50 replies to this topic

[Leung]

On the table top I always enjoyed light fast mechs that could use their agility and speed to position them selves to do really good damange agaisnt the slow big mechs. Sure a few shots and I was out, but I enjoyed playing a position game much more than a slow bunker. I am very interested to see how this online game feels compared to the "cannon" of the table top.

[Gendo]

Jiri Starrider, on 18 July 2012 - 09:18 AM, said:

That's because those bigger things have more heat sinks, as it were, not because they are bigger. The more mass the more thermal retention. In absence of radiator fins they are in fact >less< efficient at dispersing heat as the surface area to mass ratio is lower on the bigger object. Want a simple test, take a saute pan and a big stock pot. Heat them both up and boil water. Then take the temp of the water at intervals after and see which one is really cooling off faster.

here we ignore physics again...
if you put the EQUAL ammount of energy in 2 objects the one with more surface will heat up slower and radiate the heat faster - thats usualy the bigger mech.

and the job of a light mech is NOT to shoot it out with a heavy or assault, but to spot (and narc/tag) the enemy to gain a tactical advantage and to support teammates in the heavier mechs while the enemy is occupied with em. role warfare...

[Haroldwolf]

Riffleman, on 18 July 2012 - 12:18 AM, said:

Now I understand roles are important for mechs, but I think they need more than that and maps tailored to them to help balance what I see coming as another version of mechwarrior where its an arms race to the top.

Again I know this goes against the fluff, please dont hate me.

What if we did something crazy, and made it so that light and medium mechs made HALF the heat that heavy and assault mechs produced when firing energy weapons?

Game breaking or helping diversity?

Light and medium mechs regularly slaughter assault mechs if you get one on your 6. Without somebody covering your back, an Atlas is just so much scrap metal in short order.

Edited by Haroldwolf, 22 July 2012 - 03:41 PM.

[Mrllamaface]

I don't see why there is a need to change. From my understanding the game is supposed to be centered around teamwork. So if you like piloting lights let your teamates distract the bigger mechs so you can sneak up behind them and get at the weaker parts.

Or you if you like mediums you could maybe harrass flanks watch the back of bigger mechs. Its all about working together.

[Shirefolk]

Without being in the game yet, there is nothing I can say seeing as I have no experience with it and only have TT experience (of the two). Since this is a new game, it would only be speculating about mechanics that they seem to be making a effort to make moot by making all roles worthwhile. Until that is seen (or not seen) it seems premature to say that they already won't be played. I know that 2 of my 6 or so friends that I KNOW are playing it, are going for light mechs already.

Just to have a fun random story. Locuts in a Black Widow (I think) vs. Word of Blake RP battle. MASC gives it 28 hex run (56 inches since we were playing miniatures rules). Win initiative and ram someone in the back ftw! Got two kills without a shot fired. WHAM! I manage to miss my third attempt as he went into the forest to reduce the hit chance. Then before I could take out the one I missed, I get hulled with a Heavy PPC at range before Physical Phase. Cored. Damn C3 .

Edited by Shirefolk, 22 July 2012 - 08:22 PM.

[Donovan Jenks]

halfing the heat would basically ensure that every light and medium can spam "alpha strike" constantly.

Speed, Armor, and Firepower are the 3 keys to battletech and this change would give lights and mediums domination in both speed and firpower with no sacrifice to armor.

too much.

[grimzod]

Riffleman, on 18 July 2012 - 12:18 AM, said:

Now I understand roles are important for mechs, but I think they need more than that and maps tailored to them to help balance what I see coming as another version of mechwarrior where its an arms race to the top.

Again I know this goes against the fluff, please dont hate me.

What if we did something crazy, and made it so that light and medium mechs made HALF the heat that heavy and assault mechs produced when firing energy weapons?

Game breaking or helping diversity?

No effing way. TT is balanced ffs.

[Shiinore]

Riffleman, on 18 July 2012 - 12:18 AM, said:

Now I understand roles are important for mechs, but I think they need more than that and maps tailored to them to help balance what I see coming as another version of mechwarrior where its an arms race to the top.

Again I know this goes against the fluff, please dont hate me.

What if we did something crazy, and made it so that light and medium mechs made HALF the heat that heavy and assault mechs produced when firing energy weapons?

Game breaking or helping diversity?

I'm not sure why you think this would be necessary, especially since you (probably) haven't played it. Lights have a typically bare loadout and compensate for their squishiness with speed and maneuverability. Plus it's already been stated that Lights will be important for this "information" warfare that Russ has mentioned a billion times.

Edited by Shiinore, 22 July 2012 - 08:55 PM.

[Bloodweaver]

BT's designers didn't add weapon heat is an afterthought. It's not imbalanced. It IS the balancing value. So changing it to fit different mechs would actually break the balance.

Besides, light mechs already have something similar to this "heat advantage" you're proposing. Namely, they weigh less. Meaning, they can't mount as much weaponry as heavier mechs. More tons = more guns = more heat.

[Bloodweaver]

Gendo, on 22 July 2012 - 03:34 PM, said:

here we ignore physics again...
if you put the EQUAL ammount of energy in 2 objects the one with more surface will heat up slower and radiate the heat faster - thats usualy the bigger mech.

The larger object will have more total surface area -obviously- but the smaller object will have more surface area relative to its mass/volume. This is why table salt's flavor is so much more potent than rock salt; you've increased its surface area.

Edited by Bloodweaver, 22 July 2012 - 10:13 PM.

[William Petersen]

There is absolutely no need for such a change because lights (and mediums), by virtue of being lighter, produce less heat by having less weapons, and need fewer additional heat-sinks.