5 replies to this topic

[Padic]

I am noticing a striking increase in the number of games that I am involved in that end with both teams sprinting around the edge of the map and into the other capture zone. I find this outcome to be inordinately boring, but it's hard to talk random groups out.

Frankly, it's more likely to win than playing standard is. At least, it is at the lower levels of play. I cannot speak for whether this tactic works for the premier 8man groups.

Win or lose, it's very profitable. Doubly so when you consider how short the games become.

So now I've talked about what the problem is, and why it's a problem. Now I guess I'll throw out a few suggestions on how to mitigate it.

1. Tie the amount of time it takes to complete a cap to how many mechs of that team are still standing. If it took an extremely long time to cap a base while all 8 mechs "defending" the base are still alive, it would allow more time to mount a defense and it would reduce the monetary incentive to blindly base trading by making each base-trade game take much longer. If the teams have been whittled down a bit, the amount of time it takes to complete a cap can get shorter. This leaves surrender as an option for clearly outclassed teams and still leaves "victory by virtue of remembering the other win condition" as a possibility.

2. Give financial bonuses to defenders. Blocking a cap can be extremely important for your team's success, but right now it doesn't give any c-bill bonuses. Who wants the thankless job of getting shot at and dying to swing the base trade in your team's favor when all it will do is cost you money, even relative to losing the match at full health?

3. I guess those are really my only two suggestions. :-)

4. Lists look better with at least 4 points.

Thanks!

[Syllogy]

Base-caps in general are already less desirable since Salvage Bonuses for killing an entire team range between 2x - 10x the capture win and assist bonuses.

So don't let anyone scream "Cap, Don't Kill!" at you. Leg the AFK'er and get a massive bonus every time.

Edited by Syllogy, 07 December 2012 - 09:21 AM.

[Sears]

I can see why it's there. If bases weren't there why would 8 man groups pilot anything other than 8 ECM D-DCs? It's a danger now because of the chance of being capped.

We'll have to see how conquest plays out.

[Bhael Fire]

I'd prefer if it was simply a defense vs offense dynamic. That way, there's no confusion over what the goal is.

Offense must destroy the enemy's base or all of their mechs within 10 minutes.
Defense must hold their base for 10 minutes or destroy all enemy mechs.

[Padic]

Syllogy, on 07 December 2012 - 09:21 AM, said:

Base-caps in general are already less desirable since Salvage Bonuses for killing an entire team range between 2x - 10x the capture win and assist bonuses.

So don't let anyone scream "Cap, Don't Kill!" at you. Leg the AFK'er and get a massive bonus every time.

Per unit game, it's might be more desirable to play standard, and get clean kills for massive salvage bonuses. Per unit time, I really doubt that's true. Especially with repair/rearm bills layered on top.

Sears, on 07 December 2012 - 09:25 AM, said:

I can see why it's there. If bases weren't there why would 8 man groups pilot anything other than 8 ECM D-DCs? It's a danger now because of the chance of being capped.

We'll have to see how conquest plays out.

I'm not arguing against the existence of capping. I like that we have to think about more than just shooting the enemy. I dislike that half my games end with both teams blindly and automatically sneaking around the edge of the map, in the hopes of finishing the cap first.

[Bhael Fire]

Also, I'd like to see objectives added to matches. These objectives would need to be accomplished in order to win. For example:

Offense Objectives

• Destroy Fuel Depot
  
• Kill 4 Enemy Mechs
  
• Locate ComSat Station
  
• Locate All Missile Silos