3 replies to this topic

[Texugo87]

What if new players were given their choice of a Hunchback 4H, 4J, or 4P? (ballistic, LRM, and laser hunchbacks) Then cadet bonus was reduced by the resale value of the chassis+equipment?

This gets players modifying their mechs sooner, working on the pilot tree sooner, generally just feeling like they are accomplishing something right off the bat instead of grinding.

The hunchback is flexible, and those chassis are fairly equal to each other. My personal opinion is that it is a great starting mech, not too fast or slow, can soak up a reasonable amount of damage, and can put out a good amount of damage in return. If the player doesn't like the chassis, they can sell it at any point, and play the trial mechs as they do now. New players would have a survivable, easy to pilot mech, that wouldn't let them get out of position or lost too fast.

I left out the 4G and 4SP as they are fairly different and more restrictive than those chassis, the G has (debate-ably) more ballistic hardpoints than is usable and no torso energy hardpoints. The SP has a different arm hardpoint layout, and the missile racks are more suitable to SRM's than LRM's, where the J can accommodation both.

Thoughts?

[Donas]

+1

Well reasoned, and takes into account the cbill worth compared to the cadet bonus.

[blinkin]

i think just sticking them in a hunchback is a bit restrictive and doesn't really allow players to try different classes.

that being said i think the core idea is very good. maybe give players a choice between different starter mechs and chances to switch if it is not a good fit.

[Texugo87]

In my idea the trial mech system would be maintained, so you could play those along side your owned mech. My thought on restricting choice would be to keep new players on equal footing while they are learning the game, and preventing them from "wasting" their free mech on say a light, and getting creamed time and time again because their piloting skills aren't up to snuff yet, or just everyone choosing an assault because they think bigger is better. Having a choice between several chassis would be fine, I just couldn't think of another set that allowed different flavour, while still maintaining equality and flexibility. The hunchback is suited to brawling and support roles depending on build, and all three of those chassis can be built as either.

For the Cent. AL looks ok, as does the A (although the dead arm might seem frustrating or stupid to new players), the D is expensive, and seems like the obvious choice with the higher speed if you don't know about the drawbacks of XL engines.

Cicada, and other lights are not going to be totally new player friendly.

Some of the Dragon chassis would probably be good too, I particularly like the 1N for having 2/2/2 hardpoints.

Once you get above that your lack of mobility makes you an easy target if you get out of position, which is again frustrating to new players.

Basically my thought on restricting it only a few choices would be to prevent people from "making the wrong choice" (either real or imagined), and if they don't particularly like their starter mech, they can play it, play the trials, sell it, and after 25 or so matches buy anything short of an Atlas K.

A more radical idea would be to give players unlimited access to all chassis, all components, all upgrades, for free for 25 matches, then at the end give them the cadet bonus lump sum. But then you have the problem of people running stupid builds, getting frustrated, and giving up.

I guess what is driving my suggestions is a way to give the new players more freedom and sense of progress while still protecting them (and the rest of us) from themselves.

Edited by cjmurphy87, 16 February 2013 - 02:33 PM.