42 replies to this topic

[Khan111]

Here is a somewhat silly idea that my group suggested a few nights ago. Add the drop deck system to QP without the tonnage restrictions, and still only be able to use one mech per match.

The idea is by giving players agency over what kind of mech to use depending on the map to increase variety and promote niche builds that previously did not see use due to being too specialised and have the meta grow off of that system. You know like old MW games?

By all means though shoot this idea down, it's quite silly even for me

Edited by Khan111, 13 February 2018 - 11:38 AM.

[- World Eater -]

Or PGI can just remove the voting system.

[Champion of Khorne Lord of Blood]

I've suggested a lot of times for the map to be picked first then people pick their mech. Would lead to a more interesting mix of different specialized metas for each map rather than a singular meta that works reasonably well everywhere.

[WarHippy]

I think I would be okay with that in addition to removing voting of any kind.

[Cementi]

Actually I think it would be a good idea. Talked it over with my unit awhile ago and we thought it would work well if they brought the three of each weight class rule back.

The way it would work is you would need to have one of each weight class to have a valid drop deck once on the ready screen you choose your mech and ready up to lock in your choice. Maybe put in a slight wait time to give slower connections a chance because as soon as three people lock in a weight class no one else can.

This would at least make sure tonnages would be closer. Though I imagine the " I only play heavies " crowd would probably be unhappy. Would be worth it to have more balanced matches.

[Cementi]

An alternate way of doing it would be give everyone one drop deck for each weight class and when you que up you choose what class you que up for in advance. That way the non team players could insist on their weight class and they can have the wait times.

Heh or they could do that same thing but only give each player one or two QP drop decks and allow people to buy more.

Edit to remove multi post from phone error

Edited by Cementi, 13 February 2018 - 11:58 AM.

[ROSS-128]

ThoseWhoFearTomorrow, on 13 February 2018 - 11:40 AM, said:

Or PGI can just remove the voting system.

For me at least, if maps went back to being entirely random my desire to change mechs after seeing the map wouldn't go away. If anything it would only get stronger. There's just so many things in this game that depend on the map.

Heck I wouldn't mind also getting to see what my team is bringing and talk to them about it before locking in, even if it did mean having to remind people to ready up when we're done. For example, it would allow me to see if my team is boating LRMs before deciding whether to bring a NARC mech or not (even though that is a strong indicator we're going to lose anyway). I think getting to drop with better information would be worth a little extra time in the lobby.

After all... Information is Ammunition™.

[Khan111]

Cementi, on 13 February 2018 - 11:54 AM, said:

An alternate way of doing it would be give everyone one drop deck for each weight class and when you que up you choose what class you que up for in advance. That way the non team players could insist on their weight class and they can have the wait times.

Heh or they could do that same thing but only give each player one or two QP drop decks and allow people to buy more.

Edit to remove multi post from phone error

I would not mind this outcome. Although now that I think about it group drops would have to be addressed? Might be able to get away with not touching it and only implementing for solo.

[Marquis De Lafayette]

While this might make some sense, I have to be against it purely based because it would cause so much less salt to be generated in chat when Polar and Terra therma gets selected. Some of the best nonsensical, salty rants in the game occur because of the current selection system.

Edited by Marquis De Lafayette, 13 February 2018 - 12:25 PM.

[Kanil]

This is probably the thing I'd like to see in game the most, as it's really hard to justify driving more than a couple of 'mechs in QP. It'd add a lot of variety, for me at least.

[Harlock69]

In theory, it makes total sense to pick your mech AFTER the map is announced. In real life (yes, I know that this is a game), no military in the world would show up on a battlefield without the resources for that particular environment.

[Lanzman]

All I know is, it gets kinda old when your last six matches were Frozen City or Polar Highlands, so you play a hot mech, and then as soon as you lock it in your next match is on Terra Therma or Tormaline Desert.

[Spare Parts Bin]

I like voting for the map and mission but would like it even better if I could reach into a group of four Mechs to pick the best based on mission and map. It would even be better to be able to mix Clan Mechs/Omnimech and IS Mechs.

I used to mix machines when I played CAV on a table top.

[Sergeant Random]

Theoretically, it would be nice to be able to pick your mech after the map is determined.

But you would be throwing away the expensive Matchmaker that PGI has implemented. Plus, you would be adding to the wait time before the match loads. The Matchmaker would be the bigger issue, and consequently, Red team vs Blue team balance.

[Cementi]

Sergeant Random, on 13 February 2018 - 07:16 PM, said:

Theoretically, it would be nice to be able to pick your mech after the map is determined.

But you would be throwing away the expensive Matchmaker that PGI has implemented. Plus, you would be adding to the wait time before the match loads. The Matchmaker would be the bigger issue, and consequently, Red team vs Blue team balance.

Either suggestion I brought up would ensure far better match balance as far as tonnage.

As to wait times. We allready have a short wait when we load into the screen with the ready up phase that does nothing. Another 5 seconds there would hardly be noticeable and I think would be a small price to pay to no longer be stuck with a poor mech/weaponset for a certain map.

My alternate idea actually deals with the wait by having people que up as a specific weight class. Just would mean people who are less selective with their weight class will have less of a wait just like when we could choose our game modes. Man I miss never having to every play find the poor sport light that is hiding, aka skirmish.

Also the matchmaker would not have to be thrown out. Tier would still be a factor for matchmaking. Just with either system the matchmaker would have to deal with far fewer variables. Instead of trying to match 17 different tonnage brackets against each other there would just be the 4 categories. My first suggestion works even better because the matchmaker would ONLY have to match tier. The players would then choose the weight categories removing that burden from the matchmaker entirely. All it would have to do is track how many have readied up in what weight class to lock that weight class out when the 3 of a class cap is hit.

[LordNothing]

i dont really consider it a dumb idea. id only require that the mechs all be the same class (you would have 4 qp decks, one for each weight class). you can choose your mech on the vote results screen. its better than being stuck in a mech that is woefully inadequate for the current map. you still only get one drop its just so you can choose a mech that is better equipped for the map/mode.

Edited by LordNothing, 13 February 2018 - 07:59 PM.

[PocketYoda]

Even if they removed voting a drop deck would still be viable and useful.

[Sergeant Random]

LordNothing, on 13 February 2018 - 07:58 PM, said:

i dont really consider it a dumb idea. id only require that the mechs all be the same class (you would have 4 qp decks, one for each weight class). you can choose your mech on the vote results screen. its better than being stuck in a mech that is woefully inadequate for the current map. you still only get one drop its just so you can choose a mech that is better equipped for the map/mode.

This might leave beginners with only 1 mech few options... You might want to put trial mechs in those drop decks...

[SeventhSL]

Haven't seen this topic in a while.

I'll say NO as Per normal. If people could choose Mechs knowing they are going to drop on to a specific map, then there would be lists of map Meta Mechs in no time. Just like faction play, you'd see the same Mechs on the same maps over and over again.

[InvictusLee]

This idea has made it's rounds a few times actually.