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Noun: Irrational fear or hated of the use of Long Range Missile. Or those that do.
Verb: Lurmaphobic - One who harbors fear or resentment in an uncontrollable fashion which manifests itself in unwarranted or unsolicited advice on game plan.
Good evening all,
I recently spent some reflecting today on a verbal and written tirade level at me this morning while playing MWO. As I reflected on it, I have been experiencing an uptick in this sentiment.
I have put a name to it. Lurmaphobia. I listened to another player chastise me about losing the Quick Play match that we were in. He blamed me for e lose because I brought “Stupid F$&$ing LRM’s”
As I tried to chat with him, he became even more unreasonable. Disconnecting from the game I sat back and reviewed h snatch scores, kills, etc. and realized that his hatred (for lack of a better word) was greatly misplaced. I thought I would take a moment and explain to him my thoughts on the matter. As he was having none of that I supposed that opening up to the public may be the best course of action. So here it goes...
In my opinion his Luemaphobia comes from a place of ignorance. Not stupidity, but ignorance. As he told me that using LRM’s takes no skill I had to laugh internally. I asked him, in his opinion what took more skill to use, LRM’s, ER PPC’s, Lasers, AC’s, what? He said all took skill except for LRM’s.
I asked why did not running LRM’s take more skill. Here are his responses and my rebuttals (again my opinions).
- He had choose a Mech that he could get into close combat with. Right weight class for his preferred method of combat. (Not the only method but his preferred). I told him that I had to do the exact same thing.
- He said he had to configure his Mech correctly, heat management, ammo consumption, etc. I told him I did the same thing.
- He said he had to manage his skill tree to ensure that his preferred Mech, configured for his preferred style of combat (not the only style) ran at optimum efficiency. I told him that I did the exact same thing.
- He then told me that he has to position himself on the battlefield to make maximum use of terrain, weapon position on his Mech, angle of fire to inflict maximum damage on he enemy. I told him I did the exact same thing.
- He then told me that his play style (close combat was the only way to win against the clans. I assured him that it is a very effective way, but not the only way. He told me I was wrong. I told him I appreciated his opinion.
He then wanted to assure me that I was wrong, so we went into a bit of a history lesson. I asked him why in the history of combat does there exist catapults, spears, sling shots, bows and arrows, artillery, air power? Because sustained close combat generally results in mass casualties. I then informed him of why I choose to play using LRM’s...
- Most units utilize an Anti Missile System. Clans are favoring the LAMS. By raining LRM’s (only 5 at a time) prior to a close quarters advance I cause the Clan mechs to overheat faster, thus depriving them of the ability to sustain combat operations or risk shutting down.
- Clans HATE LRM’s. Typically they will focus fire or attention on my and thus allowing my teammates to focus fire and eliminate the enemy faster
- I use LRM 5’s because of the previous statement, but also because of the overall psychological impact of listening to non stop “Incoming LRM’s”... if that, even for a second gets them out of their game plan, and it usually does, we stand a better chance of wing.
- When utilized in a coordinated, well communicated game, they are very effective on any map
- I would inform him to have a seek to understand attitude verses having a prepubescent melt down.
All that being said, I would tell him that his anger at losing and blaming it on LRM usage is misguided.
Communication, coordination, collaboration and trust are the best ways to win at this game. Remember it is still a game. The lack of these things causes confusion, anger, frustration and ultimately blame.
If he, or anyone still has Lurmaphobia after this then I can only paraphrase from Dylan Thomas’s “Do not general into that goodnight”
You should continue to “Rage, rage against the dying of the light!” Of that makes you feel better.
Edited by Hummer 2, 27 January 2018 - 03:28 PM.
