It’s Patch Tuesday!  Today’s MechWarrior Online patch is not a huge one, and really doesn’t have a massive amount of fixes (though, it does have some interesting ones).  The biggest part of today’s patch, is the addition of the Quickdraw (non-heroic version), and a new champion ‘Mech.

Other highlights:

Completed art beautification pass and asset optimization pass on Caustic Valley.

So, Caustic Valley’s brown will be a prettier brown!  ;P

Pulse Laser Normalization (See Command Chair post on this).
- Small Pulse Laser damage up to 3.4 (up from 3.0) and heat lowered to 2.4 (down from 3.0).
- Large Pulse Laser damage up to 10.6 (up from 10.0) and heat increased to 8.5 (up from 7.3).

This is the start of another round of weapon balancing, that is also taking some steps to mitigate the issue where people will alpha strike 6 PPCs while sitting at 90% heat, because they know nothing will happen.  The linked command chair post lays out the plan for that quite nicely, and it should be successful.

To tie in with the introduction of the QuickDraw, the MWO team is also holding a sale- until Friday morning at 10:00 you can get 50% off select Camo patterns:

So you’ve got your new Quickdraw, and you want to make it really your own. Well, now’s your chance to take it for a spin through the Inner Sphere with style! Get 50% off the Tiger, Mountain Line and Vagabond Camo Patterns forQuickdraw until Friday June 21 at 10am PDT! Tiger, Mountain Line, Vagabond 50% off – Regular 750 , now only 375 ! Sale runs from Tuesday 18th 10am PDT to Friday 21st 10 AM PDT! Enjoy, and we’ll see you on the battlefield!

 

Full patch notes after the break!  See you on the battlefield!

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This weekend’s sale over at MechWarrrior Online is on Heavy ‘Mechs!  Until Tuesday morning, get 30% off the MC price of a Catapult, Cataphract, and Jagermech!

Want to do your stomping in style?  Of course you do… so pick up the fractal pattern for 50% off too!

It’s time for some Heavy Mech Madness, so we figured it was time to take a giant step forward with some of our most robust mechs!

Don’t let their hulking nature deceive you, these big guys will tear your enemies apart! From Friday June 14th 10:00am PDT to Tuesday June 18th 10:00am PDT we’re giving 30% off the  price of the Catapult CPLT-C4, Cataphract CTF-3D and Jagermech JM6-DD.

CPLT-C4 regular 2350 , now 1645 
CTF-3D, regular 3955 , now 2768 
JM6-DD, regular 3410 , now 2387 
Rage with style! Grab the Catapult, Cataphract and JagerMech Fractal pattern for 50% off!
So come grab a hefty Heavy for at a great rate! Servers will be down for a few minutes at 10:00am PDT while we enable the sale and will be back shortly after, then we’ll see you on the battlefield!

Time for another challenge over at MechWarrior Online!

This weeks challenge “Assault and Conquer!”  It’s based on the previous 25 wins challenge, with a slight tweak.  You have until 10:00AM PDT June 14th, to get 10 wins in both Assault mode, and Conquest mode!

I love that the MWO team is doing these, I just wish they’d give us more then 3 days to complete them.  On the weeks that they do these challenges, they should skip the weekend challenge, and just let the weekly one roll through until the following Monday.  While 10 wins on each mode doesn’t sound hard.. if you’re just doing random groups, it can mean having to go through 40-50 matches total to get that win…  Still.. good fun, and I’m glad they’re doing these challenges.

Greetings MechWarriors!

It seems the vast majority of you liked the ‘get 25 victories, get a prize’ weekend. So, in order to do that again, but not just do exactly the same thing, here comes round two! Well, event two. So, what exactly is this challenge? I’m glad you didn’t ask, and instead allowed me to pretend you did so I could write this! Presenting, the Assault and Conquer Challenge weekend!

First, you need to get 10 victories in Assault Mode, then 10 victories in Conquest mode. Or, well, you can do it in any order you want really. Just make sure you have ten of each!

Second, you need to get those victories between 10am PDT on June 11th, and 10am PDT June 14th.

What do you get for doing those things? You get a .50 Cal hanging round item just for playing (and winning)!

So no need to opt in, just play, and good luck to all of you!

Cheers,
The MechWarrior Online Team

Bryan Ekman posted his monthly Creative Director Update over at the MechWarrior Online site.

The big news in this month’s update, is the MWO Test Servers getting setup (to be online later this month), with the initial new content testable on them, being the new 12v12 modes!

It’s a bit shorter then we’ve seen in previous months, but they’ve done a good job announcing stuff in the last few weeks, so there are no surprises here:

A lot of work continues to be focused on our major launch features. If you haven’t already checked it out, head on over to the UI 2.0 Command Chair post and check out the latest information on our major overhaul of the Front End UI. Production is well under way on this new UI and we expect to begin testing in August. The final bits of engineering work are being put into 12 v12, which include further networking code optimizations, UI work, art optimizations, and some minor gameplay/level adjustments. Our drive to launch continues to keep the bulk of our team focused on delivering an exciting MechWarrior experience for all players.

New Content:

• `Mech of the Month – Quickdraw (18th)
• Hero `Mech of the Month – FireBrand (4th)
• Champion `Mech of the Month – Hunchback-4P© (18th)
• New Pattern(s) – Sherman (4th)
• New Cockpit Item(s) – Spider Statue (18th)
• Special – Sarah’s `Mech (25th)

Test Servers

The networking and hardware wizards are hard at work setting up this our new public testing environment. While not necessarily a new feature per se, this new server architecture will allow us to test a range of features from small tuning adjustments to large additions such as 12 v 12 and UI 2.0. This is part of our continued commitment to product quality and stability, along with involving the community in key aspects of the game’s development. The test servers will be coming online in June, and the first major test will feature 12 v 12 functionality.

Company and Lance Improvements

Further lance improvements make their way into the game this month. These adjustments are based of internal testing and player feedback. These new adjustments include text and audio queues when new orders are issued, Company and Lance Commander icons to identify leadership, revised chat color, and revised order icons for more clarity. If you haven’t tried out your leadership skills yet, have a go! Players can take command by pushing “B” for BattleGrid and taking either a Lance Command (4 players) or a Company Command (8 players).

Balancing and Tuning

LRMs, SRMs, and Flamers will receive tuning passes in the first patch of this month. For mid-June expect to see more tweaks to the UAV consumable, and Seismic Sensors. Jump Jets will receive a weight based shake to add a more realistic feel and help to balance out some of the jump sniping meta game. Caustic Valley gets a lighting adjustment for the mid-June patch Expect to see more details about upcoming adjustments in the Command Chair section.

Host State Rewind (HSR) – Missiles

With this latest addition, all weapon systems are now affected by HSR. HSR helps high ping players achieve more reliable hits, improving the gameplay experience and making them more competitive.

Bugs and Stability

A lot of effort has gone into improving and fixing some of the more difficult technical issues, among them the HUD bug (last month). This month we are introducing fixes for some to the more frequent black screen and disconnect issues some players may experience.

Looking Forward

• 12 v 12 is due out for first patch in July.

• Training Grounds (tutorial) will make it’s way live mid-July to early August.

• Third Person view will be pushed to test servers in the next 30-60 days.

It’s patch day! and while the patch notes are not super lengthy… there is a whole lot of ‘Mech stomping goodness shoved into this patch!

• Firebrand (JagerMech) Hero ‘Mech!
• “Poptart” adjustments (mechanic changes to make poptarting take a bit more skill)
• HSR Phase 3 (Missiles Host State Rewind)
• SCREENSHOTS!!! We can finally take screenshots in game!  Which, considering you need a screenshot to report someone, is long overdue.
• UI enhancements!

Here’s the full patch notes:

Open Beta Update #18

Upcoming Patch – Tuesday June 4th @ 10AM – 1PM PDT

Patch Number: 1.2.226

Change Log

UPDATE

Greetings MechWarriors

Get ready, this is your patch update in 3…2…1!

Oh the burning! The JagerMech Hero “Firebrand” is here – the 30% C-bill boost is HOT! The custom paint job is HOT! The Hard-point layout is HOT (be careful or your build will run hot too)! I am going to buy one right now because it’s time to master my JagerMechs!

I have a new favourite camo pattern and it is called Sherman! It makes your Mech look like a WWII tank and you already own the perfect olive drab Green colour to go with it! So go get some Sherman Camo and storm the beaches of Forest Colony!

Ever wonder how your aim stayed perfectly stable while jump jets exerted enough force to lift all that tonnage off the ground? So did we! We had your mechanic take a look at things and turns out your Gyro was broken…. so we fixed it! You’re Welcome. Here is a pro tip – Fire after you let go of your Jump jet thrust.

We also have also completed host state rewind for missiles (Programmer talk for awesome missile network code) and some great improvements in this patch for the lance communication and coordination.

Patch up, get ready to drop, and we will see you on the Battlefield!

Matt Newman

Content

New Hero Mech

“Firebrand” JM6-FB

- Tonnage: 65
- Engine: 280 XL
- Top Speed: 69.8 kph
- Max Engine Rating: 340
- Torso Movement:
- 100 degrees to each side.
- 20 degrees up and down.
- Arm Movement:
- 0 degrees to each side.
- 35 degrees up and down.
- Armor: 336 (Standard)
- Internal Structure: Endo-Steel
- Weapons & Equipment:
- Left Arm: PPC, AC/2
- Left Torso: Medium Pulse Laser
- Right Torso: Medium Pulse Laser
- Right Arm: PPC, AC/2
- Hardpoints:
- Left Arm: 1 Ballistic, 1 Energy
- Left Torso: 2 Energy, 1 AMS
- Right Torso: 2 Energy
- Right Arm: 1 Ballistic, 1 Energy
- Heat Sinks: 15 Double
- Jump Jets: n/a
- ECM Capable?: No
- Module Slots: 2
- 30% C-Bill Bonus

Trial Mech

- Spider SDR-5D
- Hunchback HBK-4P
- Cataphract CTF-4X
- Atlas AS7-RS

New Skin

- Sherman skin

Gameplay

- Jump jetting now cause:
- Screen shake – Jump jetting Mechs shake while jump jets are active.
- Cross hair shake – Cross-hair shake while jump jets are active.
- Weapon fire spread – Aiming weapons is randomly offset while jump jets are active.

Weapon Update

- LRMs now do 1.1 damage per missile.
- SRM spread reduced from 8m to 6m.
- Flamer self heat induction reduced from 1.1 to 1.0

User Interface

- Lance Improvements Phase 2
- Added text and audio notification when user receive an order
- Added text and audio notification when a team member takes a command position
- Company and Lance commander icons is now visible in team/lance chat channel
- Revised chat colours: Chat colours will correspond to each chat type: Global Chat (White), Team Chat (Blue), or Lance Chat (Green)
- Revised order icons to be more legible

Performance

- Host State Rewinding Phase 3 (Missile weapons)
- User should no longer have firing delay when shooting a missile weapon
- User should now be able to hit moving targets with these weapons even when experiencing latency up to ~450 ms
- Affected weapons: SRM2, SRM4, SRM6, NARC

Bug Fixes

- Fixed packet sequence number overflow problem in CryEngine
- This fixes the random disconnect to Mech Lab bug
- Fixed excessive transmission of tiny packets introduced by last patch
- This is expected to reduce overall bandwidth and improve the small increases in ping some users have been experiencing
- Fixed potential crash that would occur when entering match or when returning to Mech Lab

General

- Users can take screenshots by hitting the PrtScn button. Screenshots are saved in the the USER folder in the main directory of MechWarrior Online.

We thank you for your patience and we look forward to seeing you on the battlefield!

The MechWarrior® Online™ Team

The MechWarrior Online team wants to give you a free cockpit decoration (3050 Hologram).. all you need to do to get it is…win 25 matches before Friday, May 31st at 10:00 AM PDT (when they take the server down to apply the weekend sale).  Seems easy enough… right?

MechWarriors!

We’ve got something special for you today, so I’m going to challenge myself to write challenge as many times as possible in the description. Here we go!

We’re challenging you! In addition to the usual challenge of winning your matches, we’re adding an additional challenge to get twenty-five (25) victories from today (28^th of May – Noon PDT) till Friday (31^st of May – 10am PDT) . Think you can do it? Well this challenge comes with a bonus – if you succeed in this challenge, you’ll get a free 3050 hologram for your cockpit!

You can track your progress here - and boast to your friends about completing this challenge the moment you complete it!

So get ready soliders!

Times:
START: May 28th 12 NOON PDT
END: May 31st 10:00AM PDT

(Challenge complete, I will reward myself with a 3050 hologram now.)

See you on the battlefield!
-The MechWarrior Online Team

 

Depending on your ELO score, 25 victories may take awhile to get, or you may do it in 25 drops…  I’m gonna give it ago..after all.. it’s free stuff!

It’s Tournament time AGAIN!

And this is one I think I may actually stand a decent chance in!  It’s Medium versus the world!  MC prizes for first place in each Chassis.. so now is a good time to finish leveling up that Blackjack you just got!

Opt-in Tournament, Best 10 matches (per chassis) over 3 days are the scores that will count, here’s the scoring formula:

Kills × 20 + Kill Assist × 10 + (Damage Done – Team Damage) ÷ 15 + Wins × 20 + Loss × 10 + Survive × 20 + Dead × 10

For any tie-breakers, the fewer games the better.  Head over and Opt in here!

I’ll see you on the battlefield, and, if you could just stand there and let me kill you so I can win the tourney.. I won’t complain  :P

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Greetings MechWarriors!

It’s time for the Medium Against the World Leaderboard Challenge! To give our salute to the workhorse weight class, we’re having an event highlighting our Medium Mechs. (Don’t worry, Light, Heavy, and Assault pilots, you’ll have a place too!) Pilots must Opt In to take part and win the spoils, so make sure you log in, and then Opt In! Here’s your chance to shine in the Mech you love and win MC prizes and a special cosmetic cockpit item for the grand prize per weight class/medium chassis! We’re also holding an ‘Employee of the Month’ sale during this time, offering 30% off the Raven 3L, Hunchback 4SP, Catapult K2, and Stalker 5S! In addition to that, we have 40% off 3 day Premium Time. Check out MechLab today to see all the hot offers! Read on for more details!

This is an opt in, solo only challenge where we will take each players best ten matches in each weight class for Light, Heavy, and Assault, and each Medium Chassis (Cicada, Blackjack, Centurion, Hunchback) to determine the event winners. Opt In once you are logged into the website. The formula can be viewed below.

Good luck MechWarrior, we’ll see you on the battlefield!

• Opt in
• Best 10 games per leaderboard over the course of 3 days.
• Score Formula:
  Kills × 20 + Kill Assist × 10 + (Damage Done – Team Damage) ÷ 15 + Wins × 20 + Loss × 10 + Survive × 20 + Dead × 10
• 1^st Tie-Breaker: Number of Matches Played (the Less the better)
  • EG: My best 10 matches out of 20 is better than your best 10 matches out of 50
• 2^nd Tie-Breaker: Team Damage (Less is better of course)
  • EG: My 10 best matches with 100 team damage total is better than your Best 10 matches with 150 team damage total.

PRIZES:

No, you can’t buy Niko, IGP is very attached to him.  :P

You can, however, save some MC on one of the ‘workhorses’ of MechWarrior Online.  For this weekend (Today through Tuesday the 28th of May at 10:00 AM PDT), four of the more common ‘Mechs of MWO are on sale for 30% off their MC price.  You can also buy yourself some Premium time for the Holiday weekend (assuming you live in the US, where Monday is a Holiday), with 40% off 3 Days of Premium time!

The combination of the 30% off price + cheaper premium time, makes this a good weekend to grab one of these chassis and get it leveled up quickly.  Using some MC for the purchase, will save your C-Bills to customize that load out.

When the servers go down to apply this sale, we’re also getting a quick hotfix:

LRM flight path has had it’s drop point moved back along the path by 23% when using indirect firing. Splash damage drastically reduced. Damage per missile and all other aspects have not been changed.

So, that will reduce (a bit) some of the non-stop LRMs falling from the sky that has happened since LRMs got a bit of a buff in Tuesday’s patch.

See you in game!

The time has come to honour the workhorses – the steadfast workers who are there, rain or shine, no matter the hour, side torsos or no side torsos. Those workers.. are the Raven 3L, Hunchback 4SP, Catapult K2, and Stalker 5S. When you need a quick ankle biter to harass that LRM boat, when you want that Mech that your enemies will blame if you win – the Raven 3L is there. When you need a Mech that can bring versatility, the ability to take forever to be destroyed, all in a cool-looking case of metal – the Hunchback 4SP is there. When you need to put gauss rifles where machine guns were, and nothing where PPCs were, and then stride forth and pick off jumping pilots – the Catapult K2 is there. When you absolutely need a ton of missiles and lasers, when ‘just one more SRM6′ is all you want, when you just can’t decide if you want an SRM boat or an laser boat so you pick kinda both together – the Stalker 5S is there.

So to honour these Mechs, we give you – the Employee of the Month sale:

30% off the  cost of the Raven 3L, Hunchback 4SP, Catapult K2, and Stalker 5S

• Raven 3L
  • Now 1,645 , Reg 2,350 
• Hunchback 4SP
  • Now 1,019 , Reg 1,455 
• Catapult K2
  • Now 1,488 , Reg 2,125 
• Stalker 5S
  • Now 3,059 , Reg 4,370 

And to help you get elited up on your new Mech, we’re offering 40% off 3 Day Premium Time: reg 650 , now 390 .

When is this sale? From Friday the 24th of May, 10am PDT – To Tuesday the 28th of May 10am PDT.

So get in there, and give these venerable Mechs the salute (and grudging admiration, just admit it) they deserve.

-The MechWarrior Online Team

It’s patch day for MechWarrior Online, which brings good news and bad.

Good news! big Patch, lots of fixes, new ‘Mechs, new consumables.. all kinds of goodies..

Bad news?  Another pop-tart ‘Mech, though the buffs to LRMs (faster speed, slightly more damage), may start reducing pop-tarting a little bit.  New ‘Mech/Map additions, means the stat page will be messed up for a bit.

In addition to the non-Hero BlackJack variants making their appearance today, there are a TON of balance tweaks and bug fixes (on top of the HUD hot fix from the other day).  We’re getting a new map (Canyon), that should be a big map like Alpine, which may also help sniper builds keep the pop-tarts at bay.

The new UAVs (we finally get the drone from the video teaser!), and seismic sensors will also have an interesting effect on the battlefield.

So, get patched up, re-equip your ECM… and get on the battlefield!

Continue reading →

This weekend’s MechWarrior Online is another Medium Madness Sale!  I love that the MWO guys are doing these regularly, because it let’s folks plan their cash store purchases, so they’re not buying something, and then having it go on sale unexpectedly the next day.  I do however, think they need to introduce some more variety into them.  Give us the 50% off the MC price, and maybe a 10% discount if we buy it with C-Bills.  A sale on MC would be good to, based on the forum feedback I’ve seen, there’s a decent number of folks waiting for a MC sale, to buy more MC.

Greetings, MechWarriors! For this weekend we are pleased to announce our Medium Mech Madness Sale! What is in this sale, you ask? Why, 30% off the  price of the Trebuchet TBT-3C, the Centurion CN9-AL (my personal favourite), and the Hunchback HBK-4H! In addition to this, we’re cutting 50% off the price of permanent Mountain Line camo for the Trebuchet, Centurion, and Hunchback! Details follow:

• Trebuchet TBT-3C was 3405  now 2383 
• Centurion CN9-AL was 1425  now 997 
• Hunchback HBK-4H was 1460  now 1022 
• Mountain Line Trebuchet/Centurion/Hunchback permanent camo was 750  now 375 

This sale will run from: MAY 17TH 10AM PDT to MAY 21ST 10AM PDT We will be bringing the servers down at 10am to begin the sale, and they should be back up shortly after. See you on the battlefield (and bring your Medium!)