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InnerSphereNews, on 20 August 2018 - 11:06 AM, said:
Coolshots
Coolshot behavior has been changed. They will now dissipate 14 total heat over a 3 second period of time. (From 14 total heat over 1 second.)
Design notes: Compared to ballistic and most missile heat which often is applied in rapid spikes, lasers and volley type weapons see heat applied over their duration. This has allowed coolshots to be utilized either preemptively right before you fire your weapons, immediately after a shot in order to avoid shutdowns or overrides that would normally apply to weapons with heat that apply in a single heat spike, or in reaction to an override to immediately get yourself out of an overridden state. We feel that in addition to having more immediate value to certain weapon types over others, this also creates situations in which coolshots ended up being used as a reactionary ability to negate any punishments for poor heat management. With this pass, we are tuning the initial 3 seconds to still allow the total coolshot heat dissipation to apply between most weapon's cooldown cycles provided the player uses it as a proactive way to set up a future weapon volley.
Coolshot behavior has been changed. They will now dissipate 14 total heat over a 3 second period of time. (From 14 total heat over 1 second.)
Design notes: Compared to ballistic and most missile heat which often is applied in rapid spikes, lasers and volley type weapons see heat applied over their duration. This has allowed coolshots to be utilized either preemptively right before you fire your weapons, immediately after a shot in order to avoid shutdowns or overrides that would normally apply to weapons with heat that apply in a single heat spike, or in reaction to an override to immediately get yourself out of an overridden state. We feel that in addition to having more immediate value to certain weapon types over others, this also creates situations in which coolshots ended up being used as a reactionary ability to negate any punishments for poor heat management. With this pass, we are tuning the initial 3 seconds to still allow the total coolshot heat dissipation to apply between most weapon's cooldown cycles provided the player uses it as a proactive way to set up a future weapon volley.
This is dumb. Sure you could addess the preemptive cooling before overheating, but that's just about it. You could still cool 14 heat, and with Clan Lasers having about 4.5 - 5.5 seconds cooldown, you still took away 14 heat before their next shot.
InnerSphereNews, on 20 August 2018 - 11:06 AM, said:
LRMs
The past few months have brought with them a number of changes to the LRM system. As we have stated in a recent podcast as well as the follow up forum thread, these changes have been implemented to make LRMs more effective at the core role we wish to see them occupy within the game. While this did improve the base weapon as we wished to see, we also observed is that in its elevated baseline state, a number of force multipliers surrounding the LRM system compounded on one another to make the weapon system a bit too oppressive in certain situations. In addition to a general ease of use that we felt needed tuning to be a bit more difficult to acquire and maintain targets. For this month, we will be hitting a number of force multipliers as well as provide a boost to ECM to help with coordinated counter-play against them. While we are focused on these force multipliers for this month, we still are closely observing LRM play and will consider further changes if we feel that it still does not put the weapon in a satisfactory state.
Weapon Lock changes
Weapon lock assistance angle tightened by ~50%
Design notes: With the recently boosted LRM stats, we want to take a second look at the weapon lock assistance angle and tighten the system up. This is not only to make it more challenging to lock on with LRM's but with all lock on type weapons including ATMs and Streak Missiles, which we feel had previously been set a bit too generously to the detriment of lighter, faster 'Mechs for all systems linked to the weapon lock on system.
The past few months have brought with them a number of changes to the LRM system. As we have stated in a recent podcast as well as the follow up forum thread, these changes have been implemented to make LRMs more effective at the core role we wish to see them occupy within the game. While this did improve the base weapon as we wished to see, we also observed is that in its elevated baseline state, a number of force multipliers surrounding the LRM system compounded on one another to make the weapon system a bit too oppressive in certain situations. In addition to a general ease of use that we felt needed tuning to be a bit more difficult to acquire and maintain targets. For this month, we will be hitting a number of force multipliers as well as provide a boost to ECM to help with coordinated counter-play against them. While we are focused on these force multipliers for this month, we still are closely observing LRM play and will consider further changes if we feel that it still does not put the weapon in a satisfactory state.
Weapon Lock changes
Weapon lock assistance angle tightened by ~50%
Design notes: With the recently boosted LRM stats, we want to take a second look at the weapon lock assistance angle and tighten the system up. This is not only to make it more challenging to lock on with LRM's but with all lock on type weapons including ATMs and Streak Missiles, which we feel had previously been set a bit too generously to the detriment of lighter, faster 'Mechs for all systems linked to the weapon lock on system.
You know, if you really want to insist that -50% lock-cone, at least reduce time to lock by half as well. The point of homing weapon system is that they are easy to land, the point of streaks is that it's easy to shoot down lights.
LRMs doesn't deserve any more nerfs, it needs god damn reworks. ATMs have really powerful close-range damage, and useless long-range damage, and if the main issue is the Streaks, perhaps making them stream-fire?
InnerSphereNews, on 20 August 2018 - 11:06 AM, said:
Artemis Upgrade
Lock Time Boost and Tracking Strength Boost removed (from 50% Lock Time Boost 50% Tracking Strength Boost)
Design notes: Unlike TAG or NARC that require either team work or direct line of sight to provide lock-on and Missile Tracking boosts, Artemis was often a raw-upgrade that applied to the other more risky boosts in a cumulative way that saw a massive performance gap between loadouts that centered on baseline LRM launchers and loadouts that took LRMs equipped with Artemis.
While we want Artemis to remain a worthwhile upgrade whose primary benefit is to boost Missile volley accuracy through tighter clustering, we do not want the upgrade to become a barrier to entry for effective LRMs use. And the previous benefits simply resulted in too great a performance gap between baseline LRM launchers, and those that took Artemis. Especially when the benefits of Artemis compounded on the benefits of TAG and NARC that require much more risk and exposure to fully benefit from.
Additionally, the Artemis upgrade was also applying these benefits to ATM's and Streak Systems without any further cost investment to the base launchers. This change will close the Artemis loophole on those systems, making their overall performance no longer dependent on any kind of hidden mechanic / upgrade. ATM and Streak launchers will now behave identically to one another whether a 'Mech has an upgraded Artemis system or not.
Lock Time Boost and Tracking Strength Boost removed (from 50% Lock Time Boost 50% Tracking Strength Boost)
Design notes: Unlike TAG or NARC that require either team work or direct line of sight to provide lock-on and Missile Tracking boosts, Artemis was often a raw-upgrade that applied to the other more risky boosts in a cumulative way that saw a massive performance gap between loadouts that centered on baseline LRM launchers and loadouts that took LRMs equipped with Artemis.
While we want Artemis to remain a worthwhile upgrade whose primary benefit is to boost Missile volley accuracy through tighter clustering, we do not want the upgrade to become a barrier to entry for effective LRMs use. And the previous benefits simply resulted in too great a performance gap between baseline LRM launchers, and those that took Artemis. Especially when the benefits of Artemis compounded on the benefits of TAG and NARC that require much more risk and exposure to fully benefit from.
Additionally, the Artemis upgrade was also applying these benefits to ATM's and Streak Systems without any further cost investment to the base launchers. This change will close the Artemis loophole on those systems, making their overall performance no longer dependent on any kind of hidden mechanic / upgrade. ATM and Streak launchers will now behave identically to one another whether a 'Mech has an upgraded Artemis system or not.
Congratulations, now Artemis is a damn waste of space. No, it's not a worth while upgrade with your changes. We need lock to land LRMs, and the lock-speed and tracking bonus is one of the key benefits of Artemis. Reduction of spread isn't really that important in comparison considering that LRMs would inevitably spread all around anyways, that's more of the SRM's stuff. So aside from being devalued for SRMs, now it's a **** upgrade for LRMs.
You know what would have been useful? If Artemis discriminates between Direct and Indirect fire. Apparently there wasn't such bonuses, no wonder you have to backpedal. Hows about fix that mechanically first?
InnerSphereNews, on 20 August 2018 - 11:06 AM, said:
ECM
ECM effect radius increased to 120 meters (from 90 meters.)
Design Notes: The previous ECM range was a bit too restrictive which often found ECM 'Mechs utilizing the system as a personal cloaking device with the team assistance / anchor position too restrictive. We want to provide a small boost to the radius to reward ECM 'Mechs being utilized as team anchors in which they can be screened from incoming LRM fire.
ECM effect radius increased to 120 meters (from 90 meters.)
Design Notes: The previous ECM range was a bit too restrictive which often found ECM 'Mechs utilizing the system as a personal cloaking device with the team assistance / anchor position too restrictive. We want to provide a small boost to the radius to reward ECM 'Mechs being utilized as team anchors in which they can be screened from incoming LRM fire.
Well, i guess that's fine. But considering that you also nuked the hell out of the homing-missiles' damn lock-time, kind of pointless.
InnerSphereNews, on 20 August 2018 - 11:06 AM, said:
NARC
NARC cooldown increased to 7 seconds (from 3.5 seconds)
Design Notes: While we want NARC to be a powerful team play supplement, the previous tuning saw it be a bit to potent in too short a period of time. Primarily when it came to isolating ECM 'Mechs, plus any potential escorts that may be screening them. We often found that a NARC carrier would indiscriminately be able to launch pods at any enemy that crossed their path until they could get to their ECM carriers at which point, opposing LRM fire can rain down at an almost oppressive rate. We want there to be a bit more natural risk at being able to negate and tag well screened ECM carriers, as well as allowing more time for opposing players being able to appropriately react to someone NARCing their team.
NARC cooldown increased to 7 seconds (from 3.5 seconds)
Design Notes: While we want NARC to be a powerful team play supplement, the previous tuning saw it be a bit to potent in too short a period of time. Primarily when it came to isolating ECM 'Mechs, plus any potential escorts that may be screening them. We often found that a NARC carrier would indiscriminately be able to launch pods at any enemy that crossed their path until they could get to their ECM carriers at which point, opposing LRM fire can rain down at an almost oppressive rate. We want there to be a bit more natural risk at being able to negate and tag well screened ECM carriers, as well as allowing more time for opposing players being able to appropriately react to someone NARCing their team.
Actually, put the NARC on 10 seconds. Unfortunately, not with how LRMs are made right now. It would be more appropriate to make LRMs direct-fire oriented, and would need NARC and TAG for effective indirect-fire, and then make NARC CD on 10 seconds because LRMs are now powerful.
InnerSphereNews, on 20 August 2018 - 11:06 AM, said:
ATMs (All Launchers)
Velocity increased to 220 (from 200)
Design Notes: The weapon lock change coupled with the closing of the Artemis lock on boost loophole will directly affect the ATMs ability to lock onto a target. We want to offset these system changes with a 10% baseline velocity increase to make the overall time from lock on + Missile travel time to remain somewhat consistent for those that can acquire and maintain locks within the more restrictive lock-on conditions.
Velocity increased to 220 (from 200)
Design Notes: The weapon lock change coupled with the closing of the Artemis lock on boost loophole will directly affect the ATMs ability to lock onto a target. We want to offset these system changes with a 10% baseline velocity increase to make the overall time from lock on + Missile travel time to remain somewhat consistent for those that can acquire and maintain locks within the more restrictive lock-on conditions.
You know what would actually work better? bonus 50% lock speed. That being said, 10% velocity bonus is okay, but considering ATMs are already performing well, if not what i want mechanically.
InnerSphereNews, on 20 August 2018 - 11:06 AM, said:
Streak SRMs
Inner Sphere Streak SRM Launchers (2,4,6)
- Velocity increased to 280 (from 260) *this is to offset some of the changes coming through the changes to lock on weapons.
Clan Streak SRM Launchers (2,4,6)
- Velocity increased to 260 (from 230) *this is to offset some of the changes coming through the changes to lock on weapons.
Design Notes: The weapon lock change coupled with the closing of the Artemis lock on boost loophole will directly affect Streak SRM's ability to both lock and maintain locks against a target. Due to the short range nature of Streak Launchers, these changes will impact the streak system more than ATMs or LRMs. Especially against smaller, highly evasive targets. We did not want these changes to swing the dial on streaks too far into a negative direction, so we are providing an offsetting increase to their velocity so provided you can acquire and maintain locks with the more restrictive lock on system, it will provide similar times between starting the lock on sequence and hitting a target. We do want to stress that this change is only to offset the incoming changes to Lock-on’s and the closing of the Artemis loophole we will be keeping a close eye on this particular change and will make amendments if we feel this offset is not needed.
Inner Sphere Streak SRM Launchers (2,4,6)
- Velocity increased to 280 (from 260) *this is to offset some of the changes coming through the changes to lock on weapons.
Clan Streak SRM Launchers (2,4,6)
- Velocity increased to 260 (from 230) *this is to offset some of the changes coming through the changes to lock on weapons.
Design Notes: The weapon lock change coupled with the closing of the Artemis lock on boost loophole will directly affect Streak SRM's ability to both lock and maintain locks against a target. Due to the short range nature of Streak Launchers, these changes will impact the streak system more than ATMs or LRMs. Especially against smaller, highly evasive targets. We did not want these changes to swing the dial on streaks too far into a negative direction, so we are providing an offsetting increase to their velocity so provided you can acquire and maintain locks with the more restrictive lock on system, it will provide similar times between starting the lock on sequence and hitting a target. We do want to stress that this change is only to offset the incoming changes to Lock-on’s and the closing of the Artemis loophole we will be keeping a close eye on this particular change and will make amendments if we feel this offset is not needed.
That's not exactly relevant, considering that you don't need to maintain visuals for the flying missiles to land anyways. What the lock-cone will affect is getting effective target at all, and what would have been a prudent adjustment is the bonus 50% lock-speed to offset the 50% reduction in cone.
InnerSphereNews, on 20 August 2018 - 11:06 AM, said:
Centurion
CN9-A:
- Added Heat Gen -5% quirk
- Ballistic Cooldown quirk increased to -15% (from -10%)
- Removed Missile Cooldown quirk
Design notes: The CN9-A has dipped bellow the rest of the current centurion lineup. We wanted to take the opportunity to provide it with a number of buffs that support a wider variety of loadouts as such, we have swapped the missile cool-down quirk for an added global heat gen quirk, as well as some further incentive to utilize its ballistic hardpoint.
CN9-A:
- Added Heat Gen -5% quirk
- Ballistic Cooldown quirk increased to -15% (from -10%)
- Removed Missile Cooldown quirk
Design notes: The CN9-A has dipped bellow the rest of the current centurion lineup. We wanted to take the opportunity to provide it with a number of buffs that support a wider variety of loadouts as such, we have swapped the missile cool-down quirk for an added global heat gen quirk, as well as some further incentive to utilize its ballistic hardpoint.
Now, i don't really have anything to comment to the other quirk adjustments on the other mechs, cause i don't exactly use them.
The Centurion A however, I don't use heavy ballistic there, because it just makes more sense to mass missiles, it's not exactly a platform for AC20 due to it's lower-arm actuator. The 5% from missile cd and then to heat-gen quirks could be a nice touch, but if you really want to raise it above, you should have put the missile CD quirk to 10%, and still have the heat-gen reduction.
Edited by The6thMessenger, 20 August 2018 - 06:10 PM.
