89 replies to this topic

[Bigbacon]

If you run a dedicated LRM boat you should be carrying NARC and using it to secure your own locks.

[JediPanther]

The only lrm boat I ever lock for any more is the cat a1. The rest can give up one ton for tag which the a1 doesn't have a single E slot for any way. It's rare for me to use the a1 with lrm only as it has no defensive weapon of any type except for spaiming chat with oh sheet help me as it dies to a light up its butt or in its face.

[UnofficialOperator]

C4NC3R, on 29 July 2017 - 04:03 PM, said:

{Redacted]

.

Why do people still lurmboat? Got out of a game a few hours ago where kdk4 with a similar build to yours did 120 to 160 damage vs my 800 wlf

Have you considered maybe lrms are why you have a 0.4 wlr and 0.7 kdr?

Edited by McValium, 29 July 2017 - 11:11 PM.
Quote cleanup

[FupDup]

Laser boat here, please hold locks.

[Cementi]

When these people ask for locks they are not asking you to put yourself at risk. They are asking you to press one bloody button so that not only can you get target info and tell where you should be shooting but they can assist you in killing the target.

Sadly many people have their heads to far up their reactor to understand that regardless of ones perception of the weapon system making it harder for those to use said weapon system only decreases your odds of winning.

PS. I do not like LRM boats, but I do see the value in using it as a support weapon on a second or third line mech. Ideally getting your own locks but at times supporting the front line with fire power that you would not otherwise be able to contribute do to intervening terrain and or allied mechs blocking your line of fire.

So please feel free to remain ignorant and refuse to lock targets. Makes it easier for me to avoid the fire of some of your mechs and more likely to beat you.

Oh and I like the Cbills from spotting assists.

[Alexander of Macedon]

There is no lock on, only

[InfinityBall]

Cementi, on 29 July 2017 - 07:07 PM, said:

When these people ask for locks they are not asking you to put yourself at risk. They are asking you to press one bloody button so that not only can you get target info and tell where you should be shooting but they can assist you in killing the target.

Again, this is about people saying HOLD lock. Which means more than just pressing R when you don't have anyone targeted.

[Cementi]

InfinityBall, on 29 July 2017 - 07:21 PM, said:

Again, this is about people saying HOLD lock. Which means more than just pressing R when you don't have anyone targeted.

Yep, because alot of people do not hold them because they do not want a LRM boat to steal their precious kill.

[Judah Malganis]

Keeping locks on what you're shooting at is good practice anyways since it helps you identify weak spots on your target. The saddest thing on MWO is a mech blasting alphas at their target randomly then shutting down and getting killed when pressing R would have shown that your tasty XL IS target already had a red side torso and would have died if you sneezed on that side of it.

Edited by Judah Malganis, 29 July 2017 - 08:17 PM.

[Maker L106]

It's not exactly the same thing but I've setup a group of 3-4 people before in PUGs who are running LRM's (granted they aren't boats) but LRM's give indirect fire pressure, something some people really appreciate. While no they aren't going to outright end anyone other than an assault in the open for no reason its a useful tool to have at your disposal. Typically if anyone asks for locks and we happen to be running that sort of group be it the usual 2 man or the full blown 4 we have mechs specifically outfitted to do so. Typically my Shadow Cat handles Narcing targets and then runs away. Typical SC behavior really. But it can defend itself if needed. This allows us to single out one target of my choosing at any given time one becomes available.

Now the guys who run these that I play with vary up what they carry. So its not just LRM 20's everywhere, We got Medium Heavy lasers, LBX10 etc: all sorts of mixed in tools to deal with the situation. The only problem we run into is when people start dying, not our team mind you, US. If I go down, or can't narc and entire team of ECM users... then its going to be a bad day. But In the end by the time the fight comes to us, usually the LRMS's are low on ammo and its time to fire up the main guns.

I understand what LRM artillary players are trying to do and sympathize with them when it comes to people just being outright mean for assuming they cause the deaths on the team... and I'm sure some who don't pay attention, or just LRM into anything they get a lock on, yeah that's frusturating. But if they actually DO pay attention and properly follow any call outs, NARC calls or Tag assists then its a useful tool in the box. The best? no.

Why all this... because LRM's soften up targets and people seem to have whole sale lost interest in that in the QP groups. It's either Brawl or Snipe with little room in between even though we make it a point in our game to support the assault lance when we drop. Again maybe not the best example but that's how things work out from our POV and where only mildly organized, decent players with average skill. Most of us get absolutely shut down in 1v1's. Me particularly because my internet likes to jitter and wont allow me a strait fight in anything faster than the shadow cat (much to this last weeks raving by many people about my Viper-C, sorry about that btw, I've only had it happen in the Cat a few times, things here got worse apparently).

Now on to the elephant in the room of the "ask for locks" people like to grype about isn't just the attitude of the LRM user, it's often also the fact the maps, many of them anyway, give people a LOT of options (with the exception most times of polar highlands) to use the map to defend themselves. Thus "plz hold locks" becomes "oh god not another guy who can't do ****."

I could go on but don't hate on the people who ask. Or any LRM user, this games got enough problems without us being uncivil to players already. If nothing else ignore them. At best offer up some actual advice, you never know, they may actually listen.

[Queen of England]

PGI could probably improve LRM performance by removing indirect fire.

LRM boats would get closer to the enemy, stop firing so much ordnance into mountainsides and buildings, actually use the Artemis system they installed, share armor, etc.

It's pretty clear that a lot of the player base that chooses to use all these indirect weapons can't be trusted with the responsibility.

[Carl Vickers]

But someone might scratch muh digital paint job and ruin it. Nope, im staying 1-2 squares away from the fight and rely on everyone else to do the work for me.

Edited by Carl Vickers, 29 July 2017 - 08:45 PM.

[Mechwarrior4670152]

Queen of England, on 29 July 2017 - 08:43 PM, said:

PGI could probably improve LRM performance by removing indirect fire.

LRM boats would get closer to the enemy, stop firing so much ordnance into mountainsides and buildings, actually use the Artemis system they installed, share armor, etc.

It's pretty clear that a lot of the player base that chooses to use all these indirect weapons can't be trusted with the responsibility.

That is about as intelligent as saying that adding respawns will make people use more of the maps.
We have modes that have respawns.
They still don't explore the map.

Take indirect fire away and you take the ONE advantage LRM have over any weapon.
The crappy players will still be crappy.
Just like the skirmishtards will still be skirmishtards no matter what gets added to the game.

[Judah Malganis]

Ultimately, the issue with LRMers and snipers is not LRMs or sniping. It's cowardice. I literally just started playing an LRM boat for the first time ever today and after 8 games that surprisingly went awesome score- and kill-wise, most of my kills come from my back up lasers. The LRMs just soften things up. I've a new, enhanced disdain for those pure LRMs with no backup weapons due to what I've learned today. But don't think that cowardice is exclusive to long-range mechs. I've seen brawlers refuse to join the line and hide behind a wall 600m behind the fight thinking they will one shot alpha whatever survives their team. Their team dies, 5 enemy mechs come their way, they kill the first one and then they die. Or mechs who won't peek over the hill to kill a red CT target and that target then kills 2 other mechs with their long-range weapons. Or guys that are in 5 man-ball and bump into 2 enemy mechs, decide to stop and let their lead mech die instead of pushing in and crushing the opposition. I think that trading some overall health is worth humping over a hill to take a very weakened enemy out and putting your team ahead, but as anyone in these forums can attest to, that's not a common sentiment in this game.

Ultimately, LRMs, snipers, brawlers, whatever, the team with the extra testicle usually wins, and hard locks can help your team find that testicle.

Edited by Judah Malganis, 29 July 2017 - 10:33 PM.

[Vellron2005]

Yesterday, I had one of the most fun "LRM matches" ever.. FP, Polar, Domination. We had 3 people in LRM boat dropdecks (me being one of them), and we were alternating between LRM boat and NARC-er.. It was hilarious.

This guy NARCs first.. Me and the other one LRM. Enemies die in troves, and we smash their first wave. Then as I'm out of ammo, I rush the enemy, die, and get a NARC-er, and the previous NARC-er takes a LRM boat.

Second wave is smashed.

Third wave, the third LRM user gets a NARC-er, and we two are back in LRM boats. We stomp the enemy 48:21.

It was such great fun..

While I was NARC-ing, it was just beautiful to see my NARC hit an enemy, and they start to panic as massive LRM rain heads their way.. And If there was more than one enemy in a group, they would also get a UAV and me buzzing around them like a mosquito. I would call out a target like "Alpha - NARCED". They would die in seconds, along with a "Thank you for the Narcs" from people..

It was glorious, and truly a pleasure to play. I even got a few friend requests after that one..

My point is..

YEAH. If you're gonna hold locks, you have to expose yourself. You have to play the scout role. You have to set your mech up for this. Bring the Narc. Use it. Buzz around the enemy. Annoy them. Distract them.

Do this, not for yourself, but for your team and the inevitable victory. You will get rewarded for it. And next drop, somebody may do it for you.

That's good teamwork. And how LRMs are meant to be played.

NOTE:

That match brought me good scores, kills, KMDDs and such.. I even had 2 kills while NARCing, since I also chased down strays and used Arty strikes..

NARCing is fun as hell

Quick tips for LRM boating:

1) Bring LOTS of ammo.

2) ALWAYS bring backup lasers. More than 2 smalls.

3) Position is key. Position yourself to where you can hit the enemy without getting hit in return. That does not mean at the edge of your range. It means behind cover, surrounded by teammates.

4) If you see an enemy advancing towards you, back up. Keep your distance. They have advantage over you in close range. Don't give them that.

5) If you do get rushed, pop a UAV as a "help me" signal. Your teammates may not get to you in time, but if you did well on point 3), you should survive the encounter. And bring your backup lasers to bear. Also, don't be afraid to fire CLAN LRMs point-blank. They may not do much damage, but they do blind the enemy.

6) Move with your team. Don't stand alone behind a rock somewhere.

7) Thank those guys taking one for the team by bringing NARC and TAG. Thank those guys that keep you safe.

8) Try to ignore the a-holes who bash on you for LRM boating. If they cross the line of good taste, report them. Screenshot their offense, and send it to support services.

Edited by Vellron2005, 31 July 2017 - 12:34 AM.

[Burning2nd]

I tell them the truth,

yeah i got locks for you... but im not holding them for you..

When i boat.. i never asked for locks.. because your locks are worthless... your narcs are worthless..

a real missile boat pilot does it all his self.... My A1 catapult is still on stand by alert for when we make missiles great again

[Vellron2005]

Burning2nd, on 31 July 2017 - 12:30 AM, said:

your narcs are worthless..

WOW, somebody is high and mighty.. fine.. don't use my NARCs then..

[Kroete]

3 Enemys and 2 allys,
the two of our team tried to kill the 100% enemy
and get killed by the other two enemys with red torsos,
after that i know what kind people dont use r (and dont read the chat).

If you dont use r you are a new player or a mouthbreather or just a vegetable.

Edited by Kroete, 31 July 2017 - 03:11 AM.

[Brain Cancer]

Quote

PGI could probably improve LRM performance by removing indirect fire.

Then they'd be absolute trash. IDF is the "if you got nothing else", because it negates Artemis and adds spread. More spread = less useful hits = less effective damage.

Besides, I'm a Clan missile boater. LRM + ATM. I want a nice flat straight shot, ideally inside 300m, though 500m will do.

Darn skippy I want my own locks. Telling your team "locks plz" just encourages the dumb ones to stand out in the open to get cored even faster.

[Kubernetes]

Mechwarrior1441491, on 29 July 2017 - 01:01 PM, said:

Lets not lie to ourselves. People may not like them, but they can most certainly clutch the win for your side.

Would you need a clutch win if your LRMers had brought direct-fire weapons instead?