20 replies to this topic

[SQW]

As a dedicated RVN spotter, I'd like some clarification on how the TAG work. First off, I'm aware of its on-paper effect and how to use it but I want confirmation on something I can't find any conclusive info on:

Does the TAG laser's increased accuracy work on missiles that are already in flight (already locked on to the enemy PRIOR to my TAG)? For example, if I see the missile incoming symbol (three missiles) on a enemy and THEN I hit that mech with TAG until the missile hits, would the TAG effect still manifest?

I ask this because TAGing for longer than a few sec usually gives away my position. As much as I want to help LRMs on my team with shorter lock on, my *** is more important. However, if my post lock TAGing still helps with the missile grouping then I can remain hidden for longer and still be credit to team.

Currently, I play my RVN 3L as a spotter but only TAG in the 2nd half of the match where there are less enemies to notice a red line pointing at their backside.

[Sandpit]

SQW, on 03 January 2016 - 06:05 PM, said:

As a dedicated RVN spotter, I'd like some clarification on how the TAG work. First off, I'm aware of its on-paper effect and how to use it but I want confirmation on something I can't find any conclusive info on:

Does the TAG laser's increased accuracy work on missiles that are already in flight (already locked on to the enemy PRIOR to my TAG)? For example, if I see the missile incoming symbol (three missiles) on a enemy and THEN I hit that mech with TAG until the missile hits, would the TAG effect still manifest?

I ask this because TAGing for longer than a few sec usually gives away my position. As much as I want to help LRMs on my team with shorter lock on, my *** is more important. However, if my post lock TAGing still helps with the missile grouping then I can remain hidden for longer and still be credit to team.

Currently, I play my RVN 3L as a spotter but only TAG in the 2nd half of the match where there are less enemies to notice a red line pointing at their backside.

Yes as far as I know it will. As long as the TAG is on target in time to affect the grouping

[SQW]

Awesome. Thanks!

[mailin]

Yes, if you are tagging before they hit and while they hit, you will get the tag bonus and the missiles will be more accurate.

Here's a hit for you, get behind the enemy if you can and tag their legs. Also, if you sweep the tag laser around you will light up all of the enemies in that area. Keep doing it and you can potentially really rack up some bonuses.

The 3L is the perfect mech for getting behind the enemy due to its ECM. Just don't fire on any enemies when you're tagging. Although if you get good at it you can fire as the lrms are hitting them for some additional damage. When you do fire on the enemy always fire on the legs.

Edited by mailin, 03 January 2016 - 08:44 PM.

[Metus regem]

mailin, on 03 January 2016 - 08:43 PM, said:

Yes, if you are tagging before they hit and while they hit, you will get the tag bonus and the missiles will be more accurate.

Here's a hit for you, get behind the enemy if you can and tag their legs. Also, if you sweep the tag laser around you will light up all of the enemies in that area. Keep doing it and you can potentially really rack up some bonuses.

The 3L is the perfect mech for getting behind the enemy due to its ECM. Just don't fire on any enemies when you're tagging. Although if you get good at it you can fire as the lrms are hitting them for some additional damage. When you do fire on the enemy always fire on the legs.

Pirate's Bane works good too...

[SQW]

Ah, I forgot about the initial TAG bonus. Will give it a try tonight.

Would a blind TAG (no R key) show up on my team mates' HUD as target? I know TAG cuts through ECM so it'll be like blind TAGing a mech that's under ECM right?

I guess it's a good way of signaling my team mate just how many mechs are hidden under ECM or something when they see half a dozen contact triangles flash on the map.

I really need a headphone with a mic...

[dwwolf]

Yer better off with some quality headphones ( like ath m50x) and a good clipon mike like the zalman clip on one.
Alternatively, the soundblaster Zx comes with a very good directional mike.

Everyone thinks onboard sound is good enough. But you can hear the difference easily enough, ditto with gaming headphones and quality stereo headphones.

[Lyoto Machida]

mailin, on 03 January 2016 - 08:43 PM, said:

Yes, if you are tagging before they hit and while they hit, you will get the tag bonus and the missiles will be more accurate.

Here's a hit for you, get behind the enemy if you can and tag their legs. Also, if you sweep the tag laser around you will light up all of the enemies in that area. Keep doing it and you can potentially really rack up some bonuses.

The 3L is the perfect mech for getting behind the enemy due to its ECM. Just don't fire on any enemies when you're tagging. Although if you get good at it you can fire as the lrms are hitting them for some additional damage. When you do fire on the enemy always fire on the legs.

Why TAG legs?

[Khobai]

Quote

Why TAG legs?

makes it harder to see the TAG laser

[Lyoto Machida]

Khobai, on 03 January 2016 - 11:35 PM, said:

makes it harder to see the TAG laser

That's what I figured...hopefully they'll implement some sort of tracking towards specific body parts tagged one day.

[Karl Marlow]

For even more fun being NARC instead of tag. You don't have to expose yourself to return fire and for your non LRM friends you keep track of where that mech is.

[Khobai]

Quote

That's what I figured...hopefully they'll implement some sort of tracking towards specific body parts tagged one day.

I hope not. The last thing we need are LRMs that are pinpoint damage too.

Quote

For even more fun being NARC instead of tag. You don't have to expose yourself to return fire and for your non LRM friends you keep track of where that mech is.

+1

Edited by Khobai, 04 January 2016 - 12:03 AM.

[SQW]

ThomasMarik, on 04 January 2016 - 12:01 AM, said:

For even more fun being NARC instead of tag. You don't have to expose yourself to return fire and for your non LRM friends you keep track of where that mech is.

I'm currently leaning towards TAG. NARC need 2 tons of ammo to be worth while - devoting 5 tons on a light mech only to discover your team are heavy ballistic is a real downer. Also, the only C-bill bonus at the end from NARC is 10k from a missile (?) KILL - too fickle for my taste especially without known team composition. As for giving your team tactical info, a silent ECM Raven can do it well too while also saving 5 tons for weapons.

As much as I love NARC (oh how I loved my RVN in MW4), the 500m range is also little too close for most maps and the +15sec duration quirk is currently bugged on the RVN 3L. Once that's fixed, I might tinker with a NARC build again.

[Cyborne Elemental]

Hitting legs is a good way to keep the enemy from spinning around and spotting you too.

If you wait until the missles hit, shoot em anywhere, but if you're landing back shots on a guy be ready for them to spin right around and spot ya.

[Sandpit]

Mister D, on 04 January 2016 - 06:52 AM, said:

Hitting legs is a good way to keep the enemy from spinning around and spotting you too.

If you wait until the missles hit, shoot em anywhere, but if you're landing back shots on a guy be ready for them to spin right around and spot ya.

This is a great tactic. I use it on my faster mechs. Work your way to the rear front and start shooting mechs at the enemy's front, when they turn around thinking they're being flanked all those teammates now have juicy rear armor.

That's really one of the main reasons you see some teammates and vets say "Don't chase the squirrel"

Not only do you get out of position and lose firing lines, you also turn your rear armor to 8 enemy mechs while trying to protect it from a light mech plinking you at 600 meters

[Khobai]

You should always chase the squirrel its an easy kill.

If your team loses its not your fault because you got a kill.

[mailin]

Note that tagging isn't the same as locking a target. If you tag someone that isn't locked by anyone and you do not lock them either, they do not show up on your friendlies radar. So, in order for your friendlies to fire lrms on a mech that you are tagging, you will also need to lock them by pressing R.

Also, note that there is a warning that you have been locked by an enemy mech, however, most pilots don't know about this. It is a flashing light in your cockpit that only flashes when you are locked, it dones't flash for long, only a second or two. If the enemy loses you and then re-establishes the lock the light will flash again.

[SQW]

Khobai, on 04 January 2016 - 10:08 AM, said:

You should always chase the squirrel its an easy kill.

If your team loses its not your fault because you got a kill.

The opposing team approve of this message. =)

Seriously though, some of the lights can core your back in 3-4 alphas so I understand why heavies and assaults panic when an Arctic Cheetah is running around. Also, the taste of revenge from legging a light and slowly strip it of both arms is so much sweeter.

[Sandpit]

SQW, on 04 January 2016 - 04:29 PM, said:

The opposing team approve of this message. =)

Seriously though, some of the lights can core your back in 3-4 alphas so I understand why heavies and assaults panic when an Arctic Cheetah is running around. Also, the taste of revenge from legging a light and slowly strip it of both arms is so much sweeter.

it's ok to turn and shoot back
5 mechs running off and breaking firing lines to chase down one light never works out

[Metus regem]

Sandpit, on 04 January 2016 - 08:13 PM, said:

it's ok to turn and shoot back
5 mechs running off and breaking firing lines to chase down one light never works out

That's why you need one or two dedicated squirrel hunters, my 360xl Dragon does wonders at it.