2 replies to this topic

[Sereglach]

Ok, so, I still think that, overall, the changes are great. However, there are some things I'll be nit-picking; and frankly, this is worthy of it. We should be giving the absolute most detailed feedback that we can muster for the purposes of making sure this Re-Balancing goes through as smoothly as possible for the best gameplay experience possible. I'll be trying to hit things in as close to the order from the Announcement as possible.

Internal Component Health

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This provided some solid improvement in general. However, I think some components could use a little more health than others. Some of the absolute largest components, that are easily crit, should have even larger pools of health. While a small laser might be fine with 10-15 points of health, an AC/20 probably needs something closer to the vicinity of 40+ health (particularly given the durability of some mechs that carry the particularly large weapon systems). Think something along these lines:

Massive Components (highest ~40+ health) - AC/20 series, largest MASC and Targeting Computer systems.

Large Components (high ~20-30 health) - AC/10 series, AC/5 series, Gauss, mid range MASC and TCs.

Medium/Small Components (Average ~15 Health) - Everything Else.

Clan Laser Range

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This concept I think is nearly perfect. About the only thing I would do is normalize laser range concepts. For example: if an ER Large Laser is going to reach 1350m, then have ALL ERLL reach 1350m. Then have the Clan version with the higher Optimal Range -giving them their range and damage edge-, while IS have the lower Optimal Range -but better duration and heat-. The same can be done with all ER series (since the IS does eventually get all ER weapons), Pulse series, and the IS Standard series.

Once this is accomplished, then you have highly intuitive maximum laser ranges across the board, but different internal behaviors that give the two factions their flavor, strengths, and weaknesses.

Heat Sink Adjustments

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Moving in the right direction, here. While, again, I think there should be a fixed heat cap, more aggressive dissipation, and only allow SHS to raise said heat cap (give it a defining and competitive quality), this is still a solid start.

With Clan DHS I could certainly feel the cooling and capacity differences. Especially in my Adder with 2x LBX/2 (and the inferno that AC/2s currently are to shoot). While I couldn't do quite the sustained burst, I could do bursts more frequently. On the other hand, I didn't feel anywhere near the difference in my IS mechs. The capacity difference was just so tiny, and of course without the quirks it more than nullified the difference on many mechs. Sadly, it seems as though heat dissipation creates much more of a noticeable difference than capacity in minor adjustments/bumps.

Just to reiterate, I think we should be moving towards a fixed heat cap that pushes people away from Alpha Firing (except for the emergencies/last-ditches that it's used for in lore), and SHS can be used to actually increase that heat cap for a competitive and unique edge. However, at least this is a start of dealing with the heat issues, and not a bad one at that.

ECM Overhaul

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OH MY GOD YES! This is such a glorious change that was so desperately needed! If anything, now that the system functions more appropriately to its true nature, the 90m nerf might not need to be as heavy handed. Maybe extend it to the bit more lore-friendly 120m-ish range? Regardless of what happens to range, KEEP THESE MECHANICS IN PLACE, PERIOD!!! That is even coming from a primary light pilot, where I'm sure many will decry the change as the final nail in the coffin of the light queue. There's other ways to make lights useful, and the IW stuff begins to cover it.

Now that the mechanics of this equipment system have been fixed, then I think that BAP and other systems should get some adjustments and tweaks that put them more in line with their lore functionality (like BAP giving UAV-esque sensor pings within its proper range -not 270m, more like 120m-, regardless of LOS).

Sensor Range and TIG Sharing

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Unfortunately, due to the times I've had available, I haven't been able to get much in the way of matches in on the PTS (LOTS of Testing Grounds work, though, which has still been insightful). However, these concepts seem like great moves in the right direction; and I believe that there are solid ways to expand them to include the Command Console (marking Targets that the CC has targeted and also sharing TIG across the team faster), which would make it more unique and functional for MWO.

This is the great start of pushing IW into a valuable part of the game, as a whole. It should be expanded upon, further, but I think once we get some of the features back in from the first PTS round then we'll start to see some things pick up and whole feature sections start to really come together. I look forward to it. Again, though, get the Command Console involved in this facet of MWO and Role Warfare (especially marking a CC "Team Target" with a Yellow "Dorito" or something), as it has great potential and should be a very unique piece of equipment that's desirable for actual command-grade mechs.

Targeting Functionality and Hit Indication

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First off, I LOVE the fact that the reticle no longer flashes a confirmed hit on something that isn't targeted. You don't have it targeted . . . how's your computer supposed to know that you hit anything? On the other hand, I don't like the new indicator. Mainly, I don't like the fact that it is fixed to the Torso Reticle.

When making something like a wide shot it's not intuitive and is actually quite awkward in determining whether or not I get an actual hit. I think a combination of the element flash as well as color change is necessary for the optimal effect. Also, I'd put something into the Arm reticle, such as a dot, so that there's an actual physical element for both reticle portions (maybe have the corresponding reticle portion flash for the corresponding weapon system that hit? . . . might be too complex).

Laser Targeting Range Behavior

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Now, as for the laser behavior, I personally STILL think that the convergence concept is a better route to go (weapon shoot straight forward without proper TIG).

However, this isn't a bad idea . . . but the Weapons' HUD portion in the lower right corner needs something better to compensate. Put in 2 ranges for each weapon, displayed as [Optimal]/[Maximum]. We know Maximum isn't going to change, no matter what. That provides a fixed number people can always use for reference; and it can glow the appropriate Yellow when weapons are within that range. That fixed frame of reference is invaluable. On the other hand, especially if Optimal is going to shift numbers, the optimal number gives people a direct indication of where they'll be doing maximum damage in correlation to their optimal. This also gives pilots a better idea of how their weapon damage is going to taper off at range since the Max/Optimal relationship will be constantly shifting.

Again, while I don't necessarily like this change (the convergence concept is simpler and superior, in my opinion, to have IW affect Firepower), this concept does have potential for balance.

As a final note, if opinions change any after more PTS time I'll be sure to come back and make edits. However, after a couple hours of tinkering around and Testing Grounds time (seriously, couldn't get a match to save my life with like 30 minutes of waiting . . . life had bad timing), I think I've been able to formulate some reasonably educated opinions on these items.

Thank you, PGI, for your time and consideration, and I look forward to seeing the MWO Rebalance unfold over future PTS Phases.

[Gaussfather]

Would love to give feedback but NO ONE is playing PTS it seems... waited like an hour and no match

[Sereglach]

Jman88, on 16 October 2015 - 12:07 PM, said:

Would love to give feedback but NO ONE is playing PTS it seems... waited like an hour and no match

Both a good and bad thing in multiple regards:

1. Good - It doesn't take a long time to get a feel for what's going on.

2. Good - Lots of people have already run tests and are applying feedback on it.

3. Good - It's indefinitely running (so far) and there's still plenty of time, so wait for a prime time to log in. You'll probably have better luck.

4. Bad - It doesn't take long to run through the tests and get an idea, so people aren't on the PTS too long right now.

5. Bad - It's indefinitely running, so people will inevitably procrastinate futz around before they actually get around to doing it.

6. Bad - A LOT of people are forming opinions and spouting off in here quite likely without ever even logging into the PTS (just look how active it was before even activating). Now, I'm sure PGI can sift through those opinions, but for us, it's bad to have to weed through that ourselves, and it'll skew people's opinions (gotta love peer pressure).