Okay, so I am trying to pick up MWO again. I used to average 350 damage or more before I sat it down. Except, I can't. I can barely clear 150 damage, and that's saying something given my past performance. I've tried to use all of my old builds, and I just seem to be getting focused, even when staying with the group. Back to basics tips would be really appreciated, and thank you for your support.
I'm not a great pilot either, but I'll help with what I can. Hard to say what the problem is without seeing you play though. Depending on when you last played, your old builds may be outdated due to changes in Meta or mech quirks. Maybe you just need to get the feeling for proper positioning again, or maybe you were just unlucky.
I know the pain bro, I used to do pretty well, but I feel downright incompetent at times nowadays. From analyzing my playstyle I think I've gotten too accustomed to faster-paced games, and I should hang back safely more often. It could also be my lack of knowledge about the current meta, but I've never been a fan of meta anyways. General tips: - Don't be in front - Wait for assaults to engage, then brawl (when long range, try to find a spot where your team is within 300-400m at most, so they can help you but you can still use your range advantage). -- If YOU are the assault, make sure that you clarify your push in team comms. - Aim for the legs, ammo explosions count towards your damage and it's a generally good tactic, because they can be hit from all sides and people usually lower their leg armor.
Even if you don't much like playing "meta" builds (which is very understandable in my opinion), it doesn't hurt to know what others are likely to play, and be ready for it.
A few pieces of advice from me: if you have a microphone, use the integrated voice comms. It makes a world of difference. try and stay near your team in all cases. only push into multiple enemies if you're absolutely sure your team will back you up. patience and attacking from an unexpected angle can give you the advantage against entrenched opponents.
Yeah, I've tried using Metamechs, builds aren't working for me. Even "The 40" build for my Misery doesn't work out. Misery build tips? I also have a Hunchback Champion energy boat outfitted with "The Partyback" setup. Marauder with two UAC5 and two PPC, right side asymm. I have really good mechs, and good stuff for them. I just need to find the sweet spot again. I'm also a bit short on Cbills, after purchasing an XL300 for my Jenner IIC. I suppose I can sell the XL 315 since it's funky.
I had the same problem once I started playing after a full year of hiatus, back then pulling 6 to 800 damage was common if not the norm for me. I never was a great pilot, but I held my own, and was able to contribute in a team situation fairly well. I did need to revamp most of my builds, mostly going heavy on the pulse lasers and upping the engines for more speed and maneuverability, but I think the biggest hurdle coming back was tactics. Where before I was predominately effective as a brawler, I have now switched to hit and run tactics.... using my team mates to keep from becoming alpha, by hitting hard, then moving adjacent behind the firing line to pick up another position to hit hard again, only going for the kill on cored mechs. I am still nowhere near where I was, but 300+ games are the norm now, with several matches in the 6 to 700 range. Something else I've noticed since being back is that there are a lot of pilots out there now, especially with these challenges, that are interested mostly in KMD and are happy to rush you, die, and then go on to the next engagement. Anyway, hope this helps a little Cheers!
I find that whenever I get on a bad run, I have to go back to playing cautious for a couple of battles to break out of it. Be scared a little even. Aggression has its place but when you get out of practice, you have to let the game come to you before you can get back into the right mindset.
Thanks a bunch guys! Ski Dog, the tactics are the hardest for me to come back to, and I'm still trying to learn. (I'm so glad this site is unblocked at school, and when I get home after looking at builds, I'm just like: WE HAVE WORK TO DO)
aim and positioning my friend and most of all, is the stillness in the heart and the calmness in the mind it is all about killing people. not finding a creative way to kill people you want them dead, not damage
So, the popular meta right now is still Laser Vomit, which means that enemies can put out huge spikes of damage in a very short time. A very popular combination for IS is 3LPL + 3ML (or more), which delivers 48 damage in less than a second of burn time. If you open yourself up to two of these alphas, your armor on any given component is gone. Three good alphas on your CT and you're dead. What this means is that you really need to limit how much time you are exposed for, and how many mechs you are exposed to. The sad fact is that the best counter to laser vomit is laser vomit since you can peak out, fire a blast, then retreat back behind cover while only exposing yourself for a short period. If you try to retaliate with dakka, you can only hit them with a few rounds before they've alpha'd you and gone back behind cover, and trading 20 damage for 48 damage is never a good deal. This is not to say that dakka is dead, but it isn't the meta that it used to be since it takes so much face time to wear someone down, and requires a lot more patience.
Lol, that meditation picture. Yes, I was using a laser vomit on my Misery, the main mech I've been trying to pick back up. I had five LL, which put me under tonnage, but I was insanely cool and had max armor.
Why don't you check out the Misery section on these here forums? I'm sure there will be something to your tastes.. and if not: start uploading!
I just came back after a few months off and found the same thing. Watch a couple of Durandal's videos in the video section. He puts good games up but you notice that he doesn't make a lot of kills until the end of the match. The trick is to stay alive with most of your weapons intact until the end game then clean up the mechs that are pretty hurt. One way that helps me to do that is to load up the Marauder with two LRM15-As, 4 MPLs, and a tag and head out. You get up near the assaults and start tagging and LRMing stuff from about 300-400m until you run out of missles. That'll get you near the end of the match with 4MPLs and a lot of your armor intact. Move in and brawl the more damaged mechs and rack up the kills. I think I have as many kills with the MPLs as I do with the missles in that rig. Once you've done that a couple of games do the same sort of thing but use a laser vomit or AC build. Get in behind the assaults (all Kodiaks of course) and try and poke at people while avoiding damage. Try to get to the endgame with a lot of armor and your weapons intact. Also - I saw a 4 LPL Misery the other day that was doing a lot of damage. You could try that sort of build.
Thanks guys, I'm back in business with around 800 damage in a good match. Got a Kodiak and I'm running a very slightly modified "Ultrakill" build. My Misery is doing wonderful things with three larges and two large pulse. I've mastered my Ravens, almost basic'd my Marauders, and, well, I'm doing great again! Thanks for all the help, advice and support! I also got a crap ton of modules.
