5 replies to this topic

[Glarnak]

I enjoy this game, have played others like it in the past, but am not a hardcore fan like many on these forums. I do not have the optimal ranges, max, and min ranges memorized. My proposal?

I wish the weapons on the weapon panel would highlight certain colors based on ranges. If a mech you have targeted is in that weapons optimal range make it highlight green. If the mech is in the weapons range but not optimal range make it highlight yellow. If the target is out of range make the weapon highlight red. If the weapon is destroyed make it black or greyed out.

I would think with advanced robots and technology that something like this would be implemented for the driver. Perhaps this can even be implemented as a pilot upgrade due to the pilots advanced training with mechs. The reason I'm proposing this is because it is my understanding that the weapons do more damage if they are in the weapons optimal range. If this is not the case then this wouldn't matter as much.

[Maelphaedor]

just remember 300/600/900.

Small weapons <300
medium weapons up to 600
larger weapons 900+

It's sloppy. but it'll work in a pinch. Besides, most matches devolve into brawls anyway, so range won't be the issue.

[Viper69]

There really is no technical reason why the computer systems would not tell you that you are within range. You are bound to get people popping in now to tell you how you should memorize your weapon specs if you are a good soldier, totally disregarding the fact these advanced machines housing computers and tech a thousand years in the future could not display a simple hud readout of weapon range.

[Prince V]

I like this idea, though it has several problems. Please allow me to enumerate, and please do not think I'm shooting you down (pun intended;D)

1. This is, I think, the most obvious. Easy mode. Many might argue that the Battletech games, both in lore and in play, are about knowledge and strategy. Having your hud pretty much tell you the optimal firing solution all the time might be a bit too easy regardless of the logic that it should.

2. Mixed weapons. What if you have, say, a Medium laser and a Large laser in the same weapon group. How would it judge that? Should it give you a "green light" as soon as you can hit with your LL? Split the difference between the two, potentially 'wasting' the extra 200 meters or so between them? It could make for a complicated and confusing system.

3. There is already a color-coded system in place for weapon groups around your targeting reticle. As this is not a beta forum, I can't say anymore without breaking the NDA.

Very soon, these ranges will be listed in the mechlab, where you will be able to set your weapon groups as well and make these decisions yourself. Again, I can understand your logic here, and it's not a bad idea, I'm just not quite sure it's a perfect idea.

[Glarnak]

To reply to Prince V's post.

I think the weapon color changes based on range should happen for each individual weapon. As an example.

You have a mech at a large lasers optimal range. You have a large laser, medium laser, and small laser in a weapon group. The large laser would be highlighted green, the medium laser would be highlighted yellow (assuming that a medium laser can go further then optimal range and do less damage up to a certain point where it trails off completely), and the small laser would be highlighted red. All these weapons could be in a weapon group but be highlighted differently.

I don't think having the weapons highlight would be an easy mode. I believe its helpful for players and especially new players to the IP.

[Volki6]

I agree with Glarna, or maybe reticule colours can vary:
picture for example: 3 rings within the gunner reticule (crosshairs), with each ring having different colours as range increases/decreases.

Check this:
When close to target, your reticule shows the following:
Long range weps REACH and OPTIMAL (inner ring of reticule is GREEN)
Med. range weps REACH and OPTIMAL (middle ring of reticule is GREEN)
Short range weps REACH and OPTIMAL (outer ring of reticule is GREEN)

When medium range:
Long range weps REACH and OPTIMAL (inner ring of reticule is GREEN)
Med. range weps REACH and OPTIMAL (middle ring of reticule is YELLOW)
Short range weps NO REACH / NOT OPTIMAL (outer ring of reticule is RED)

When far from target,:
Long range weps REACH and OPTIMAL (only inner ring of reticule is GREEN)
Med. range weps NO REACH / NOT OPTIMAL (middle ring of reticule is RED)
Short range weps NO REACH / NOT OPTIMAL (outer ring of reticule is RED)