9 replies to this topic

[TacticaLiuser]

Hey Pilots,

Ol' founder here; paused playing MWO around the time it launched on steam. Anyone willing to summarize major changes since then? Any old mechs still viable or I need to hit the ground grinding?

Looking to jumping back in... without getting alpha'ed too hard.

Regards,
Old MWO player.

[Kiiyor]

TacticaLiuser, on 09 July 2017 - 07:08 PM, said:

Hey Pilots,

Ol' founder here; paused playing MWO around the time it launched on steam. Anyone willing to summarize major changes since then? Any old mechs still viable or I need to hit the ground grinding?

Looking to jumping back in... without getting alpha'ed too hard.

Regards,
Old MWO player.

Wow, there's been quite a lot of change since you last stomped around in giant virtual robots.

Quirks have been changed and generally reduced due to the recent skill tree revamp that breathed life into a lot of mediocre mechs, and even though it's complicated, it's very worthwhile to read up and tinker on (<-- metamechs guide). There was a lot of push back before implementation, but reactions are now generally positive across the board, although the UI for it is considered to be overly complex and time consuming.

The same patched introduced engine decoupling, which means a mech's agility is set to a baseline level and modified slightly from there, as opposed to being determined almost solely by engine size. Generally, agility has been decreased across the board, with assault mechs having to work the hardest to adapt. Mediums are in a pretty good place right now as a result.

There was a balance pass on energy weapons too that was intended to close the gap between clan and 'sphere laser vomit.

Lots of new mechs, and a PTS just wound up for the impending civil war update that will be bringing a lot of new tech to the table.

Edit: and welcome back

Edited by Kiiyor, 09 July 2017 - 07:25 PM.

[RestosIII]

Skill tree completely replaced. No more set of three system, but you lose your skills if you sell that mech.

New tech about to be released for IS and Clans, entering the Civil War era.

Massive quirk switches.

ECM is now basically worthless unless you get ECM skills, because you'll be targetable within... 500 meters IIRC without skills.

CW has had a lot of things messed with it, but I won't play it until Clan Diamond Shark gets added as a faction, so I don't know much about it.

New game modes were added. Domination (King of the Hill), Escort mode where you try to destroy/protect an AI Atlas that doesn't fight back, and Incursion, which is basically Assault but with turrets and actual base walls involved.

[TacticaLiuser]

Quote

Wow, there's been quite a lot of change since you last stomped around in giant virtual robots.

Quirks have been changed and generally reduced due to the recent skill tree revamp that breathed life into a lot of mediocre mechs, and even though it's complicated, it's very worthwhile to read up and tinker on (<-- metamechs guide). There was a lot of push back before implementation, but reactions are now generally positive across the board, although the UI for it is considered to be overly complex and time consuming.

Sounds very interesting!

Did PGI do some sort of conversion/refund on the exp already grinded to the old skill trees? Any changes to ghost heat or weapon convergence as well?

Thanks for the links and info!

[El Bandito]

TacticaLiuser, on 09 July 2017 - 07:34 PM, said:

Did PGI do some sort of conversion/refund on the exp already grinded to the old skill trees? Any changes to ghost heat or weapon convergence as well?

Thanks for the links and info!

Yes, you get them refunded via Skill Points, and Historic XP. No change to instant convergence, but GH changes can be found here. http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/equipment

[SuomiWarder]

Skilling your old mechs can be difficult to make stick at first until you realize you must assign skill points from your XP and GXP in the top right box. Otherwise you assign away and cannot save the changes as technically the mech has no skill points yet. (Andthis allows you to pick between GXP and mech XP)

[Brain Cancer]

It's also worth noting that effectively, you can "quirk" yourself as Survival and Firepower trees basically become make-your own structure/armor and weapon quirks, respectively. And this now includes +ammo quirks, meaning you can often squeeze more shots/ton out of your guns.

You can also end up with an obscene number of consumable slots, which can mean a lot of strikes/artillery flying around, especially in games with more experienced players.

[Cy Mitchell]

As a result of Skill Tree changes you are going to have additional in game currencies to spend on leveling your Mech:

GSP - These are Global Skill Points that you received to compensate you for modules purchased before Dec 3, 2016. They can be used to buy pre-paid Skill points to use on any Mech that you own.

HSP - These are Historical Skill Points that you received to compensate you for the Skills that you previously had on all your Mechs. A fully Mastered Mech from the old Skill Tree was given 91 HSP so it could be fully leveled on the new Skill Tree. If you had additional duplicates of the same variant then you were given HSP for each of them to bring them to the same skill level also. So if you own two of one variant you will get double the Skill Points that you would normally get. HSP can only be spent on that particular variant. Also if you have sold Mechs in the past, any skill points that you may have spent on them will be given to you if you re-purchased them.

GXP - Same as old Global Experience Points. You can use 800 of them and 45,000 C-Bills to buy a Skill Point on any Mech you own. If you have completed the Tutorial in the Academy then you were rewarded 48,000 GXP. If you have not done the Tutorial then you can still do it and get the GXP bonus.

HXP - This is Historical Experience Points and it is experience earned on a Mech prior to the implementation of the new Skill Tree. You can use 800 HXP plus 45,000 C-Bills to buy a Skill Point of the specific variant on which it was earned.

You no longer have to own three variats of a chassis in order to fully level one variant.

When using your GSP and HSP, be careful. PGI will not issue refunds if you make mistakes and use the wrong currency or assign too much of a certain currency to one Mech. Once it is assigned, it is permanent. There are approximately 240 Skill Nodes that can be unlocked with Skill Points on each Mech. Only 91 of the nodes can be active at any one time.

The new Skill Tree can look daunting at first glance but if you take a little time to study it then you will soon be able to fully level a Mech in only a couple minutes or less.

Welcome back.

Edited by Rampage, 10 July 2017 - 06:48 AM.

[Obadiah333]

skill tree robbery - they took your modules that you spent gxp AND cbills on and refunded it with GSP. NOT GSP AND cbills, which is what they should have done. Then, they made that GSP you got refunded one time use only (not permanent, like modules). All in all, same old PGI - welcome back to the land of no lube.

[MechaBattler]

Since skill points have a C-bill cost. GSP is actually taking into account the c-bill cost as well.