How to Play a Command mech?

[Serious Table]

So I tried an interesting experiment last night.  Dedicated my entire Mech playing time to only things that could use C3, from game start to game end.  That meant I piloted two mechs the entire game: The Raven E and the Atlas E.  I was also bank for the second game, so that led to some interesting dodging.

What I want to know is the best way to play a Command mech to the benefit of your team.  As I'm sure some of the opposing team will remember, I spent a lot of time ducking behind Z3ro in his Mauler with my Atlas E, poking out now and again to NARC something and toss a couple PPCs before hiding away again.  I felt my main role was to provide the ample radar coverage and call out when a Mech or Tank would peel off of the group.  My score was, as expected, ABYSSMAL, but I like to think I was doing a service for the team.

Am I doing it right?  Should I be more active in a damaging role, or is Second Line throw-some-blue-particles-now-and-again positions the best place for a C3 pilot to hide?

[~SJ~MausGMR]

It's interesting seeing people trying to experiment with different roles within the game, I for one see the value in a c3 narc capable mech, and have used them myself in 5v5's to give my team that little extra intel they needed to win a game.

You have some other options aside from the Atlas, the Loki Prime and Loki B both have C3, and the B has NARC's as well (although a not so great loadout). As much as Loki's are weak mechs, they can move fast and with some degree of agility, and the ECM and buffed sensors do benefit them a lot as a mix of scout and command/control vehicle.

There's only so much damage you can do in an atlas anyway, the ppc's are fairly low damage and the lack of speed makes it difficult to get within that 700m range at times, especially if your enemy wants to stay out of it.

c3 is best used when combined with Long Toms, but it is useful for showing your team mates damaged sections on enemy mechs to focus on, that they would not normally be able to see at their optimum engagement ranges.

Slightly off topic, we in SJ are hoping to provide some community focused events which will provide some opportunities to you and other budding commanders out there, stay tuned =)

[[IPA] Thalamus]

If I decide to go C3, I take the Raven Prime all the time.

Why? Because it's small and fast. MASC carries it to all the relevant spying spots on the battlefield in no time, protected by GECM and LAMS. Because the Raven is so small and agile, you can very often narc enemies unharmed as long as they are distracted by heavier assets (which is often the case). And if you're on your own, you can still just run away.

I wouldn't last in a C3 Atlas for a very long time. Such a big think immediately draws all the fire on itself, once it is in line of fire -- which is requiered for narcing. Also, it's hard to get in narcing range with that thing. Ultimately, if you're not some tactics pro, the Atlas may be blown to pieces in seconds, while the Raven can run (or lurk) around unharmed for the whole match and generate an endless stream of money, while costing less than the half of the Atlas (I remember that I made several 100k within what... like 15 minutes? due to good teamwork -- me narcing, the brawlers covering me, the artillery stomping them).

[xInVicTuSx]

C3 is useful to your team, so long as you can keep within range of as many enemies as possible, and (critically) have a BHP system to detect the ECM carrying or passive units that most non electronics mechs cannot see.

[sleet01]

Is the Scout/Command Shadowcat no more?  I've only gotten to use it a couple times - and it's pretty damn spendy - but it seems like a good mid-level replacement for the Raven Prime.

[Kelmola]

Lately, I find myself often purchasing Owens with BHP, C3 & ELRM at the start. When I have enough cash, I upgrade to Raven with the same loadout, then try to stay alive until I can get some nice heavy/assault mech. Having the C3 actually earns cash and rank at a decent rate, especially so if the team has missile boats or LT's around (well dedicated AA also likes to use their radar every now and then).

If there's little enemy presence, I might recon ahead of friendlies; annoying them with missiles when they cannot yet return fire is also fun. But when they start getting within range, I bug out at flank speed and make damn sure there's a wall of friendlies between me and them - the BHP means that I still detect them farther than the "conventional" friendlies 100m ahead of me ever would. I've gotten also some nice "opportunity kills" with this tactic - having the longest-ranged weapons apart from LT one actually has a pretty nice chance to get the last shot in at retreating enemies. Of course, every now and then I get ASF'd to pieces (if I forget to go full throttle when I see one approaching) or some pesky Scat makes a mad charge run just to get me, but usually I manage to survive. Now, I am nowhere near the top of the score list, but my K/D ratio is noticeably better than when if I try to inflict damage with direct-fire weapons.

[Warhammer WHM-6R]

Is the Scout/Command Shadowcat no more?  I've only gotten to use it a couple times - and it's pretty damn spendy - but it seems like a good mid-level replacement for the Raven Prime.

I do not know what the current version has but see my other thread for that: Shadowcat D

I am also a big fan of the raven prime. I have spent entire matches happily dancing through the bigger mechs and making the most daring and thrilling escapes. I can recomend a game of aggressive Raven prime for everyone (aggressive narcing and not trying to do damage)
I stay away from slow ass atlases entirely. As for the hellbringer I do not like the weapons and it just asks to be killed far more than the raven while filling the role no better. The only thing the hellbringer has going for it is the fact that it carries 4 more shots (2 tons and the raven 1)

tactics

I might try that. Sounds interesting.

I do think that these tactics only work in TSA and not in TC.

[Kelmola]

tactics

I might try that. Sounds interesting.

I do think that these tactics only work in TSA and not in TC.

I have tried it in both modes and find this type of tactics more dependent on the terrain type. It doesn't necessarily require the "front line" that almost always forms in TSA (though such "line" may also form in TC if enough players are present) because scouting between two control points can yield quite a lot of C-Bills as you detect enemies that are certainly out of everyone else's scopes. And since players tend to head towards said CPs instead, you can also "plink" with relative impunity. Great success on Death Valley, Palisades, Sandblasted, Clearcut, Frostbite. Mirage, Kagoshima, not so great. Marshes, difficult. Inferno, Thunder Rift, Extremity, Urban Jungle, suicide. Big open areas seem to work well, since I'm essentially playing a scouting missile boat. In such maps more people will also choose asset like Arrowboats and LTs, increasing my C-bills. And in open terrain I can visually pick up the enemies even before I see them on radar, while in heavy terrain a GECM'd passive enemy can get within direct firing range before I can notice him - Owens and Raven tend to die painfully when something gets a shot at them and the fact that you have to have your radar on makes you a tempting target.

Like I said, it's not a key to success or top of score lists, it's a way to earn C-bills slowly but steadily and with less peronal risk than through damage alone. Also note that it requires that you join in at the beginning or nearly so, because like I said, it's not a fast track. However, I have noticed that I can much more consistently get an heavy/assault mech this way than with fighting - yes, I am that bad even after three months' addiction. While the playstyle is totally different to "regular" mech, at least I have much improved in keeping an eye for my damage and knowing when to flee since I switched to this tactic (though said skills are of little use when you join a TSA match with 5 minutes left and Mk2's/Atlases/Maulers waiting outside the bay doors).

[Evgen]

Am I doing it right?  Should I be more active in a damaging role, or is Second Line throw-some-blue-particles-now-and-again positions the best place for a C3 pilot to hide?

C3 has to be used with BHP, so your best friends are Owens, Raven and Atlas.
Owens has less electronics then Raven but faster and could do a lot of damage if play right. But still i think Raven Prime is the best for supportive role at early stage as it has not only BHP, C3 but GECM to spy more safely, LAMS (1 LAMS pwns 1 arrow missile), MASC and the most important NARC.

Play Raven more supportively. Try always to keep all your team missile boats and Long toms in range of your C3 radar so they see what you see. Never fight 1 vs 1, better spend your time for scouting and Narcing.

Atlas E can do a lot of long ranged damage and have a lot of free tons for additional NARCs but also you cant go alone with it as it wont last long in close range.

[SquareSphere }12thVR{]

It's actually better to play command if you have C3 scouts instead of trying to sit back and give c3 coverage.  The senor net from 2 C3 scouts is fantastic for the larger maps and since they all feed to the rest of the team, the intel is all on the map for everyone.

[[IPA] Thalamus]

tactics

I might try that. Sounds interesting.

I do think that these tactics only work in TSA and not in TC.

I have tried it in both modes and find this type of tactics more dependent on the terrain type. It doesn't necessarily require the "front line" that almost always forms in TSA (though such "line" may also form in TC if enough players are present) because scouting between two control points can yield quite a lot of C-Bills as you detect enemies that are certainly out of everyone else's scopes. And since players tend to head towards said CPs instead, you can also "plink" with relative impunity. Great success on Death Valley, Palisades, Sandblasted, Clearcut, Frostbite. Mirage, Kagoshima, not so great. Marshes, difficult. Inferno, Thunder Rift, Extremity, Urban Jungle, suicide. Big open areas seem to work well, since I'm essentially playing a scouting missile boat. In such maps more people will also choose asset like Arrowboats and LTs, increasing my C-bills. And in open terrain I can visually pick up the enemies even before I see them on radar, while in heavy terrain a GECM'd passive enemy can get within direct firing range before I can notice him - Owens and Raven tend to die painfully when something gets a shot at them and the fact that you have to have your radar on makes you a tempting target.

Like I said, it's not a key to success or top of score lists, it's a way to earn C-bills slowly but steadily and with less peronal risk than through damage alone. Also note that it requires that you join in at the beginning or nearly so, because like I said, it's not a fast track. However, I have noticed that I can much more consistently get an heavy/assault mech this way than with fighting - yes, I am that bad even after three months' addiction. While the playstyle is totally different to "regular" mech, at least I have much improved in keeping an eye for my damage and knowing when to flee since I switched to this tactic (though said skills are of little use when you join a TSA match with 5 minutes left and Mk2's/Atlases/Maulers waiting outside the bay doors).

There is nothing bad about playing supportive roles. In fact, I think that really boosts one's feel for the tactics in one game: Where to expect what enemies, how to read & interpret enemy movements, when to call for help etc. . These are imo far more important than headshot-capabilites.

[Taemien]

A team with C3 vs a team without it has a vastly higher chance of succeeding. Even without Longtoms, C3 provide locations of everything within range. C3 is the #1 BA killer PERIOD. C3 Gives you REAL time information about the enemy. C3 lets you target things outside visual range and allows you to get that extra jump in on someone. C3 helps friendly Air Assets find targets easier.

If your team doesn't have C3, consider getting a C3 capable asset. You may not have a great K/D ratio, but your team has a better chance at winning.

[Kadreal]

The Heph C is the ultimate command unit IMHO. Speedy, decent armor and packs C3 BHP AND AECM. Not only can you share C3 coverage with all your allies, you also give blacket ECM coverage to anyone nearby. Bonus points that narcs will not stick if they hit something in an AECM field.

Of course the downside is you'd probably have more firepower if you mounted a sling shot on the turret, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

[(TLL)TheLastSnowman]

The Heph C is the ultimate command unit IMHO. Speedy, decent armor and packs C3 BHP AND AECM. Not only can you share C3 coverage with all your allies, you also give blacket ECM coverage to anyone nearby. Bonus points that narcs will not stick if they hit something in an AECM field.

Of course the downside is you'd probably have more firepower if you mounted a sling shot on the turret, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

I agree completely. The Heph C is a beast in this roll. You won't get many kills but the ATMs will annoy the hell out of air assets and the AECM is a godsend when there are tbolt sullas, arrows with narcs, and/or LRMs with narcs, etc...

[KorJax]

The Heph C is the ultimate command unit IMHO. Speedy, decent armor and packs C3 BHP AND AECM. Not only can you share C3 coverage with all your allies, you also give blacket ECM coverage to anyone nearby. Bonus points that narcs will not stick if they hit something in an AECM field.

Of course the downside is you'd probably have more firepower if you mounted a sling shot on the turret, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Hmm interesting, I'll have to look into that.

And the trick in command roles is to be agressive, but cautious. Don't die, in other words and always have escape plans if you get ambushed.

Atlas E "Master and Commander" mech is obviously the goal to shoot for. Equipped the C3 and GECM along with extended sensors, LRM's and PPC's make him an excellellent command mech.

The Raven with the Narc's and just about every sensor suit under the sun is a great starting mech too (though you'll need a little bit extra cash than what you start with to buy it, usually people at the beginning are willing to part with their 3-5k left over at the beginning). It's armament isn't bad either - I've taken out Uziels with it, and it's pretty great for dealing constant damage to someone when they are distracted by a bigger nastier mech near you.

Trick is, never make yourself known and "on the front lines". As a command unit, you are not a brawler, nor are you a long range specialist. You need to be in the action, but on the side lines. Stick with teammates preferably while finding unique angles to scout ahead from by flanking the enemy and dealing support damage (but not to the point where you are on your own completely).

Scouting solo in a command mech works, especially with the C3, but it's much riskier and puts you at a greater risk. This is okay to do on maps like Kagoshima or Palisides which offer many escape routes for cover (which the raven excells at getting to), but on maps like death valley you are toast. It's better off on those maps to stick close to bases, or stick close to allies.

I've had good success doing a commander role. One game I was top of the scoreboard with zero deaths and 5 kills while the player just under me had 11 kills and about 5 deaths or so. The secret is to really not die and play cautiously. You don't focus on kills, instead you focus on supporting your team in any way possible. If that means dealing lots of damage with teammates while taking care to not be the focus, or if it means you are parked on a hill scouting and hitting with LRMS as your team advances, or simply means running around everywhere at max speed dodging shots then that's what you do.

Commander roles are more about being that intel and damage support in any way you can, rather than playing to a specific "combat role". Basically, adapt to the situation to accomplish the goals using a "command" vehicle.

EDIT: And don't be afraid to ask for cbills, especially by stating you'll be using a mech with C3/narc. Teammates LOVE C3/narc mechs so people will generally scrounge up change twoards a player who wants to get one. It was how I was able to get the Atlas E in the previously mentioned game that allowed me to really get a good score.