63 replies to this topic

[Catra Lanis]

Seriously how much brainpower does it take to press a key and provide the team with some intelligence? It's sketchy but some is better than nothing.

[Gas Guzzler]

Consider that holding a target implies being in its LoS, and if they are playing like a team then you are in ALL of their LoS, so excuse me for not "holding locks" whilst subjecting myself to a firing line.

In other circumstances (looking at the people who are chasing down and shooting one mech but not pressing R), I agree with you.

[Joseph Mallan]

But it allows your team mates to assist you in killing the enemy and possibly taking away from their Skillz! Thats the thinking used when players won't hit the R.

Edited by Joseph Mallan, 13 April 2015 - 08:36 AM.

[Catra Lanis]

Gas Guzzler, on 13 April 2015 - 08:35 AM, said:

Consider that holding a target implies being in its LoS, and if they are playing like a team then you are in ALL of their LoS, so excuse me for not "holding locks" whilst subjecting myself to a firing line.

In other circumstances (looking at the people who are chasing down and shooting one mech but not pressing R), I agree with you.

I'm taking about situations when you rapidly cycle to tell the team that 6 enemies are just behind the ridge instead of to the right as they seem to believe as they are all staring in that direction.

I played a match where 6 of our team were fighting 3 mechs. In the other quadrant there was a lone blue and a lone red cicrling each other. My team seems to be winning the 6-3 so I decide to go help the lone guy. When I turn the corner I stare at 4 enemies and we both go down. If he had cycled we could have sent 2 or maybe 3 to him.

Edited by Catra Lanis, 13 April 2015 - 08:50 AM.

[Urbie]

It is always been with a great sense of humor that I watch teams throw away wins, because they are unable/unwilling to press the R key.

While I understand that it cannot always be done, due to ECM and such. It is still funny that they would rather keep their target lock on a 'Mech that they are no longer engaged with, so that there personal greed and ego can take the front seat, and screw everyone else.

My hats off to the peeps who would rather wear it on their bum.

[Ragtag soldier]

Catra Lanis, on 13 April 2015 - 08:49 AM, said:

I'm taking about situations when you rapidly cycle to tell the team that 6 enemies are just behind the ridge instead of to the right as they seem to believe as they are all staring in that direction.

I played a match where 6 of our team were fighting 3 mechs. In the other quadrant there was a lone blue and a lone red cicrling each other. My team seems to be winning the 6-3 so I decide to go help the lone guy. When I turn the corner I stare at 4 enemies and we both go down. If he had cycled we could have sent 2 or maybe 3 to him.

having been in that situation, he was WAY too busy trying to not get cut to shreads without hurting them to cycle. plus there's no way they were standing in a tight bunch for him to do it to, odds are they had the poor joker surronded. what they need is for recently locked enemies to show on the minimap for a second or two after the lock breaks as a yellow "warning" blip or something.

[0bsidion]

Catra Lanis, on 13 April 2015 - 08:49 AM, said:

I'm taking about situations when you rapidly cycle to tell the team that 6 enemies are just behind the ridge instead of to the right as they seem to believe as they are all staring in that direction.

I played a match where 6 of our team were fighting 3 mechs. In the other quadrant there was a lone blue and a lone red cicrling each other. My team seems to be winning the 6-3 so I decide to go help the lone guy. When I turn the corner I stare at 4 enemies and we both go down. If he had cycled we could have sent 2 or maybe 3 to him.

Oh yes, I definitely do this if the bulk of my team is off in the wrong direction and I just found multiple enemies, and it usually gets their attention pretty well. As to the other comments and people not using R, there just isn't any reason not to, as it shows you your opponents' most damaged areas, allowing you to kill them faster. By not using it you're not only not helping your team, you're not helping yourself.

Edited by 0bsidion, 13 April 2015 - 09:04 AM.

[Revis Volek]

R R R!


What do i win?

IF its a LRM heavy match and the mech is almost dead, NO i will not target it. Wastes time, Brings out the scavengers and very often just distracts the team.

If it is a cluster or semi healthy to healthy mechs or a lone scout yes, please press R.


For the children....

Catra Lanis, on 13 April 2015 - 08:49 AM, said:

I'm taking about situations when you rapidly cycle to tell the team that 6 enemies are just behind the ridge instead of to the right as they seem to believe as they are all staring in that direction.

I played a match where 6 of our team were fighting 3 mechs. In the other quadrant there was a lone blue and a lone red cicrling each other. My team seems to be winning the 6-3 so I decide to go help the lone guy. When I turn the corner I stare at 4 enemies and we both go down. If he had cycled we could have sent 2 or maybe 3 to him.

3 letters......UAV! use em!

Edited by DarthRevis, 13 April 2015 - 09:07 AM.

[patataman]

R is your friend. It tells you what part of the enemy to shoot. It tells your team that you are engaging. It gives your lrm carriers something to shoot at. All of that just a keystroke away.

[Nightmare1]

I see a lot of people trying to brawl it up without targeting the enemy Mech. Smoke may even be visible coming from a body part, but the person I'm spectating is still shooting random places. It always saddens me; pressing R solves so many problems! Who doesn't want to know the best/weakest place on a Mech so that you can pummel it?

[Appogee]

FFS target the enemy Mechs so the team might win.

Every damn PUG match I have to type in chat "Please lock your target so we know where the enemy is" ... and instantly a few red triangles appear.

This should be second nature to any MWO player.

[Catra Lanis]

0bsidion, on 13 April 2015 - 09:01 AM, said:

Oh yes, I definitely do this if the bulk of my team is off in the wrong direction and I just found multiple enemies, and it usually gets their attention pretty well. As to the other comments and people not using R, there just isn't any reason not to, as it shows you your opponents' most damaged areas, allowing you to kill them faster. By not using it you're not only not helping your team, you're not helping yourself.

I usually don't have a problem with it even in a furball. I just tap tap, to me it's like a signal flare. Over here guys or help they are killing me. I understand it varies depending on situation and the individual players situational awarness, ability to keep cool etc. but it is used way to seldom.

[CygnusX7]

R spam. Do it.

[AlmightyAeng]

I live for the day when PGI creates a map on a planet with "magnetic interference" that cancels out ALL your radar and targeting info. Period.

[STEF_]

Imo puggies don't even look at the map, not only doritos.
When in a light, I like to scout and drop my uav; many times I take risk for nothing: red doritos appear...and team go towards...nowhere....

[Joseph Mallan]

Ghost Badger, on 13 April 2015 - 10:22 AM, said:

I live for the day when PGI creates a map on a planet with "magnetic interference" that cancels out ALL your radar and targeting info. Period.

SO... Today right?

[Burktross]

If I tell people to hold R and call out targets if they need LRM support, I get called a useless LRM boater that just wants to steal kills from the back.

All in my one LRM10 vindicator.

[Zoid]

It's not even about LRMs, the information you get is incredibly useful. Does that Crab have AC20s or Gauss? Is the Timberwolf's ST almost gone while the CT is ok? Is that Jager obviously carrying way too much firepower, thus indicating an XL engine?

LRMs raining down on your enemy is nice, but the information is what's truly valuable here.

[0bsidion]

Burktross, on 13 April 2015 - 11:18 AM, said:

If I tell people to hold R and call out targets if they need LRM support, I get called a useless LRM boater that just wants to steal kills from the back.

All in my one LRM10 vindicator.

Pretty much. I rarely pack more than 3 LRM racks on a mech, and rarely do I get kills with them, but that's not why I bring them. I bring them because they're great for softening up enemies. They're also great for suppressing, disorienting, and locking them down, for my teammates to kill them easier. LRMs are not particularly good for killing experienced opponents. I plan to get my kills with my ballistics and lasers, mid to late game.

Edited by 0bsidion, 13 April 2015 - 11:30 AM.

[Trashhead]

I can only speak for myself here:
I do lock targets when ever and where ever i can.
I do have the LURM boats in mind; so much that i even try to tell them when a target is about to get cover and their missiles would be wasted.
(Actually, i do that less often today, as i never get feedback when i do it, so i assume no one cares if i do.)
But i will always break lock if i come under fire and can't take it.


On that note, to all of those who constantly complain about their team "to stupid to lock targets":
i suggest you get yourselves a Light mech and become a spotter for your teammates LURM-Boats for a couple of days.

A quick reminder what this ~could~ mean:
- you need to have line of sight.
- if you have line of sight, so does your enemy
- if the enemy can see you, he can shoot at you
- if he hits you, you take damage
- if you take to much damage, you die.
- plus: you get almost no rewards if you work as a spotter, so it hardly pays of; not to mention no one ever thanks someone for spotting; people will complain however if you DON'T spot for them.

So unless you have a really good hiding spot and probably ECM - you will get almost nothing out of this, other then the thrill.

If you do well, give us some insight in how you did it without getting shot to bits.
Write a guide or something.
I would read it.


(I agree it's a different story in a Brawl, where some people simply do not lock targets.
However, not all MechWarriors here are calm under fire, and might have their hands - and probably minds - full, so they forget to lock.
But again, different story.)


But in general, stop calling your teammates "stupid" if they don't hold locks.
Very few people actually listen to someones advice if he starts by insulting them.

Give friendly advice.
If you are completely puzzled by someones behavior, i.e. not locking targets even under the best of circumstances: just ask them why they don't lock.
A question could get you where a complain might not.

And hope that the upcoming new Tutorial will cover this issue.
(Pro-tip: give feedback (not a rant) to PGI if they forget to cover this issue.)