38 replies to this topic

[Feezou]

I was running a dual gauss Night Gyr setup on Grim Plexus, and a Jenner IIC was jumping from box to box around E7. I was trying to hit him, but he kept running around me. I backed into my team, and let them attack the Jenner, but my CT was already damaged from the back. Does anyone have any strategies on how to deal with light mechs when using slower firing weapons and/or slow mechs?

[Elizander]

There really isn't much of a trick to it other than learning how much lead you need to get a good shot in. If you are bringing Gauss Rifles the light mechs usually will die or run away if you get a solid hit on them.

The safest option will be to stick with your team. There is an ongoing event right now so there are more light mechs than usual as people try to complete the challenges. If it's really a problem then maybe you can tweak your build a little to add some lasers or something to help you scare off the light mechs. On my Ilya Muromets with 2x Heavy PPC, I put 3 MGs and 1 small laser which I use to leg lights that get near me.

Also if you see them, press R (target them) and immediately do the "Target Spotted" thing so your team knows where the light is right away and someone might help or you can grab the attention of a friendly LRM boat to shoot it down.

[MasterChiefDarqo]

Feezou, on 08 March 2018 - 08:12 AM, said:

I was running a dual gauss Night Gyr setup on Grim Plexus, and a Jenner IIC was jumping from box to box around E7. I was trying to hit him, but he kept running around me. I backed into my team, and let them attack the Jenner, but my CT was already damaged from the back. Does anyone have any strategies on how to deal with light mechs when using slower firing weapons and/or slow mechs?

Yessir. Well, ' move in formation' is an answwer - in pick up groups there'as no guarantee they'll move with you or watch your back, but - regardless of your own range, avoid being a straggler. Learn the " one step reverse- turn" - much like air- braking a slower dog fighter.

But - this has all been well - discussed: eye ball this : https://mwomercs.com...ics-101-comics/
open " the basics" ( spoiler ) / Lights (spoiler ) / WolfPack Defense.
Very handy stuff.

[SilentFenris]

Good advice from both Elizander and MasterChiefDarqo. I would add that you can make it easier to aim and hit a fast target by making Skill Tree selections from the Mobility section. Anchor Turn, Twist Speed and Yaw can be very important using an awkward weapon like gauss at close range.

Also mouse sensitvity might be an issue if too high or too low....but you should be careful altering that setting as you will have to retrain your reflexes.

Edited by SilentFenris, 08 March 2018 - 09:11 AM.

[Zergling]

The best counter to lights is aiming ability.

So shoot it in the face.

[Windscape]

What do do when a light mech gets you

Put your back to the wall
If your back is to the wall, you can take your time to line up your guass shot and maybe hit him
If you cant handle him, call for help.
Either press E to say help or say so on voip
Give the light mechs coordinates by pressing E and selecting target spotted, saying in voip, or deploying UAV

This guide helps visualize it: https://mwomercs.com...ics-101-comics/
Go to basics/situational awareness and lights/wolfpack defense

[Dragonporn]

If you know you can't one hit kill fast moving Light, don't waste your time and ammo on it. With dual Gauss, while you chasing it, you denying tremendous firepower for your team on targets you can hit reliably. Just highlight the target, stick with formation and let your more capable teammates deal with it, while facing other, more important targets.

[Koniving]

I tend to shoot them.

It usually works.

Some tips:
Put your back to the wall if possible (and if it won't expose you to yet more fire from elsewhere).
If backing into a wall will not help or is unavailable or impractical... throw your mech into reverse (25% is ideal) and then turn in the direction opposite of whatever way the light mech is moving, this way he will run in front of you (or be caught trying to slow down to go the other way) and shoot. Repeat as necessary alternating directions when he does.

If the light is especially fast, break a leg.

If the mech's legs are small or otherwise particularly hard to hit (like a Jenner), aim a heavy hitting volley of damage for their body. Chances are they are using XL engines. (In the case of a Raven, the way damage spreads over those really intertwining torso hitboxes it isn't worth a torso shot, instead go for the legs which have hitboxes thicker than the actual legs are.)

Some taller Lights such as the Panther might be sporting LF engines or standard. Do what you can but keep this in mind: The best way to get them is by surprise, tanky lights such as Panthers tend to funnel all the armor forward to maximize their tankiness and sharp-shooting capabilities so backshots can often be instant kills.

But yes. Shooting them generally works. Sometimes stepping on them works. (Yes, I got credit for breaking his leg by backing into him.)

Breaking legs by stepping on/into is not a reliable means of dealing with lights, just something that happens occasionally due to collision damage.

[nehebkau]

When fighting a light you need to learn to reverse in one direction while torso twisting in the other direction. Basically you are trying to force the light to make one of it's 'turns" in front of you. The thing is, as you turn in one direction the light will react and try to counter turn, you have to recognize that and adjust your turn the opposite of where you are currently turning and move your torso to get sight on the light. If you are near a structure, back your behind right up to a structure and only give em your front. Don't get frustrated, learning to reverse-counter-steer when fighting a quicker mech takes practice.

If you get a shot, go for the legs. It is pretty easy for a good light pilot to spread damage so, going for legs really limits their ability to spread -- all it takes is one leg gone and the light mech is essentially dead.

Having said all that, if you encounter one of the truly good light pilots they will make it nearly impossible to shake them off your back -- hence the "find a wall" fall back position.

[Athom83]

I give them a boop on the noggin with an AC/20

[ThreeStooges]

Just break the legs. If you can't kill a light at 50kph then this isn't the game for you.

[Steel Raven]

When your in a Assault, staying with the group is a necessity. Any light pilot with brains knows to stay out of you line of fire and hit you from behind. With most Assaults having a low twist range, having a battle buddy to keep the bugs off your back is a must.

After that, have lasers as a back up weapon. Gauss and other big guns have a unforgiving cool down when in close quarters with faster opponent. If you miss with your main weapon, you need be sure to have something that can follow up and cause some damage. Lasers are both relatively light and accurate making it the best option to deal with pest.

[Pain G0D]

You could swop your gauss rifles for lbx10 or swop your Omni pods for missile hard points and buy streaks .

[Audacious Aubergine]

In all honesty, it sounds like you did everything right - you knew you couldn't hit him but you were close enough to your team to get back with them and let them handle it. Assuming it was an SRM Jenner the only other thing you could have done is hit him while he was out of range of his weapons but not everyone has that kind of aiming skill, especially with the charge mechanic of the gauss rifles.

[loopala]

well you could arty strke your own position

the following YouTube video contains mature language. you have been warned

[Squiggy McPew]

Best defense against lights is to not stray from the group. A good piranha pilot will have you shredded long before anyone can get back to you.

[Tier5 Kerensky]

Mechs with high torso mounted weapons have particular problems. It just take practice and not every situation has a sollution. Remember to use JJs too if you have them, to spread damage a bit.

[General Solo]

Wen you have a light on your tail remember that

Reverse turns your mech quiker than forward
And less throttle turns your mech quicker than full throttle.

So when I get a light one my six I slam reverse and turn a step whilst twisting torso in opposite direction.
example: Reverse Right and torso full left, swap after a step or two and keep repeating.

The light mech will orbit your mech in most cases passing your cross hair so be ready for that.

Arm weapons help in this situation against really skilled lights who don't orbit but rather attempt to stay in your back. Wid the arm weapons wide field of fire you can usually hit them as you swap directions for a short time so again be ready to fire.

If still getting out turned reduce throttle to turn tighter, still in reverse.

This technique was quite common in beta but seems to have become lost tech in recent times.

One moar thing lights tend to freak some people out which basically makes them play worse so stay calm and frosty wen you see a light

Focus on your aim alone, not the freakin out its a light part.

Edited by OZHomerOZ, 09 March 2018 - 08:38 PM.

[Vanguard319]

Had a recent match where I was running my Warhawk, and took the brunt of an assault where I survived, but lost my left arm and most of my armor. an enemy Locust decided he was going to finish me off. I called for an assist, but realized my team had left me behind in their counterpush. So I twisted to the right, and the Locust must not have been expecting it because I wind up facing him while he's trying to reverse. He stopped for just a moment, but it was all I needed. I fire my remaining PPCs and the Locust popped like a zit.

[FireDog]

Shoot at them when there are coming or going from you. Less lead time than crossing targets.