27 replies to this topic

[TheLetterN]

Lights early on teach you how to avoid certin situations. The threat of getting blown up easily is a good learning tool IMO.

[Deceptor]

Don't think you want the newbie in the scout role. Facing opposition alone in a small mech is best left to the more experienced players. Assault is better, but you're still at a disadvantage when it comes to getting assistance from your team, and your enemies will likely out-maneuver you. There's this thing the dev's talked about as a secondary "defense" role, good for a medium-heavy chasis that seems like it would be the best option. Medium-close fire support with less of a focus from enemies, and more of an option to dis-engage and perform evasive maneuvers since your firepower isn't as crucial. I feel it would provide the most opportunities to learn, since it involves using most of the crucial "real-world" skillsets and a higher chance of enduring longer.

[Angel of Annihilation]

Well I am not currently playing the game but from playing other game in the MW line up, I would say that there is just as much a case for playing an inclose brawler as a learning mech as there would be for playing a long range mech, maybe more.

I mean with a long range mech, sure you can try to play the backfield and keep yourself out of danger but now you have to content with long range targeting. Also your going to be more suceptable to being caught alone in the backfield, being picked to death by light, fast mechs playing the anti-support mech role. They are also going to be much harder for a newbie to hit.

With a decently armored in close brawler, all you have to do is follow and stick with the pack, run into the middle of the enemy and slug it out at ranges that are very easy to hit at. This seems much simpler a learning curve than what it will take to be decent at long range combat.

Ultimately I think it will come down to the right mech for the right pilot. for example I have always favored heavy mechs with simple weapons loadouts because I don't like to micromange my weapons. 2 PPCs, 2-4 Medium lasers, maybe another low heat system for when I am running a bit hot but overall simple to work with. The next person may love having alot of varied weaspons like a AC-20, LRM15, 2 medium lasers, a small laser and an SRM-4 so they have alot of different options to work with.

Point being, if your a newbie, try as many of them as you can and figure out what suites your playstyle.

[Stalgrim]

Anyone who suggest the Atlas is a crazy fool who should not be listened to under ANY circumstances.

Having said that I suggest the Atlas. ;3 (Kidding, kidding!)

But really the Atlas and other heavies are more about focusing your firepower and knowing where and when to attack. A good Atlas can break an enemy team like the seal on a coke bottle and drink the sweet refreshing soda within...Only the soda is BLOOD! and the bottle is the enemies 'MECH! Roaaar!

The problem with being a distance fighter is that you will learn a specific set of skills that will apply to one situation and then when you switch to an another 'mech or playstyle you will need to learn a whole new set of skills.

Use a medium, if you really want to have more fire power then maybe a heavy. The best advice I, as a fairly big noob, can give you is to not spear head an attack, hang back and SMASH the enemies spine while their backs are turned! Leave them no chance to escape! Their suffering will be without equal! But if you get caught on your own even as an Atlas you will die, you will die fast and hard and nobody will be happy, atleast on your team who will flame you and the enemy will have one less pilot to oppose them.

(Other people are far more qualified to give advice, however.)

[Deceptor]

They will flame you... with flamers... unless you tell them you're a noob up front in which case it's probably their fault for not having your back.

[Sean von Steinike]

I'd say mediums if I had to pick on weight class for a new person if they could only pick one to start. But in reality, you have to find your niche and play to your personal strengths.

[Wo0m3rA]

RecklessFable, on 27 July 2012 - 10:25 AM, said:

Is sniper the best learning class in other games? Not really, too detached from the action. I'd say medium or heavy brawler.

I don't think Sweetime necessarily meant sniper, more along the lines of artillery support with either LRMs or PPCs as they both have a minimum and maximum effective range. Although you could try sniping with an AC which might be fun - sorta .

But I do whole-heartily agree, we need more dashboard hula girls and more cowbell too, gotta have more cowbell.

[Evinthal]

sweetlime, on 27 July 2012 - 09:44 AM, said:

While plenty of people here have played previous games, not everyone is going to be used to the general control style or all the functions of a mech, so do you think distance fighters would be the best way to learn?

I figure if you take a light mech into battle and get wiped pretty quickly, then you're left waiting for the new match to begin to learn more. Probably not the best strategy. Then again, if you pick a heavy you'll be able to take more hits, but probably be a priority target and get lost in the bombardment from several other players rather than focusing on how to use your large arsenal.

So maybe it would be best for someone new to MW to pick a distance fighter. Then they can learn the controls and warning signals and sounds while hopefully not in the middle of madness too much, and probably develop better aim since the targets are smaller at a distance. What do you think?

Distance fighters probably would not be the best way to learn, at least not in a direct fire capability sense, simply because of weapons convergence and projectile travel time. Something along the lines of a Catapult with missiles however would be a good example of a distance fighter that would be a good choice.

I have to agree with others, lights don't seem to be the best choice as they are pretty vulnerable if you are not experienced with them. Assaults seem like they would be to slow and cumbersome and rear armor harassed by light elements. I'd say mediums or heavies are the best bet as it seems like you'd get the best mix of speed and firepower in a single chassis.

[Edit: Spelling. xD]

Edited by Evinthal, 30 July 2012 - 09:02 PM.