46 replies to this topic

[BlueFalcon7]

Hi all
I have downloaded the game(a couple days ago) but when I open MWO I don't see how to jump into a trial game and get started. What is the Noob doing wrong?

Any help would be appreciated

[Stone Profit]

BlueFalcon7, on 04 March 2013 - 09:53 PM, said:

Hi all
I have downloaded the game(a couple days ago) but when I open MWO I don't see how to jump into a trial game and get started. What is the Noob doing wrong?

Any help would be appreciated

Nothing. Just hit that launch button and try it out. Pay no attention to those elitiest who say youre not doing it right. Have fun and shoot mechs (that are not on your side)! want more fun? join a group! (sad to say but little fun to be had pugging...)

[Grotoiler]

YO!

Unfortunately this game does have a kind of a steep learning curve... I saw an excellent tutorial somewhere the other day - I'm trawling through my history to find it for you.... very in-depth, and should be able to help!

As for Trial matches, alas, it's all-or-nothing at the moment.... Soon though they are launching the testing grounds which could help a new player get acclimatised:

http://mwomercs.com/...esting-grounds/

I'll be back when i've found that tutorial!

... BACK!

and Here's that Tutorial i was talking about... plenty reading, but you'll have a much better understanding of the basics once you're through.... I recommend it:

http://www.destructo...ne-240746.phtml

Edited by Grotoiler, 04 March 2013 - 10:18 PM.

[Stone Profit]

Grotoiler, on 04 March 2013 - 10:10 PM, said:

YO!

Unfortunately this game does have a kind of a steep learning curve... I saw an excellent tutorial somewhere the other day - I'm trawling through my history to find it for you.... very in-depth, and should be able to help!

As for Trial matches, alas, it's all-or-nothing at the moment.... Soon though they are launching the testing grounds which could help a new player get acclimatised:

http://mwomercs.com/...esting-grounds/

I'll be back when i've found that tutorial!

NGNG has great stuff check it out!

[Star Colonel Mustard Kerensky]

The map is your friend, it not only tells you where people are but what direction you are traveling.

[GreyGriffin]

Step 1: Go to the Mechlab. You will find that your hangar is empty. If your aim is true and you are persistent, this will not always be so.

Step 2: Click on the small grey bar on the bottom left of the screen that says "Trial Mechs." These are basically rentals. Drive them like rentals. Click on a mech to highlight it and take it out for a spin, or hit the "select mech" button so it will show up on your "dropship" tab on the main screen, allowing you to quickly switch between them.

Step 3: In the upper right, click Launch. Then go to town. My recommendation? Find someone with a similar sized/looking mech, and stick with them, act as a wingman, see how they move, ask for advice, and watch their back. If they know what they are doing, it will also give you a good idea as to the ebb and flow of the game.

Step 4: After a few games, you should be able to afford your very own mech. Go back into the Mechlab, click one of your empty hangar bays, and hit "Create Mech." Buy one and Congratulations. You're no longer dispossessed.

[BlueFalcon7]

I am not seeing the Mech Lab or the Launch button. I am in the process of downloading the patch, but I the download crashed a couple of times. Trying it again now.

I've played the old Mechwarrior off line games. I'm hoping to pick up MWO online without too many headaches. Going to have to learn the controls.

[FlyingWalrus052]

Hello there BlueFalcon7! First of all let me say welcome to MechWarrior Online. Since you seem to be having trouble getting started allow me to just give some key features and a rundown of the UI (User Interface)

Firstly, the four basic trial mechs are in a pane to the lower left of the screen- one for each weight class. If you simply want to start playing just pick a mech you think you might like and click the launch button in the top right corner (the small button to it's left will let you specify any sort of mode preference). If all goes well you'll have a blast for your first games and get a small fortune of C-Bills going to go towards the purchase of your first mech.

Now as everyone on the forums has different playstyles and weapon preferences, I'll leave it up to you to figure out what works for you but when in game, here's some tips that I think will help:

1) The 'R' key is your best friend, it will lock on to a targeted mech and show you where it may have taken a lot of damage, a good tactic is to try and aim there. The 'R' key will also allow other members of your team to lock on as well allowing for coordinated fire and a team effort to bring the unlucky sucker at the receiving end of your team down.

2) When I started out all of my weapons were all assigned into one group. This may not be tactically advantageous so in order to set your own weapon groups use the control key on the right side and the directional buttons to set different weapons to different groups. Try to assign functional groups based on range or weapon type, such as: a dedicated group for Long Range Missiles, or a group that covers all of the weapons situated in the mech's arms. Though I am pretty sure that weapon groups are automatically assigned to trial mech (if someone would be so kind as to confirm this that would be great), creating custom groups mixes up the game play and could catch an opponent by surprise at how fast their armor disappeared.

3) Lastly for now is a function that I just like to use because I like first person cockpit views, the left control key, when held down will allow you to look around your cockpit and add that extra bit of immersion into the experience (though not all of the screens work YET).

So there you have it, some [mostly]helpful tips from a veteran (I use that term lightly, I die too ) player who just happened to be reading random posts and had a strange urge to help out.

Sorry for the wall of text and see you on the battlefield!

FlyingWalrus052

[Grotoiler]

BlueFalcon7, on 04 March 2013 - 10:32 PM, said:

I am not seeing the Mech Lab or the Launch button. I am in the process of downloading the patch, but I the download crashed a couple of times. Trying it again now.

I've played the old Mechwarrior off line games. I'm hoping to pick up MWO online without too many headaches. Going to have to learn the controls.

Well If you've played a Mechwarrior game before that should help!

While the game's downloading, have a gander through here - it explains alot:

http://www.destructo...ne-240746.phtml

it IS a bit out of date though - that was when repair and re-arming costs were still in the game... but the gameplay basics - mechlab, weapon grouping, mech controls, tactics, teamwork basics etc - are all the same...

Edited by Grotoiler, 04 March 2013 - 10:38 PM.

[MoonUnitBeta]

Hey Blue Falcon

When you get the client working, and it loads up this should be the first screen you see (if you haven't got it yet because of crash)





After you log in, this will be the next screen you will see this:


#1: Wait for the client to finish loading and the Mechlab will be highlighted.
#2: Clicking the Mechlab, you should see the list of Trial mechs to choose from. If not you will have to select "Trial Mechs" under your Mech Inventory. Select the mech you would like to play
#3: Click Launch in the top right corner.

Hope this helps.

If you have more questions ask away.!!

Edited by MoonUnitBeta, 04 March 2013 - 10:42 PM.

[BlueFalcon7]

All,
Thanks for the help, much appreciated.
Here's where I am. I have MWO online downloaded and open. By open I have the MWO window with tabs at the top for
Game/Media.Community/Forums/Support/Patch Notes
Below that a main window with advertisements
News bar to the right
Pactch download at the bottom.

I don't see the Mechs, or the launch as shows up in the videos in the Training Grounds.

So for whatever reason, by dense or lost, I don't think I have the right window open.

Do I have to have the patch downloaded and installed to play?

Thanks MoonUnitBeta
I'm a graphic learner so that helps.

Looks like I need the patch to get to the play section.
My patch just crashed again at 25% of download, I'll keep working the issue.

Props crew for helpin the Noob

[FlyingWalrus052]

You do in fact have to patch the game before you play, the menu interface that we mention should be seen after you log in at the main menu, so patch the game and keep us posted, note, it may take a while if this is from scratch.

[BlueFalcon7]

Yep, I need that patch downloaded, Thanks

[MoonUnitBeta]

BlueFalcon7, on 04 March 2013 - 10:43 PM, said:

Thanks MoonUnitBeta
I'm a graphic learner so that helps.

Looks like I need the patch to get to the play section.
My patch just crashed again at 25% of download, I'll keep working the issue.

Props crew for helpin the Noob

No problem, I am too. Helps me learn and explain things easier. I don't know too much how to help you with the 25% crash. I remember deleting a file in the directory that helped to get things going because it was getting hung up. But that was eons ago so I've forgot what file. Hopefully a few more attempts might work it through.

Edit: Sounds like you got it going.

Save your C-bills for something nice! That cadet bonus you will see only lasts 25 matches. Tomorrow, with the new patch, you will have a nice testing grounds to play in by yourself with out other enemies. You'll be able to target practice on dummy mechs that stand still and learn the layout of the maps. Use it lots to practice in and get the feel for the heat in the game and how the controls are.

Not to overwhelm you, but there is also a file available that you can edit in the directory that can open up some mouse sensitivity options (through commands) and field of view. Ask again if you need help with those if you find you need to see more or you mouse is moving too quickly.

Best of luck

Edited by MoonUnitBeta, 04 March 2013 - 10:53 PM.

[BlueFalcon7]

My plan is to play trial games until I get to a proficiency I feel I won't be letting team members down in game play. I don't want to TFNG while I'm just learning to walk and chew AC rounds at the same time.

Then I will be looking for a group that has some military veterans. No offense to anyone else, but it's my background and I tend to be able to communicate more effectively with them.

[FlyingWalrus052]

Glad to hear you got it working, have fun!!

[Znail]

Yes, you have to be done patching and where it said "patch" it will say "play". Then you have to log in to your account and that will get you to the second screen shot.

My tip is to use the time playing Trial mechs wisely. It may feel unfair and under powered to use them, but it's an important chance to both learn the controls of the game and how different weight classes feel. This is important as the first mech is actually rather quick to get, but after that one it takes longer. So you will want to have tried out things so that when you buy your first mech you get one you will like.

It's easy to think that getting the largest mech availible is the best plan, but playing an Assault mech is very different then other mechs as they move really sluggishly and can thus be rather frustrating to play. Medium or Heavy is my suggested first mech class, unless you really like playing scout them Lights works fine too. Assaults costs more and have that different play style.

[BlueFalcon7]

MoonUnitBeta, on 04 March 2013 - 10:47 PM, said:

No problem, I am too. Helps me learn and explain things easier. I don't know too much how to help you with the 25% crash. I remember deleting a file in the directory that helped to get things going because it was getting hung up. But that was eons ago so I've forgot what file. Hopefully a few more attempts might work it through.

Edit: Sounds like you got it going.

Previously I had gone back and deleted the old file.
I restarted the download again and got to 30% download and it just puked out again. Checkin my house to make sure all the the other draws on my connection at this end are shutdown.

[BlueFalcon7]

Znail, on 04 March 2013 - 10:51 PM, said:

Yes, you have to be done patching and where it said "patch" it will say "play". Then you have to log in to your account and that will get you to the second screen shot.

My tip is to use the time playing Trial mechs wisely. It may feel unfair and under powered to use them, but it's an important chance to both learn the controls of the game and how different weight classes feel. This is important as the first mech is actually rather quick to get, but after that one it takes longer. So you will want to have tried out things so that when you buy your first mech you get one you will like.

It's easy to think that getting the largest mech availible is the best plan, but playing an Assault mech is very different then other mechs as they move really sluggishly and can thus be rather frustrating to play. Medium or Heavy is my suggested first mech class, unless you really like playing scout them Lights works fine too. Assaults costs more and have that different play style.

Based on my prior experience in MW video games I will probably go for a Medium or Heavy. They seem to suit my style of play best. I don't have the piloting skills to run a Light and Assault mechs really have to be used wisely on the battlefield.

My style tends to be: Work to have at least partial cover, move and fire at long range and try to whittle 'em down. I like trying to reduce enemy mechs mobility before moving in for a kill.

Well, that' my theory anyway, don't know if I can do it.

[Sean von Steinike]

There is no "trial que" in this game. You will be thrown into battle with others your skill level; brand new players, old hands with new second accounts, old hands using mechs they have not piloted much or are not very good with. The patch coming on the 5th should put new training grounds in the game though. This has been a long awaited feature. Your first few matches (25?) give you a "cadet bonus" to your c-bill earnings to help you buy your first owned mech. My advice is to give all the trial mechs a try, see what sort of wieght class suits you then come back and ask for advice on what model to buy in that class. Some varients are generally considered better than others. Welcome to MWO.