8 replies to this topic

[NILAOS]

So, I've noticed that there's a lot of advanced information available, but not much simple stuff for the player who's just finished the tutorial, and wants to try a quick play match. So I made one.

Nilaos' Quick Start Guide
This is written with the intention as a basic guide for players who have already completed the tutorial, and has some basic definitions & tips to just get into playing MechWarrior, without too much pain.

For more advanced information, try the MWO Guides subforum, and the unoffical guide to MWO. Both are good sources of information, and feel free to ask questions if there is anything you're not sure about.

I'll start with the basics:

Movement

Spoiler

Piloting in your 'mech is not the most intuitive skill, but you will improve with practise. Some simple tips to make your life easier, however, are:

• Make sure your mouse sensitivity is set for its DPI. Having your mouse sensitivity accurate for your DPI just improves your quality of life, making aiming & moving easier. An example is for a 1200dpi mouse, I use 25-27% sensitivity in MWO, but this setting can be very individual and other players use even lower.
  
• Keep arm-lock on. When arm-lock is disabled, you have two reticules to keep track of, and your view point follows the faster arm reticule. As a newer player, and likely still working on moving fluidly, having less to keep track of is better. Once you're more confident it is worth learning to use the freedom of the arms to maximum effect however - it makes it easier to track targets and keep locks at that point.
  
• Perfect the piloting challenge in the tutorial. Not only is it worth C-Bills, it also is valuable practise.

*Note: you may also want switch LShift from 'Disable arm lock' to 'Toggle Arm Lock'. Just means you don't need to hold it down when you're doing other stuff.

Health - Armour & Structure
Where's my HP bar? Why did I die so quickly?

Spoiler

By now, you should know that there are multiple separate components in 'mechs, and you may have heard of Armour and Structure as different things. The first thing to understand is there is no global HP for your 'mech - I've seen players fighting with 15% left, and scoring a kill. Then it's down to the two types.

• Armour: The first 'HP Bar'. Armour is the outer layer of each component and will always be lost first, unless you overheat or push MASC too far. While you have armour left, you can't suffer any critical damage, all damage is taken straight to the armour. A note though: torsos have Front & Rear armour, and the rear is typically quite thin, so be careful with turning away too much.
  
• Structure: The second HP bar. Once this is exhausted, you lose your component, and everything in it - weapons, ammo, heatsinks, the lot. When you only have structure points left on a component, you can also take critical damage, which can destroy individual weapons & equipment even though the component is still intact. Critical damage can also set off ammo explosions, which more often than not finish destroying the component and can damage adjacent components unless you have CASE equipped.

Heat
What's that bar on the right side of the map?

Spoiler

A mechanic almost unique to Battletech & Mechwarrior games, it is intended to show the sheer energy in each salvo - by causing your 'mech to heat up! As a 'mech can only cool so quickly with all the armour it has, it is possible to overheat and shutdown in combat, leaving you immobile and potentially exposed until you cool down enough. That said, you can avoid this situation in a couple ways.

• Watch your heat bar: If you're nearing 90% heat, it may be worth shooting less often, or even disengaging until you cool down enough.
  
• Be aware of the conditions: Different maps have different temperatures, from the -18C of Alpine Peaks, to the 97C of Tourmaline Desert. This information is provided at the start of each match, and can change the way you play.
  
• Double Heatsinks (DHS): When you finally get your own 'mech, you may be uncertain about spending the 1.5mil C-Bills to use DHS. It's worth it. Double heatsinks have a significantly greater heat capacity & dissipation rate per ton than Single heatsinks. Given that you also have heatsinks in the Engine, you will become much more heat efficient, and potentially save a lot on tonnage.
  
• Cool Shots: See consumables.

With that out of the way, and before you continue, it's important to understand the engagement ranges, as they determine which weapons are effective. This is, of course, based of my own experience, but should be relatively accurate.

Close-Quarters: <250m - This can be difficult to get into, unless the team as a whole makes a determined push - or you're in a very fast mech. (The range where IS smiles grimly)

Standard engagement range: 300-400m - This is typically where you will spend most of your time engaging the enemy, and where you set up for a push.

Intermediate range: 400-500m - The range where you will fire while moving to close with the enemy/get to cover near them to prepare for a push. (The range where Clan starts to go LOL at IS)

Long Range: >550m - Sniper battle/LRM duel range. (The range where Clan laughs louder at IS)

In addition, whenever you want to shoot at an enemy 'mech, always start by pressing 'r'. It allows you to get valuable targeting information, so you can get the kill quicker. In addition, it also can make your team aware of the enemy, and draw fire to them to make the kill happen even quicker.

You may also want to refer to the tactics comics. These are a valuable resource for all levels, and can make your life easier as a new player finding your way around the maps. If you are ever unsure, just stay with the bulk of the team, but don't hesitate if someone says 'push!'.


Weapons
There is a wide variety of weapons in MWO, many of which have different behaviours, and the vast majority of which are viable, at least somewhere. Due to the number, I'll spoiler them so you can look by category.

Energy
The most common weapon class of MWO, there are energy weapons for nearly every situation.

Spoiler

• Lasers (-L) - The most basic weapon of MWO. These are hitscan weapons that deal damage over the whole of the burn time - you need to hold on target to do the full damage. All lasers Come in Micro (Clan-only), Small (SL), Medium (ML) & Large (LL) sizes.
  
• Pulse Lasers (-PL) - Faster firing lasers 'pulsing' rather then 'burning'. These deal a little more damage over less time, but have a shorter range.
  
• Particle Projector Cannons (PPC) - Projectile energy weapons, these are alternatives to ballistics for quick precision damage, requiring no ammunition but instead producing a lot of heat. Most have a minimum range of 90m.
  
• Light PPC - (LPPC) - A small, lightweight PPC dealing less damage, but with a longer effective range and reduced heat generation. Minimum range 90m.
  
• Snub-nose PPC - (SNPPC) - A much shorter ranged, slightly lighter PPC, but with no minimum range. Effective from ~300m
  
• Flamer - An extremely short ranged weapon, the flamer does very little damage, but can gradually heat enemy 'mechs up to 90% of their heat capacity, making them more likely to overheat & shut down. This range limitation, however, greatly limits their use.
  
• Extended range weapons (ER-) - Longer ranged versions of regular weapons, these are effective further away, but can make more heat and require longer exposures. ERPPCs has no minimum range.
  
• Heavy weapons (H-) - Higher damage versions of regular weapons, dealing more damage but with a lower effective range and noticibly higher heat.

*Note: The 'basic' laser for Clan is the ER- type.

Ballistics
Guns. These are all physics weapons, and you may need to lead and adjust for shell drop at long range, but these can be very punishing weapons if used well. Requires ammunition.

Spoiler

• Autocannon (AC) - Solid shell cannons. Deal instant damage, but are projectiles. The bigger the size, the bigger the damage and shorter the range.
  
• Ultra-Autocannons (UAC) - Burst-fire autocannons. Can fire a second time during cooldown, but with a change of jamming for 5 seconds.
  
• Rotary Autocannons (RAC) - Giant Miniguns. Takes some time to spin up, but capable of a high DPS and can easily suppress enemy team members, or strip their armour, if they stay in the open.
  
• Large Bore/Explosive Autocannons (LBX) - Giant Shotguns. Fires a spread of projectiles dealing 1 damage each. Better for getting criticals on exposed internals due to greater number of projectiles per shot, but less accurate.
  
• Gauss Rifles - Very high damage & high velocity, but low rate of fire makes this a heavy precision weapon. Requires the fire control to be held until charged, then released to fire.
  
  • Light - A smaller, longer ranged gauss rifle with slightly higher rate of fire.
    
  • Heavy - A devastatingly powerful short-ranged gauss rifle with a lower rate of fire but the highest damage in the game.
• Machine Guns (MG) - Very low damage, but a high rate of fire makes these guns great at dealing critical internal damage, but of limited use otherwise. Treat as hitscan weapons when using. Light & Heavy MGs only vary in range & dps.

Missiles

Rockets & homing missiles. These come in all flavours, and are slower projectiles than ballistics. Requires ammunition.

Spoiler

• Short Range Missiles (SRM) - Short range, high damage 'dumb' missiles. These are very efficient for dealing damage, but are also very limited in range (270m). Typically best for hit-and-run lights or dedicated CQB brawlers.
  
• Streak Short Range Missiles (SSRM) - Homing short range missiles. These will only fire with a target lock, making them of limited use in a brawl or against ECM, but their homing nature makes them very effective for combating fast-moving light mechs.
  
• Medium Range Missiles (MRM)(IS-only) - Intermediate range 'dumb' missiles fired as a large cluster. Very effective for dealing damage quickly, but not the most accurate. Can also be difficult to aim, as they ripple-fire. Effective anywhere inside max range, although harder to aim at longer ranges.
  
• Advanced Tactical Missiles (ATM)(Clan-only) - Semi-indirect weapons, ATMs actually work best in close, dealing more damage in stages as the range to target closes. They do, however, have a minimum range of 120m. Can also be 'dumb' fired at stationary targets.
  
• Long Range Missiles (LRM) - The truest indirect-fire weapon in game, LRMs can arc above most terrain, not requiring line-of-sight to engage. That said, they do require a target lock be provided, typically by a teammate spotting and have a minimum range of 120m. Do not be afraid to move forwards with these, as closing the distance gives opponents less time to find cover and reduces your exposure to a flanking light 'mech. Can also be 'dumb' fired at stationary targets.
  
• Rocket launchers (IS-only) - Single-use weapons that should not be relied on, they are capable of doing heavy damage, but only once.

Information ("is ammunition")
A distinguishing feature of the game is the importance of information to victory. Best used to support LRMs or ATMs in hurting enemy 'mechs. These usually feature in more advanced play, and thus are not the most useful for newer players, with the exception of Artemis. Active Probe & TComps also offer useful buffs, but the priority should always be making sure the 'mech build is viable before equipping them.

Spoiler

• Target Aquisition & Guidance laser (TAG) - What it sounds like. Hold on target to cancel out ECM, & get better target lock time & guided missile accuracy. Takes 1 Energy hardpoint & 1t.
  
• Narc Beacons - A large air cannon firing targeting beacons that stick to enemy 'mechs and broadcast their position constantly for ~30s. Also helps guided missile accuracy. Very slow projectile, however, so practise needed to aim with no tracer rounds available.
  
• Artemis 4 (A4) - An upgrade for SRMs & LRMs, increasing accuracy and reducing target lock time, but making for bulkier and heavier weapons.
  
• Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) - A jamming system, able to deny target locks & information to an enemy at a distance. Can also be switched to 'counter' mode to counteract a single enemy ECM on 'jam' mode.
  
• Active Probe (BAP, CAP) - An upgraded sensor package able to counteract ECM at close range, while increasing scan & lock times. Can also detect shut-down mechs.
  
• Targeting Computers (TComp) - Advanced processors able to optimise weapon targeting for maximum effect. Improves lock times, ballistic shell velocity & laser critical damage chances.
  
• Command Console (CCons)(IS-only) - Improves zoom levels and targeting data time significantly, and sensor range slightly. Only able to be used in IS Heavy and Assault 'mechs, and must be placed in the head component.

Now that's covered, it's also useful to understand what the different engines and consumables are, and where to put armour (for when you finally get your own 'mech). Which brings me to:


Engines - What are they, and What's an XL?
Engines provide speed, and bigger engines weigh more. The size & type of engine used in any mech can vary greatly, but there are only a few types.

Spoiler

• Standard (STD) - The heaviest engine, it is also the most compact, only taking space in the CT. Will only be destroyed with the CT, making it generally the most survivable engine to have.
  
• Extra Light (XL) - The lightest engines in-game, but also the most vulnerable. If a mech loses a single side torso, the engine will fail, destroying the mech. Most common on fast-moving light mechs, where speed is armour.
  
• Clan Extra Light (C-XL) (Clan-only) - An advanced XL engine, the Clan version is more slightly compact and less vulnerable than its IS equivalent. Will only be destroyed if BOTH side torsos are destroyed.
  
• Light (LE) (IS-only) - A recent addition for the IS. Weighs between a STD and XL engine, but takes less space than an XL and will only be destroyed if BOTH side torsos are destroyed.

Consumables
What do these do? How do I use them?

Spoiler

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) - The most common consumable. Deploys a single-use UAV above your position which will hover in place for a time, sensing & transmitting enemy 'mech positions to the team. Its altitude means that it can reliably see past cover, although it can be detected visually or at close range & shot down.
  
• Cool Shot - A single use coolant flush, on activation a cool shot will simply reduce your current heat. Very valuable in CQB, where overheating can be a death sentence.
  
• Support Strikes: These are placed by activating them while pointing your reticule where you want the strike to land. There is a cooldown between each use of each strike by each team, however, so don't try to spam strikes. Also, if you see red smoke near you, avoid it - these are the cause.
  
  • Artillery Strike - The easiest to use support strike. Once placed, a number of shells will land in a circular area around the marked position after a slight delay. Best against large groups of slower 'mechs.
    
  • Air Strike - A more difficult to use strike. Once placed, a line of bombs will be dropped along the line from you to the marker, impacting from slightly before the marker to ~30m past the marker, and thus able to shoot past cover. Best against 'cowards' hiding behind things.

Current Trial 'Mechs (21/1/18) [TODO:UPDATE]
As a new player, you will only have access to the trial 'mechs to start with. Don't worry, over you first 25 matches you will also receive a bonus, which will go a long way to letting you get your own 'mechs, but the trials are all tried and tested builds, and a good place to start. For each weight class, I'll list the two Clan 'mechs, then the two IS ones.

Lights
Small & Fast, but squishy. Low tonnage limits weapon options, but smaller ones can speed-tank. All can be focused to death if too close though, and it's not recommended to go alone unless you can go unseen (Requires ECM).

Spoiler

• 
  Arctic Cheetah ACH-Prime - 6ERSL +ECM - Solid pin-point damage, effective inside 250m and ECM allows for greater freedom of movement. Effective in supporting a brawl, skirmishing, and chasing enemy light 'mechs.
  
• 
  Mist Lynx MLX-Prime - 4SPL - Similar to the Arctic Cheetah, this mech is intended for close-quarters precision damage and can be extremely hard to hit. Effective inside 200m; best used to support a brawl or pick on isolated heavy 'mechs.
  
• 
  Panther PNT-10K - 2PPC - A mobile fire-support mech, the PPCs allow for it to punch above its weight when harrasing larger targets, but it is less effective against other light 'mechs and cannot deal damage inside 90m. Effective between 200-600m.
  
• 
  Jenner JR7-F - 6ML - Solid pin-point damage, effective inside 300m and very fast. Effective for supporting a brawl, skirmishing and chasing enemy light 'mechs.

Mediums

Jack-of-all-trades 'mechs. Able to move at a decent speed, while still having solid firepower, but limited armour. Try to avoid getting focused, as you will die quickly.

Spoiler

• 
  Stormcrow SCR-Prime - 5MPL - A high-speed close-quarters fighter, capable of using precision fire to efficiently destroy enemy 'mechs. Effective inside 400m.
  
• 
  Shadow Cat SCH-Prime - 2LPL +ECM - A mobile skirmisher, this 'mech is best used moving around the enemy team and focusing on already damaged 'mechs with precise laser fire. Effective inside 600m
  
• 
  Blackjack BJ-1 - AC20, 3ML - Strong firepower at close range and solid mobility makes the 'boomjack' effective at supporting a brawl; care must be taken with its XL engine and large side torsos. Most Effective inside 300m.
  
• 
  Griffin GRF-1S - 2SRM6+A4, 4ML - High speed and potent close-quarters damage makes this 'mech a strong skirmisher, able to move into SRM range easily with appropriate cover. Most effective inside 270m, but lasers can be used outside that effectively.

Heavies


Moderately large targets, less mobile than mediums, but tougher & nastier than mediums. The core of any team.

Spoiler

• Timber Wolf TBR-C - 2LPL, 3ERML - A mobile mid-range combatant, this 'mech is capable of rapid precision damage. Most effective inside 500m.
  
• Orion 2C ON1-IIC-A - LBX20, 4SRM6+A4 - A close quarters brawler, able to blow open 'mechs with ease. Most effective inside 270m.
  
• Catapult CPLT-A1 - 2LRM15+A4, 2SRM6+A4 +BAP - A mid-range fire support 'mech, capable of engaging in close quarters if necessary. Effective with LRMs anywhere inside 800m with target locks, and with SRMs inside 270m. Not a recommended brawler, as it uses an XL engine.
  
• Dragon DRG-5N - 2ERLL, Gauss - A mid to long range mobile fire-support 'mech and skirmisher, capable of dealing damage at a long range, but care must be taken, as it does use an XL engine. Best used anywhere between 200-700m.

Assaults

Big & Slow, but the most armour & guns you'll see on anything. Typically relied on to deal & take damage and lead team attacks.

Spoiler

• Highlander 2C HGN-IIC - 2UAC10s, 2LPL, ERML - A tough clan mid-range combatant. The LPLs and UAC10s allow for rapid, heavy damage on target, and as a 90t assault, there's enough armour to survive provided you roll it well; though heat must be watched. Effective anywhere inside 500-600m.
  
• Warhawk WHK-C - Gauss, LPL and 3 ERML - Mid to long range fire support, with the potential to deal precision damage. Best as a second-line fire support, effective inside 600m.
  
• Zeus ZEU-6T - 4MPL, 3SRM6+A4 - A close quarters brawler, this is effective anywhere inside 270m at simply blowing open 'mechs. Just be careful, as it is running an XL engine.
  
• King Crab KGC-000B - 4UAC5s, 3ML - Mid to close range fire support. The UAC5s allow for a heavy salvo, but be careful of both Jams and heat buildup. Most effective between 150-450m

Edited by NILAOS, 28 December 2020 - 06:09 AM.

[Leone]

Very comprehensive!

I have some nit-picks, lack of command console, could go into more detail, doesn't even cover heatsinks and internal structure, etc... but for an entry level guide I think it does rather awesome. They're all minor nitpicks.

Well done.

~Leone.

Edited by Leone, 01 February 2018 - 12:52 PM.

[NILAOS]

Leone, on 01 February 2018 - 12:51 PM, said:

I have some nit-picks, lack of command console, could go into more detail, doesn't even cover heatsinks and internal structure, etc... but for an entry level guide I think it does rather awesome. They're all minor nitpicks.

Thanks for the feedback!
I intend to add sections on Heat & armour/structure, but I'm also consciously trying to 'dumb it down' for this guide - There's already guides that explain everything in great detail with all the numbers.
My goal is to make, as you said, an entry-level guide to make picking up the game easier for newbies - because MWO is a lot more complex then, say, Titanfall or even CS:GO, and I couldn't find a really simple guide when I went looking for one to help a newer player.

[5m0k3r]

Well done Quick Start Guide here!

Sure there is always more to say, as it is, considering everything, kind of a complex game, yet i find the basics are covered very well and in a pregnant manner.

Thanks for taking the time, doing something for the community should alway be appreciated.

[NILAOS]

Updated 25/3 with current trial 'mechs; CCons and dumb-firing LRMs and ATMs

[CCtroma]

As a new player, this was great. I agree I'd love some more about the heat sinks, armor, structure, and maybe something on critical hits and ammo explosions.

Thank you for the effort.

[Horseman]

NILAOS, on 01 February 2018 - 02:56 AM, said:

Keep arm-lock on. When arm-lock is disabled, you have two reticules to keep track of, and your view point follows the faster arm reticule. As a newer player, and likely still working on moving fluidly, having less to keep track of is better.

That's one point I disagree with. There are a few situations where you want to toggle it off and learn to play with it off:

• If your mech has a substantial amount of arm-mounted weapons. Enforcer 4P would be an example.
  
• If your mech's arm-mounted and torso-mounted weapons are distinct. Mad Cat MK II 2 and pretty much any Centurion would be examples. (exception: if your arm-mounted weapons are short-range and your torso-mounted weapons are long-range; then you'd only disengage the lock for brawls and keep it on otherwise)
  
• If your mech uses lock-on weapons (SSRMs, LRMs, ATMs), your arm reticle is used to lock targets. With arms unlocked you can track the enemy much better, as well as kite them in ways that would be exceedingly difficult with arms locked..

TL;DR: Learn to play with your arms unlocked and only lock them when either necessary or your mech build doesn't have arm weapons or lock-on weapons to take advantage of the increased range of motion.

Edited by Horseman, 12 July 2019 - 03:54 AM.

[ghost1e]

NILAOS, on 01 February 2018 - 02:56 AM, said:

• Make sure your mouse sensitivity is set for its DPI. Having your mouse sensitivity accurate for your DPI just improves your quality of life, making aiming & moving easier. An example is for a 1200dpi mouse, I use 25-27% sensitivity in MWO, but this setting can be very individual.

well, actual pros would recommend 0.1 ingame sensitivity for 1200 DPI, also don't do mouse acceleration or smoothing

[NILAOS]

Horseman, on 12 July 2019 - 03:51 AM, said:

TL;DR: Learn to play with your arms unlocked and only lock them when either necessary or your mech build doesn't have arm weapons or lock-on weapons to take advantage of the increased range of motion.

I agree for that as a even medium term goal - it's very important. The first challenge is to walk in a different direction than the one you're shooting in though, which is why I feel arm-lock and the two reticules will complicate things while they get used to the cockpit. After that, I'm all for learning with arm-lock off completely - and I'll edit it to improve that.

TheUltimateGhost, on 01 April 2020 - 10:46 AM, said:

well, actual pros would recommend 0.1 ingame sensitivity for 1200 DPI, also don't do mouse acceleration or smoothing

Mouse sensitivity I've found to be a very personal preference, I definitely agree on no mouse accel or smoothing though.