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[Ambuscade]

After watching a recent NGNG podcast, "Mechs, Devs, and Beer: Paul Inouye", I learned that the blinding ability of the flamer was slated to be removed. Defined as a graphical issue and handed over to the art department, it is currently the focus of any flamer oriented changes (including buffs that were mentioned afterward, all this is discussed around the 40-50min area if you want to listen for yourself on youtube).

Since the blind issue stands in the way of flamer improvement, I'd thought to pose a suggestion to fix the issue with the hopes of streamlining things. That idea is an exposure filter.

It would be a cockpit attribute, something the pilot can only see in first person. In response to prolonged laser or flamer exposure (directed at or around the cockpit where the player camera is oriented) the offending graphics would be phased out to allow better vision. The graphics, to the first person view of the pilot (and no else), would become semi-transparent (only the part of the graphic in close proximity to the cockpit, not the entire graphic). It would work like transition lens do for glasses, reacting slowly to prolonged exposure.

This mechanic solves the flamer blinding issue (plus laser hits!) while allowing for explosions to still obscure the pilot's vision (like from autocannons and missles). As to the reasoning why, its because the event of the explosion is too quick for the system to respond. Multiple explosions are also ignored because each is treated as an independent event.

Feel free to add on to ideas, or make critiques.

Regards Mechwarriors,
Ambuscade

[SockSlayer]

Well, they solved that problem...and also reduced damage way too much.