Lefty Mega-man

My, you colorful scoundrel, nice UI

How to stop reading forums at work.

Greetings Mechwarriors,

Today, I woke up and I felt great. I felt the ab-so-lute best. Quite a strange thing to say, I know, but let me tell you why. Towards the end of my day, I was able to go to my favorite restaurant in the whole world. I'd tell you which one, but I don't want to accidentally see you there. I was seated at a table that was, by my own estimation, the second best seat in the house. My waiter was polite and courteous. Heck, even the house bread was better than usual. I placed my order and waited, patiently, for my food. When I was finally greeted with the sight of the waiter returning with my food, I was more than excited. It must have been my excitement that had temporarily caused my ignorance! Oh ignorance, you saucy devil. For once my waiter got within arms distance of me, I realized that on the plate he was carrying was not the meal I had ordered. No, what he had brought for me was in fact a poorly crafted left shoe. Before I could voice my confusion, the waiter grabbed the shoe off of the plate and hit me square in the face with it.

Now, this is something that of course didn't actually happen. Can you imagine? Such poor service. I didn't think that I could imagine it either until I found a thread on the MWO forums. This post reminded me to be disappointed about something that I had completely forgotten about. I had paid for what I thought was one thing and then received nowhere close to what I had ordered. In fact, this happened to a lot of people and I can't help but once again shake my head at PGI. Alright, well, maybe it's not that bad, but it's pretty crappy.

By now you're thinking, "Christ, just tell me what you're talking about." I am talking about the Resistance Collection Badges. Badges are given for purchasing certain package deals of 'Mechs or for participating in particular events. What do these "badges" do? Absolutely nothing. That's kind of what makes this so outrageous. The icons show up on your forum tag, as well as tagging onto your pilot name in-game. That's it. I'm glad the that there were many different points of view expressed on the original thread, but there were only a few people that actually mentioned what was going on. Skip to the last paragraph for more on that topic now!

Hang that on your break room fridge with shame, PGI

Pictured above are the Resistance Collection Badges that were advertised and below them are the badges given to paying customers. This wouldn't be a big deal if it were as simple as the previous sentence would imply. A lot of people on the thread said they didn't really care about what badge they received, considering that they do nothing. I was one of those people because I hadn't even looked at the things since I ordered a 'Mech pack back in December. And then I saw the responses that PGI posted to the thread.

One PGI employee claimed that the badges advertised just weren't distinguishable when scaled down for the in-game icon. She even uses, "therefore". Interesting move, PGI. The employee then posts, a month later, that they will release the advertised badges to everyone that had ordered them. Those items never came. Nope, never.

But, this isn't about that employee. It isn't about the forum post or the inconclusive, "extra" content. It's in no way related to the first paragraph. It's about the person who made the original badge design and their manager. These people, let me tell you what. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it must be to be that terrible at your job. How could the design of in-game content not have been reviewed before being advertised on your website? No, really, how? Never once did anyone take their design and scale it down to the size used in-game? How is step two of your design proposal not, "And this is what they'd look like in-game,"? Much to my pleasure, one forum poster actually scaled down the original badges, added a little color for distinction, and posted it for all to see. Hats off to you, sirmadame. Oh, how you must be blushing, PGI. A random internet goer has even done your job for you! Even further still, if the badge content wasn't something that you actually cared two beavers about, as it clearly wasn't, then...why...would...you change them in the first place, distinguishable or not? Who are you people? I mean, I can understand if this has become an office joke (and let me say, touche), but come on.

;I wrote this post a few months ago and couldn't figure out how to conclude
;it.
;I wasn't even really that upset about the whole thing and PGI
;recently made good on their promise to release the advertised badges.
;*shrug*
;Who cares.
;I'm back in a Unit and stompin' hats in my TDR.
;Show me a Mauler that works.


;Good luck and good hunting, pilots.





Sources:
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Thunderbolt
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Mauler
https://mwomercs.com/resistance

A Vulture by another name, anyone?

Greeting Mechwarriors,

I was excited to find the background image for my page. I had wanted to find an image that looked like it was from the old cut-away Battletech books and, look at that, I even found a 'Mech I like. Plus, it matches the color scheme. But, for anyone unfamiliar with the 'Mech represented, it's almost meaningless. With a dash on context, you might be as happy as I am with the selection.

So, what's that in the background? That's the Mad Dog Clan 'Mech, nicknamed the "Vulture" by the first Inner Sphere (IS) pilots that engaged it. This 'Mech was widely used within the Clans after its production began in 2963 by Clan Smoke Jaguar. The overall purpose of this Heavy 'Mech is to provide opportunistic fire-support. The tactic used by Mad Dog pilots mainly employed hanging back from the front lines, waiting for an easy target. If faced with an opponent inside its optimal range, the Mad Dog doesn't want for a means to protect itself.

The majority of the variants for this 'Mech allow for the mounting of several missile racks, whether they be defensive short range missile (SRM) or offensive long range missile (LRM) stagings. Heck, you could even do both. Other defensive options include the punch of ballistic weapons and/or medium range energy weapons. The tactics previously mentioned and the general theme of variant loadouts translated pretty well into MWO, although sometimes it makes more sense to play completely defensively. There are a ton of options thanks to the Omni-pods, interchangeable torso and arm components, available.

Love that camo pattern combo. Ain't it purtty?

If used properly, this 'Mech has the maneuverability and damage potential to make someone worry about stumbling into one while trying to flank your allies. Is it the best Clan 'Mech available in the game? Nah, not even close. Can you still have fun with it? Can you still use it to fend off larger 'Mechs? Can you still use it to dispose of stupid Jenners? Can you still use it to slice, dice, and julienne your way to some sweet Cbill (CB) earnings? Of course, don't be dense! Why else would I be writing this? I recommend that you buy one immediately! NOW! Spread forth the folds of your wallet and dispense currency, chumps. Just kidding, but, seriously, try it out. It's even available as a Trial 'Mech at the moment.

Here's a peak at my current Mad Dog build. I chose the defensive route.

Currently 8.5milCB into this week's event. Cha-ching!


Good luck and good hunting, pilots.





Sources:
http://metamechs.com/mwo-guides/master-guides/mad-dog/
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Mad_Dog_(Vulture)

Before ECM was a thing...

Some decent gameplay with the LMC.

*Yawn* Oh, you're still here?

Greetings Mechwarriors,

Once again, it's been a while since I've posted anything on here. I didn't mean to let it fall by the wayside, but obviously my efforts were disingenuous.

There have been even more changes to the game since the last time that I've posted. I can't really speak to any of the changes that have come to the CW Meta or anything having to do with the abysmal state of IS space right now. It's clear who took over CW. *puts hands on hip and adds a cocked head stare*

I had thought to make my next post about the Grasshopper because I had been trying to earn enough XP to Master it. Well, in the meantime I mastered all three of them and then moved on. I moved on to my Atlas and did the same..and then my BlackJack. Now, I'm working slowly (as slow as people that prefer IE) on my Vindicator. I dare you to prove to me that someone can have a favorite Vindicator.

For the next week, there is an event going on. Let's be honest though, there's almost always some event going on in MWO. This week's is the "Blood Money" event. Ooooooo, how edgy. This is an event that rewards the people who purchased the Resistance I 'Mech Pack and gives more rewards to anyone who bought the Resistance II 'Mech Pack. Even though I only fall into the former category, I'm looking forward to earning a cool 20,000,000CB just for playing with the 'Mechs I bought. That'll afford me any 'Mech in the game. I'd get a Gargoyle if I'd ever heard a good thing about it.

So, back to my point, I'm back in my Grasshopper! Aaaand touting some new trollin' camo. Well, I suppose it's more just for fun than trolling, but hey. I put it across all my Resistance I 'Mechs.

Drop that spoon, Mr. Bonaparte

"You know what?" he asked rhetorically. I don't really feel like writing about loadouts or anything. The Meta be damned! I want to talk about something that has actually got me somewhat excited; these gosh-darn "new" maps. Two of the public maps have been refined, expanded, polished, dusted off, and tossed metaphorically at our faces. And not in that order, #hotfixfreepatch. The upgrades to each of the maps include mostly an increase in size, level of detail, flanking lanes, and invisible geometry to get stuck on.

There are now light posts and tress that you can knock over! *bonk bonk bonk* Yes, the noise you just made in your head is pretty close to the noise that the trees make as you topple them over effortlessly. They don't sound very much like a tree (you know, 'cause I'm an arborist for sure) and I think there may only be two variances on the sound effect. I've seen people on the MWO forums complain about the noise being a distraction from immersion, but those people need to immerse themselves in about ten feet of water. That reminds me, there are now collision noises and more collision damage. *bonk clang bonk clang*

These new maps look spectacular though, they really do. Well, compared to the rest of the game. I'm definitely in favor of improvements and expansions to the maps. I don't know why this isn't a priority over the release of new 'Mechs for the game...oh wait, the maps are free, duh.

I have actually done a little bit of trolling in this game recently and I loved it. I've even seen other people follow suit! I may have started something! And by "following suit", I mean dinosaur suit.

"Okay, kids, say goodbye to Barney"

Good luck and good hunting, pilots.