be enough to start playing CW. Maybe it isn't your 'dream deck', but you can put together a solid line up if you stay away from assault mechs.

BUT!

They still have to decide from day one which to choose, IS or Clan, if you are going to drop a deck it can't be a straight, it has to be a flush, 200 or not, decide from day one. It would be a great challenge for anyone to start fresh with an email account and meet all of us 200 matches from that start with a 240 ton deck. Conjecture aside.

[Davers]

Zensei, on 21 December 2014 - 06:15 PM, said:

BUT!

They still have to decide from day one which to choose, IS or Clan, if you are going to drop a deck it can't be a straight, it has to be a flush, 200 or not, decide from day one. It would be a great challenge for anyone to start fresh with an email account and meet all of us 200 matches from that start with a 240 ton deck. Conjecture aside.

New player expectations and knowledge of the basics of CW (Houses vs Clans) is a separate thread. I am assuming a player who has made some effort to be informed by reading forums, watching streams, tutorials (such as they are), etc. I feel any player who wants to be 'competitive' would know not to buy a mixed deck to start with.

[MischiefSC]

The problem with letting them in though is a horrible new user experience and the fact that the teams they drop with won't be kind. There isn't time in a CW drop to handhold a new player - and they need it.

I get the logic of not gating CW, I do. However it's the same reason you don't let children play with knives. Yes, he'll learn his lesson - not the way you probably want though.

Nobody is going to learn anything about teamwork if they don't know how to shoot guns or turn.

[Zensei]

Davers, on 21 December 2014 - 06:21 PM, said:

New player expectations and knowledge of the basics of CW (Houses vs Clans) is a separate thread. I am assuming a player who has made some effort to be informed by reading forums, watching streams, tutorials (such as they are), etc. I feel any player who wants to be 'competitive' would know not to buy a mixed deck to start with.

2 guys I really respect put it up on this thread, MischiefSC and Davers and I really need the 2 of you to read into the future of this game.

Am I a? Future of the game or someone in the game? My son has zero interest in this game, it may very well die in this family, so we have to reach into our extended family to do that, I have done my best, I need help, I need CW

MischiefSC, on 21 December 2014 - 06:23 PM, said:

The problem with letting them in though is a horrible new user experience and the fact that the teams they drop with won't be kind. There isn't time in a CW drop to handhold a new player - and they need it.

I get the logic of not gating CW, I do. However it's the same reason you don't let children play with knives. Yes, he'll learn his lesson - not the way you probably want though.

Nobody is going to learn anything about teamwork if they don't know how to shoot guns or turn.

Sshit player. you do understand props

[Davers]

Zensei, on 21 December 2014 - 06:45 PM, said:

2 guys I really respect put it up on this thread, MischiefSC and Davers and I really need the 2 of you to read into the future of this game.

Am I a? Future of the game or someone in the game? My son has zero interest in this game, it may very well die in this family, so we have to reach into our extended family to do that, I have done my best, I need help, I need CW



Sshit player. you do understand props

If your son has no interest in big stompy robots that shoot each other, better to disown him now.

But seriously, if he doesn't like the game play no new game mode or coloured map will convince him otherwise.

The best advice I could give is to go find a group for you and your son to play with. The camaraderie of a unit has kept more people playing and investing (emotionally as well as financially) than any game play ever could.

[Zensei]

Davers, on 21 December 2014 - 06:55 PM, said:

If your son has no interest in big stompy robots that shoot each other, better to disown him now.

But seriously, if he doesn't like the game play no new game mode or coloured map will convince him otherwise.

The best advice I could give is to go find a group for you and your son to play with. The camaraderie of a unit has kept more people playing and investing (emotionally as well as financially) than any game play ever could.

Still does not get us from point A to point B as far as this game is concerned, my son is a world ranked player in other games not mentioned, he has no interest in this game, he does not understand the culture nor the history, he's not a mechwarrior.

I am

[Nathan Foxbane]

I average about 40 games per 'Mech to elite, but then again, I am not the most skilled player. 100 matches is about average for a player to fully understand the gameplay and some of the more important nuances. I would say at least 400 matches to build up the c-bills and gxp for modules and fully customized 'Mechs. It is a bit more expensive to go the pure F2P route because spare 'Mech bays are needed for a full stable even if you sell 'Mechs you do not like after mastering the variants of that chassis you do. My calculations are likely a bit on the conservative side.

[9erRed]

Greetings,

Reference your question; How does a new MWO/Pilot start this game and get into CW.

With the initial 'cadet drops' and achievements that should give the starting Pilot enough to buy one Mech to start.

Using the original game modes first (no CW to start) will allow your to build up some C-Bills and Xp towards additional Mech's or elite/mastering the chassis you'll purchase.
- Yes it's a grind to build up equipment/modules/weapons/systems.
(but every Pilot has had to do this, you can't outright buy any of them.)

- If you did want to try CW there is always the 'trial Mech's' to fill in the weight slots, not the best option, but if you only own 1 or 2 Mech's, the only method to get 4 Mech's to play.
- As PGI stated, CW is the hard core mode mostly designed for grouped Pilots or formed units.
(and you will see 12 man groups quite often.)
- CW requires the Pilot to singly Select a Faction, or from a group the Leader does it for you.
- Selecting a Faction to 'pledge your loyalty to' has different 'time periods' your locked into. And if you want to play CW you must be representing one of them.
(that will also decide what type of Mech's you can use, IS or Clan, so be very carful how you decide. - Only own 2 Mech's and they are IS, best to stick with that type of Faction and work building up your 'stable')

We are only at the start of CW and many elements are being amended or modified as we progress deeper into this mode of play.
- Faction allegiance and what benefits are gained or lost is not/ has not arrived yet.
- What you can do within each Faction, specific to each Faction, availability of certain Mech's, cheaper prices, higher/lower costs for travel to battle location, all need to be completed and placed into the CW mode of play.
- So it's not a do or die event to get into CW right now, if you are still learning how to Pilot and work the different chassis, take your time. CW is not going anywhere, and will only mature as you work your skill levels and Mech garage up.

Aim True and Run Cool,
9erRed

Edited by 9erRed, 21 December 2014 - 10:24 PM.