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[InnerSphereNews]

MECHWARRIOR ONLINE

March 2021 Patch Notes

Patch Date and Time - March 16th 2021 @ 10AM – 1PM PDT

Version Number: 1.4.238.0

Size: TBD

Please note that due to compression differences the Steam patch size may be larger than the standalone client patch size.

Patch Files (Direct Download) - to be posted patch day

Greetings MechWarriors!

The March patch is upon us, and with that, the final patch of the first Quarter of 2021. As we reflect on our progress so far, we are happy that we've been able to get the ball rolling on MWO development, with very limited resources. That being said, we did have a couple of disappointments in regards to this patch. After examining the Match Score for AMS, we did determine it needed a reduction. However, in pursuing that change we discovered that we need to do more work to the overall Match Scoring system in order to accommodate that change. Therefore, we will be bumping it to Q2, but that will include a more robust examination of Match Score values overall. The second disappointment comes with the Spawn Point fixes to the Tourmaline map. Although we have this slated for Q2 on the Roadmap, we were really hoping we could get the first spawn fix out the door this month. Unfortunately, we encountered complications, and although we tried literally up until the last hour of our available window on Friday, we were unable to solve the issue in time to make the patch. That's the bad news. The really good news is that we've hired a Level Designer who will be joining the MWO team starting today! That means we have a full-time, dedicated team member who will not only fix Tourmaline, but address additional maps with spawn point issues, and begin the work of actually improving existing map design, pathing, and cover. We will introduce you to our new team member soon, but we will say that he has great experience, including working with CryEngine, and he plays MWO!

So as we shift focus to Q2 and the work to come, we look forward to getting into some of the more critical components of the MWO Roadmap with the community. We'll be coming directly to you, with Intel Gathering forum posts, Dev Vlogs, Community Podcasts, and Social Media requesting your input on 'Mech Rescale, Quirks, Agility, Spawn Point Fixes, Map Changes, Jump Jets, Ongoing Weapons Balance Changes, Continued Improvements to the New Player Experience, Solo, Group, and 8v8...yes, all that and more is getting started in Q2! We will also continue bringing you as many Events and Sales as we can manage to get out, including in-game events like the recent Dev and Streamer Hunts, and the monthly FREE 'Mechs including the current Lucky Charms Loot Bag Event with a FREE Grasshopper GHR-5H 'Mech! We also look forward to gaining experience with each patch, continuing to grow our MWO team, and increasing our efficiency and output each Quarter. We look forward to MWO Localization and the new players it will bring to our community. We look forward to new Content, starting with the Stryker Pack in April. We look forward to the attention MW5 will be receiving in the coming months, and the players that will inevitably find MWO as a result. And we look forward to making as many fixes, updates, and changes to MWO as we can, as fast as we can. So thank you for your continued input, feedback, and support MechWarriors!

Sincerely,

The MechWarrior Online Team

CHANGES

WEAPONS BALANCE CHANGES PASS 1

Prior to this patch, the last gameplay balance adjustments that were applied to MWO took place with the introduction of the Dervish in the June 2019 patch. For this first gameplay balance pass in over a year and a half, we wanted to go big with the limited resources we had available to us, and shake things up in a way that will be seen as a more aggressive change than we have typically made in the past. Due to the nature of such changes, we will be monitoring performance metrics, and getting direct feedback from you as to how these changes are affecting the game, and how they're being received by the player base. We'll then bring these metrics, plus the gathered feedback, back to the community to discuss and begin establishing objectives for upcoming Weapon Balance iterations.

ENERGY

We're playing with the PPC lineup in a way that gives us more overall design space to find a niche for the many PPC sub-types in the game, as well as promote different overall battlefield roles. To this end, we are providing the baseline PPC a 20% boost to the up-front damage, at the expense of 20% less overall DPS with different sub-types of the weapon having variations on this change.

The ultimate goal is to better reward the PPC players that successfully play to their weapon strength, but also open them up to a bit more natural counter-play when pressed by more close range-focused 'Mechs.

PPC

• Damage Increased to 12 (from 10)
• Heat Increased to 11 (from 9.5)
• Cooldown Increased to 6 (from 4.5)
• Velocity Increased to 1400 (from 1200)

ER PPC

• Damage Increased to 12 (from 10)
• Heat Increased to 14.5 (from 13.5)
• Cooldown Increased to 6 (from 4.5)
• Velocity Increased to 2200 (from 1900)

LIGHT PPC

• Damage Increased to 7 (from 5)
• Heat Increased to 7 (from 5)
• Cooldown Increased to 7.25 (from 4.5)
• Velocity Increased to 1400 (from 1200)

HEAVY PPC

• Damage Increased to 17 (from 15)
• Heat Increased to 16.25 (from 14.5)
• Cooldown Increased to 7 (from 5)
• Velocity Increased to 1400 (from 1200)

SNUBNOSED PPC

• Damage Increased to 12 (from 10)
• Heat Increased to 11 (from 9.5)
• Cooldown Increased to 6 (from 4.5)
• Velocity Increased to 1700 (from 1200)

CLAN ER PPC

• Damage Increased to 12 (from 10)
• Splash Damage Increased to 6 (from 5)
• Heat Increased to 15.75 (from 14.5)
• Cooldown Increased to 7 (from 5)

BALLISTICS

With the reinforcing of the PPCs role, we wanted to apply similar changes to the Gauss Rifle, and help the Light Gauss Rifle to better compete in this space.

GAUSS RIFLE

• Damage Increased to 17 (from 15)
• Heat Increased to 1.2 (from 1)
• Cooldown Increased to 7 (from 5)
• Health Increase to 12 (from 10)

LIGHT GAUSS RIFLE

• Damage Increased to 11 (from 8)
• Heat Increased to .75 (from 0.55)
• Cooldown Increased to 5.25 (from 2.6)

HEAVY GAUSS RIFLE

• Health Increased to 17.5 (from 15)

CLAN GAUSS RIFLE

• Damage Increased to 17 (from 15)
• Heat Increased to 1.2 (from 1)
• Cooldown Increased to 7 (from 5)

AUTOCANNON 2 (ALL)

• Velocity Increased to 2000 (from 1800)

AUTOCANNON 5 (ALL)

• Velocity Increased to 1500 (from 1300)

AUTOCANNON 10 (ALL)

• Velocity Increased to 1300 (from 1100)

AUTOCANNON 20 (INNER SPHERE)

• Velocity Increased to 750 (from 650)

AUTOCANNON 20 (CLAN)

• Velocity Increased to 800 (from 750)

MISSILE

MRM 10

• Spread Increased to 4.1 (from 4.3)
• Missile Health Increased to 0.75 (from 0.6)

MRM 20

• Missile Health Increased to 0.625 (from 0.7)

MRM 30

• Missile Health Increased to 0.5 (from 0.4)

MRM 40

• Missile Health Increased to 0.375 (from 0.3)

EQUIPMENT

MASC

In the early days of MASC, due to technical limitations at the time, it was initially introduced as more of a raw mobility boost, as opposed to a pure speed boost. We have decided to tune this piece of equipment to be more focused on the sprint speed boost, rather than a global mobility boost, and provide a significant increase to the amount of time that players can leverage the equipment boost before you take damage. Give the new MASC settings a try, and let us know what you think!

• MASC Meter Fill Rate Reduced by 50% (provides a 100% boost to total MASC use time before damage is applied)
• MASC Boosts to Turn Rates Significantly Reduced (dependent upon MASC type)

The following are universal changes, affecting all MASC units:

• Gauge Fill Reduced to 0.045 (from 0.09)
• Gauge Drain Reduced to 0.0225 (from 0.045)

The following changes are specific to the following MASC units:

MASC MK 1

• Boost Deceleration Reduced to 1.2 (from 1.9)
• Boost Turn Reduced to 0 (from 0.5)

MASC MK 2

• Boost Deceleration Reduced to 1.2 (from 1.9)
• Boost Turn Reduced to -0.05 (from 0.45)

MASC MK 3

• Boost Deceleration Reduced to 1.0 (from 1.75)
• Boost Turn Reduced to -0.1 (from 0.4)

MASC MK 4

• Boost Deceleration Reduced to 1.0 (from 1.75)
• Boost Turn Reduced to -0.15 (from 0.35)

MASC MK 5

• Boost Deceleration Reduced to 1.0 (from 1.7)
• Boost Turn Reduced to -0.2 (from 0.3)

CLAN MASC MK 1

• Boost Deceleration Reduced to 1.2 (from 1.9)
• Boost Turn Reduced to -0.05 (from 0.45)

CLAN MASC MK 2

• Boost Deceleration Reduced to 1.1 (from 1.8)
• Boost Turn Reduced to -0.1 (from 0.4)

CLAN MASC MK 3

• Boost Deceleration Reduced to 1.05 (from 1.75)
• Boost Turn Reduced to -0.15 (from 0.35)

CLAN MASC MK 4

• Boost Deceleration Reduced to 1 (from 1.7)
• Boost Turn Reduced to -0.2 (from 0.3)

Now that these first Weapons and Equipment changes have been implemented, we will be engaging the community directly to determine where we go from here. Remember, the next patch is just around the corner. So get out there and try the new Weapon changes, try the new MASC settings, and most importantly give us your feedback on these changes here. Tell us what we got right, what we got wrong, and what you think we should do next. Please make your posts respectful and useful, and not just "Do everything the Gulag says" or similar sentiments. We have a lot of appreciation for the efforts of groups like the Gulag, and while we will be relying on them even more now as we begin to move deeper into the weeds of MWO development, we have many factors to take into consideration when making significant changes to the game.

NEW TRIAL 'MECHS (Images to be added Monday)

LIGHT

COM-1D (C)

JR7-F (C)

ADR-PRIME (C)

JR7-IIC (C)

MEDIUM

CRB-27B (C)

TBT-7M (C)

SCR-Prime (C)

SHC-Prime (C)

HEAVY

GHR-5H (C)

WHM-6D (C)

HBR-F (C)

ONI-IIC-A (C)

ASSAULT

MAL-MX90 (C)

STK-3F (C)

DWF-W (C)

WHK-C (C)

*Special THANK YOU to community member Jay Z for his time, and his suggestions for this month's Trial 'Mechs.

BOLT-ONS - SOME FALL OFF

The Following Bolt-ons now fall off

• Blood Asp Blades
• Jet Engines
• Helipads
• Angel Wings
• Collapsed Angel Wings
• Head Trophies
• Chainsaws
• Drills

INTRO MOVIES

Replaced the Login Opening Sequence Video and Reduced the Volume to a reasonable level, hopefully saving all of our ears.

LEVEL DESIGN

FIX THE LIGHTING ON CAUSTIC VALLEY

CHANGED THE LIGHTING ON HIBERNAL RIFT

Patch Files (Direct Download)

To make the patching process easier for players with limited download caps, we'll be providing direct download links for the patch file(s) that comprise this patch. This will allow you to download the patch file(s) elsewhere, for manual injection into the MWO patcher through a Patch Cache folder.

Aside from allowing you to download the patch file(s) elsewhere, on another connection, there are no additional benefits to performing the patch this way; the patching process itself will be the same.

This direct patch download process will only work for players running the standalone client. It does not apply to players running MWO through Steam.

Patch File(s): -

How to use these patch files • Download the above file(s) • For sake of ease, we recommend creating a dedicated folder for the patch file(s), such as 'MWO Patch Cache' • You do not need to unzip or unpack the patch file(s) • Launch the MWO Portal • Select the three horizontal lines in the top left of the Portal Window • Choose the 'Specify Patch File Cache' option • In the field that appears, paste or enter the location in which you saved the patch file(s) and hit OK • For example, C:\Users\\Documents\MWO Patch Cache • Click the blue Patch button • The launcher will now check the Patch Cache folder you defined. If it locates the required patch files, it will unpack and use those files to apply the patch. • Once the patch is complete, launch the game

[GweNTLeR]

You messed up current PPC numbers.
PPC
Cooldown Increased to 6 (from 4.5)
ER PPC
Cooldown Increased to 6 (from 4.5)
LIGHT PPC
Cooldown Increased to 7.25 (from 4.5)
SNUBNOSED PPC
Heat Increased to 11 (from 9.5)
Cooldown Increased to 6 (from 4.5)
IS PPC family current CD is 4S (except heavy), snub nose PPC heat is 10.
TBH I'm pretty sure this patch would be a complete disaster.
Like, were you even trying?

Edited by GweNTLeR, 15 March 2021 - 10:46 AM.

[My Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ]

Can I get like a month in-game ban so I don't have to play with these horrible changes?

Thanks.

[Vladokapuh]

I hate you all, this is terrible

[UPnADAM]

wE LIstEn tO tHE ComMUniTy. WHAT IS THIS TRASH?

[denAirwalkerrr]

[Daidachi]

Beyond anything else, my concern is around Masc.

Given the Spirit Bear and the Executioner have extremely limited niches to occupy after previous changes to close range weaponry (IE the PPC Executioner being used for corner peeking), this change limits them even further.

[Gas Guzzler]

Do the velocities apply to ultra auto cannons as well?

[FindersWeepers]

this is funny, but not in the good way

[Agyar30]

Is it an early April 1?

[Hellfire666]

This has got to be one of the worst balance patches ever. The only thing worse was Skill tree and Engine Desync.

PGI: Are you seriously trying to take all the fun out of this game?

You make one of the hottest weapon systems EVEN HOTTER.
Dual HGR now cores people out EVEN FASTER.
Changes to MASC that were not even needed.

You can't even change a spawn point on a map YOU developed.

This is incompetence at it's best. This is why people are feeling the game. PGI is absolutely clueless on how their own product works.

This is why I haven't given you a dime in 2 years and will continue to not give you a dime. You claim to listen to the community then throw out crap NO ONE WANTED!

[Gas Guzzler]

Hellfire666, on 15 March 2021 - 10:49 AM, said:

You make one of the hottest weapon systems EVEN HOTTER.
Dual HGR now cores people out EVEN FASTER.

1. ) Big buff to PPC damage and velocity, so what's your complaint?
2. ) Does Dual HGR core people out faster? Can you read? No change to HGR damage.

Some of you need to calm the f*** down.

[Private Hix]

Why make LPPC's more useless than they already are? They don't need that cooldown nerf.

Edited by Private Hix, 15 March 2021 - 10:54 AM.

[Annihilator]

Lets say this changes are like a Test or something... 20% more dmg , 20% less dps for all the ppc

The gauss side... lets say its okay. But the light gauss... dat cooldown, 5,25 from 2,6... its a bit too hard i think.

Ac velocity okay, and mrms healt okay i think.

[Saved By The Bell]

Well, lest see.

People know me like masochist player, using weak err ppc mechs sometimes:

nova
awesome
zeus
hatamoto chi

Well its not easy to play ppc, even if I shoot many times, I am almost not able to kill. Lets see...

Edited by Saved By The Bell, 15 March 2021 - 11:03 AM.

[CrimsonEye]

Rip PPC, Rip Gauss Rifle, Rip MASC.

welp and they double posted patch notes, awesome, this is just too awesome.

[Scout Derek]

PPCs


So basically, you buffed damage.... and added CD and heat to some of them... what? why?

Quote

The ultimate goal is to better reward the PPC players that successfully play to their weapon strength, but also open them up to a bit more natural counter-play when pressed by more close range-focused 'Mechs.

Okay, so part of this is somewhat okay(the first part, by the way, but not really)... but have you seen quickplay lately? Or, you know, the past few years? People are still going to Nascar, people are still going to do their own thing. You basically just buffed mechs that can use PPCs further, and mechs that can't, into the dumpster. And no, this isn't a feedback for "nerf the mechs than can use ppcs", this is feedback for "You just made the gap between usable and unusable bigger".

Gauss Rifles

So lemme get this straight; You decided to Nerf Light Gauss's role... for damage? what? Wasn't the point of Light Gauss to be a faster Gauss overall? 5 seconds cooldown? Why would I take Light Gauss now?

And the other Gauss Rifles... same thing with PPC; increasing that gap of Useable and Unusable, except, this time, it's significantly wider.

And guess what? You just gave me a buff to my Deathstrike. 4 more damage to my alpha now... 4 more damage to potentially maim, or kill, lights and mediums easier. Now lights and mediums that might have survived clan gauss are basically going to die to me now, even with cooldown, even with minor heat increase. And that's just one example of one mech that got this buff while other mechs that aren't as focused as the Deathstrike is with Gauss and Lasers are.

Autocannons

I won't even go into this very much since there's very little and I only have one question; Wasn't there a nerf of some sort back in 2018? why is it being reverted now?


MRM

Seems like it's out of the blue too like with Autocannons; what was the reason for the changes? Is AMS gobbling up MRMs like crazy? Are MRMs dying to stray AMS too much?


MASC

This is probably my most disliked change of this patch, and you know why?

You basically made mechs that utilized this piece of equipment, for the most part, pretty mediocre now. Mechs like the Wolverine, Zeus, Executioner, and so on. Sure, they're still going to put out damage, but, spreading damage? Mechs like the Zeus are just going to suffer and die, you want a extreme example?

The Spirit Bear. You know, the clan atlas, with MASC? It's practically not even worth using now. I used to take it out once in awhile, had a bit of fun in it, it certainly wasn't a mech that was an amazing here since the years of changes to it, but you could still use it thanks to the abilities of MASC, which I will also note were pretty bad for it, but now? Now I don't even think It'll be usable? You know why?

People didn't use MASC to get around quicker, they used it in order to be able to twist damage properly, they used it as a piece of equipment to enhance the mech's ability to be able to trade properly and to be able to backup significantly easier than it's counterpart variants which didn't even have MASC to help them; the Spirit Bear was an example of this, and now, now that part has been significantly reduced, and it makes me pretty sad.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I won't get into the trial mechs, that's something I don't feel like typing up right now, and I guess the changes to the maps are nice, but I'm moreover concerned with the changes to the current weapons in this patch because it's really going to be a mess.

Edited by Scout Derek, 15 March 2021 - 10:57 AM.

[S4NCH0]

Can we get the new map lighting, trial mechs, and ac20 velocity, but skip the other changes? Seven second gauss, why? MASC nerfs to assaults that are already poor (kodiak hero, executioner) that need the twist speed, but now they lose twist speed? Light ppc and light gauss, already mediocre weapon systems, have massive cooldowns now? None of this makes sense.

[Firewired]

Thanks for the information.

Please do not promote these changes to production.

I am reasonably confident that the majority of these changes do not reflect what the experienced community players have been suggesting for a very long time.

Promoting these changes into production will have a negative impact on player experience for everyone.

p.s. (edit) - All of the pushback and emotional outbursts could be avoided by reviewing the changes with the community before announcing promotion dates to production.

Edited by Firewired, 15 March 2021 - 05:07 PM.

[Hellfire666]

Gas Guzzler, on 15 March 2021 - 10:52 AM, said:

Some of you need to calm the f*** down.

We need competent developers which we clearly don't have.