135 replies to this topic

[kazrok]

While I would like to see a modicum of options for customization, I really disliked the 4 ERPPC or 7 LL mechs Alpha Striking over and over. A longish reset from overheat shutdown might make a good balancing mechanic to the game.

[Yeach]

Depends on the number of heatsinks you have.
The more you have the faster restart should be.

Edited by Yeach, 15 November 2011 - 10:11 PM.

[Bear Shaman]

Boating issues aside, an overheat shutdown should be pretty long/significant. I don't think you should be able to plan an overheat as part of your strategy; a forced shutdown means you were unable to handle your mech's weapons and you piloted it poorly. Dunno about making a sandwich while the mech cools down, but... well, how long was the start-up sequence on a Steel Battalion mech? This doesn't seem like a soft reset situation. Your electronics are likely a bit fried, so I'd actually appreciate a visible shutdown/restart sequence on the HUD, however long that winds up being.

Visual details make these games way more fun!

[Forsakened]

I agree with Bear Shaman, if you over heat your mech due to eagerness for death, I say paint a sitting duck icon on the noob and watch the roast.

[Bear Shaman]

Forsakened, on 15 November 2011 - 10:05 PM, said:

I agree with Bear Shaman, if you over heat your mech due to eagerness for death, I say paint a sitting duck icon on the noob and watch the roast.

I was actually referring to a visible startup sequence from the inside of the overheated mech, but hey, whatever does it for you. I just thought it'd add a nice element of genuine panic to an emergency shutdown: "Start, damn you!"

[Kudzu]

Depends on how much you overheated it by and how many heat sinks you have working.

[TheRulesLawyer]

Kudzu, on 15 November 2011 - 10:13 PM, said:

Depends on how much you overheated it by and how many heat sinks you have working.

This.
See Solaris 7 for a complete treatment.

[CyberboT]

Interesting question... wouldn't vote though, as the answer could not be one certain thing, at least on my opinion. Having an engineering degree, it puts me into position like: shouldn't advanced technologies like mech's have some sort of protection against overheats? I mean, even if it does happen, there should be some battery charge left in your mech to enable cooling systems to speed-up the cooldown (that’s where I agree on time with Yeach). And making a noob into a sitting duck.... that battery charge should also be enough to still be able to activate at least some defense mechanisms, like heat traps for missiles, no?

Anyway, that’s just an opinion, not an argument

[wolf on the tide]

gut reaction:- "is it my mech or the guy i'm shooting at?"

hypothetically sensible answer:- longer shutdowns for bigger heat-spikes?

probable outcome:- old vets getting easy kills on noobs who haven't learnt fire control and heat management

[Leonardo Monteiro]

Why not have both worlds?

Piranha needs to make a game that pleases us, battletech junkies, and new players that might not appreciate, or at least understand some points such as Heat management.

So make a selection option on heat managemnt:
- Simple: Heat shutdown time is minimum, weapons stop randomly firing if heat builds up,then you shut down - but you pay this by having a sort of heat penalty (you heat faster). This is simple enough for newbies to get the concept, without them becoming ridiculous targets
- Advanced: Big shutdown time. However, because you should manage your heat (paying attention, proper weapon cycling, etc.), you get no penalties.

Just a thought

[wolf on the tide]

Leonardo Monteiro, on 16 November 2011 - 03:30 AM, said:

Why not have both worlds?

Piranha needs to make a game that pleases us, battletech junkies, and new players that might not appreciate, or at least understand some points such as Heat management.

So make a selection option on heat managemnt:
- Simple: Heat shutdown time is minimum, weapons stop randomly firing if heat builds up,then you shut down - but you pay this by having a sort of heat penalty (you heat faster). This is simple enough for newbies to get the concept, without them becoming ridiculous targets
- Advanced: Big shutdown time. However, because you should manage your heat (paying attention, proper weapon cycling, etc.), you get no penalties.

Just a thought

Possibly implement this by allowing the rookies only the standard heat setting (safe firing mode) ... and as you level up more experienced pilots can alter the settings (safety off if you want to risk it) ?

i'll see your thought, and raise you an idea

[wpmaura]

I also wish there were different options, you overheat to much there is reactor damage slowing down recharge times and cooling, as well as reactor going critical.

Also damage should be related to how much you overheat, if your already near the redline and you alpha strike with 4 ppcs and 4 med lasers , there should be a higher chance of damaging reactor as well as a meltdown.

But then again, we have no idea if this is just going to be a simple arcade shooter.

[Max Liao]

10 seconds. Then you either restart (if your heat drops low enough), or you (well, the game code) roll again for a restart. Rince/repeat every 10 seconds until restart or death.

[Havoc2]

From the beginning of this debate I have LOVED the idea of a 'Mechwarrior passing out from heat exhaustion.

I'd like to see shutdown times that are dependent on heat sinks, how far into the red you've gone, and if you go too far into the red (or too close to the red for too long) your Mechwarrior starts to get dizzy, black spots and eventually passes out.
This should definitely take much longer to happen than overheating, but when/if it does you're pretty much screwed. Mechwarrior is passed out for 30s to maybe a full minute. Could also help to cut down on energy heavy designs and place a heavy emphasis on heat management.

[Dihm]

As soon as your heat sinks (varies depending on mech and damage/criticals taken) get you below critical heat, you should begin boot-up. Boot should be what, 5 seconds for playability? Shutting down for that long in combat (not a duel, this is unit warfare after all) would probably still be a death sentence. I'd love to see mechs fall over if they're doing more than a slow stroll when they shut down too.

Edit: This should be in addition to the penalties associated with heat management. Decreased mech/pilot performance, possibility of reactor/heat sink damage, etc.

Edited by Dihm, 16 November 2011 - 05:42 AM.

[Xanquil]

Yeach, on 15 November 2011 - 09:57 PM, said:

Depends on the number of heatsinks you have.
The more you have the faster restart should be.

This is the best answer.

[Jack Deth]

30 to 60 seconds should be fine, depending on how far over you are and how many heat sinks you have. Assuming of course that your pilot hasn't passed out from the heat or literally cooked himself to death in his own cockpit.

EDIT: No reason why "fast restart" can't be a skill to be improved for your mechwarrior either.

Edited by Jack Deth, 16 November 2011 - 08:04 AM.

[Havoc2]

I also forgot to mention, there should be other penalties related to severe or multiple overheat shutdowns.

Ammo cook-offs for one.

[Orcinus]

Quote

Depends on how much you overheated it by and how many heat sinks you have working.

Quote

I also wish there were different options, you overheat to much there is reactor damage slowing down recharge times and cooling, as well as reactor going critical.
Also damage should be related to how much you overheat, if your already near the redline and you alpha strike with 4 ppcs and 4 med lasers , there should be a higher chance of damaging reactor as well as a meltdown.

Quote

I'd like to see shutdown times that are dependent on heat sinks, how far into the red you've gone, and if you go too far into the red (or too close to the red for too long) your Mechwarrior starts to get dizzy, black spots and eventually passes out.

Quote

30 to 60 seconds should be fine, depending on how far over you are and how many heat sinks you have. Assuming of course that your pilot hasn't passed out from the heat or literally cooked himself to death in his own cockpit.

Quote

I also forgot to mention, there should be other penalties related to severe or multiple overheat shutdowns.

All this. In short, I think it should be dependent on how far over the threshold you end up.
Having "permanent" damage for overheating multiple times sounds reasonable as well
That way, if worst comes to worst, my sandwich will be nice and toasty

[Dihm]

If it is 30-60 seconds, just make the pilot die automatically if you overheat, because it gives the same effect.

Remember, they are going with the carrot not the stick.