801 replies to this topic

[InnerSphereNews]

MECHWARRIOR ONLINE

March 2021 Patch Notes

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

Version Number: 1.4.239.0

Size: 45 MB

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

Patch Files (Direct Download) - http://patcher.mwome...ndPatch_385.zip

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

MRM 20

• Missile Health Increased to 0.625 (from 0.5)

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): - http://patcher.mwome...ndPatch_385.zip

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\<username>\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

[Windscape]

PPC's are now less useful as a whole (lower DPS).

PPC's will only find use in fringe applications (AWS, WHK, GHR).

LPPC and LGR are useless due to cooldown.

Snubs are far too hot to be used ever.

Masc no longer rewards skilled movement.

Soup will consist of more DPS meta than there already is, making Nascar's harder and laps faster.

Never let Chris touch weapons balance, please.

[CrimsonEye]

To be honest, the Gauss Rifles, adding slight damage but further increase the cooldown, i don't felt somewhere to be great, not to mentioned the light gauss rifle, it suppose to be lighter and faster, double the cooldown just kinda destroy it, i don't even want to try light gauss rifle by reading the chart, i might as well go standard gauss rifle for more damage output since it's a huge penalty if the shot were missed.

And the PPC's ? what's the cooldown for??? you did not increase the range, all you did was a little bit of damage at the cost of longer cooldown? are you nuts? do you guys actually sit down n test run many games before doing this?

Edit : You guys double posted the same announcement, great job.

Edited by CrimsonEye, 15 March 2021 - 11:00 AM.

[My Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ]

This patch is bad, no matter how many posts you delete that will not change.

[Private Hix]

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

[w0qj]

1. ER-PPC velocity has been increased to 2200 (up from 1900), and the range remains the same...

2. As for MASC, I will wait for it to come out to give it a try...

3. DIRESTAR !!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlXw2qGB2w

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)

Edited by w0qj, 16 March 2021 - 04:39 AM.

[Gas Guzzler]

People are literally forgetting how to read.


My question still stands. Does the velocity change on autocannons apply to Ultra autocannons as well?

[GROLSCH]

Increased velocity across the board to reward skilled play not being able to lead shots

Increased cooldown on gauss and PPCs to encourage playing to their strengths picking up your sleipnir and flanking right

Meanwhile heavy gauss is now only gauss, as obviously should be. /s

Maybe roll the random number generator again.

EDIT:
The cooldown of all of the IS PPCs except HPPC in the live client is 4s, not 4.5s as indicated in the patch notes. So the cooldown increase on IS PPCs is +50% CD(+20% dmg), except HPPC - 40%(+13.3% dmg) and LPPC - 81.25%(+40% dmg). Meanwhile the strongest, C-ER PPC, will get +40% CD with +20% dmg.

Edited by GROLSCH, 15 March 2021 - 02:57 PM.

[Gas Guzzler]

Private Hix, on 15 March 2021 - 10:55 AM, said:

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

Well, 9 tons and 21 PPFLD doesn't sound too bad.

[Laser Kiwi]

To summarise,

You listened to no one and achieved nothing

Cool, good job

Edit: thats a lie, the trial mechs are alright

Edit edit: Actually, who gives a care, i'll just adjust my play style based on the changes, do whatever the hell you like really

Edited by Laser Kiwi, 15 March 2021 - 11:06 AM.

[MyriadDigits]

Well this seems a completely awful patch on the weapon side. Long cooldowns aren't fun. Getting slapped by fat alphas isn't fun. LPPC and LGR, two already underperforming weapons have been rendered actually useless now so nice job there.

At least it'll interesting watching the steam charts take a dive.

[suffocater]

So the light gauss got +3dmg and double the cooldown. That is a dead weapon system if I have ever seen one.
Just bring alle the velocity changes, the map changes and drop the rest!

[Pseudo98]

Stop wasting your time shuffling numbers to make it look like you're doing something and ******* fix or remove soup.

If soup didn't drive me away I literally wouldn't care about velocity or cooldown when there's premades of **** hot players on the opposite side vs four mechdads on my side role playing in Ravens and me as a solo.

The merged queue is ******* trash, delete it... all other changes can wait.

Edited by Pseudo98, 15 March 2021 - 11:08 AM.

[RickySpanish]

Aah MASC. Now truly useless for everything except the Flea. You guys do realise that for e.g. 3 tons, a raw speed increase could just be gotten with an engine upgrade, right? The advantage of MASC was the mobility gain NOT the speed, yes?

Bye-bye, Executioner.

[Dithmenos]

Proper trial mechs is nice. Yep.

IMO that hibernal fix was not necessary. More players than not crank up their brightness settings, because people dislike dark corners in a competitive game. The problem is, that the dark maps are too dark, not the bright maps being too bright.

That's clearly a PPC and Gauss nerf there. Only skilled players were able to use these weapons effectively. And now you punish them for trying too hard, because the potato heads never learned how to counter them. They are too busy running in circles.

Light gauss is the worst weapon in the game. No one uses it for effect. Now its even worse. C`mon guys.

Edited by Dithmenos, 15 March 2021 - 11:25 AM.

[CrimsonEye]

w0qj, on 15 March 2021 - 10:55 AM, said:

1. ER-PPC velocity has been increased to 2200 (up from 1900), and not the range...

2. As for MASC, I will wait for it to come out to give it a try...

3. DIRESTAR !!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlXw2qGB2w

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)

thanks for the notice, i did soon realize after double read, i was quite disappointment at it after reading.

clearly they have not understand the concept of every weapon, Gauss & PPC had come a long way, each with pro n cons, and now what they did was making this weapon quite pointless already, they did not take into consideration of the weapon if player missed the shot, which happen a lot during battle, long cooldown means if you missed the shot it's a 6 sec penalty for you. Not to mention for certain mechs has limited weapon slots already.

this is not improvements, but chaos & problem , total backwards.

[Yankesik]

Either the in-game Mechlab values are bugged, or you got the (soon to be past) PPC cooldown values wrong-all IS PPCs bar HPPC show 4 seconds cooldown currently, not 4.5.

Seems like my two favorite mechs (TDR-9S which ran PPCs since before the quirks, and AWS-8Q) are going to be rather sad this patch.

[Rinzlev]

So the idea is making the game more monotonous, less and less weapons are viable with every supposed balance patch

Lights PPCs and Light Gauss were very situational, now they are effectively dead, as their only advantage is non existent now (cooldown), dead like the clan small pulse lasers a few years ago

Seriously don't know why you people ask for advice if you are going to do exactly what you shouldn't anyway

[Agyar30]

I mean the whole weapon balance part of the patch is a joke but the light gauss is the cocktail cherry on top of this ****pile. You are doubling the cooldown for 3 dmg boost. We are talking about an already dead weapon system. Are you nuts?

You can delete everything you want, that won't help you out of this mess.

[The Shazbot]

All the PPC changes are gonna be a Big Oof for me, dawg. Snubs are already too hot to be of use except for a few select cases. Now they will be entirely unusable. Same with Heavy PPCs. Don't even get me started on the Gauss changes. I thought we where gonna be moving in the right direction here, not creating new issues.