3 replies to this topic

[Quxudica]

Something I've felt for a very, very long time is that the physical design of mechs should have more gameplay impact than just their hitbox geometry. The example I always use is the hunchback; That giant easy to isolate hunch is supposed to be the trade off for the ability to carry a massive AC/20 that most other mechs it's size simply could not field because they were not physically built to do so.

In a similar vein we have the Blood Asp; I understand why, in the context of MWO, so many people dislike the change. The protruding cannon barrels are trading subjective aesthetic coolness factor for objective functionality.. and for many people that just isn't an equitable trade.

My thought however is this: The physical design of the Asp's shoulder hardpoints now has them standing out from the mech and as such.. I feel like this design should be incorporated into how the mech functions; Each of those cannon mounts should be isolated from the ST. Thus the weapon system installed there becomes more vulnerable in a trade off for better positioning in the context of MWO's combat, but likewise the design accommodates this by making the mounts their own destructible component sections on the paper doll; disconnected from the side torso's.

In practice this would make these locations valuable targets for crippling the mechs firepower, but not for outright mech destruction. In practice, they would be like the Catapults ears. This concept could be applied to more than just the Blood Asp as well. The Timber's missle ears, the afore-mentioned Hunback's hunch. It would do much to help give these mechs some of their intended character back and in my mind serve as a much better solution than just piling on more armor or structure.

[ChapeL]

That's the way in worked in MW4 back in 2002. For instance, The Timberwolf's missile racks could be destroyed separately from the torso they sat upon.

Edited by ChapeL, 19 June 2018 - 03:42 PM.

[Quxudica]

ChapeL, on 19 June 2018 - 03:42 PM, said:

That's the way in worked in MW4 back in 2002. For instance, The Timberwolf's missile racks could be destroyed separately from the torso they sat upon.

It makes a great deal more sense, the simplified generic paper doll MWO uses for every mech has always felt like a detriment to the game for me. Reducing the physical design of mechs to nothing more than aesthetics robs them of some of their character and charm, and takes away strengths from some chassis that they should otherwise have.

[Infamati Et Obliterati]

while it makes sense. it would probably require to many changes to the core game and therefore cost prohibitive.