I know what you mean Bangy, but learning the game was half the fun (for me).....
I'd had previous Mechwarrior experience so I was fully expecting to HAVE to use a joystick, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get used to mouse and keyboard. I think you will be better off in the long run learning with a Mouse, but it is of course personal preference. I only started playing in March. Here's how I loosely progressed my learning curve. Hopefully it helps....
Steps:
1)
Practiced as a BA to get a sense of how vulnerable I really was outside a mech and get used to using BA jumpjets. It made getting into mechs a lot easier at the very least.
2)
Then progressed to a mixture of mechs and tanks. I made sure to ALWAYS vary my choice. At the time I didn't really pay attention to which variants were 'OP' or the latest craze. My main goal was to getting a feeling for how every variant, weapon system, and which tricks worked and which didn't. Above all else, HAVE FUN!
3)
Continue to use every playstyle available, but attempt to incorporate your opponent and allies into the equation. I.e. Attempting to use variants that support your allies' choices and not mimic them. For example I wouldn't play LRM support if we already had 2-3 players in LRM boats, or I wouldn't play as BA if the opponents had plenty of particularly effective anti-BA weapons fielded.
4) While I personally enjoy pretty much everything in the game atm, I did start to focus on mechs (and aeros but that's later).
Begin to choose play styles you prefer over others and begin to refine your approach and how you get an edge over your opponents.5)
Aeros/vtols.... they will seem almost uncontrollable after playing in relatively sluggish mechs and tanks. I was no aero jock when I first started. You have no idea how many of my early aerospace fighters would make it half way off the landing strip then veer starboard into a wall. DONT GET MAD!! Approach it like a woman, especially the lighter ones (aerospace
), while you can go balls to the wall full throttle with take off and manueveres, you will be MUCH better off starting slow. You will actually be able to notice which hand movement did what and what caused you to go out of control. I suggest starting with Aeros perferably the Sulla/ Shiva (For as cheap as the Sparrowhawk is, I'd imagine it is even harder to control for a fresh player than the slower alternatives)
6)
Lastly, learn your opponents. As you play you will begin to notice players (especially now a days given how small the pop is), and what they are particularly good at. I.e. if I saw Snowball in a Huit I just would not fly a Shiva or fight aggressively as a BA anywhere near him. As you pick up how certain players work you will be able to even further refine how you play.
