40 replies to this topic

[Runz]

I *think* (and would hope) that any of these lance compositions are viable - specialised or mixed. The determining factor is much more likely going to be whether the pilots in that unit work well together and work well with other lances. The team with the best teamwork and better strategy is probably going to win over any team with their 'foolproof strategy' of mixed or specialised lances. Pick the mechs (and the pilots) that do the job.

[Sassori]

C3 will be around in 3050. That's not exactly a long time away, 8 months from now, 6 months or sooner from 'open beta' release.

[Dread Render]

Unless what we have been told:
( that Assault Mechs will not only move slower but have a slower Torso twist so smaller Mechs can get behind them )
Everyone is going to want an Assault Mech. If this works the way we hope, then there will be a nice balance of Mech types.
Otherwise I see teams where they all have an Atlas.

[Vexgrave Lars]

Torso turn speed issues are negated if you got good lance mates.

Stay on target...

Specialized lances with tactical plans and good leadership. Make a plan, work the plan.

[osito]

I think we will see a bit of all 3 in the game. With 3 lances in game and all the variables in play, it would be difficult to run only 1 style for the entire company. In the company we may see 1 specialized lance like scout/ fire support. Then have others with a strong balance so they are flexible and can adapt to the situation. Also some times in the middle of a game you will make ad-hock lance and throw them around.

Also we do not know how they will deploy us. Will they allow us to choose our own 12 mechs to enter battle. Or will they choose who plays in which round. If the choose then it will be hard to form strict types of lances. We will have to do our best with what we get.

[Solis Obscuri]

I suspect that the more organized house units and merc corps will develop their own preferences for specialized lances supporting one another, or individual lances balanced to function independently, and some may vary depending on the match, the map, and the expected strategies.

As for PUGs, I'd expect it'll be entirely a mixed bag depending on what people show up with.

And since we haven't seen any details on the matchmaking systems yet, I have no idea what to expect yet, and which type of fight will predominate.

[Xaks]

My experience is that it would depend on the size of the force, and the specifics of the mission.

Bigger force or more complicated mission usually meant you let lance commanders run their lances and do their jobs and I only care about the broad strokes of the steps taken.

Smaller, I get much more hands-on and direct personally and tailor the units/loadouts to fit the mission.

[UncleKulikov]

I assemble lances based on what I like to pilot. So me, in a Hunchback. Moongoose, in an Awesome. And Righteous Ouka in a Catapult.

[BL00D RAVEN]

It depends if the commander wants to command a lot or not. If they want to guide their troops more then specialized lances are better, but if they cannot react fast and plan the battle then mixed lances would be better.

[Monky]

As far as practical in game concerns, you're likely going to have 3 options.

First - communicate with your merc corp or faction house for a company battle (12 predetermined mechs/players per team), this will allow you to specialize and customize as desired while playing as a more cohesive team.

Second, group up with a few friends (likely limited to a single lance) and queue for a pub match. This will give you a more random assortment of mechs and teamwork to fight with and against. You can likely specialize within your squad effectively, but having some overlap is likely for the better.

Third, Just queue for a solo drop into a pub match, you will be facing the widest degree of diversity on both teams here, but it's as easy as fixing up your mech the way you want and clicking 'go'. You'll probably want a well rounded build for this.

This is based off of what works in similar games like WOT, which has a similar structure.

Edited by monky, 24 April 2012 - 05:50 PM.

[Tadakuma]

It's an interesting question.

I suspect that I'll probably run a generalist mech for PUGs that will fit into a variety of roles, while I'd use something more specialised for organised play.

From my experience with TT what we will probably end up seeing is two generalist heavy combat lances (maybe 1 lance will have a Indirect fire support bias) and a Recon/Raiding lance of mediums and lights.

It is is also possible to build lances that can serve in dual roles, I used to run this fairly often in TT campaigns and found it fairly effective

Battle/Fire Support Lance
Zeus
Thunderbolt
Crusader
Griffin

I generally ran this as a company command lance, with a second battle lance and a recon lance for back up.

[Zynk]

I did not vote as all of the above was not a choice.

Then it also depends on your/theirs/my opinion as to what a Specialized/Balanced/Mixed lance is.

Archer - Catapult - Crusader - Trebuchet is this lance Specialized, Balanced or Mixed?

[Kale Cytair]

Folks keep assuming the WoT model is going to be used. The devs have specifically said: "Look at World of Tanks. That's how we're not going to do it. No pay to win, no grinding, no gold ammo."

In regards to the OT, here's what I intend on doing: Myself and three friends are putting together a merc company. I'm a Catpult driver, hands down. A buddy wants to drive an Atlas but he's the "Big mech, big guns, kill things" type of guy. I can work with that. My two other friends are fond of the medium mechs (hunchie/centurion). To me, that's a generalist lance. Some LRM's, direct fire and plenty of short-range firepower. We're not great at any one specific thing, but we have firepower in every bracket (long, medium and short). As a merc company, we'll team up before the match in a lobby (I hope) and offer our services to the highest bidder as a heavy lance with general capabilities. None of us are particularly fast, but we all have similar speeds and the Centurion/Hunchback can provide close-in protection from faster scouts and lights while the Atlas and Catapult get on with the business of wrecking people's faces.

But here's the thing: We won't be fighting alone. Our roles are mixed, our firepower is generic. But the modules are what's going make us great. I'll take a command track, the Atlas will take a defense/assault track, and the Hunch/Centurion will likely take sensors and weapons. If my command abilities extend to the entire team (and not just my lance), I'll gladly mark enemy targets for whomever can take a shot. If there's a couple of Commandos and Jenners operating together, I'll be more than happy to assign them a harassing role or a scout role, based on the needs of the mission. The key (I have found) in MW tends to be adaptability. My lance isn't amazing in any one role. But we can fill in for any role you care to name.

That's why I picked Mixed.

[Larry Headrick]

D: All of the above. At least in the begining.
followed by chaos. then seteling on mixed, and balanced.

[Kanatta Jing]

Specialized lances sure... But maybe not interdependent lances.

But certainly lances dedicated to getting into certain situation.

[Dragorath]

Lance fight = Mix (of course it should be balanced oO)
Company = specialised Lances (Light reckon lance: you need some fire support for you Raven with same or better mobility; only ravens would be stupid)
Fight Lances need a backbone/center Mech and beater maybe also artillery, you could also use only brawler, but it depends on your strategy.

Edited by Dragorath, 12 May 2012 - 09:29 AM.

[Magnificent Bastard]

I agree with the many people who have already said both options are viable.

[Zakatak]

"The Support Lance"
3x Catapult < fire support
1x Raven < target designator

"The Defender Lance"
2x Atlas < bruisers
1x Awesome < ammoless bruiser
1x Cicada < patrol unit

"The Attack Lance"
1x Hunchback < heavy hitter
1x Dragon < fast attacker
1x Centurion < multi-role
1x Jenner < harasser

Edited by Zakatak, 12 May 2012 - 12:16 PM.

[Cyote13]

One of the key things for most lances is going to be able to support each other, so that means near the same mobility, the only exception will be the scouts generally, but even then most scouts are fast...

[Malkenson]

I see mixed lances at the start, but as people begin to play with each other, more specialized roles will begin to develop.

With in a short period of time, the really good units will all be highly specialized and well known for what they can do.