9 replies to this topic

[Homeless Bill]

I've noticed that one of the biggest challenges with pickup groups is getting everyone to focus fire. Voice chat can't be relied on, and typing during battle is a cumbersome and ineffective alternative.

I propose that a mark target feature be implemented. How precisely this would work is up for debate. There are several ways it could be implemented, and all of them have downsides; even so, anything is better than the current state of things.

1. A single player is designated to choose targets (either by most experience or randomly). Maybe there is an opt-out at the beginning of the match, so that players don't feel like they have a responsibility to mark targets when. When a player opts out, the duty passes on to the next highest rank until someone accepts. If no one accepts the responsibility, it is given to the last player to be asked automatically. They press a key to mark a locked target as the designated target. That information somehow appears on everyone else's HUD (extra reticle or whatever).
-Pros: if the player does it right, everything works; players aren't forced into the responsibility
-Cons: if the player does it wrong, nothing works; does not work well for spread out battles since only one target can be marked

2. Every player can mark a designated target with a key. Again, some sort of indicator appears on marked targets on every team mate's HUD. The more people mark a target, the more prominent the indication should be (a designated indicator for each mech that has designated it, a progressively larger reticle, or some sort of number).
-Pros: none of the deciding-who-designates problems; works better for battles with two or three skirmishes going on, where more than one target would be designated; I think more people would target a 'mech designated by three or four others than one designated by a single "commander"
-Cons: could create confusion; at its worst, it would be the same as now - everyone picks their own target and doesn their own thing

3. Like #2, without a key press. Targeting information is automatically shared with others, so whoever you're targeting is marked as your designated target. Again, there would be an indicator showing how many people have targeted a mech. This would be the most minor change from now, since it already shows locked and unlocked targets. This would be my vote for the sake of simplicity.
-Pros: same benefits without adding controls
-Cons: less likely to be helpful in coordinating a team - because there is no key press, there is no explicit designation; because it's not an explicit mechanic, people will think about it less - particularly new players

4. Shut your whining mouth. This is a stupid feature, and it shouldn't be implemented.

How would losing target lock be dealt with? Again, up for debate. I'd say it should work like targeting does now. If a target becomes lockable again, they are automatically targeted and designated.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Mazgazine1]

I would vote for option 2 and 3 if I could.

When the "battle map" is working, the commander should be able to mark a target too. So there will be pilot designated targets and a commander designated target.

I would also suggest a "target what close pilots are targeting" key.

And depending on advance censors or other upgrades "target weakest" would be neat.

[Homeless Bill]

Mazgazine1, on 04 November 2012 - 12:39 PM, said:

And depending on advance censors or other upgrades "target weakest" would be neat.

This. Please.

[Sarevos]

Just like in LoL It should be so anyone on the team can specify a high priority target with a button press and unique sound effect for the Target designation (not for each individual but for the action itself to distinguish it from someone just looking at another enemy)

[Minos Murdoc]

Combination of 1 & 3.

Yes if you have targeting information this should be relayed back to all other mechs, but the commander should beable to state which target to focus fire on.

[Temozarela]

Just a quick point, There is already a system in place for this.

The red triangles are hollow when someone is spotted, they are filled when someone has a lock.

However, i would like to see an elaboration on this, like the tag has a little crosshair, in the other corner there should be a star or skull or something for "Designated Target" For group focus fire. I'm not sure if it would be for all players or the on field commander, but that could be up for debate.

Good idea though

[Magovai]

Isn't there already a red crosshair above the filled-in triangle? Yeah, a skull would be nice, Temozarela.

[Exilyth]

[x] - who ever has taken command should be able to mark targets using the map. Click on marker on map, select 'mark' from context menu, all player hear "Attack [designation]". The same should be displayed in chat. Depending on how good the target is spotted, you should get "Attack contact Alpha at G5!", "Attack Heavy mech Alpha at G5!" or "Attack CPLT-4 at G5!".



(I'd also suggest the addition of other player voice/text commands, like "Capturing", "defending", "flanking right/left", "jenner on my a... erm... six", e.t.c... but that's probably better suited for another thread.)

[Homeless Bill]

Temozarela, on 04 November 2012 - 03:55 PM, said:

The red triangles are hollow when someone is spotted, they are filled when someone has a lock.

It's true that you know which enemies are targeted versus those that aren't. The problem lies in knowing how many of your team mates are targeting / shooting at a certain enemy. If I saw four red rings around an enemy or four red dots next to the target indicator, I'd know that's who we're shooting at. Plus, a lot of targeted enemies are just being checked out by scouts. Without a number or a player's explicit mark, it's just another enemy.

I agree that the system that's there is better than nothing, but in terms of focusing fire, it's not helping. Right now, the biggest problem I see in random groups is their lack of coordination. Especially for newbies, it'd be a great shove towards team tactics.

[Temozarela]

Homeless Bill, on 04 November 2012 - 04:20 PM, said:

It's true that you know which enemies are targeted versus those that aren't. The problem lies in knowing how many of your team mates are targeting / shooting at a certain enemy. If I saw four red rings around an enemy or four red dots next to the target indicator, I'd know that's who we're shooting at. Plus, a lot of targeted enemies are just being checked out by scouts. Without a number or a player's explicit mark, it's just another enemy.

I agree that the system that's there is better than nothing, but in terms of focusing fire, it's not helping. Right now, the biggest problem I see in random groups is their lack of coordination. Especially for newbies, it'd be a great shove towards team tactics.

Right on the money there.

Even if they implemented something similar to the weapon dots around your target reticle. Stack up some dots on the right side of the lock, and color them red if you have it nested as a designated target. When you unlock, the little dot stays next to the red triangle. to indicate that it is the marked target. so it's easy to come back to.