23 replies to this topic

[Decision Paradox]

I always wondered what type of lance structure makes more sense in the MWO environment.

-A mixed Jack of All Trades Lance with Mechs and Players filling all roles

-A dedicated Specialist Lance with Mechs and Players filling one role

Assuming from a Unit point of view that all players have some kind of means to communicate with each other, which makes ultimately more sense?

I think mixed lances offer more independence and since they are "closed systems" they should be alot easier to coordinate (from the company perspective). On the other hand they require more micro-management from their lance leaders.

Dedicated lances would require a level of "High Command" that orchestrates the distinctly different lance roles with each other, but go easier on the lance leader responsibilities and possibly offer a higher degree of role efficiency.

What do you think?

[pursang]

You know that old adage about trying to please everyone? Yeah it applies here. You can't take on everything, so don't even try to. Mixed lances are nice in theory, but they'll get shredded apart by dedicated lances almost all of the time.

[Snotling]

I think everything in one lance is to much.

But something like. three fast heavys and a light scout, or a mix of assaults and faster heavys to react on flankers/artillery makes a lot of sence

[Kudzu]

My guess is it will depend on the situation. In pub games where you drop your lance in and have no idea what the rest of your team will look like it makes sense to go with a mixed lance. In organized play I have a feeling that specialized lances working together will be the way to go.

[Haakon Valravn]

Where's the neither option?

To me, it would make more sense to split the Lances into two-machine 'fire teams'. For company-level combats, this could mean specialized lances, like a scout lance that splits off into two, a brawler lance that splits into a fast brawler fire team and a tough brawler team, and a support lance that splits into direct fire- and an indirect fire, er, fire teams. Or it might mean an indirect fire... Fire team being formed with one CLPT and one 'bodyguard' 'Mech to protect from enemy support-hunters, &c.

I don't think I would enjoy a game of two completely mixed up lances duking it out. A couple of like lances could be fun. (Lights and mediums mixing it up, for instance. You've got all the roles covered, you're just going to be moving quickly, with paper-thin armor!)

[Banditman]

Haakon Valravn, on 14 May 2012 - 07:29 AM, said:

To me, it would make more sense to split the Lances into two-machine 'fire teams'.

Make sure you let me know where your group is dropping so we can cut you to pieces. If you aren't using at least lance weight focused fire you're going to get shredded.

[Garth Erlam]

I like generalised lances, IE. for a specific purpose, but not all identical. IE. a 'scout' lance could have two scouts, but two skirmishers with them for support. Likewise a Brawler lance could be a mix of fast 'Mechs that flank well, or slower 'Mechs that absorb damage.

[Gun Bear]

I prefer lances dedicated to one task. I usually go with a scout, brawler, and command kind of set up in TT. Scout lances are smaller 'mechs and use a wingman doctrine and they may be mixed but if it goes less than 97k/h I don't put it in the 'scout' role. Brawlers are the heavier ones, often assault 'mechs are included in them and they are designed to hold the line; I try to keep them together (within 180 meters or less) and the command Lance consists of support type and faster moving heavier (heavier being 55 tons plus) and mobile 'mechs that can flow around the battlefield and go where they are needed.

[osito]

My lances are built kinda like what garth said. A generalized group that works well together and can compensate for each other. My fire support lance usually has 3 long range mechs and a single brawler with them. This way whatever has made in close is usually damaged then faces a close quarters monster that finish them off easily. I have faced a player who uses a lance of 2 awesome and 2 atlas mech. For long range that's 6 ppc and 40 lrms. Any one who gets in close faces 2 ac20 2 srm6 and some med lasers. Either way you are in for some hurt.

[Tterrag]

I mean maybe if you get a certain amount of tonage per fight having an entire lance of Cougar would be better than a few assault but in the end being able to adapt and punish in different situations will always be better i think.

[Aegis Kleais]

Ah. Another "Black" OR "White" poll.

All I can say to it is "Battlefields are so dynamic" that asking something as broad as "which is better?" is really too difficult to accurately answer. Unless, of course, you're just farming for opinions.

A lance's effectiveness is based not only on its loadout, but how well the team works with one another in tandem with how appropriate a type of lance is in the current environment. Bringing a lance of Scouts may be overkill in some missions, and just right in another.

[Lasgo Treem]

I think the limited scope of the maps will encourage mixed lances. We don't actually have a 1000 sq km valley to patrol. It won't take too long to scouts to find the enemy.

[Despaxas]

Agree with some others, it really depends, for me it depends on how large an engagement we are dealing with. If its a company level engagement or larger, I think more dedicated roles for each Lance is better. But with in that I think a pure scout lance needs some adult supervison, a good Medium is a must. Likewise a fire team needs a brawler to pick up close in. or an assualt team needs somebody with a little speed to work as a troubleshooter.
But on a large engagement you really want co-ordinated recon teams doing your scouting not individual elements from every lance trying to scout ahead.

[Sassori]

You need to add a different pole option of mixed mixed lances. I see nothing wrong with a dedicated scout lance, a dedicated fire support lance, and then a command lance which is more mixed.

That said dedicated scout still needs a good medium defender to support the scouts and distract for them, run screen. The fire support lance still needs a medium or faster heavy to protect them from scouts and other mediums.

The proper setup will likely vary map to map, but it's not something that can just be hamfisted into all one or all the other.

[Bolo Warden]

I think the lance setup would depend on the situation. small actions would need a more balanced approach and as the size of the engagement grew, so could the specialization of any specific lance.

[JadeTimberwolf]

Mixed lances are the bread and butter of the IS mech combat style, the reason is while specialized lances are able to dish out more damage a mixed lance with 1 scout and 3 brutes (med-assault mechs designed to provide long to medium range firepower) will generally start putting damage on the specialized lance before it gets a shot off.

[Evgeny Bear]

dedicated lances, with a mix between firepower/speed/armor/weapon ranges.
like a scout lance with a heavier (not heavy) mech to deal the damage.
and so on

Edited by Andar89, 14 May 2012 - 12:44 PM.

[AlanEsh]

Totally depends on the drop. If it is me with 3 friends in a lance and the rest of the team is 8 unknowns, then I will probably want at least a Recon in the mix with my damage dealers. If we all go in as Fire Support and nobody is doing recon...

[ArcaneIce]

A mixed lance would be really nice but realistically I think you need a dedicated lance. That's not to say that you can't have 3 Assaults be brawlers and an accompanying medium/heavy scout for example.

[The Smith]

From what I've seen of in game video, it really looks like a fire team / wing man type set up is going to keep people in the game. While watching the videos I see a lot of lone wolves in a team game. Maybe this is just what I can see and I'm missing something, but it looks like aside from some LRM fire this game is slower and closer than previous Mechwarrior titles. My thinking on this is that in a game with three lances each one should be some what specialized, but that each needs to be well rounded and able to work effectively as two mini lances. Within that two man unit you would want one Mech with long range weapon options and the other with good short range punch, while at the same time keeping a very similar speed profile. This way you maintain the ability to do damage as you spot, close with, and destroy the target.