What do you think about the possible changes, are they really that necessary? IF they decide to take the slower projectile speed route I dont know what kind of use a PPC will have by then - its idea is not being a close quarter weapon like an AC20...
I would rather TEST the new mechanic rather than have slower PPC projectile speeds. A slower speed will simply sync it with the AC10 like it used to be... Not to mention that the speed fix to address only a couple Gauss+PPC builds will completely bork ALL mechs that use PPCs... NOT a fan of the speed. Not for or against the new mechanic considering I don't run anything that would be effected by it. I have a feeling they knew people wouldn't want either solution, but made sure the useless PPC speed reduction will be hated more. That way their complicated mechanic will be less challenged and actually preferred... Although, I have heard mixed opinions about which is a better "solution".
I just really hope they put a lot of time in on a PTS before they put this live. I don't see the charge changes hurting too bad, but the speed changes could really screw up the weapon if they lower it too far.
100% agree with everything you said. The mechanic will push the meta to the 1x cERPPC, 1x cGauss, 3x cERMLas build. I also don't run any builds impacted as there are better builds for pug gameplay anyway. The decoy strategy is used among coders to sneak complicated changes through reviews by detracting attention to a sacrificial piece of code. That way, the reviewer feels accomplished in contributing to better code, but allows what wouldn't normally be accepted through.
The changes to the charging mechanic are far too complicated. It took two paragraphs with sub-bullets. This game is already difficult enough to comprehend for a novice. I still think that the 'mech's momentum should affect the trajectory of the solid weapons, but not energy weapons. That would desync the ballistic/ppc meta.
If they did turn it on, you can bet it will be several months before there is any description of the mechanic in the UI
I would rather see them do a whole rehaul on the charge mechanic before they mess with PPC / ERPPC. That weapon system is finally balanced. Perhaps they could do a charge mechanic like this: If you are not firing any weapons then your gauss rifle's will charge, up to two. Charge time could be the current time it takes to charge. As long as you do not fire any weapons then your gauss rifles will retain their charge. If you fire anything before the guass you will have to recharge the gauss again. Once you fire the gauss you will have a cool down period where you cannot fire anything, it can be short, like 1.5 seconds or whatever. Once that period is done the gauss will automatically start to recharge, or you can begin firing normal weapons. This does several things: 1) It de-syncs the gauss with every other weapon, making it impossible to combo shoot with it. 2) It removes the silly hold down charge up mechanic that will only let you keep a charge for a short period. Once you have the charge, you keep it until you fire something. 3) It allows you to be able to run a double gauss Jager or Cat, or a mutiple PPC boat with out messing with the individual weapons. 4) It actually follows a sense of the lore where the gauss is a heavy energy draw. Hopefully the gauss switches to something like this. I even put it up in the MWO suggestions section: http://mwomercs.com/forums/topic/166846-possible-answer-to-the-gauss-ppc-issue/
I dont get why in hell is the PPC the one getting speed reduction. Its the only real solution to avoid assaults vs ECM lights battles. Should stay unchanged at least in speed so we can keep debuffing with some chances. -5D snipers are back soon!!!!
I'm curious why you think its "the only solution" as none of the Stormcrows I'm levelling currently have PPC's or ECM? They seem to do decently enough in solo to lance size (23 kills and 6053 damage in 10 matches for the thread where we're discussing mech numbers in game currently).
I mean, PPCs avoid those ECM snipers placed nowhr, but with Radar Deprivation and the nerf only to one of the guns of the combo, the only in-game debuff, now they will return badly. The ECM will be KING without any counter, as long as u can avoid them really easy if they travel at half speed, meaning that to counter them u need ppl to get close to them, and, man, sometimes is simply impossible to reach those places if u arent using the same spec and mech. With the current speed and cooldown (dont forget the long cooldown of PPCs) its hard to make them work as a viable build, but just cause of meta-ppl and the use of macros in those battles, and some cries, they nerf the incorrect thing. The new mechanic is more than enough, why also add insult to injury?
The first suggestion - outch for the Poptard Fans and the competitive Gamers. The second suggestion - hahahahaha are we going back to the roots aka MW2?
You're making some grandiose statements that I accept could be based on your personal experience but don't necessarily encompass the entirety of the game. (Just been sitting in a two hour lecture so playing the PR game!) My point was I seem to be pulling my weight in solo and group matches and am using neither PPC's or ECM at present. I'm not even using max xp mechs or using consumables! As long as you tell yourself you can't compete using any weapons except a very narrow group I can't see how you'll be able to use the others to their best effect or even improve. I know I have weaknesses in weapon systems but I force myself to use them or I know I'll never improve. I freely accept I use different weapon systems in pug/group and 12 man but the game would be boring if I didn't vary things.
This game is already difficult enough to comprehend for a novice? You REALLY think so? It is well past the point of "difficult to comprehend" for novice, and is currently in the realm of "wtf is happening", and is digging deeper. Simply think of this, there is no way in hell a novice is going to be able to build/customize a new mech effectively without some external help. A lot of the things are to be done without hint. Just think about it, when you pick up some IS mech from scretch, how do you know what to do with it? You would quickly know that 9 out of 10 times the stock build is a piece of fucking shit, for lack of a better term. But no where in the game does it tell you to upgrade your mech to DHS, which is msotly a must. Same goes for simple things like Endo over FF and the redundant weight on the engines. Remember, newbies do not autometically know about smurfy and mechspecs. Also things like gauss gun explosion and ammo explosion damage is something not explained in game hints, not to mention things like ghostheat. The list goes on and on, and most of the stuff there is no hint at all. You don't even get a preview of the mech build when you are going to buy a mech at the shop! Basically without a friend yoiu would not know what you are doing, and would be running around with some beat up crap build even if you are willing to MC things up. For us it might be as simple as strip all shit > DHS+Endo> Copy build from smurfy sheet. For a newbit it would be an hour of wtf, and their crappy build is still in the "invalid" state. And when they launch they would find that the stock style of ammo count is mostly a fucking joke that would not last through the first 3 minutes of engagement, and that everyone and their grandma have better heat management, and all lights move 50% faster than their stock piece of scrapmetal. Hack, there is not even a easily accessed set of map and spawn point on the official site! So they do not knw what to do and where they are going. Remember, the map mode is not the friendliest stuff either. There is no hint on how map would affect cooling, nor is there hint on the map for things like tunnels. And these are on top of the tactics and skills that you don't know. Mind as well give every one of them newbie a redshirt.
Man, what im worryring for is the DEBUFF. I underlined it in that post. If it wasnt for meta-players the weapon would get no change, right now is one of the few really balanced weapon systems (dont make me speak of ballistics or clan energy), instead, when implemened that in OP, will be the new AC2, pointless and useless, and all ECMs will be freely running in the field, knowing that the only way to loose their magic protection is that an enemy get close to them, so they will pick long range weapon systems.
Don't blame it on the meta. IT is only right to min/max as OP as you can. It is annoying how some people are only whineing about stuff rather than learning to deal with it. As we learn from the great nerf-buff cycle. Once this is trashed a new meta would be to blame, then they would try to nerf that, and buff up some once decrapified things. In the end, it is pointless and only serve to over-complicate the whole game, making newbie unable to play.
I dont blame in to meta, but surely they have like 1/2 of the fault of this cuase of cries and so, im blaming to PGI cause they choosed to nerf the wrong weapon. Again, im worried for the DEBUFF
If you ask me though, the solution is unpopular, but simple: Give PPC a bigger ball, shorter cycling time, a bit of lower heat like it used to be, maybe even a small bit of aoe for the ECM, BUT a half second charge time. Let it hold the charge for like a max of 5 seconds or so. No heat regen during charge. Bam! Problem solved. You have a better PPC, You don't have the combo problem since as of now you can only charge 2 weapons at the same time. At best you get two of the PPC/Gauss firing. A EVEN MORE SIMPLE SOLUTION would be just grouping them in the same ghostheat bracket.
I dont care, even if dmg drops to 0, as long as both cooldown and speed stays so i can get the debuff.
