3 replies to this topic

[Spaceghost]

Lots of threads on this complaining about it but I didn't see anything on tips on how to help avoid it.
I primarily pilot a light mech (Commando COM-2D, if Lucifer was a mechwarrior, this would be his ride) and I believe I have been killed more by friendly fire than by the enemy. So I decided to list some tips to help my fellow mechwarriors out.

First - Setting weapon groups right after drop - I know when everyone gets that shiny new mech they want to kick the tires and test fire all the weapons they just crammed into it to check heat generation. This one is by far the easiest to avoid, when doing this simply face away from your teammates, that's it.
It is unbelievably frustrating when you're in a light mech and a new Atlas behind you alpha strikes you right in the back making you DOA.

Second - In the heat of battle - If you are targeting an enemy mech, and you have a friendly in between you and him, don't shoot. Move slightly to your left or right and then take the shot once in the clear.
If you are in a light mech and see your teammates going toe-toe with the enemy, don't run through the middle. Circle around the outside and pick your shots (hopefully into the enemies rear).
If you are in a circle strafing match along with fellow teammates slow down your rate of fire just enough so that your shots are traveling between friendlies, and not through them.
While firing and you see a teammate start to enter your fire, immediately aim skyward and not continue the beam into his back.

Third - During Team Play - Lance Commanders, designate fields of fire if defending and firing lanes if advancing. Communication between team members and situational awareness is key.

Lastly, just use a little common sense, pay attention to your situational awareness, and remember, this is NOT a twitch based FPS, think before you shoot. It's chess, not checkers.

I hope this helps a little bit and please post further tips below. But please be constructive, too many threads on this topic scream for friendly fire to be removed from the game (I am against this) and are just general ranting.

Edited by Spaceghost, 08 December 2012 - 03:45 PM.

[Krazy Kat]

Watch where you're going and what others on you team are doing. If you see me firing my AC/20 at a mech, assume that I will keep firing at it. Do not run between us, into my line of fire. Sooner or later I will shoot you in the back.

If you see a fast friendly light chasing a fast enemy light, be careful about shooting. If your lag spikes you could aim at the enemy and hit the friendly instead.

Be careful in the cave and the canyon! If it gets too crowded in front back off a bit.

BTW I apologize to the teammates I have killed. It was never intentional.

[Xerkics]

Dont hug the enemys back when other people are trying to get a hit in . All you accomplish by this is get shot. Hunchbacks always stick to an enemy back and shoot 2 lasers on it while 1 of my ac20 + srm6 would have finished it off if it wasnt blocked. Be aware of your team mates positions.

[Selfish]

The second rule is partly why you see a lot of people getting shot in the back. You have to account for the lag in movement of everyone, even your friendlies. If you move just to the right of a friendly and fire, your shot may look perfect as it lands on an opponent on your client. In reality, your friendy just ate the round to his back while strafing and is now pissed off at you.

Just be careful if you're shooting around someone. You can't always account for strafing well. It's usually better to shoot over someone, since the odds of them jumpjetting into your sights are less than moving side to side.