5 replies to this topic

[FrostPaw]

I was thinking about the huge flaw in particular mechs such as the hunchback with the big shoulder, Dragon and Centurion with the right arm. Simple fact is, the mechs where never designed with the ability to choose to aim at these locations. So being able to pinpoint them makes these mechs vulnerable to losing the majority of their weapons quite quickly.

I was thinking what if players had the option on these one sided mech designs, to remove armor from elsewhere and add additional armor to those locations which contained the most weaponry. This would make them more vulnerable in other locations to sacrifice armor there but it would also add some additional depth to combat with these mechs, because you never know where they are weakest, they could have reinforced that arm or shoulder you are focusing on and be quite vulnerable in the opposite arm/shoulder.

The total armor of the mech would not change, just that specific locations on these one sided mechs had more room to allocate more armor within them.

What do people think?

Edited by FrostPaw, 14 November 2012 - 07:39 AM.

[Vincent Lynch]

I think this is already possible.

[Jabilac]

As long as the total armor a mech can have isn't exceeded then I don't see a big problem with this idea. I am not a TT player but TT rules and cannon might not support this idea. I am for anything that creates diversity and encourages experimentation.

[Elyam]

I am a dedicateced TT player from the beginnings of BT/MW and strong in the opinion that computer sims of the game should stick as closely as possible, within reason, to the TT mechanics. But the OP makes a valid argument since MWO allows direct crosshair targeting. I am not against the idea, to an extent, such as perhaps allowing a 15% to 25% increase to a single biased body section while maintaining the max armor amount rule per chassis tonnage. Perhaps make this ability an elite or master skill.

This could also be achieved without messing with the armor sub-system by providing an elite or master skill that lets a player pick a body section that will always take just 85% of incoming damage, or something to that effect. Or make it a random amount of reduction between 5% and 25% for each hit. This would represent the pilot's achieved skill of always being more protective of that location.

I can make arguments against these ideas as well, but the direct crosshair targeting brings a lot of bad baggage, and considering some steps to mitigate its effect is reasonable. And I always favor solutions that add to the pilot achievement meta.

Edited by Elyam, 14 November 2012 - 09:56 AM.

[Chuff]

You can do this 'a bit' and I have found myself stripping off leg armour and maxing out the most precious areas, but if it was a free for all I think it could get a bit silly.

If for example I had 200 armour to spread around on something like a hunchback, you can bet my hunch(that everyone aims for) is going to have 100-120 of it and worthless things like arms next to nothing.

As much as it would aid these mechs, I think it would make a mockery of the original mech designs(that have a rich history).

I personally drive a hunchback, its only little but carries immense firepower and I accept the fact that people can take out my main gun easily if I let them... Part of the challenge for me is maneouvering myself in such a way to avoid getting hit there for as long as possible. I enjoy this challenge and it's weighed up against the fact that I can take out much heavier mechs.

[Mechteric]

Chuff, on 14 November 2012 - 09:50 AM, said:

I personally drive a hunchback, its only little but carries immense firepower and I accept the fact that people can take out my main gun easily if I let them... Part of the challenge for me is maneouvering myself in such a way to avoid getting hit there for as long as possible. I enjoy this challenge and it's weighed up against the fact that I can take out much heavier mechs.

well said, each mech has its own personality which you must take into account when you pilot it. Use your advantages and mind your disadvantages, this is the nature of combat. You can't boil everything down to the point where every mech has no advantages or disadvantages just to be fair or you'll end up with a game that is probably not fun to play at all.