11 replies to this topic

[Aresye]

A lot of people seem to get hung up on the idea that their role = their weight class, but there's a lot more to it than that.

IMO, each weight class has at least one chassis that offers the hardpoints and customization to fit a variety of roles.

For example, my most effective role is being a mid-range skirmisher, and my most popular mechs in each class that fit that role are:
- ACH w/ ERML or MPL
- RVN-2X w/ 3 LL
- BJ-3 w/ 3 LPL
- SCR w/ LPL, ERML, or MPL
- WVR-6K w/ 4 LL
- CPLT-J w/ LPL & ML
- EBJ w/ LPL & Gauss
- TDR-9SE w/ 3 LPL
- EXE w/ LPL & ERML

The easiest way to describe the role of the skirmisher is that it's a cross between long range support and brawling. Skirmishers are responsible for limiting the enemy team's movement, whether it's holding a corner to prevent a team from flanking, or forcing the enemy team to make a move by taking up a position offset from the main force.

For those trying to build their CW dropdecks and/or wondering which mechs to purchase next, stop thinking about which "class" you like the most, and think about what "role" you like the most. Just because someone likes to be a scout doesn't mean they're limited to light mechs. There's enough mechs in the game that each role should have at least 1-2 mechs in each weight class that can fit that role.

Knowing your role helps IMMENSELY in deciding which mechs to buy, and you'll find yourself having a larger selection of playable mechs, unlike specializing via weight class, in which case you might have many chassis you never touch, simply because they don't work for your play style.

*Edit*
Some examples of different roles:
- Brawler (Up close & personal)
- Line Defense (Support the brawlers)
- Skirmisher (Explained above)
- Back Line Defense (Support the skirmishers & the line defense)
- Fire Support (Long range dakka/LRMs)
- Scout (UAV Placements, targeting for fire support, etc)

Edited by Aresye Kerensky, 30 December 2015 - 11:33 AM.

[RhymenoserousRex]

Aresye Kerensky, on 30 December 2015 - 11:25 AM, said:

- Fire Support (Long range dakka/LRMs)

- Liability - LRM boats.

[FupDup]

Atlases make the best scout mechs.

[cSand]

RhymenoserousRex, on 30 December 2015 - 11:52 AM, said:

- Liability - LRM boats.

People keep saying that but I'm seeing loads of LRMs these days

[Tyler Valentine]

FupDup, on 30 December 2015 - 11:53 AM, said:

Atlases make the best scout mechs.

Just ask TheB33f

[Alistair Winter]

What are these roles you speak of? Do you mean modules and consumables?

[Bud Crue]

Alistair Winter, on 30 December 2015 - 12:01 PM, said:

What are these roles you speak of? Do you mean modules and consumables?

I try to play the "find the enemy and shoot them" role. I'm good at it, until they shoot back en mass.
Then I transition to "turning my armor display red" role.
Sometimes, depending on my mech and my teammates, this turns into the "run around and try not to die so quicky" role or "for the love of god, don't stop twisting or I am toast" role.
Sometimes all of the roles blur together in a schizophrenic mass and, if I am lucky, concludes with the "wow I managed to (help) kill some enemies" role. That role always feels nice.

[Tarogato]

Aresye Kerensky, on 30 December 2015 - 11:25 AM, said:

A lot of people seem to get hung up on the idea that their role = their weight class, but there's a lot more to it than that.

IMO, each weight class has at least one chassis that offers the hardpoints and customization to fit a variety of roles.

For example, my most effective role is being a mid-range skirmisher, and my most popular mechs in each class that fit that role are:
- ACH w/ ERML or MPL
- RVN-2X w/ 3 LL
- BJ-3 w/ 3 LPL
- SCR w/ LPL, ERML, or MPL
- WVR-6K w/ 4 LL
- CPLT-J w/ LPL & ML
- EBJ w/ LPL & Gauss
- TDR-9SE w/ 3 LPL
- EXE w/ LPL & ERML

The easiest way to describe the role of the skirmisher is that it's a cross between long range support and brawling. Skirmishers are responsible for limiting the enemy team's movement, whether it's holding a corner to prevent a team from flanking, or forcing the enemy team to make a move by taking up a position offset from the main force.

For those trying to build their CW dropdecks and/or wondering which mechs to purchase next, stop thinking about which "class" you like the most, and think about what "role" you like the most. Just because someone likes to be a scout doesn't mean they're limited to light mechs. There's enough mechs in the game that each role should have at least 1-2 mechs in each weight class that can fit that role.

Knowing your role helps IMMENSELY in deciding which mechs to buy, and you'll find yourself having a larger selection of playable mechs, unlike specializing via weight class, in which case you might have many chassis you never touch, simply because they don't work for your play style.

*Edit*
Some examples of different roles:
- Brawler (Up close & personal)
- Line Defense (Support the brawlers)
- Skirmisher (Explained above)
- Back Line Defense (Support the skirmishers & the line defense)
- Fire Support (Long range dakka/LRMs)
- Scout (UAV Placements, targeting for fire support, etc)

Personally, I wouldn't ever consider any of the heavies and assaults you listed as "skirmishers". We must have different definitions of the term.

Tarogato, on 14 December 2015 - 03:53 AM, said:

1. Lights / Scouts
-- trading lights (like the RVN, PNT, potentially CDA, etc)
-- brawler/knifefighting lights (like the FS9-A, ACH with SPL, some WLF, JR7-O)
-- harassing/skirmishing lights (like the FS9-S, some WLF, JR7-F, CDA)
-- support lights (like the SDR, MLX, UM, KFX)

2. Brawlers
-- anything that needs close range in order to work effectively, usually survivable and usually equipped with SRMs, AC/20, MPLs, cSPLs, stuff like that. AS7, CN9s, GRFs, some WVRs, some HBKs, some TDRs, GHRs, BL-KNTs, SHD-2D2, splat/wubCrows.

3. Skirmishers
-- very mobile mechs with midrange that can reposition and offer their firepower where it is needed. Usually MPLs, cMPLs, MLs, cERMLs, AC5/10 - can apply damage quickly with little facetime. Includes most light mechs, but also includes fast mediums like the BJ-1X, CRB, CDA, and fastest heavies such as the SMN and DRG.

4. Fire support
-- anything that can't necessarily hold its own, but can dish out damage when ignored. Usually because of excessive facetime. Examples include most dakka mechs like WVR-6R/7D, JM6, DRG, RFL, SHD-2H, BJ-1, QKD-IV4, dakka DWF/KGC/MAL/BNC, sometimes extreme range lasers, some lights like LPL RVN. Also LRMs.

5. Front line/trading mechs
-- any survivable mech that is capable soaking up damage for the team to initiate trades and can make good trades in return. Usually gaussvomit, laservomit, such as the TBR, EBJ, TDR, CTF, HBR, DWF, BNC, EXE, some MLRs, some mediums like the WVR, ENF, SCR. These are the bread and butter mech role. During the poptart era these mechs were the CTFs, VTRs, HGNs, SHDs, BNCs.

6. Poptarts
-- relies on JJs to do their most effective poking. Includes PNTs, BJ-3, some NVAs, VND, CTF, SMN, some SHC, the old meta VTR and HGN, etc. Often equipped with projectile weapons, but not necessarily. These can be any other role as well. During poptart meta they were the front line mechs, but today they are usually fire support, sometimes skirmishers, and sometimes lights.

Edited by Tarogato, 30 December 2015 - 12:13 PM.

[WarHippy]

FupDup, on 30 December 2015 - 11:53 AM, said:

Atlases make the best scout mechs.

Shouldn't you have a blue fist for your faction icon with an attitude like that?

[AlmightyAeng]

Role is determined by weapons. Effectiveness is determined by positioning. Positioning is determined by speed. Speed is determined by chassis size and engine size.

So...

1) Pick a Role
2) Take the right weapons
3) Put them on a mech that gives you the speed and maneuverability you need for your playstyle.

Killing mechs is the only real objective. Everything else just determines HOW.

[Johny Rocket]

RhymenoserousRex, on 30 December 2015 - 11:52 AM, said:

- Liability - LRM boats.

Get the **** off it already.

[LordNothing]

i like the op's differentiation between weight class and role. you could probibly define the more obscure roles a little better. i really only recognize scouts, brawlers, skirmishers and support as the fundamental four. i kind of think going further than that is splitting hairs. skirmisher and line defense really arent to dissimilar in weight and build and one could easily sit in for another. you can say the same thing about back line and fire support. everything is going to fall into one of the four fundamental roles. you might however define subroles to fill in all the niches, but its going to fall firmly into a fundamental role.

things like knife fighting, wolfpacking, camping and poptarting are more tactics and have nothing to do with class or role and is more about playing to the capabilities of a particular build.

Edited by LordNothing, 30 December 2015 - 04:04 PM.