10 replies to this topic

[Wun]

I used to PuG in hunchback and cataphract because my earnings after repairs was on average better than my ECM Atlas. I saved the Atlas for 4man and 8man drops where I had a better chance of winning. Under the new economy, it doesnt make sense for me to run anything but my ECM Atlas ever.

Between the state of ECM/fast light mechs being very hard to kill and no repairs, this game has become the undesirable "Assaults and Fast ECM scouts" game that no one wanted.

I got that nice bonus 8 mil so I can afford a new mech, but since I have an ECM Atlas the only other mech that makes sense is an ECM commando, raven or cicada with a big engine. I think I will just reduce my play time because one mech over and over gets boring. I will wait on building a new mech for the next update. Hopefully Pirhana can figure out some way to make medium and heavy non-ecm mechs viable again.

Anyway, its my feeling that the past two updates have made the game significantly less fun rather than more.

Just some thoughts
BAP should see through ECM. Currently its useless.
NARC should see through ECM. Even before ECM it was too much weight for little gain.
TAG needs to last long enough for LRMs to land either by extending TAG time or increasing LRM speed or a little of each.

A light mech TAGged or NARCed should be running for cover in fear for its life, not continuing to cirlce and harrass larger mechs.

Edited by Wun, 19 December 2012 - 11:16 PM.

[Ryvucz]

I still run every type of mech there is available, but I'm insane like that.

And yes, I solo queue all the time, and no I do not win majority of the time, but I do rack in enough C-Bills and XP to be happy with the challenges.

'(^.^)'

[Booran]

Ryvucz, on 19 December 2012 - 11:17 PM, said:

I still run every type of mech there is available, but I'm insane like that.

And yes, I solo queue all the time, and no I do not win majority of the time, but I do rack in enough C-Bills and XP to be happy with the challenges.

'(^.^)'

This!

I try out every mech type at least once (either buying them after a profit-spree or testing the feel of the chassis through trial), I'm not very good at this game but I still have fun and I won't make a power build just to churn out good numbers in exp and c-bills. I make enought as it is now.

[Sybreed]

I think medium mechs are the one who got shafted the most. They don't have as much firepower or armor as heavies/assaults, aren't as fast as lights, can't use special equipment (cept for the 3M).

So yeah, Mediums are the mech I don't see very often now. I try to use my Centurions/Hunchie more often to compensate...

[CrazyPenguin]

BAP and Narcs are currently underpowered, but not because ECM counters them. ECM should counter them. It's because their functionality in the tabletop, which added to their tactical uses, has been ignored.

BAP should be able to allow sensor locks on mechs close by regardless of Line-of-sight instead of extending lock range.

Narcs should cause narc-equipped missiles, SRMs and LRMs, to home in on the mech with the Narc beacon instead of replicating TAG's effect. Of course this means that there should be narc-equipped missile ammo to purchase.

Returning the tabletop functionality to these items would give them reasons to be used instead of just taking up mechbay space.

[Corvus Antaka]

the primary reason I run an Atlas D-DC now vs my founders catapult is the ECM insures my ssrms will work.

LRMS are still worthless. TAG/NARC has done almost nothing to fix the problem, and we still need to lose the stealth bubble the ECM is generating at range. ECM should increase your signal strength at range on disrupt, and decrease it to 600m on counter. no mech should ever be incapable of locking or using locks due to a component, otherwise that weapon system instantly becomes a liability on the battlefield.

needing a tag/narc to use lrms vs ecm mechs "& their allies is ******** as it completely negates the entire point of indirect fire support for your teammates.

add to that the jumpjet nurf that even 5 wont hardly get you up anywhere now and so raining down LRMS from a vantage point is pretty unviable now too except for hills on caustic.

I'm glad the FPS are finally fixed, but ECM continues to be severly unbalanced and has ruined pre-ecm gameplay that was significantly better than what we have now.

[Pr8Dator]

Dun worry, there's still plenty of mediums and heavies on the field the last time I checked.

[Mordin Ashe]

State of game is much better than before last patch. That is a plus, the game is much more fun.
Core issues weren't attended, though. ECM is breaking the game, because it takes away more than it brings to it. Some weapon systems aren't competitive due to lack of attention (PPC/ERPPC, LRMs, AC5, MG, Flamers) and lag shield isn't dealt with yet.
On the other hand, part of disconnecting issue was fixed and I no longer meet partially repaired team mates. Also, Stalker is fun and somewhat balanced.
So don't be overly critical, they are walking the right path. Just making some stupid ideas come true on the way.

[HorribleGoat]

Im really interested in the different reasons people play. Like OP here seems to have monetary gain as his primary goal in playing MWO, then theres the crazy dude who plays with all mechs and seems to enjoy the playing aspect of the game..

Anyway back to topic, I just dropped ECM on my Atlas DC and won most matches after it so I don't agree with OP. Also while I still had ECM on I was nuked by 3 x LRM15 + TAG Atlas from quite afar, so got quite different opinion on TAGs uselessness. Wouldn't know how to use it myself though.

Imo all mechs are viable, just not with the same equipment and play style and somehow I get this feeling that this is what OP is after.

I play for playing and use different mechs with different loadouts and for me thats fun.

PS. PPCs are awesome now that they got projectile speed bump.

[Wun]

I can only say that from around 20 drops I did, the typical group was 2-4 stalkers/atlas, 2-3 Cataphracts, 1-2 Raven/commandos, the new Dragons and catapults were pretty common and an occasional Wang was the only medium I recall. The balance has been growing heavier since the introduction of the Cataphract and the Ilya, Thats a very different blend from two patches ago when Centurions and Hunchbacks were often the bulk of your group.

HorribleGoat, on 20 December 2012 - 05:06 AM, said:

Also while I still had ECM on I was nuked by 3 x LRM15 + TAG Atlas from quite afar, so got quite different opinion on TAGs uselessness. Wouldn't know how to use it myself though.

Under the right conditions (like you put your Atlas in an exposed area) TAG on a slow Atlas will let LRMs land from medium range. My experience is that TAG doesnt last long enough for 1K+ indirect fire LRMs to get to target. TAG on a fast light mech has little chance of doing anything more than wasting LRM ammo. LRM boats should be hiding behind hills around 1Km behind the lines, not exposing themselves to direct fire at 600-700m using their own TAG.

HorribleGoat, on 20 December 2012 - 05:06 AM, said:

Im really interested in the different reasons people play. Like OP here seems to have monetary gain as his primary goal in playing MWO

Actually I am more motivated by playing more different mechs. In order to get new mechs, money matters. I also dont like feeling that I am gimping my team by not playing an effective mech for the current metagame. (Which is the only reason I bought an ECM Atlas, I would have preferred to stick to heavy mechs.)

Edited by Wun, 20 December 2012 - 10:11 AM.

[BLUPRNT]

When I play a sport with friends I receive no bonus for wether I win or lose. I play for the challenge, the social interaction, and if I win great. But whats more important, was it played well, fair, and did everybody have a good time.

The moment it becomes about personal or material gain is the moment the heart is taken from the situation.