Mechwarrior Online

[Shannow]

- PUGs might be better but they can be still pretty stupid. I often ditch my squad to go drop in PUGs cause I do better in them half the time (and less likely to get chewed up by hordes of LRMs).

- Direwolfs are scary but there are also a lot of dumb Direwolf pilots. Love nothing better than chewing up solo DWFs.

Last night had one of my favourite MWO moments. Running back to our base in River City to find it being capped by a DWF, TDR and a CAT. In my dbl ac20 Jager (its cheesy but oh. so. satisfying.) I have no choice but to charge in as cap is already at 75%. I start chewing up the Cat and then in a moment of inspiration use it as a human(mech) shield from the other two. God I love dumb pilots. The other two mechs can't resist trying to shoot me and end up killing their own Cat while I open up the DWF and TDR. Managed to get the kill on the DWF (CAT was friendly fire haha) and save the cap before I finally went down.

I must admit dbl meatcannons can tend to warp your idea of self worth. I find myself charging Atlas's and Direwolfs a little toooo much....still so much fun when they panic and die..:D

[Typhon]

They added friendly fire to this? (I don't remember friendly fire)

[Hoax]

There has always been friendly fire.

Free money if you opt in to the tournament this weekend and have good games in solo queue.

[Hoax]

Holy shit Shannow are you in the same unit with Bishop Steiner and Robin Sage? What the hell is that like?

Just saw you in a pub solo game (thanks to this event I can't resist free cbills) with the [-H-] tag which I think is the guys I'm thinking of. Hard Mercs or something.

Little is known about the origins of Robin Sage...though there is an old story worth mentioning.....

Robin first entered the military on New Avalon where he attended the Albion Military Academy, under the alias Robin Sage.  His real last name is relatively unknown to a very select few, chosen to protect his Royal lineage.  There are rumors among those in the Federation Commonwealth that Robin's true last name might be Stephenson.  

Robin was born September of 3013, just before the Christmas Ball.  He never knew his mother, as he was sheltered from ever knowing her; he was adopted at birth by the "Sage" family on New Avalon where he grew up.  His foster family the Sage's absolutely loathed the Capellan's and Draconis Combine factions however. Robin was informed that his mother died during childbirth....he also bears a very stark resemblance to Prince Hanse Davion.

Robin was contacted privately in 3049, by Tanaga Matabushi concerning a Mercenary Corporation, and some crucial information was given to him concerning his "birth father".....it seemed that Robin's piloting skills came very natural to him...perhaps proving these stories to be more than rumor.  Robin Sage continues to lead from the front, at one time, working for Steele's 1st Legion of Thunder as a Senior Drop Commander, and now the leader of HARD Corp. the most ELITE MERC UNIT in the Inner Sphere.

 

[Typhon]

There has always been friendly fire.

Free money if you opt in to the tournament this weekend and have good games in solo queue.

It's been so long since I played I forgot, thanks.

[Shannow]

Holy shit Shannow are you in the same unit with Bishop Steiner and Robin Sage? What the hell is that like?

Honestly I don't have much idea cause the only reason I'm there is they have decent numbers on Comstar TS and there's a few guys who I like to shoot the shit with.

The FUNNIEST thing about Robin Sage is that he is a complete and total Christ Roberts fanboi.

[Shannow]

Three day challenge over the US long weekend

Decided I just hate assaults too much. Have 12 mil  creds lying around. Are Summoners any good?

[Lantyssa]

General consensus is that Summoners are crap.  Which figures, because it's one of the few Clan 'mechs I like.

[Hoax]

Summoners are quite underwhelming. They aren't Adder or Puma bad because they have jets, high speed and good agility but they just can't carry any amazing weapon load outs because they don't have endo. Those extra tons would make a huge difference.

You should 100% hold off until November when the IS quirks should be released and any additional clan XL nerfs they decide to do have happened. That will be a good time to take stock of what chassis to invest in next.

[Shannow]

But Daaaaaaad I wanna spend my mooney!!!

I gotta say the PUGness of the groups playing conquest tonight is delicious.

[Falconeer]

First examples of the IS 'mechs quirks we are getting in a couple of weeks. As a reminder, tier 5 are the worst 'mechs in the game and get the greater buffs/quirks. Tier 1 are the best 'mechs in the game and get no buffs/quirks at all.




Hunchback 4G - designated as a Tier 5 Brawler

Additional Armor (RT) +18
Additional Structure (RT) +12
AC/20 Range +25%
AC/20 Cooldown +25%
AC/20 Velocity +25%
Energy Weapon Heat Gen -12%
Energy Weapon Range +16%



Hunchback 4H - designated a Tier 4 Skirmisher

Additional Armor (RT) +18
Additional Structure (RT) +12
AC/10 Range +20%
AC/10 Cooldown +20%
Medium Laser Cooldown +20%
Medium Laser Heat Gen -20%



Awesome 8Q - Tier 5 Support

Structure Strength CT +20
Structure Strength LT +10
Structure Strength RT +10
PPC Heat Generation -25%
PPC Range +25%
PPC Velocity +25%
PPC Cooldown +25%
Laser Duration -16%

[satael]

Those quirks actually seem useful and like something that actually affects what to put on the chassis (meaning they'll be nerfed to hell before too long) 

[Falconeer]

Keep in mind that while these changes will affect everything, the main purpose is to bring back 'mechs no one uses, and make sure the IS will stand a chance versus the Clans (which won't get any quirks) in the upcoming faction based Community Warfare.

[Lantyssa]

I have some hope my underdog 'mechs will come out nicely.  Of course they'll probably all end up with TAG and NARC bonuses, which I rarely use...

[Falconeer]

More quirks preview.

Catapult Jester - Tier 3 Skirmisher

Large Laser Range +15%
Large Laser Heat Gen -15%
Keep in mind that having JJ or ECM will remove a quirk - hence why we have two on the Jester



Atlas AS7-D - Tier 3 Brawler

Structure Strength (RT&LT) +11
AC/20 Velocity +15%
AC/20 Cooldown +15%
SRM/6 Range +15%



Highlander 733C - Tier 2 Brawler

Structure Strength (LL&RL) +10
AC/20 Cooldown +10%



Hunchback 4SP - Tier 4 Brawler

Additional Armor (RT&LT) +9
Additional Structure (RT&LT) +12
SRM/6 Cooldown +20%
SRM/6 Range +20%
Medium Laser Duration -20%
Medium Laser Heat Gen -20%



Dragon 1N - Tier 5 Support

Additional Structure CT +24
Additional Structure RA +6
AC/5 Cooldown +50% 25x2
ER-LL Cooldown +25%
ER-LL Duration -25%
Energy Weapon Range +16%



Dragon FANG - Tier 5 Skirmisher

Additional Structure CT +24
Additional Structure RA +6
AC/10 Cooldown +25%
AC/10 Velocity +25%
Large Pulse Cooldown +25%
Large Pulse Range +25%
Energy Weapon Heat Gen -12%



Thunderbolt 5S - Tier 5 Skirmisher

Additional Structure (LT&RT) +10
Large Laser Range +25%
Large Laser Cooldown +25%
Medium Laser Duration -25%
Medium Laser Heat Gen -25%
Missile Weapon Cooldown +12%



Jenner JR7-D - Tier 2 Brawler

SRM/4 Range +10%



Awesome Pretty Baby - Tier 5 Skirmisher

Structure Strength CT +20
Structure Strength LT +10
Structure Strength RT +10
Large Laser Cooldown +50% *25x2
Large Laser Range +25%
Large Laser Heat Gen -25%
Missile Weapon Cooldown +12%

I did also remove the the negative quirks from PB. Also note that some of these older mechs that do not yet have the mechlab visual treatment dictated some of our quirk decisions based on the lack of missile tubes



Kintaro -18 Tier 3 Support

LRM/5 Cooldown +15%
LRM/5 Heat Gen -15%
Laser Duration -8%

Again I kept any other positive movement quirsk mechs had.



Jenner Oxide - Tier 3 Brawler

Structure Strength (LL&RL) +4
SRM/4 Range +15%
SRM/4 Cooldown +15%
SRM/4 Heat Gen -15%
Got rid of the negative movement quirks that existed.



Centurion CN9-D Tier 4 Brawler

Additional Armour (LA) +16
Additional Structure (RA) +16
LB-10-X Cooldown +40% *20x2
LB-10-X Velocity +20%
SRM/4 Range +20%



Yen Lo Wang - Tier 4 Brawler

Additional Armour (LA) +16
Additional Structure (RA) +16
AC/20 Range +20%
AC/20 Cooldown +20%
AC/20 Velocity +20%
Energy Weapon Cooldown +9%



Hunchback 4G is designated as a Tier 5 Brawler - Because it is a brawler it can get certain types of quirks

*note I am not listing all the pre-existing movement quirks that still exist. Essentially if a mech had a pre-existing movement quirk it remains. If it had a pre-existing negative movement quirk it is likely removed.
Additional Armor (RT) +18
Additional Structure (RT) +12
AC/20 Range +25%
AC/20 Cooldown +25%
AC/20 Velocity +25%
Energy Weapon Heat Gen -12%
Energy Weapon Range +16%



Hunchback 4H is designated a Tier 4 Skirmisher

Additional Armor (RT) +18
Additional Structure (RT) +12
AC/10 Range +20%
AC/10 Cooldown +20%
Medium Laser Cooldown +20%
Medium Laser Heat Gen -20%



Awesome 8Q - Tier 5 Support

Additional Structure CT +20
Additional Structure LT +10
Additional Structure RT +10
PPC Heat Generation -25%
PPC Range +25%
PPC Velocity +25%
PPC Cooldown +25%
Laser Duration -16%

[Typhon]

Question, does "Weapon Cooldown +25%" mean that the weapon takes %25 longer to recharge, or that the weapon cooldown is 25% faster (assuming the later, but not sure).

[Falconeer]

They clarified that +25% cooldown means it takes 25% less for a weapon to be ready to fire again. In short, there are no debuffs in those lists, only buffs.

[Hoax]

This is about to break the game soooooooo hard.

The bonuses are additive (confirmed by PGI on reddit), there is a reason no video game ever lets shit like this be anything but multiplicative. Any mech with a double quirk on cooldown is more than likely going to have a broken as fuck build.

We will need some serious second iteration of the system before we get to a good place.

[Lantyssa]

"Dude, why is your TAG beam blue?"

"That's not TAG, that's my LL."

[eldaec]

The bonuses are additive (confirmed by PGI on reddit), there is a reason no video game ever lets shit like this be anything but multiplicative. Any mech with a double quirk on cooldown is more than likely going to have a broken as fuck build.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the reddit PGI guy does not know what he is talking about.

[Hoax]

Actually the % are additive but cooldown works like this: +100% CD would mean twice as fast.

So the 67% CD (additive) for the DRG-1N was correct but what we figured that meant was not. It won't be .55sec cooldown but ~.99sec cooldown, still pretty insane but not near as insane as it was sounding.

The PB Lasers with 67% total CD will be 1.946 not 1.07, so PGI isn't fucking it up quite as bad. I'm still not sure diminishing returns isn't the way to go but its conceivable that the game won't be completely gobsmackingly broken when this hits (Nov 4 they say).

So the PB can fire 2xLL every 3 seconds instead of every 4.25 seconds.

The 1N can fire 2xAC5 every 1 second instead, which I think is still kind of insane but nothing compared to if it were every .55 sec.

More here on third page:
http://mwomercs.com/forums/topic/175051-10725-second-cd-on-pretty-baby-large-laser/

[Falconeer]

Statistics of 'mech usage over the weekend. First picture is sorted by Saturday's preferences. Second picture is sorted by Sunday's.

Fuck the Direwolf.

[Shannow]

Yep.

The most fun I have in this game is low Direwolf, low LRM matches. I can't wait for CW in some ways so I can just play IS exclusively.

Anyone attempt the chassis challenge over the weekend? I gave a half-assed attempt on Saturday in my dual-guass Ilya (yes yes, its cheesy but dear god it makes me feel good not to suck sometimes) and remarkably I won like 12 matches in a row, with only 2 deaths. Not sure what was going on but I did enjoy it. Topped out at l 25 on the CTF list and couldn't be bothered grinding my way to see if I could go higher. ( My KDR would look like shit if you took my Ilya out).

Bought a Stormcrow (like it would appear half the playerbase did) and am wondering why I continue to torture myself with mediums. Don't think I've hit 300 damage in it once. Have the same problems with the Shadowhawks...as someone said, Mediums just don't do anything well. Or is it I just suck? Any ideas for Stormcrow-C builds?

Whats a good IS Heavy outside of CTF's and Jagers. Orions?

[Hoax]

Here's a much better method for judging mechs.



Notice how the results start jiving a lot more with reality. Its based on the numbers as of sometime around 5pm PST yesterday.

[Sir T]

Whats a good IS Heavy outside of CTF's and Jagers. Orions?

I like my protector Orion, but I never found a good build for it. Other say its got a huge CT but I never felt it myself.

The Cata is very nice. If you don't like LRMs you can load up on SRMs which is sheer murder if you get up close (thats a big if). I like Dual LBs and 4 Meds on the K2 version, but is the only Cat without JJs. The Jester is an all laser Mech with all the advantages and disadvantages but it also allows you to bring 2 AMS on the table. Bring plenty of ammo for them

I found The Tbolt to be a good Brawler. I had my 5S fitted with an ac10, meds and fast firing SRM 2s. Its not the best Mech out there but not the worst.

If you have the money for a Heromech I'd go with the Catapult. A Jester, the K2 and one of the others is a nice varied selection of mechs. Since the Side torso is small on a cat you can stick in an XL, which makes it fast.

[Ironwood]

I really murder people in my Novas.

I have no idea why it's so low on that table.  It can be a heat beast, but you don't have to play it like that.

[Samprimary]

Nova was pretty middle of the road before the clan laser nerf.

Right now they are too inexcusably slow for their given durability, profile, and what they can front.

I tried using one for a while - it's no bueno, but you can achieve some sly burst with it.

[Kitsune]

Novas desperately need a medium laser quirk to keep from overheating within three seconds of engaging a target.  They're a laser boat utterly prohibited from properly laser boating thanks to the shitty heat system in the game.   

[Sir T]

Even in Tabletop they were a bit of a joke mech. You fire everything and you were at near guaranteed shutdown, and you were definitely at near immobile status and cant hit a barn door status.

[Ironwood]

Aye, that's fair enough, but I don't think ANYONE is running a Nova with the default build.  You'd be mad to.

[Shannow]

Anyone else doing Stock mech Wednesdays tonight?

[Shannow]

Things that I have learnt from Stock Nights about just HOW stupid PGI is..

-It requires not one (which is one too many) but two players with PREMIUM time to host a private match?...Seriously? ...just WHY? Literally discouraging players from playing their own game. 

-I'm sure everyone knows this but I never realised it before but they actually CHARGE you cbills to downgrade your mech from DHS to standard HS. The audicity and stupidity of this just boggles my mind.

I knew PGI were stupid but holy fucking god.


In other news the two actual matches we did were quite fun even if I was stuck in a CH9-AH with no unlocks.

[Falconeer]

I think it requires two players with Premium only to change some settings in the private lobby, like to launch with less than 24 'mechs, so the two team captains both need Premium. If you are simply hosting 23 other players, for a regular 12v12 match, the host's Premium account is enough. Are you sure they changed this?

About the downgrade, the "reason" is that you are paying technicians to do the work on your 'mech. And it's the same for every upgrade/downgrade of endosteel and the likes. Reality is, just a little money sink.

[Shannow]

The fact that it requires ONE premium member to host a private match (a match in which you cant earn cbills or xp) is fucking asinine.

And 750K to fucking put standard HS back on, which then LOSES you the 1.5 MIL you paid for the DHS? Fuck you PGI.

You know I'd pay like 50/100k to play with the stock version of a mech for like 1-2 matches.

[Sir T]

It might be cheaper just to buy another chassis of the mech to be honest, at least in some cases. That way you have something set aside for stock night.