15 replies to this topic

[SharDar]

I have seen some mechs in recent gameplay that appear nearly invisible on the screen. They are so black that they are nearly impossible to distinguish from the dark background. You can see that on a couple of mechs in this video: https://youtu.be/KpBcAPyTLuk. Look at about 8:10.

What color are they using? The darkest color on the picker is Obsidian Black. I have that color and have used that on many of my mechs to be as "invisible" as possible. But when I view them in the Testing Grounds, they don't seem to be as invisible as what I have encountered. There are a few other blacks, but I don't own them (listed in order of perceived blackness):

• Hotrod Black
  
• Liao Black
  
• Resistance Black
  
• Camo Black
  
• Phranken Black
  
• Buccaneer Black
  
• Smoke Jaguar Black
  
• Smoke Jaguar Black 2

Can anyone identify the color being used. I'm not a great pilot, so I want every advantage I can get, particularly when other players are using it. Thanks!

[memorandum]

have you tried "pc gamer black"

[Curccu]

There might be also difference in your game / graphic settings, which is very likely.

[Heavy Money]

SharDar, on 25 January 2022 - 11:32 AM, said:

I have seen some mechs in recent gameplay that appear nearly invisible on the screen. They are so black that they are nearly impossible to distinguish from the dark background. You can see that on a couple of mechs in this video: https://youtu.be/KpBcAPyTLuk. Look at about 8:10.

Doesn't even look black to me. If it were pure black, it'd stick out against the non-black map. Just looks like video compression is making it hard to see while in shadow.

[ScrapIron Prime]

SharDar, on 25 January 2022 - 11:32 AM, said:

I have seen some mechs in recent gameplay that appear nearly invisible on the screen. They are so black that they are nearly impossible to distinguish from the dark background. You can see that on a couple of mechs in this video: https://youtu.be/KpBcAPyTLuk. Look at about 8:10.

Check out at 8:26 how that Blood Asp backed up into the shadows. Its not color, its video settings. He goes from colors to black.

[Extra Guac]

It depends on a lot of factors - your game settings, the map, the angle, distance, etc.

Obsidian black can be a bit too shiny/reflective in some situations, which can actually make you easier to see. Camo black or camo dark brown are among the hardest colors to see, imo. Camo grey, or resistance white are good for snow maps.

[PocketYoda]

One was red and black the other was darkish green to me..

And i have noted colors really do make a difference, if i run clan wolf Yellow/Grey (Bright) i noticed i get targeted a lot more than in my Steiner mechs really Dark Brown green/Tan.. sort of blend into the team and environment you some what get avoided more.. Its subtle but it does really work.

Edited by Nomad Tech, 26 January 2022 - 04:41 AM.

[knight-of-ni]

I wonder if DATA's tips in the following video would help, particularly the brightness and gamma settings:

Edited by knight-of-ni, 26 January 2022 - 06:52 AM.

[Dauntless Blint]

SharDar, on 25 January 2022 - 11:32 AM, said:

I have seen some mechs in recent gameplay that appear nearly invisible on the screen. They are so black that they are nearly impossible to distinguish from the dark background. You can see that on a couple of mechs in this video: https://youtu.be/KpBcAPyTLuk. Look at about 8:10.

What color are they using? The darkest color on the picker is Obsidian Black. I have that color and have used that on many of my mechs to be as "invisible" as possible. But when I view them in the Testing Grounds, they don't seem to be as invisible as what I have encountered. There are a few other blacks, but I don't own them (listed in order of perceived blackness):

• Hotrod Black
  
• Liao Black
  
• Resistance Black
  
• Camo Black
  
• Phranken Black
  
• Buccaneer Black
  
• Smoke Jaguar Black
  
• Smoke Jaguar Black 2

Can anyone identify the color being used. I'm not a great pilot, so I want every advantage I can get, particularly when other players are using it. Thanks!

Did you know that at sea Black is the easiest colour to see, it's the reason Oil Tankers are painted black.

Try lighter shades of black closer to grey.

[Curccu]

Dauntless Blint, on 27 January 2022 - 11:59 PM, said:

Did you know that at sea Black is the easiest colour to see, it's the reason Oil Tankers are painted black.

Did not and do not believe that is reason some tankers are semi black, with my massive zero factual knowledge I boldly claim that bright neon pink/orange/green would be way more visible.

of course it matters against what you are trying to see something but against sea/sky black just cannot be easiest color to see.

[Escef]

Curccu, on 28 January 2022 - 12:59 AM, said:

Did not and do not believe that is reason some tankers are semi black, with my massive zero factual knowledge I boldly claim that bright neon pink/orange/green would be way more visible.

of course it matters against what you are trying to see something but against sea/sky black just cannot be easiest color to see.

Black is a staggeringly easy color to see at night if you are away from civilization. I've spent most of my life in fairly urban/suburban areas, so I never realized just how bright the night sky actually is until I joined the Army and went to Leonardwood for basic. We're doing a field training exercise, and during the first night of it they have us in formation for mail call. I wasn't expecting anything, so I let my attention wander, and I was absolutely stunned when I looked up. I thought skies that looked like that were made using cameras with low shutter speeds or some other kind of long exposure.

Anyway, in many natural environments black stands out because it is significantly darker than the rest of the background. It works ok as night camouflage if you're stationary, but the second you move it completely fails. Sort of like how lions are a light, sandy brown in color, despite the fact that they do most of their hunting at night. Similarly, their prey doesn't use black camouflage, either. There are good reasons why black is a fairly rare color amongst vertebrates.

As for the tankers, I can't vouch for that way one or other, though I wager watching a dark blot on the horizon eating up and pooping out stars as it moves is a dead giveaway.

Edited by Escef, 28 January 2022 - 01:25 AM.

[Scout Derek]

God 1080p compression is so trash now.

[knight-of-ni]

Escef, on 28 January 2022 - 01:22 AM, said:

Black is a staggeringly easy color to see at night if you are away from civilization. I've spent most of my life in fairly urban/suburban areas, so I never realized just how bright the night sky actually is until I joined the Army and went to Leonardwood for basic. We're doing a field training exercise, and during the first night of it they have us in formation for mail call. I wasn't expecting anything, so I let my attention wander, and I was absolutely stunned when I looked up. I thought skies that looked like that were made using cameras with low shutter speeds or some other kind of long exposure.

Ah, Ft. Leonardwood. As a child I loved to watch the F4 Phantom's and the occasional A10 fly overhead towards the base, as I fished the Big Piney River (it runs adjacent to the base). That's when/where I learned the sound of the infamous Brrrrrrrrtttttttt!

I bet you are all glad you know this now.

Edited by knight-of-ni, 28 January 2022 - 05:40 AM.

[ScrapIron Prime]

Escef, on 28 January 2022 - 01:22 AM, said:

Black is a staggeringly easy color to see at night if you are away from civilization. I've spent most of my life in fairly urban/suburban areas, so I never realized just how bright the night sky actually is until I joined the Army and went to Leonardwood for basic. We're doing a field training exercise, and during the first night of it they have us in formation for mail call. I wasn't expecting anything, so I let my attention wander, and I was absolutely stunned when I looked up. I thought skies that looked like that were made using cameras with low shutter speeds or some other kind of long exposure.

the skies are even better in New Mexico and Arizona. Its breathtaking, mountain campsites where you can practically freaking READ by the light of the Milky Way and see it in all its glory.

You know someone has grown up around skies like that when they give you advice like "don't use your flashlight, it will spoil your night vision." And like you pointed out, black is easy to spot in the natural dark! It's only hard to see in areas with artificial lighting, where the contrast between light and dark spoils your night vision!

[Glymbol]

Escef, on 28 January 2022 - 01:22 AM, said:

Sort of like how lions are a light, sandy brown in color, despite the fact that they do most of their hunting at night. Similarly, their prey doesn't use black camouflage, either.

This is about tigers but I guess the reason is the same, their pray see them as they were green.
https://www.dailymai...xperts-say.html

[Bulletsponge0]

Escef, on 28 January 2022 - 01:22 AM, said:

Black is a staggeringly easy color to see at night if you are away from civilization. I've spent most of my life in fairly urban/suburban areas, so I never realized just how bright the night sky actually is until I joined the Army and went to Leonardwood for basic. We're doing a field training exercise, and during the first night of it they have us in formation for mail call. I wasn't expecting anything, so I let my attention wander, and I was absolutely stunned when I looked up. I thought skies that looked like that were made using cameras with low shutter speeds or some other kind of long exposure.

They don't call it Ft. Lost in the Woods for nothing