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What I would think would greatly improve game balance would be the implementation of Heat Seeking LRM's.
Here's how I see the mechanics working:
- A manual Target acquisition method is added to the LRM launchers (toggle between Radar guided and Heat Seeking)
- Radar guided mode remains as is
- Heat Lock (HL) can only be acquired if the Target Mech Heat Signature (HSig) is above the a Heat Lock Threshold (HLT).
- If the target HSig falls below the shooters HLT while the missile are in flight, they lose lock (just like a radar guided missile)
- if the MISSILE (not the shooting mech) loses LoS during flight for more than "X" amount of time the lock is broken
- The heat lock threshold is based on the shooting mech Chassis/targeting Computers/BAP/quirks/etc...
- Heat Lock is NOT affected by ECM
- Reduces the effectivness of the ECM "invisibility" umbrella (but only for hot mechs) while preserving a role for it as it remains just as effective against radar locks
- Hot mech become easier to target with LRMs. This means that all high heat builds suddenly get nerfed but not particular chassis/variants and without crippling them. This also means that heat balanced builds become more viable as they can run more "stealthily".
- It makes fielding LRMs attractive again without making them overpowered. Heat seeking mode can really only be used against mechs that are running hot. This means that its not really useful in the early stage of a match while enemies are still cool. This also means that Radar guidance retain a purpose (against cool mechs at longer ranges)
- Adds another downside to overheating beside just shutting down. I find that I shutdown quite a bit using my Laser Boats builds (I currently a Nova prime and Hellbringers). I would pay a lot more attention to my heat gauge if running it high meant turning my mech into a LRM beacon.
- Makes using CoolShot a lot more attractive. I don't use it right now as I find shutting down "not so critical". Yeah its bad, but doesn't usually means I'll die. If using a coolshot means that I'm not shining bright for all missile boats out there I'll use them more.
- Gives value to Flamers. If I can run a targets heat up and make him visible to my supporting catapult it may make this rarely seen weapon more attractive
- Allow the introduction of new consumables, Flares and Chaff. Chaff could be introduced right now as a poor mans ECM. Deployment of flares/Chaff would have to be timed appropriately to confuse the missile lock at the last instant
Heat Signature (HSig):
I want to distinguish a mechs heat level (HL) (the red gauge on our HUD that we all see) and the a mechs Heat signature, or how visible the mech is to heat sensors (missile or mech based).
The higher a Mech is a function of:
- Chassis/variant base rating (Quirks that apply to a chassis or variant)
- current HL
- Number of Heat Sink slots
- Range (a mechs Hsig diminishes the further it is from a sensor)
Weapon doors modifier
A HSig contact is shared with all Allies. You need to focus a radar sweap on a contact to lock it on at the expense of all other contacts restricting you to sharing a single contact. Heat sensors being passive they would allow you to "Inspect and Share" more than one at a time.
HSig contacts would not give as much info as a radar lock (no paperdoll/weapon load out)
Impact:
- The more heat sinks you mount the bigger HSig you expose. Imagine your CPU HS on a larger scale hanging off the side of your mech. (I know technically a smaller surfaced HS might be hotter and thus brighter but this i like this approach to game balance because...
- Double heat sinks are physically larger and thus represent a bigger target for the heat sensor. This gives purpose to single HS in that they make mechs that mount them less susceptible to LRM attacks at a cost of DPS (through lower heat dissipation). in other words it makes LESS "advanced" mechs more "tanky". Notice that Clan mechs don't have access to single heat sinks depriving them of that option and making IS dedicated LRM boats more viable.
- Introduces a new variable in mech chassis quirks that can affect their HSig
- Gives you a reason to keep your Missile pods or Crab hands closed as it reduces your HSig
I believe Heat sensors and Heat guided missiles add a new level of complexity and realism to the game which can be used to balance builds and factions in a more organic way than the current quirk system.
It clearly defines three sensor range brackets.
- Radar for long range, Cool contact and for detailed target info
- Heat for mid range, Hot contacts
Seismic for short range contacts (further about seismic a little later)
Clans believe hiding is not honorable and value single combat in and thus have 'evolved' a mech building philosophy that revolves around direct fire , high heat builds as opposed to LRM boating. After all what truebirth would accept sitting safely behind his comrades shooting LRMs. Their mechs are thus not optimized for stealth.
On the other hand the IS is willing to use any and all tricks in the book to win the battle. This means specializing mech roles and valuing team work over individual achievements.
From a technology perspective I don't see why heat detection technology is not more widely used in the 31st century compared to how common it is on today's battlefields.
I really think this could make MWO into the thinking's man FPS that we would like it to be. Giving it a more realistic and nuanced layer of game play.
In fact I would rather use the term electronic warfare as the fourth balancing pillar than information warfare as I would tend to agree that target info doesn't really impact a match outcome in a significant way.
This would make LRMs and Ballistic weapon immediately relevant yet not overpowered while nerfing the energy weapon without making them obsolete.
It would also introduce new chassis/variants differentiation options thru quirks to a mechs sensor threshold and HSig thus fleshing out the "fourth Pillar" Electronic warfare.
Looking forward to your opinion. Feel free to tear this apart.
Regards,
Edited by PickleKing, 20 September 2015 - 03:29 AM.
