44 replies to this topic

[Z0MBIE Y0SHI]

I'm anxious for new equipment, and recently started looking into the MASC, something the davs said they plan to throw in once they're satisfied with the netcode.

But, how would this even work in game? MASC itself is a double edged sword.

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Game Rules
For Inner Sphere 'Mechs, MASC takes up a number of critical spots equal to a 'Mech's tonnage divided by 20, rounded up, and an equal tonnage. For Clan 'Mechs, MASC takes up a number of critical spots equal to a 'Mech's tonnage divided by 25, rounded up, and an equal tonnage. MASC is a single piece of equipment, unlike Endo Steel or Ferro-Fibrous armor, and the critical spaces must be allocated to a single location. Destruction of that location or a critical hit to the MASC will destroy the equipment.When a player first activates MASC, they roll 2D6. On a result of 3+, the MASC operates normally. On a 2, the 'Mechs leg actuators freeze up, immobilizing them for the rest of the game. The second consecutive turn MASC is used, the target number increases by two, to 5. On the third turn, it increases to 7, and so on. If a player ceases to use MASC for one turn, the target number is reduced by one. So if a player uses MASC on consecutive turns, does not use it on turn 3, then wishes to use it on turn 4, his target number will be 4. If ever the target number isn't reached on a roll, the 'Mech is immobilized.
When its successfully activated, the MASC allows the unit to run at double its standard walking speed (adjusted for modifiers such as damaged leg actuators, etc.) for that turn. Though obviously unreliable if used continuously, if used wisely it can have a devastating effect in combat.
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Would this be something you activate, but take leg damage while it's active? (That would suck as a light, the terrain is already your number 1 enemy) Will it be possible to inadvertently turn your mech into a turret? Will my mech glow like it has Trans-Am while active? Also, which mechs should get it? Should we stick to the lore, or be selective based on balance? Or just give it to everyone?

Discuss.

Edited by Z0MBIE Y0SHI, 11 February 2013 - 05:48 AM.

[Monkey Bone]

While active, you generate X amount of heat. Worked in MWLL, why not here?

And a system like that would be VERY easy to understand.

[3rdworld]

Or you have say 3 seconds of active masc and 3 seconds of CD. If you push it past 3 sec you begin to take internal leg damage.

I would like to see all mechs have the ability to mount it.

[Booran]

Limited burst of speed with variable heat generation? Also a fixed amount of burst so you can risk to run too far or smash into something (I think they would implement masc around the same time as collision)

[Chrithu]

Most likely it will NOT double your speed but give a X percent bonus.

I'm not sure if I'd want a max speed running light to get even faster. Maybe it should only be available for Heavies and above.

Logically it should take up space in CT and legs.

Not sure about the weight. Maybe make it a huge tradeoff for lights and mediums by weight in order to not exclude lights per se but if a light/medium choses to use it it would cost him firepower.

Edit:

I like the idea of it generating additional heat. Makes total sense.

Edited by Jason Parker, 11 February 2013 - 05:55 AM.

[Old Trees]

Have it work like table top. You start masc, the similar algorithm for UAC jamming calculates it your stationary for the rest of the game each time you activate it. MASC has a duration bar like jump jets, just significantly longer.

[Booran]

Yeah, speed bonus should be somehow balanced to engine size/weight and mech chassi, so as a rule smaller mechs get potentially smaller speed burst compared to some of the heavier, MASC-compatible, chassis. With certain exceptions of course, for balance.

[Cybermech]

MASC im sure will have some penalties to it, heat is on also chance of breaking your engine is another.
it may not be as important lag shield that it was in other games

[Joseph Mallan]

Push a button, speed boost for a short countdown. Possibility of paralyzing the legs if used to many times in a quick succession.

[Monkey Bone]

Old Trees, on 11 February 2013 - 05:56 AM, said:

Have it work like table top. You start masc, the similar algorithm for UAC jamming calculates it your stationary for the rest of the game each time you activate it. MASC has a duration bar like jump jets, just significantly longer.

I know you're joking but imagine;

At the start of the game, 2 of your 7 other teammates decide to kick their MASC, and fail. Now you're 6v8 because of 2 immobile mechs.

[3rdworld]

Jason Parker, on 11 February 2013 - 05:55 AM, said:

Most likely it will NOT double your speed but give a X percent bonus.

I'm not sure if I'd want a max speed running light to get even faster. Maybe it should only be available for Heavies and above.

Logically it should take up space in CT and legs.

Not sure about the weight. Maybe make it a huge tradeoff for lights and mediums by weight in order to not exclude lights per se but if a light/medium choses to use it it would cost him firepower.

Edit:

I like the idea of it generating additional heat. Makes total sense.

It doubles your walking speed. Not your max speed.

For a Jenner it would weight 2 tons. That is quite a bit for a mech that mounts 5-12 tons of weapons to squeeze in, they we either be sacrificing normal speed or firepower to use it.

[MischiefSC]

You get a several second burst of speed. You can 'override' the auto-shutdown and cooldown effect (6 second cooldown for a 3 second speed boost or something comparable) where you're 10% slower. If you override it starts to damage your leg infrastructure (not armor) similar to overheating.

[General Taskeen]

Jules Gonzales, on 11 February 2013 - 05:49 AM, said:

While active, you generate X amount of heat. Worked in MWLL, why not here?

And a system like that would be VERY easy to understand.

Yeah, exactly.

MW4 also went one step further:



You abuse it, you lose it. Simple.

Do not make this overly complicated PGI, pls take note of MW:LL and MW4. Do not make count downs for this or separate bars. Certain Mechs like Dashers rely on MASC, otherwise they are dead in 1 hit. All it has to be is a matter of watching one's heat buildup (from using it) and pushing it too far (using it during critical over heat) causing malfunction.

Edited by General Taskeen, 11 February 2013 - 06:09 AM.

[Josef Nader]

Remember, MASC is double the -walking- speed, not double the running speed. A 151kph Raven would not start blitzing along at 300kph with MASC, though it -would- get up to a very healthy clip.

As for how it works, simple. You get a meter, like Jump Jets. You can hold down the MASC key as long as you have the meter for no penalty (3-5 seconds or so). You can keep holding it down, incurring increasing amounts of leg damage, until your own legs fly off. Alternatively, there should be an increasing risk of your legs just seizing up after the first few seconds of use. There's a respectable cooldown equal to twice as long as you held the key down before you can use it safely again.

I prefer the leg damage thing as it's controllable. You can go "oh snap, I need to get out of here and I'm willing to incur a few points of damage to make sure I don't get blown to smithereens," rather than "oh snap, I need to get out of here and... ASDFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF MY LEGS FROZE U- *DED*"

[Zerbob]

You press the button to initiate MASC which then gives your 'Mech a X% speed boost for a few seconds. Every time you activate MASC you have a Y% chance to become immobile for (I'm just throwing this number out) 5 seconds. Essentially it's the same system for the Ultra AC/5. The reward is the obvious quick burst of speed that may be what you need to get behind cover as the LRMs come in, or to close distance on an enemy with PPCs. However there is the risk that your legs will freeze up and you'll be immobile, giving your opponents the chance to land easy hits on you. It's not permanent however so if you hit the button off the start of the match you don't hamper your team for the entire match.

[Adridos]

Simple.

A JJ-like equipment with all that belongs to such (variant specific, etc.). You press the button and get an immediate boost. You create lots of heat. Once the thing runs out, you get to normal speed and will have to wait for it to refill.

I know only of CTF-3L having the MASC from teh current mechs. Maybe the Flea too.

[Kyone Akashi]

Josef Nader, on 11 February 2013 - 06:03 AM, said:

I prefer the leg damage thing as it's controllable. You can go "oh snap, I need to get out of here and I'm willing to incur a few points of damage to make sure I don't get blown to smithereens," rather than "oh snap, I need to get out of here and... ASDFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF MY LEGS FROZE U- *DED*"

I agree, internal damage to the leg actuators is probably the best compromise between TT rules, tech canon and MWO gameplay constraints. Merely incurring heat would be too negligible, I think, leading to MASC being triggered on a too regular basis rather than as an emergency "oshi- needtogetouttahere!" button.

Edited by Kyone Akashi, 11 February 2013 - 06:12 AM.

[Kunae]

MASC, in MWO=

M.akes
A.ll
S.ervers
C.rash

[Josef Nader]

Yeah, heat alone isn't any sort of discouragement. MASC is for an emergency boost of speed, not for boosting around the racetrack like Mario Kart. Most light mechs would just hold down the MASC button at every opportunity, rather than carefully managing it.

I'd like to see you be able to hold it down as long as your mech will take it (i.e. you can give yourself bright red leg internals with it) if you have to, but by putting yourself and your gear at significant risk to do so.

[Z0MBIE Y0SHI]

Kunae, on 11 February 2013 - 06:12 AM, said:

MASC, in MWO=

M.akes
A.ll
S.ervers
C.rash

Theres more then one server!?