8 replies to this topic

[BlackJack21]

Dear PGI,

I'd like to begin by saying that I am a big fan of faction play. It has really added appeal to forming communities based on factions and fighting for something of consequence: territory. Not all players, however, want to dedicate to IS or Clan mechs, so we turn to mercenary units or simply go lone wolf. While this does add some freedom, we could have more.

I believe that Mercenary units as well as Freelancers should be able to pilot any mech of their choice. Freelancers can of course hop from one side to the other any time they like, but he/she still is restricted in what mech he can choose for that specific battle. And while one week isn't too terrible of a commitment, Mercenary units are not loyalists. Some may like clan mechs, while others favor IS. Instead of choosing the best contract first and foremost, they have to decide whether or not they want to play IS or Clan mechs. We shouldn't have to do this.

It can't be a balance issue. If anything, this would make balancing easier. If you are worried about merc groups having the best of both sides, you shouldn't. That's what they're SUPPOSED to do. They get the best equipment for a job and they work for the highest bidder.
I apologize if this topic has already been addressed; I tried searching and found nothing on it. Anyways, what do you guys think? Am I right, wrong, or is it a limitation of the game engine?

BlackJack21

Edited by BlackJack21, 30 June 2016 - 06:34 PM.

[VonBruinwald]

Freelancers and Mercenaries should also operate the other way round:

Freelancers take short term contracts. Somewhat like real world freelancers. Limit them to Clan/IS 'Mechs with the logic being they are making use of the factions facilities while under contract.

Mercenaries answer the call to arms taking jobs for whoever the highest bidder is at the time. They switch sides on the flip of a coin and go where the money is. To facilitate this the call to arms pop-up should display a "job offer" in CBills that goes up the more the side is in danger of losing (logic being the losing side is more desperate and willing to offer more). This payment is only granted in full if the job is successful. They are able to use any 'mechs since they take care of their own R&R.


Ultimately, units should also be able to chose any playstyle they like (Free/Merc/Loyal). But only those answering a Call to Arms should be able to mix IS/Clan 'mechs.

[Captain Artemis]

BlackJack21, on 30 June 2016 - 06:27 PM, said:

Dear PGI,

I'd like to begin by saying that I am a big fan of faction play. It has really added appeal to forming communities based on factions and fighting for something of consequence: territory. Not all players, however, want to dedicate to IS or Clan mechs, so we turn to mercenary units or simply go lone wolf. While this does add some freedom, we could have more.

I believe that Mercenary units as well as Freelancers should be able to pilot any mech of their choice. Freelancers can of course hop from one side to the other any time they like, but he/she still is restricted in what mech he can choose for that specific battle. And while one week isn't too terrible of a commitment, Mercenary units are not loyalists. Some may like clan mechs, while others favor IS. Instead of choosing the best contract first and foremost, they have to decide whether or not they want to play IS or Clan mechs. We shouldn't have to do this.

It can't be a balance issue. If anything, this would make balancing easier. If you are worried about merc groups having the best of both sides, you shouldn't. That's what they're SUPPOSED to do. They get the best equipment for a job and they work for the highest bidder.
I apologize if this topic has already been addressed; I tried searching and found nothing on it. Anyways, what do you guys think? Am I right, wrong, or is it a limitation of the game engine?

BlackJack21

If you would pay 300% of repair cost, with limited global replacement parts then just fine. In other way, you just want to have some OP mechanics breaking the game.

[BlackJack21]

It would not be overpowered. Both teams would get the advantage of using the other factions mechs. IS could bring Loki/Hellbringers, while Clans could use IS mechs like the OP Oxide. It would actually level the playing field.

I feel that I should clarify; when I included the "No, too advantageous" option, I meant that nobody would play as a loyalist. It isn't a balancing issue, but rather a question of play style. Why would you fight as a loyalist if Mercs and Freelancers can use their own, custom equipment (lore wise, since everyone customizes).

Mercenaries should be able to use their own equipment, and Freelancers especially. They are not overpowered just because they bat for both teams. I'm only worried about everyone ignoring the Loyalist Career option.

[Captain Artemis]

BlackJack21, on 02 July 2016 - 06:28 AM, said:

It would not be overpowered. Both teams would get the advantage of using the other factions mechs. IS could bring Loki/Hellbringers, while Clans could use IS mechs like the OP Oxide. It would actually level the playing field.

I feel that I should clarify; when I included the "No, too advantageous" option, I meant that nobody would play as a loyalist. It isn't a balancing issue, but rather a question of play style. Why would you fight as a loyalist if Mercs and Freelancers can use their own, custom equipment (lore wise, since everyone customizes).

Mercenaries should be able to use their own equipment, and Freelancers especially. They are not overpowered just because they bat for both teams. I'm only worried about everyone ignoring the Loyalist Career option.

If you ask me, I would like to see mechs being restricted to the faction occupied by player.

[Requiemking]

Captain Artemis, on 03 July 2016 - 10:34 AM, said:

If you ask me, I would like to see mechs being restricted to the faction occupied by player.

If i'm interpreting this correctly, basically what your saying is that a player, when working for a faction, should only be permitted to use mechs that are part of that faction's arsenal. So, for example, you are only allowed to use a Dragon in FP if you are working for Kurita. This could work, but that means that the Trial mechs would have to change, which I'm fine with. They have been stuck as the same twelve mechs for how long now?

Edited by Requiemking, 03 July 2016 - 12:59 PM.

[BlackJack21]

Well, the reason I wanted freedom to choose any mech was really because of my unit. We always would bounce back and forth between IS and Clan factions. There were always some players who preferred one over the other. This caused problems since they might have a good 4 mech line up for IS, but come time for clans, they could only use trial mechs. Instead of suffering through that, they would go play quick play or simply stop playing for a week. Now my unit is totally inactive.

Not saying that was the sole reason they stopped playing, but it is part of it. They may have just got bored. We were all friends that enjoyed different mechs, which is why we opted for a merc unit. Loyalist units are great if all of us liked Clan mechs, or all of us enjoyed IS, but we didn't. That's why I want mercs to be able to choose.

[Captain Artemis]

BlackJack21, on 04 July 2016 - 10:40 AM, said:

Well, the reason I wanted freedom to choose any mech was really because of my unit. We always would bounce back and forth between IS and Clan factions. There were always some players who preferred one over the other. This caused problems since they might have a good 4 mech line up for IS, but come time for clans, they could only use trial mechs. Instead of suffering through that, they would go play quick play or simply stop playing for a week. Now my unit is totally inactive.

Not saying that was the sole reason they stopped playing, but it is part of it. They may have just got bored. We were all friends that enjoyed different mechs, which is why we opted for a merc unit. Loyalist units are great if all of us liked Clan mechs, or all of us enjoyed IS, but we didn't. That's why I want mercs to be able to choose.

That is literally place where PGI made bad decision in the concept development of MWO. We had the pleasure to see this game being born, when every mech release was special. But was it good at long term?

In order to achieve something, games like Plantes Side 2, World of Tanks, War Thunder, Armored Warfare force you to spent some time. I'm not saying that never ending grinding is good - it's wrong. What I'm saying is that specific mech should be unique for specific faction. That would lead to the place where fpr example loyalist Steiners would pilot Zeus, while Kurita their Maulers.

One of solutions to your idea, can be introducing in game economy, maintained by PGI themselfs.

[Strattus]

VonBruinwald, on 01 July 2016 - 09:46 AM, said:

Freelancers and Mercenaries should also operate the other way round:

Freelancers take short term contracts. Somewhat like real world freelancers. Limit them to Clan/IS 'Mechs with the logic being they are making use of the factions facilities while under contract.

Mercenaries answer the call to arms taking jobs for whoever the highest bidder is at the time. They switch sides on the flip of a coin and go where the money is. To facilitate this the call to arms pop-up should display a "job offer" in CBills that goes up the more the side is in danger of losing (logic being the losing side is more desperate and willing to offer more). This payment is only granted in full if the job is successful. They are able to use any 'mechs since they take care of their own R&R.


Ultimately, units should also be able to chose any playstyle they like (Free/Merc/Loyal). But only those answering a Call to Arms should be able to mix IS/Clan 'mechs.

I like the idea of a mid-match switch..... this could totally get abused, though.... especially considering the number of mercs in the field....