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Faction Play Patch Notes


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#1 FallingAce

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Posted 14 July 2017 - 11:06 PM

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Five years have passed since the defeat of the Clans at the Battle of Tukayyid. Invigorated by recent technological advances propelled forward by the Invasion, forces on both sides of the conflict are only just now starting to recover. The borders have remained relatively stable since the Truce, but the dawn of war may once again be approaching.
The Inner Sphere map has been updated to reflect approximate borders and territories according to the 3057 era. Astute eyes and lore adherents may notice the closer placement of Clan Homeworlds to the Inner Sphere compared to where they should be; this visual orientation was utilized to accommodate the voting and attack corridor pathing systems.

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As per the terms of a Truce brokered by ComStar the Clans have agreed to cease their continued advancement rimward into the Inner Sphere territories beyond Tukayyid. The Truce was one born of desperate times, focused toward ensuring the safety of Terra above all else. While the majority of the Inner Sphere territories untouched by direct fighting through the invasion are likewise protected by its terms, Steiner and Kurita territories coreward of Tukayyid did not fare so well. As per the terms of the Truce, the Clans have full reign to re-focus their drive for conquest on any territories before the Tukayyid line.
Still, even amongst those many light years from the Clan front, disquiet spreads. Surely this peace can be little more than a respite when dangerous enemies may yet arise from within, as well as without.

While the new Inner Sphere layout reflects the era according to established lore, Faction Play in MechWarrior Online is not attempting to recreate subsequent events exactly as they occurred. As combat within the Inner Sphere and the results of voting cycles are in the hands of Faction Loyalists, the paths of the Clan and Inner Sphere forces will begin to diverge from lore almost immediately.
The Truce is not expected to hold; the spirit of conquest and dreams of glory are too deeply entrenched on both sides of the conflict, and peacetime offers no such reward.

The fate of the Inner Sphere, whether it be one of conquest or renewal, lies with you.

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In reaction to the loss at Tukayyid, Clan Wolf Khan Ulric Kerensky has activated the forces of Clan Steel Viper and Clan Nova Cat. These new Factions fight within the Jade Falcon and Smoke Jaguar invasion corridors, respectively.



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While these new Clan Factions do possess distinct Faction Reputation progression paths, and Pilots are able to take Contracts with or pledge Loyalty to these Factions as normal, these Factions are not eligible for claiming territory of their own, nor do they cast a War Planning vote for their own Faction. Any planetary gains or losses these Factions make are done so under the banner of their parent Faction; any votes cast in the War Planning phase are cast under the banner of their parent Faction.
These Factions do however possess entries within the Faction Summary Leaderboards.

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Previous Faction Play seasons ran under a 'soft' victory structure based around the Battle of Tukayyid as a focal point. Clan progression toward Tukayyid typically triggered an associated Battle of Tukayyid event, the conclusion of which would lead to a reset of the map. This left the Inner Sphere with a goal solely oriented toward defense against the Invasion.
While any potential changes to the layout of the map at the end of this new Season are yet to be determined, this Season does bring with it a distinct set of conditions under which the Clans and Inner Sphere can achieve respective victories for their side. However, we would like to highlight that some aspects of the conditions for this Season may be subject to adjustments if deemed more conducive to a better Faction Play experience as the Season develops.

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Clan Victory Condition


Encircle and conquer any 3 IS Capital Planets*

• Luthien (Kurita)
• Tharkad (Steiner)
• Atreus (Marik)
• Sian (Liao)
• New Avalon (Davion)

* Tukayyid is the newly-assigned Capital for the Free Rasalhague Republic, but due to its position and state within the Inner Sphere is not eligible for counting toward the Clan Victory Condition.

If the Clans are able to encircle an eligible IS Capital Planet, that Capital Planet will be designated as the sole target in a subsequent IS Capital Planet Conflict. A specific period of time over which the Clans must maintain that encirclement may be required before the Conflict is triggered, to be determined at the appropriate time.

If the Clans are able to win an IS Capital Planet Conflict, their forces are considered to have conquered and seized that Capital. As reward (in addition to any Rewards associated with a special Event, if one occurs) Clans may be provided with a portion of additional territory surrounding that Capital Planet, the size and shape of which will be determined at the time based on the state of the Inner Sphere Map at that time. If necessary, this territory will likely be split between the four Clans to ensure voting avenues are not negatively affected in subsequent conflict phases. Ownership over the Capital Planet itself will be determined by whichever Clan contributed most toward the victory.

If the Clans are defeated in an IS Capital Planet Conflict, they are no longer able to launch attacks against that Capital Planet for the rest of the Season; they must re-focus their efforts on other Capitals throughout the Inner Sphere. The Clans may additionally be required to surrender a portion of the territory gained in their advance to that Capital, a decision to be made according to the state of the Map at that time and the respective progress of both Factions.

If the Clan forces are able to win 3 IS Capital Planet Conflicts throughout the Season, the Clans will emerge victorious and the Season will come to an end.
If the Clan forces lose 3 IS Capital Planet Conflicts throughout the Season, they will no longer be able to meet the requirements for total victory. As a result, the Inner Sphere will emerge as victorious and the Season will come to an end.

Special Events are likely to run at points throughout the Faction Play Season according to Faction progress and the state of the Inner Sphere Map.

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Inner Sphere Victory Condition

Conquer any one Clan Capital Planet

• Strana Mechty (Wolf)
• Huntress (Smoke Jaguar)
• Ironhold (Jade Falcon)
• Bearclaw (Ghost Bear)

If the Inner Sphere are able to reach any one Clan Capital Planet, that Planet will become the sole target in a subsequent Clan Capital Planet Conflict. A specific period of time over which the IS must maintain that corridor may be required, to be determined at the appropriate time.

If the Inner Sphere are able to win a single Clan Capital Planet Conflict, the Inner Sphere will emerge victorious and the Season will come to an end.

If the Inner Sphere are defeated in a Clan Capital Planet Conflict, they are no longer able to launch attacks against that Clan Capital Planet for the rest of the Season; they must re-focus their efforts on the other Clan Capital Planets. IS forces may additionally be required to surrender a portion of the territory gained in their advance toward the Capital, a decision to be made according to the state of the Map at that time and the respective progress of both Factions.

If the Inner Sphere lose all 4 Clan Capital Planet Conflicts throughout the Season, they will no longer be able to meet their requirement for total victory. As a result, the Clans will emerge as victorious and the Season will come to an end.

Special Events are likely to run at points throughout the Faction Play Season according to Faction progress and the state of the Inner Sphere Map.


Gaining Attack Corridors to the Clan Homeworlds

Multiple incursion points are available for the Inner Sphere forces to exploit onward to the Clan Homeworlds.

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Gaining an attack corridor into Clan Homeworld territory requires that the IS forces first capture one of the circled Planets currently under Clan control. However, these paths are subject to tweaking if deemed conducive to a better Faction Play experience as the Season develops.

#2 FallingAce

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Posted 14 July 2017 - 11:12 PM

"While these new Clan Factions do possess distinct Faction Reputation progression paths" does this translate to new reward trees to farm?
Are we still using the buckit system?
Are we still using the same broken contract system?
Are loyalist still locked into the same loyalty penalties from the start of phase 3?
What about loyalist only events?

#3 QueenBlade

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 12:14 AM

It's a step in a direction I approve of. There may not be rewards for getting the victory condition, but it does put forth a reason/purpose to play out your part / role in this war.

Now that there is a grand vision, I hope PGI can start looking towards ways to create purposes to holding / taking planets that will help a lonewolf / loyalist / merc unit in achieving this victory condition.

#4 Deathlike

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 12:25 AM

It's not a vision though, but the fundamental design issues are still in place.

Purpose is not just "let's grind til we grind no more" (though some people eventually just stop)... it's finding a reason as a group+community to accomplish something worthwhile.

This won't cut it due to fundamental flaws still in place. It's more like "OK, here's something you can do - good luck with that".

Edited by Deathlike, 15 July 2017 - 12:25 AM.


#5 Czarr

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 01:30 AM

Yes Steel viper is in the house!

#6 Marquis De Lafayette

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 02:11 AM

-Loyalist penalties still in place, no loyalist "carrots" added
-No contract reset to clear the inactive loyalists and make the Merc contract bonuses reflective of actual population

So, still ugh...

#7 Bud Crue

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 02:58 AM

They just don't get it.

They need to draw players in. They need an enticement. There is nothing in those changes that will entice anyone but the same few folks who are playing now to keep playing. Only change is the map reset and "victory condition" while all other drawbacks, perceived negative aspects, and general malaise of this mode remains fully ensconced.

WHY oh why did they not at least remove the loyalty penalties!? Why not give new rewards for actually winning, or advancing rewards for making progress toward winning? Why not do something -ANYTHING- to try and draw some new players into the mode?

I just do not understand. It would take so little. And yet...

#8 Palfatreos

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 03:52 AM

The penalties are a well though out features. just play 7 day of another game during the penalty and after that if you still think mwo better then game you played during 7 days your welcome back :).
wanna buy mechpack?

#9 Sjorpha

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 04:42 AM

View PostFallingAce, on 14 July 2017 - 11:12 PM, said:

"While these new Clan Factions do possess distinct Faction Reputation progression paths" does this translate to new reward trees to farm?
Are we still using the buckit system?
Are we still using the same broken contract system?
Are loyalist still locked into the same loyalty penalties from the start of phase 3?
What about loyalist only events?


Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Lolnope.

Edited by Sjorpha, 15 July 2017 - 04:42 AM.


#10 MischiefSC

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 07:57 AM

I'm just waiting for the ZMOM pack of Cougers. That's literally the most entertainment I'm expecting to get out of FW in the new patch.

#11 FallingAce

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 09:19 AM

View PostPalfatreos, on 15 July 2017 - 03:52 AM, said:

The penalties are a well though out features. just play 7 day of another game during the penalty and after that if you still think mwo better then game you played during 7 days your welcome back Posted Image.
wanna buy mechpack?


7 days isn't the problem. It's the 25% LP loss that's the problem.
Add that the the fact that there's zero bonus for being loyalist...

#12 Davegt27

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 10:08 AM

Very cool I like it

QueenBlade is right

remember there are 3 areas
1) strategic or galactic
2) tactical or planetary
3) Mech to Mech combat

this a positive push toward the Strategic over view and win conditions

now we just need them to work on the other 2 areas

the unlock to find the Clan home worlds is great also

need the same for the IS side

say Gov in exile planet for the IS
so if Clans don't take a planet in a reasonable time the IS Gov would have escaped
and of course any C-boost would go down by 50%

oh we for got the 20% c-bill boost for FP

#13 Serial Number

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 10:24 AM

Nothing done about siege/invasion mode to be played more. No new factions or w/e can make me play this stupid QP 2.0.

#14 naterist

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 11:54 AM

it seems like at least theres a meta game now. voting on certain planets to get to other planets.... kinda matters? and theres built in triggers for events, making capital planets important.

i wonder if they're hoping the novacat and and steelviper fanboys will offset the merc shift to is with new tech.

#15 Ripper X

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 12:37 PM

I like the idea of events surrounding the capture of capital planets. Although at first I was against the reset of contracts I have since changed my mind. A reset would get rid of the unneeded penalties when you take a contract because of inactive players.
Also would be a nice idea to offer unique loadout mech variants instead of some rewards on the faction rewards table. There should be progression past 20.


#16 Kin3ticX

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 02:47 PM

Its lacking in housecleaning items (it has none) but it opens up the pentagon worlds and makes capitol planets mean something so thats cool.

#17 Monkey Lover

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 03:17 PM

Nothing new not worth playing 99.9% of the time.

Few slight hints of maybe few IS v IS events.

Might show up if Marik home word gets attacked but I'm guessing it will never happen.

#18 MischiefSC

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 05:46 PM

If Marik homeworld gets attacked it's going to be by other Marik.

Nobody else wants it but Mariks just love shooting other Mariks.

#19 Commander A9

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 05:53 PM

When the hell is our tonnage getting reset back to 250-250...

#20 Tarl Cabot

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Posted 15 July 2017 - 07:35 PM

View PostCommander A9, on 15 July 2017 - 05:53 PM, said:

When the hell is our tonnage getting reset back to 250-250...

Not for another season or two.... :)





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