88 replies to this topic

[Lycanstrom]

This has been bugging me since I first started playing MWO way back in closed beta. Why is it that we choose our mech and hit launch w/o knowing which map we're going to be on?

I mean.... if you were piloting a 3-story tall robot on some future world, don't you think you'd know where you were heading BEFORE you headed there? Of course you would.... and you would bring a mech that would suit the situation.

I understand that PGI likely wants more "well-rounded" builds instead of builds that are optimized for a particular map, but shouldn't it be our choice which mech we want to play and when?

I'm not even saying we should be able to choose the map. If that were the case, some maps would undoubtedly be ghost towns when people got bored of them. But I don't understand why we can't launch first, see which map we're being deployed to, and then have a 10 or 15 second window to choose our mech before the match starts.

Another thing the current system is guaranteed to do if left as-is: force you to spend CBills to re-vamp all of your brawlers once more Alpine-sized maps are out. Not that you can't bring a brawler, but you are limiting yourself on huge maps with lots of cover.

[Bloody Moon]

The only brawlers that have issues on Alpine are the really slow ones, then again maybe they should get some long range punch anyway.

Edited by Bloody Moon, 20 February 2013 - 12:19 PM.

[Joseph Mallan]

Cause that feature isn't added yet?

[Mechteric]

balancing is also done based on the mech along with Elo rating (well when it comes back), so if they let you choose after you were matched with people then that mech based balance part of the equation goes out the window.

[Congzilla]

What you are looking for will be part of CW when that comes. For public matches the random system is the best route.

[Agent of Change]

because the devs stated waaaaaaaaaay back when in Closed beta that they were intentionally not allowing people to select mechs after map to encourage balanced builds.

It's a great policy, it encourages you to think what will happen to this mech if I end up on X map. Turns out that philosophy is starting to have an actual effect now beyond just caustic.

I hope they don't change their minds about this one.

[Sean von Steinike]

Because it leads to better balanced builds in mech instead of moron specialized cheese builds. I am absolutely against picking a map of choice. There is a reason many stock mechs have balanced load outs.

[Goose]

Because it would be cheaper then streaks …

[Bubba Wilkins]

You can't choose a mech after the fact because it negates any kind of balance being imposed by match making.

[Lycanstrom]

Bloody Moon, on 20 February 2013 - 12:16 PM, said:

The only brawlers that have issues on Alpine are the really slow ones, then again maybe they should get some long range punch anyway.

It's up to the pilot what they want on their mech. No complaints from me about that. But that's not the point of my original post at all......

[Merc85]

Sean von Steinike, on 20 February 2013 - 12:20 PM, said:

Because it leads to better balanced builds in mech instead of moron specialized cheese builds. I am absolutely against picking a map of choice. There is a reason many stock mechs have balanced load outs.

I agree 100%

[Helmer]

Choosing maps or load outs based on the upcoming map only promote boating and optimized builds.

Realistically, a unit would/should know what the combat area drop would be like hours, days, weeks, maybe even months in advanced depending on the nature of the drop. Allowing for possible 'mech load out changes.
However, if we're going to go by canon, most units did not have the ability to switch 'mech load outs AT ALL, and such a process was time consuming an expensive.

However, this is a game that is essentially about big robots and having fun, so everything should be in service to those goals. Personally, I like a randomized drop, but if it was in service of the greater community to include a system for specific map drops for training or practice drops that had no effect on the Meta-Game, I would like to see that option.




Cheers.

[Orgasmo]

Players should be aware of what map is coming up, and able to change loadout, modules and camo in preparation. Soldiers don't get blindfolded then thrown out at random places where they do battles. Instead, they prepare themselves and formulate plans prior to going in. Customization and tactics are the name of the game.

[Lycanstrom]

CapperDeluxe, on 20 February 2013 - 12:19 PM, said:

balancing is also done based on the mech along with Elo rating (well when it comes back), so if they let you choose after you were matched with people then that mech based balance part of the equation goes out the window.

I disagree with your assessment. There's no reason the matchmaking can't be adjusted to accommodate this system. First it would select which map was up in the rotation, then all those in the pool waiting for a map designation get to choose their mech/loadout, then it would put people in an appropriately-matched battle. What's the problem?

Congzilla, on 20 February 2013 - 12:20 PM, said:

What you are looking for will be part of CW when that comes. For public matches the random system is the best route.

CW.... if and when it comes. But for now the system is still awfully frustrating and makes little sense. As for the random system being the "best" route, that's your opinion. Mine differs from yours. Such is life.

And yeah, I get the idea behind asking yourself "What if I select my "hot" mech and get dumped on Caustic...." but I still feel like the fun of piloting a mech you built for a particular map or situation should outweigh such a question.

Orgasmo, on 20 February 2013 - 12:28 PM, said:

Players should be aware of what map is coming up, and able to change loadout, modules and camo in preparation. Soldiers don't get blindfolded then thrown out at random places where they do battles. Instead, they prepare themselves and formulate plans prior to going in. Customization and tactics are the name of the game.

I disagree with the suggestion to allow loadout changes once the map is chosen. That will hold up drops for AGES while some people fiddle with their build. I think once you select "LAUNCH" from the menu, you should have to choose from the mechs in your mech-bays exactly as-is. Otherwise it will take forever to get into a match.

[Grandpaw]

Sean von Steinike, on 20 February 2013 - 12:20 PM, said:

Because it leads to better balanced builds in mech instead of moron specialized cheese builds. I am absolutely against picking a map of choice. There is a reason many stock mechs have balanced load outs.

I don't agree,seems to me it just encourages people to disco out on maps they don't like

[StalaggtIKE]

Joseph Mallan, on 20 February 2013 - 12:17 PM, said:

Cause that feature isn't added yet?

So, it is planned? First good news of the day!

Edited by StalaggtIKE, 20 February 2013 - 12:37 PM.

[Orgasmo]

Lycanstrom, on 20 February 2013 - 12:31 PM, said:

I disagree with the suggestion to allow loadout changes once the map is chosen. That will hold up drops for AGES while some people fiddle with their build. I think once you select "LAUNCH" from the menu, you should have to choose from the mechs in your mech-bays exactly as-is. Otherwise it will take forever to get into a match.

Easily fixed with either a time limit (1 minute to launch after map is revealed) or making you use your 4 pre-selected mechs.

[Xeanth]

Orgasmo, on 20 February 2013 - 12:28 PM, said:

Players should be aware of what map is coming up, and able to change loadout, modules and camo in preparation. Soldiers don't get blindfolded then thrown out at random places where they do battles. Instead, they prepare themselves and formulate plans prior to going in. Customization and tactics are the name of the game.

I agree...I would like the option to smear peanut butter across my mech's chest before dropping into Caustic.

Edited by Xeanth, 20 February 2013 - 12:44 PM.

[Mr Mantis]

Pick from three maps after launch is fine by me if i don't want to play city night i should be able to choose another map, even if the other choices are city day and caustic.

[Zeh]

Because it would lead to more min-maxing which is ultimately detrimental to gameplay, regardless of how much people crave it sooooo hard.