16 replies to this topic

[Sable Dove]

So, with the reduced torso twist speeds since way back when, I've found mechs with shield arms less effective, and part of this is just the positioning of the arms. For example, the Centurion's left arm is angled to the left about 30 degrees, meaning if you want to protect your torso with it, you have to basically turn 90 degrees to the enemy, which has the dual issues of not being able to see the enemy to ensure the angle is right, and the fact that you have to turn so far means that due to PGI hitboxes, you stand a serious chance of just taking hits in the back instead.

It doesn't help either that having arm lock off still doesn't let you shield with it, as the shield arm (on the Cents, at least) doesn't move at all.

At the very least, the shield arms should be positioned straight forward, if not angled slightly inward to more easily protect the torso.

Ideally, I'd like to see a Braced Stance™ for mechs that don't have weapon doors that would have a similar delay to firing, but rather than the weapon doors, they would assume a stance where they use their arms to shield the torso more effectively, and uncover only to fire weapons. That's a bit of a pipe dream though. I'd be happy if they just adjusted mechs with hardpoint-less arms to better shield.

TL;DR: Please adjust the shield arms of mechs like the Centurion so that they actively protect the torso, rather than angle away from the body so you have to almost expose your back to actually effectively use the shield arm.

EDIT: Here's an example of how the left arm doesn't move:

Edited by Sable Dove, 24 October 2018 - 09:01 PM.

[El Bandito]

I thought if one aims the cursor away from one's opponent horizontally when arm lock is off, it will sorta do the protective angle you have described. Of course one must do it fast and timely, lest the whole mech torsi will soon turn after the arm, and it only applies to mech with lower arm actuators.

Edited by El Bandito, 23 October 2018 - 03:52 PM.

[Sable Dove]

El Bandito, on 23 October 2018 - 03:52 PM, said:

I thought if one aims the cursor away from one's opponent horizontally when arm lock is off, it will sorta do the protective angle you have described. Of course one must do it fast and timely, lest the whole mech torsi will soon turn after the arm, and it only applies to mech with lower arm actuators.

Well, you can't actually see the shield arm on the Cent from the cockpit, but judging from the shadows, even with lower arm actuators (on both arms), the left arm is completely static, while the right arm moves as expected.

[El Bandito]

Sable Dove, on 23 October 2018 - 04:02 PM, said:

Well, you can't actually see the shield arm on the Cent from the cockpit, but judging from the shadows, even with lower arm actuators (on both arms), the left arm is completely static, while the right arm moves as expected.

You can use free roaming camera in testing grounds so feel free test it if it works.

[Throe]

[deleted by user]

Edited by Throe, 09 November 2018 - 11:23 AM.

[Sable Dove]

El Bandito, on 23 October 2018 - 04:11 PM, said:

You can use free roaming camera in testing grounds so feel free test it if it works.

Tested. Left arm 100% does not move.

Throe, on 23 October 2018 - 04:21 PM, said:

This is because the weapons mounted in the arms is what causes the arms to move to track the "arm" reticule. Since no variants of the Cent have weapons in the shield arm(as you might expect), that arm does not have any reason to track the reticule.

But if it moved, then if you look to the right, the arm would naturally cover your LT/CT, acting as a shield. The same is true for any other mech with arms. Ironically, despite having a canonical shield arm, the Cent's shield arm is less effective than just about every other mech with arms at actually blocking damage.

[S4NCH0]

Throe, on 23 October 2018 - 04:21 PM, said:

This is because the weapons mounted in the arms is what causes the arms to move to track the "arm" reticule. Since no variants of the Cent have weapons in the shield arm(as you might expect), that arm does not have any reason to track the reticule.

Edited by S4NCH0, 23 October 2018 - 05:36 PM.

[El Bandito]

S4NCH0, on 23 October 2018 - 05:34 PM, said:

Looks like it is shielding just fine.

[Throe]

[delete by user]

Edited by Throe, 08 November 2018 - 03:40 PM.

[Gristle Missile]

Might be worth noting that some Centurions like the YLW don't have lower arm actuators so the left arm wont move side to side

[Sable Dove]

S4NCH0, on 23 October 2018 - 05:34 PM, said:

Not sure where your picture is from, but the CN9-A, -AL, and -D all currently act like the image I posted: the right arm moves freely, and the left arm is static in both pitch and traverse.

The -YLW and -AH lack a lower arm actuator, so neither arm traverses, but the right arm can still pitch, while the left can't.

[LordBraxton]

Centurion needs armor buffs on its torso, its an inner sphere medium that has to bring all 3 weapon types for a full build.

Quirk the centurion!

[Throe]

[delete by user]

Edited by Throe, 08 November 2018 - 03:36 PM.

[GeminiWolf]

What is this Asjust you speak of?

[Shifty McSwift]

Better functioning shield arms would be nice, some are nicer than others but for the most part they can be bypassed with pinpoint weapons hitting the torso or legs. A piece of equipment that had tonnage and took up crit space increasing an arms size would be a great addition too, but meh, it will never happen.

[Elizander]

It's cumbersome to properly use a shield arm as it requires the following:

• Unlock arms from torso.
  
• Twist upper torso 80ish degrees towards enemy so shield arm is facing them and you can still see with like 30% of your screen.
  
• Hold down "F" to free look so you can aim with the arms but you are limited to less than half your screen.
  
• Use A+D to twist the mech legs left and right to get proper aim and go back to shielding with arm.

[Gristle Missile]

Elizander, on 26 October 2018 - 02:28 PM, said:

It's cumbersome to properly use a shield arm as it requires the following:

• Unlock arms from torso.
  
• Twist upper torso 80ish degrees towards enemy so shield arm is facing them and you can still see with like 30% of your screen.
  
• Hold down "F" to free look so you can aim with the arms but you are limited to less than half your screen.
  
• Use A+D to twist the mech legs left and right to get proper aim and go back to shielding with arm.

yeah it is cumbersome for sure
but its the most effective way to play the Dragon with the 3 ballistic in the right arm
keep twisted for most of the match