31 replies to this topic

[Signal27]

I have a Commando 2D loaded up with Streak launchers. I was debating with myself whether to take TAG with it or an extra ton of ammo. So if you have any experience with this combo, I was wondering if TAGging someone makes a noticeable affect on reducing lock-on times (very important for me because I constantly have to be running at 140kph) and also if it has a noticeable effect on tightening up the missile spread (also important for me because SSRMs don't do that much damage for each individual missile - so it would be nice if more of them hit the center torso)?

[StalaggtIKE]

IIRC TAG does not decrease lock-on time. If you really want an increase in lock-on speed, go with BAP. Keep in mind it loses this bonus within enemy ECM bubble, so you will need to switch to counter mode to take advantage.

[Waladil]

I'm pretty sure TAG actually does help on lock-on time. Lemme check some resources and get back to ya.

EDIT: Well, here's what I can find. The wiki tells us that it "Increases accuracy of Streak SRMs slightly." In my experience it also speeds up lock-on time, but that may be illusory. However, I also have experience with the COM-2D itself, and I was highly successful with nothing in that laser slot, for extra ammo.

Edited by Waladil, 14 February 2013 - 08:05 AM.

[Tesunie]

StalaggtIKE, on 14 February 2013 - 07:57 AM, said:

IIRC TAG does not decrease lock-on time. If you really want an increase in lock-on speed, go with BAP. Keep in mind it loses this bonus within enemy ECM bubble, so you will need to switch to counter mode to take advantage.

BAP doesn't decrease lock on time (as far as I know). It decreases the time for you to get sensor information, increases your sensor range and let's you detect shut down mechs.

[Tesunie]

If you want to reduce lock on time, get Artemis. For SSRMs they don't add in any extra weight.

[Waladil]

Artemis does nothing (zip nada zilch) for SSRMs. Thats why it's weightless/spaceless for them.

[Tesunie]

Tell that to my wingman. He uses streak with Artemis and he's noticed that it locks on a lot faster with Artemis then without. I've never used streak missiles myself to be honest, but I've looked over my wingman shoulder enough while he is playing to know that it seems to work. Try it out maybe and tell me what you think? Best to test it out and if it works for yourself.

[Splinters]

On a 2D, get the extra ammo and max your armor. It is best combo possible to kill lights. The commando needs the max build since it is so light in armor. Not like the Craven where you have a lot of flexbility due to it's combo of weapons, ECM, and speed.

Oh yeah, Streaks can't be combined with Artemis. Only standard LRM/SRMs can be combined with Artemis for a tighter grouping.

-S

Edited by Splinters, 14 February 2013 - 09:09 AM.

[Buso Senshi Zelazny]

If your wingman is paying to equip Artemis for his SSRMs, then it is a bug and should be reported. Artemis is not intended to have any effect on Streak missiles. If he bought Artemis for regular SRMs, then swapped them for Streaks and is receiving a bonus, then this is also a bug.

[Flapdrol]

Waladil, on 14 February 2013 - 08:52 AM, said:

Artemis does nothing (zip nada zilch) for SSRMs. Thats why it's weightless/spaceless for them.

There's no seperate lockon mechanism for LRM and SSRM. Artemis reduces lockon times, and there's no weight/space penalties.

It's def not intended, but it's in the game, so I make use of it.

I'd report it but until ecm and streaks in general are fixed I'll be reporting on that. Over and over and over agian.

Edited by Flapdrol, 14 February 2013 - 09:21 AM.

[ohtochooseaname]

There is only one lock-on mechanic. Artemis reduces this lock-on mechanic's time requirements. Ergo, it reduces streak lock-on time. This was posted in patch feedback a while back and was tagged NAB, so this is intended for the moment. IMO, Artemis is vital for any streak user.

[Kommisar]

You know what would be great for this whole game???

OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONS OF WHAT ALL THIS STUFF ACTUALLY DOES!!!!!!

They can even go so far as to update it when they patch it. I know; this stuff is changing. But we can't really test anything if the vast majority of the player base is playing the gear with false or inaccurate ideas as to what it is supposed to be doing.

I know that they will put in stuff in the patch logs; but finding it can be a pain. And new players have even less of a chance of finding it. It is also, I have found, rarely inclusive.

I know that TAG helps with missiles. Beyond that, I'm really fuzzy about what it is actually doing. Sometimes, I can pierce ECM with it. Sometimes, no. There is probably some mechanic at work there; but I have no idea what. I've heard and read conflicting information regarding TAG and Streaks. The same is true for BAP and NARC.

Devs. End the misconceptions and make a locked, pinned post somewhere very easy to find that lays out what these various bits of gear are actually doing. And just lock it. Don't let a gazillion trolls and angry ranters flood it with non-sense.

[Runenstahl]

TAG (and also artemis) helps by making the missile groups "tighter". On top of that TAG allows you to lock unto ECM-cloaked mechs... as long your outside their ECM bubble that is. For that reason it makes way more sense to combine TAG with LRM's then with SRM's or SSRM's. On the other hand TAG really helps your team... but that depends on the team of course.

Personally I use a medium laser in the energy spot on my 2D. While I DO sometimes run out of ammo, it makes sure I'm never completely unarmed and allows me to attack powered down mechs as well.

[Tesunie]

Kommisar, on 14 February 2013 - 09:34 AM, said:

You know what would be great for this whole game???

OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONS OF WHAT ALL THIS STUFF ACTUALLY DOES!!!!!!

They can even go so far as to update it when they patch it. I know; this stuff is changing. But we can't really test anything if the vast majority of the player base is playing the gear with false or inaccurate ideas as to what it is supposed to be doing.

I know that they will put in stuff in the patch logs; but finding it can be a pain. And new players have even less of a chance of finding it. It is also, I have found, rarely inclusive.

I know that TAG helps with missiles. Beyond that, I'm really fuzzy about what it is actually doing. Sometimes, I can pierce ECM with it. Sometimes, no. There is probably some mechanic at work there; but I have no idea what. I've heard and read conflicting information regarding TAG and Streaks. The same is true for BAP and NARC.

Devs. End the misconceptions and make a locked, pinned post somewhere very easy to find that lays out what these various bits of gear are actually doing. And just lock it. Don't let a gazillion trolls and angry ranters flood it with non-sense.

There is an official wiki for the game that explains this stuff. If I was at home on my computer,I would give you a link. I'm on my kindle right now with no access to my bookmarks.

There is a post somewhere in the forums with the link made by an admin, but I don't know where either.... If I remember, I'll post a link here when I get home, if someone wants to message me a reminder...

[Kommisar]

Link or it didn't happen!

Seriously, I (and everyone I play with) must have missed this official wiki. I'm always wary of wikis; but if it is official and Dev updated/run then that is awesome. Perhaps the devs should make it easier to find.

[FerrolupisXIII]

As far as i know tag doesn't do anything for SSRM's. maybe faster lock time if you're outside of an ECM bubble but that is unlikely given your short range with streaks.

BAP doesn't do anything besides give you info faster, and a longer targeting range. oh and lock shutdown mechs, which i suppose for streaks could be nice, but not worth a ton and a half on a commando. as stated, turned off by ECM, so of dubious usefulness. if you somehow have a ton and a half free, go for it.

Artemis, i am unsure of. I'll have to look into some of my builds that carry both LRM's and some backup streak launchers. seeing as the 'lock on" mechanic locks for both at any range, i'd think it could be possible it gives a faster lock time. though this seems weird as the Artemis system is supposed to be that extra ton/crit that you add to LRM/SRM, not just an upgrade to your basic targeting. *shrugs* i wouldn't complain though, free Artemis even if its just the lock time bonus is nothing to complain about, as long as it's a known thing.

as far as I've noticed, TAG and Artemis do nothing for the SSRM's clustering, seeing as they all randomly lock a mech component and head there. so even if it is trying to decrease spread, the spread of one missile auto tracking to target is perfect anyways. lol.

[Seth]

Kommisar, on 14 February 2013 - 10:01 AM, said:

Link or it didn't happen!

Seriously, I (and everyone I play with) must have missed this official wiki. I'm always wary of wikis; but if it is official and Dev updated/run then that is awesome. Perhaps the devs should make it easier to find.

The address for it is mwowiki.org. I run it and a group of three editors primarily keep it updated. I dig through the game files, prowl these forums, and of course the game to update the information on the wiki. Of course I'm not a dev and I don't have any special access to the devs that normal players don't have. That said, anyone is welcome to update the pages with correct information or to ask a question on the page's discussion page if you have doubts about the accuracy of the pages content, but don't want to edit it because you're not sure about something. You can also post in the stickied thread here, mwomercs.com/forums/topic/2075-mechwarrior-online-wiki-un-official/. It's also linked to on the community page up above.

On the topic at hand, if there is a bug where SSRMs can take advantage of Artemis, that's news to me. I'll look into that tonight.

[StalaggtIKE]

Seth, on 14 February 2013 - 12:08 PM, said:

The address for it is mwowiki.org. I run it and a group of three editors primarily keep it updated. I dig through the game files, prowl these forums, and of course the game to update the information on the wiki. Of course I'm not a dev and I don't have any special access to the devs that normal players don't have. That said, anyone is welcome to update the pages with correct information or to ask a question on the page's discussion page if you have doubts about the accuracy of the pages content, but don't want to edit it because you're not sure about something. You can also post in the stickied thread here, mwomercs.com/forums/topic/2075-mechwarrior-online-wiki-un-official/. It's also linked to on the community page up above.

On the topic at hand, if there is a bug where SSRMs can take advantage of Artemis, that's news to me. I'll look into that tonight.

Great work on the site, btw.

[ElLocoMarko]

Someone told me (on voice coms) that TAG would defeat ECM for the single mech running TAG even within the 180m bubble. Which makes sense. Reflected laser light should not be interfered with by an electromagnetic emitter. That said I have not had time to test it. But if ECM does interfere with TAG then it should really be represented more like this... (and we should should be able to shoot them off)

[RagingOyster]

I would not recommend taking TAG unless you plan to be a spotter for your team, in which case most definitely do it. If you just want to circle strafe Atlai then leave that slot empty and max armor or add more ammo.

Side note: the official wiki is, as has been said, a good resource. Use it.