CYBERDAGGER'S PROFILE

I've started playing Mechwarrior Online. It's hectic giant robot fights, and I sure as hell like that. I took notice of the strategic elements of the game and started liking it even more. For example, I can have a faster spotter tag a target with an infrared laser so that someone else can have their missiles track the target even if a lock would otherwise be impossible. Coordination between teammates to flank and overload a priority target's defenses is a necessary skill, and (except for scouts whose job is to survey the battlefield and get in and out of places quickly) getting separated from the rest of the team is a death sentence.

Now, I've been in PUGs, but it's obvious that this game is best played in premade groups that can coordinate their attacks, especially with voice chat. So I'm here trying to recruit fellow pilots for a team.

The post will be in a Q&A format from here on.

Q: Is this game complex?
A: Yes. Yes it is. You'll suck the first few times you play, so I sugest heading off to the testing grounds to get a good feel for the controls. The mechs don't control like a soldier in your average FPS, but like a tank on legs. W makes the mech walk forward, S makes it walk backwards, A and D are for turning, and the mouse moves the torso independently of the legs, so you can walk in a direction while looking at another entirely different direction. I sure ran into a lot of walls as I was learning how to play, and so will you. Protip: C centers the torso back to the direction the legs are facing, and F makes the legs turn to the direction you're looking at.
Then there's customization. You'll mess around with your mech down to the individual placement of heat sinks. Myself, I love this kind of customization, but it might not be your cup of tea.
My sugestion: Take a look at the manual. There's a bunch of tutorial videos here, and if you like old school booklet style game manuals, this PDF here is right up your alley.

Q: The game is free to play. Is it pay to win?
A: Not at all. There is paid stuff, but it's mostly for convenience. You can use real money to pay for mechs you could otherwise pay for with ingame currency, you can pay for ingame money and experience bonuses (a.k.a. premium time), and most paint colors are paid. There are some premium exclusive mechs, the Hero Mechs, but you're mostly paying for the unique skin and 30% cash bonus when playing them. They are far from dominating. In fact, you'll easily find people saying that the Yen-Lo-Wang, Fang or Misery are actually worse than the standard variants of their respective chassis.

Q: The game seems a bit barebones right now...
A: Yeah, it is. Remember that the game is still in open beta, though. When the official launch comes, Community Warfare will roll out, and factions will be fighting for control of planets, with players in the front lines, with bonuses for control of planets. Right now it has just ye olde matchmaking, but it can still be fun.

Q: The out of battle UI seems a bit clunky.
A: Yes. A new scratch built UI is in the works right now, set to replace the existing one soon.

Q: Those last two weren't questions.
A: No, they weren't. And neither is this one.

Q: I've started playing, and I'm racking up cash pretty fast. Is this to be expected?
A: That's the cadet bonus, and it'll last for your first 25 (I think) matches, with its impact being reduced a bit every subsequent match. It's supposed to give you enough money to buy your first mech and play around with it a bit soon after you start playing.

Q: I'm ready to buy my first mech. Do you recommend anything?
A: Did you try out all four trial mechs? There's one of each weight class, so you should use them to get a feel of how each of them handles. Then choose one of the one that suits you better.
If you already did that, I'd point you to the Hunchbacks. They're affordable, versatile, and with compact frames. There's a Hunchback variant for every role, but I'd recommend the 4SP, as it is symmetrical, without the huge and easily shot weapon mount on the right side that gives the mech its name, and with the weapon hardpoints evenly distibuted, so the loss of a part will not cripple you. Protip: The stock Hunchback's greatest weakness is its underwhelming speed, so your first upgrade to it should be a 260 engine.
Should you want something other than a Hunchback, you can't go wrong with a Centurion or Catapult, in my opinion.

Q: So, CD, what do you play?
A: My main mechs are:
A Catapult C1. A long range missile support unit with four mounted lasers for the inevitable close encounters. I'm considering switching two of my lasers for sniping weapons to pack even more of a long range punch, though.
A Hunchback 4P. My go to mech for short range engagements, it's capable of firing up to nine lasers simultaneously, packing a huge punch. Currently I'm packing small lasers in the hunch, but I'm considering switching to mediums once I get better at heat management. That way I get more range on my trump card, and it starts really doing some damage.

Q: What's your time zone, CD?
A: GMT, so I'm more partial to other EU team mates. Still, if you're from some distant time zone, I can try to arrange a workable time, especially on weekends.

If you're interested, say something. If you have any questions, ask away. If you tried playing but fail prety hard at it, hit me up and I can set up some matches together with voice chat to walk you through the ropes. I'm still a fairly newish player, but I've already passed that first wall of absolute fail, so I can help you get past it as well.

author=mawk
I should warn you that despite your attempts to create a serious and heartfelt giant robot battle environment, I will not hesitate to drop this nonsense right in the midst of it.

Heh, super robots have their place. They're more about manly shouting and superpowers in robot form, which is certainly awesome. I was thinking of making something more focused on tactics, though.

Still, I welcome your goofiness. It's not the first time there's someone with a super robot mentality on a real robot setting. Who knows, maybe I'll end up going the super robot route if that's what people want. A game master serves the players, after all.

I think that would call for some evidence of that time Oda said that thrown in their faces. Beat then at their own game, haha.

author=MrChearlie
"..." Action: Ask Kyle if he can throw an arrow to the bull's eye.

"Not likely without my bow, but I've thrown darts before. I'll give it a shot. Just let me try this first."

ACTIION: Drive the sword into the slot, in a sort of weird Reverse King Arthur moment.