11 replies to this topic

[Loonix]

Hello Everyone,

This is half a curiosity thread, half a 'help me!' thread

So... I have three Stalkers sitting in my garage, on the way the getting master unlocked. I love the Medium laser + SRM build, but it gets boring and I'm trying to do something new. The key word being trying. I haven't used an LRM boat since closed beta, but I don't remember them being this bad?

To anyone currently using LRM's; how do you use them. As part of a team? Solo? I have seen LRMs used successfully lately, but they always seem to be organized groups and are often employing a DDC atlas for ECM Cover. Of course LRM's are optimal with teamwork, but I'm getting a sense that LRM's are now useless without teamspeak and a couple of buddies.

Also accuracy; I just played a game where a Streak Cat dodged my missiles in open terrain Is this a one off anomaly, or is Artemis now mandatory?

I don't need general advice on using the missiles, I still remember the basics. But any help adapting to the meta game, post closed beta would be very appreciated. I seriously don't want to have to play every Stalker with the same loadout

cheers!

[StalaggtIKE]

The most reliable way is with a team or a pug drop where no one on enemy team grabbed ECM. You can always self designate with TAG, however you need los, so it kind of defeat the purpose of indirect long range fire.

HouseCat, on 19 January 2013 - 07:23 AM, said:

Also accuracy; I just played a game where a Streak Cat dodged my missiles in open terrain Is this a one off anomaly, or is Artemis now mandatory?

He was probably right at the edge of ECM cover and stepped under it after the missiles starting heading towards him. I do this all the time to make my opponent waste his ammo.

Edited by StalaggtIKE, 19 January 2013 - 07:41 AM.

[So who took Pilot Name as a name]

As a pug rocking an HBK-4J with 2xLRM10s + Artemis + TAG + BAP (yeaaah, I know...), I gotta say I'm never main fire support, but focus on moving around often to find neat spots to tag and divert attention away from the main Fire Support or Battle Line. If I can, I try to stick with the group still, no point going solo since any light or medium (or... anything really) will out-brawl me. (given the ludicrous amount of equipment I have, I've made the move to sacrifice my CT energy hardpoints to focus on the ''Fire Support-wannabe'' role)

When I first started with LRMs, I'd do miserable damage and couldn't get any kills and very few assists. I didn't know what I did wrong given I thought the Artemis + TAG + constant lock and line of sight should do the trick...

... I realised I was picking targets that were both too small and too agile. After sticking to pick on Assaults and, at times, heavies (except running dragons) and near-stationary 'distracted' Mediums, I've seen my damage, XP and kill assist go up considerably. Kill ratio? Not so much. I never seem to finish off targets haha. If I can, I try to tag as much as possible whether I have ammo left or not and stay out of ECM bubbles; that should be a top priority if you want to get anything done with LRMs, but I don't need to tell you that!

Edited by So who took Pilot Name as a name, 19 January 2013 - 07:59 AM.

[Loonix]

Cheers for feedback.

I had a go with tag for a while on the 5M Stalk, but it just seemed a bit redundant and only occasionally effective.

StalaggtIKE, on 19 January 2013 - 07:37 AM, said:

He was probably right at the edge of ECM cover and stepped under it after the missiles starting heading towards him. I do this all the time to make my opponent waste his ammo.

Usually I'd agree with you. I've seen that happen lots, especially when battle degenerate into brawls, people run in and out of bubbles. This particular streak cat only had a hunchback for company and they were charging my team mates.

At 300m, I fired off three volleys, the first hit (he was running at a 45 degree angle relative to me) the second volley only scored a couple of hits, most sailed past his rear (at this point he was travelling 90 degree relative to me). The third volley missed entirely, narrowly passing behind him. I could have lost lock on the last volley, can't remember. But I fired the last volley, just as the second hit (well, missed ), and I don't fire without lock. So at least the first and second volley had lock for its entire flight. Not to mention, given his velocity, if I did not have lock on the missiles would have missed epically, rather than only just sail past him.

Then again, you may be right, perhaps a spider or something had flanked round the other side, and I didn't spot it. But I don't think my observations would support it. Really wish I'd recorded it, then I could just do instant replay and figure it out TBH I'm putting it down to a freak incident. I've seen some really bad lag/latency this past patch, so it may just be that. For sure it surprised me!

Regardless; what does everyone think of artemis? I've never used it with LRM's, but is it a needed upgrade to cope with ECM et al. ?

[Loonix]

So who took Pilot Name as a name, on 19 January 2013 - 07:57 AM, said:

As a pug rocking an HBK-4J with 2xLRM10s + Artemis + TAG + BAP (yeaaah, I know...), I gotta say I'm never main fire support, but focus on moving around often to find neat spots to tag and divert attention away from the main Fire Support or Battle Line. If I can, I try to stick with the group still, no point going solo since any light or medium (or... anything really) will out-brawl me. (given the ludicrous amount of equipment I have, I've made the move to sacrifice my CT energy hardpoints to focus on the ''Fire Support-wannabe'' role)

Yes, there are a surprising amount of LRM hunchbacks lately. Therein may lie the problem. My LRM Stalker is relatively slow (50kph), so positioning is everything and you cant adjust. I may switch in the 305 engine I use on the other Stalk. Will have to sacrifice some close range weapons though!

I'm looking forward to the Trebuchet as I'm more of a medium fan. It might be the missile boat I'm looking for! I just hope it doesn't turn into another fast mech with SRM's, I've seen enough of them lately! Would really like to get this stalker working as well mind.

Quote

Kill ratio? Not so much. I never seem to finish off targets haha.

From one medium pilot to another, I feel your pain! Always the damage, never the kills

[The Basilisk]

Larger LRM boats as the Stalker or the 3 LRM15 Atlas are to be used in a group with a good scout and ECM-TAG user. Two boats and a spotter is a deadly configuration.
Smaler LRM Carrier as the Catapult and the upcomming Trebuchet should carry their own TAG.
Since TAG has a 750m range LRMS can be quite deadly despite ECM.
You may try TAG on a larger Mech but at least I find it difficult not to take too much dmg while targeting.

[B0oN]

If I am able to get a lock ill try to los-fire whenever possible for max. damage.
Otherwise, if guys are in range but not locked, I will try to dumbfire LRM´s.

[Loonix]

Thanks Basilisk!

Smaller missile boats for pugging
Larger boats for teamplay

Seems a fair assessment, especially given the need for speed going on lately. A long time back I used to switch between spotter/boater with a friend, might try it out again soon.

[MasterBLB]

Well,if you can get both Artemis and TAG,they do wonders together - like bring down fully healthy Cataphract by one volley (50 missiles total) or taking 30% health of a fresh Atlas.TAG also allows you to deal with ECM mechs if undisturbed.
This kind of setup requires you to follow your brawlers ~400m behind them and maintain line of sight with enemy,so you have to be at least moderate fast.

However,I spotted in the current patch LRMs are much less effective than before (more details here),some hotfix would be welcome.

[StalaggtIKE]

HouseCat, on 19 January 2013 - 08:15 AM, said:

Regardless; what does everyone think of artemis? I've never used it with LRM's, but is it a needed upgrade to cope with ECM et al. ?

ECM negates Artemis. I find it best to assume ECM > anything. The new modules, TAG in close range, Artemis, BAP, SSRM are all beaten by it. The devs claimed that they toned it down before making it available. Did it block laser or ballistics as well!? /rant

Artemis tightens up your missile spread, thus allowing for more focused damage. For the Artemis bonus you must keep los. If you're in an ECM bubble or your target is in one, it is also negated. TAG also tightens your missile spread, so you're best to just go with TAG, since they do not stack.

Edited by StalaggtIKE, 19 January 2013 - 08:55 AM.

[Abivard]

Tag

[Loonix]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

It's given me some thoughts, which I'll be putting into action soon enough. It seems to me that net code fix and collisions may also bring heavier missile boats back to the fore in the future. Thinking along the lines that it would reduce the amount of suicidal brawling on the battlefield.