About the Missile-Lock Targeting system.... (devs pls read!)

[Askis]

Morrigu B: ?
 

Yes I know, boated again, but it is somewhat more effective than the Prime, even though it has no missiles.

[darktimes]

I understand that the adder boat needed to be nerfed, but why not just change the loadout? or increase the cycle time?

This instance wouldn't be the only case of an entire weapon system getting neutered simply because one variant did it too well.  Just look at what happened to SRMs because too many people cried about the Vulture B once SA mode was released.  If a single boat variant performs too well and makes the devs consider changing something, I think the chassis should be changed in order to prevent or limit boating, rather than nerfing the weapon itself because it will effect other assets using but not boating the weapon like the Owens B or Bushwacker B/D much more than it will effect the boat variant. 

Most of the other Heavy Laser equipped assets are a joke.

Shadowcat E:  The HML/DSSRM4 Cougar has more firepower than this mech.
Loki D:  The range bracket of the ATM launcher and HML do not mix well, and there is only a tiny window in which this mech can bring it's entire arsenal to bear effectively.
Thor B:  The only weapon on this mech worth a damn is the LBX-20.  A single HLL doesn't do any respectable damage on its own, and neither does the ATM9, and anything with a LAMs will reduce it's effectiveness even further.
Madcat D:  I've literally only ever seen this asset used in game twice.  Change the LRM15s to ATM9s or 12s, or even SRMs and I think this would be a much feasible variant
Novacat D:  Sure, you can take most any mech's arm or leg in a single barrage with this mech, but it overheats far too easily even for a Novacat and is easily crippled in a brawl by losing an arm of it's own.
Madcat MKII D:  I think the only thing this mech has going for it is Jumpjets.  If you want ATMs I think you're much better off taking a Madcat E or Vulture D, and even without JJ both mechs are more maneuverable and versatile than the MK2.

Exactly!
I've seen this every time! if a boat is too effective, the devs nerf the weapons, instead of altering the boat!
it makes me want to arg.

[Kelmola]

Madcat MKII D:  I think the only thing this mech has going for it is Jumpjets.  If you want ATMs I think you're much better off taking a Madcat E or Vulture D, and even without JJ both mechs are more maneuverable and versatile than the MK2.

Mk2D also suffers from the fact that once you are in range to fire your CSHL's, you are most likely inside the minimum range for your ATM's (unless you manage to stay in the very narrow band between 150m and 200m), making almost half of your weaponry useless for most of the time (only the CLBL's can be used at any range). Siege Engine has ATM's too but the UAC5's can be used at any range, making it a more attractive choice for me if I go for the Black Wolf. Especially since HL's are most effective in legging, and Huntress with its anti-legging rule seems to be the only populated server when I go online

[EagleFire]

Well seeing as this thread was originally about how missiles target before it got derailed I think I might as well post my thoughts on the matter rather than make a new thread.

LRMs: One way I could see to improve their general use on the field and to promote team work would be to have it so that C3 negates the effects of GECM on individual units. This way scouts would be an even more important asset to have forward allowing the long range support units to be able to lock on faster. This of course would not work for AECM.

SSRMs: Improve their tracking and speed so that they have a much greater chance to hit. However if they are fired w/o a lock they would behave like MRM's and spread all over the place. And to combat the use of them being chain fired in boats make it so that each time they are fired you have to reacquire lock. This way they would still function perfectly fine when fired in pairs on normal units however units like the Vulture B would end up with gaps inbetween volleys long enough for return fire.

[IG142]

SSRMs: Improve their tracking and speed so that they have a much greater chance to hit. However if they are fired w/o a lock they would behave like MRM's and spread all over the place. And to combat the use of them being chain fired in boats make it so that each time they are fired you have to reacquire lock. This way they would still function perfectly fine when fired in pairs on normal units however units like the Vulture B would end up with gaps inbetween volleys long enough for return fire.

I actually really like this.

[=KoS= Tripod]

^this^

[ELH_Vivicector]

Hey, Mk2 D is a very decent mech. In fact, it is among my favourite assaults (along with Awesome D and Mauler D). CERLBLs provide some initial punch and are very universal. ATMs rape things on med range, allow to shoot without lock-on. And those HSLs comewhat compensate for the inability to use ATMs in close. They are real life-savers in some cases. Thre is a trick that allow to use both ATMs and HSLs in close - just double-jump back.

[DBS76_ExMachina]

A clarification, or..addition as I see people mostly talking about medium and large mechs.

A larger targeting window is useful inside a mech or vehicle that is a fast mover -- such as VTOL/Aero, skiffs and small mechs. Such vehicles have more emphasis on their ability to maneuver rather that firepower -- a wider target zone is sometimes necessary for them to achieve lock while doing what they gotta do -- aka MOVING AROUND A LOT.

Conversely -- these very same new targeting systems would also be most useful VERSUS fast units (esp. ATMs). In other words, this would be a "balanced" game feature useful both ways. No harm done.