169 replies to this topic

[Steinar Bergstol]

Yes, I've played stock and close to stock mechs quite often, in fact. My Flame is kitted out like a Grand Dragon. My Stalker 3F was completely stock for the longest time and has only recently gotten any upgrades, none of it in the weapons loadout department. My Awesome 8V is a somewhat overweight ARC-2R Archer. I intend to turn a Blackjack into a PXH-1 Phoenix Hawk when it's available. Shall I go on?

[Stormwolf]

Steinar Bergstol, on 13 February 2013 - 06:01 AM, said:

Yes, I've played stock and close to stock mechs quite often, in fact. My Flame is kitted out like a Grand Dragon. My Stalker 3F was completely stock for the longest time and has only recently gotten any upgrades, none of it in the weapons loadout department. My Awesome 8V is a somewhat overweight ARC-2R Archer. I intend to turn a Blackjack into a PXH-1 Phoenix Hawk when it's available. Shall I go on?

Nice, I turned my K2 into a K3, it actually does pretty well.

[Shepherd]

I voted "yes" mostly because in principle more game modes is a better thing. I don't see stock-only ever being super popular, but it has a place amongst other ways to play.

However, when they get around to adding a Solaris VII arena mode to play in, I see a Stock Only circuit being a great thing!

[Khobai]

There should be an optional stock mechs only gamemode. However stock mechs need increased heat efficiency first.

[TheForce]

RiceyFighter, on 12 February 2013 - 10:51 PM, said:

I like to call that mode, HardCore mode~

Me too. Like most people have been saying, balance the heat and armor back to TT.

As for only choosing the best stock mechs, when we can organize private games im sure the hard core stock players will add some variety to their drops so games aren't like 8 vs 8 ddcs in the current 8 mans.

[Trantor]

Yes, I like the idea.
Of course not all stock variants would be used - that was also in MPBT-Solaris and 3025.
But everybody would know which layout is in front of him, so everyone knows what to do (like fading down an Anni or some Hunch SP with a LRM5 Locust / Firefly or Blackjack )

Edited by Trantor, 13 February 2013 - 06:30 AM.

[Steinar Bergstol]

Yes, I'm pretty sure even "bad" stock designs will see use at least from time to time, because let's face it, a lot of us stock mech fans are incurable hopeless nerds who'd probably run Wasps and Stingers so the battle would feel "authentic".

[SI The Joker]

Yes, I'd like to see it be part of a Solaris VII implementation.

[Bishop Steiner]

Pr8Dator, on 13 February 2013 - 12:30 AM, said:

Well, stock variants are broken in this game due to the fact that weapons fire many times faster than in TT with about triple the armor values (forcing you to shoot even more) but TT single heatsink values and lesser than TT DHS values. This results in stock variants being nothing but overheating machines as we have all experienced so far... almost completely useless. Stock variants can only be played if weapons firing rate went to TT (1 shot per 10 seconds), which is impossible, or triple up on heatsink efficiency (something that can be done... but they won't).

We got by with Single Heatsinks for months dude. Not saying they weren't broken, just that people learned quickly how to balance their heat, or they died. Even with "broken" DHS, I think people have gotten lazy, since People now intentionally build Shutdown Mechs, like the 6 ER PPC Stalkers.

But if everyone is held to the same limitations, it is not that hard.

And no Vass, your Min/Max brigade would run away like little schoolchildren from Stock Matches, because they couldn't run their Alpha Boats. Beside which that would actually require them to be IN THE GAME, instead of trolling the Forums.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 13 February 2013 - 06:58 AM.

[TheForce]

Another thought regarding limited variety of stock mechs. think about when we have missions with real objectives where we need a fast scout. Without engine customization it gives mechs more of a role and reason to use them instead of building a CN9-D that does 130 and makes a Jenner useless.

[Wales Grey]

This would be interesting, if stock loadouts were good, or even 'marginally effective' in many cases.

[Yokaiko]

I wish they would put in a stock mode and use that for balance. Cut a TON of variables out before they turn us all loose with the mechlab.

No real reason both can't coincide.

[Odanan]

Merky Merc, on 13 February 2013 - 12:00 AM, said:

Using the sub par stock variants when some are easily superior to others sounds fun. Or wait....

You don`t need to play that mode, you know...

PS: funny picture.

[Lukoi Banacek]

I've zero interest in playing in stock only mode but don't have a problem with people who want to play that style. More the merrier imo.

However, I feel strongly that stock-only mode shouldn't get ANY bonuses to cbills/xp for playing the mode. Since everyone is restricted to stock variants and people are choosing to play that mode (rather than being required to), why should they get a bonus? Its theoretically just as balanced as playing in Mechlab mode and certainly there's no metrics on the quality of competition from either "camp" if you will, so what's the reasonable, fair justification for giving one small demographic within the community any sort of bonus? Especially since....you'll only be dropping in stock mechs, you've got less cbill costs right? lol.

[Taizan]

It would be pretty interesting, seeing how most stock mechs have long-, medium- and shortrange weapons all on one chassis. I'd prefer this to the current brawlfest we have.

Wales Grey, on 13 February 2013 - 07:29 AM, said:

This would be interesting, if stock loadouts were good, or even 'marginally effective' in many cases.

I've played about 250 matches trial only and although they are weaker than a custom mech, if you know what you are doing you can do quite good with them. Not as good as a custom mech of course, but in this "Stock mech wonderland" that would not be an issue.

Edited by Taizan, 13 February 2013 - 07:47 AM.

[TheForce]

Wales Grey, on 13 February 2013 - 07:29 AM, said:

This would be interesting, if stock loadouts were good, or even 'marginally effective' in many cases.

I think it would be interesting because stock mech loadouts aren't optimal. Being forced to work with a less effective build is a different kind of challenge than lining up two shots from a splatcat/ppcboat into a rear torso.

[MaddMaxx]

Stock Mechs with a chassis Balance of 2-2-2-2. So no Teams of 8 Assaults... lol

P.S. The whole point of the BT Stock chassis was not perfect on-board heat balance btw. Perhaps learning to control your wiggly, Alpha Happy, trigger finger might help with those "apparent" heat issues.

Edited by MaddMaxx, 13 February 2013 - 08:25 AM.

[Stormwolf]

Wales Grey, on 13 February 2013 - 07:29 AM, said:

This would be interesting, if stock loadouts were good, or even 'marginally effective' in many cases.

They were never created with optimization in mind.

You need to overcome a challenge with whatever strengths and weaknesses your mech has. I have been playing with a Splatcat the last few days and it is boring. Back in the MW2 mercs days I used to enjoy challenge where I would pick out a design from the record sheets and reconfigure a mech to be like it. I'd then try to complete the entire campaign with it.

I had the most fun when I created a Wolfhound WLF-2 with a Panther Frame and the time when I played through the game with a Orion upgraded into a ON1-M. They were inefficient, but it was all great fun to make it work.

[Screech]

Putting in a stock only game mode would be a huge waste of resources as it would be a ghost town within a week.

[BlackSquirrel]

I have mixed feelings...

1. There are some terribad stock variants.
2. Heat issues on stock variants.

v.

1. cheese builds (Alpha PPC's, etc)
2. Heavier mechs would actually be slower.