Sensor Range Discussion

[Red_Legion]

During beta one of the bigger discussions was sensor and visual range in the game.

Do we know what the values will be at? Did anything change for these ranges from beta or did the devs take it into consideration at all?

 

[Bodha]

Both values can be easily be modded just as an fyi.

 

[fodzilla]

Both values can be easily be modded just as an fyi.

On a per-mech/class/pilot basis?

 

[Tryamw]

I'll admit I think sensor range is a bit small considering that with "LoS" you can shoot halfway across the map. (Ac/2 or LRM) Sensor range seems barely longer then ER ML range. (Yes I know they aren't in game)

 

[Rustingbooger]

What skill actually increases the sensor range? Is it tactics?

 

[Wissenschaft]

no skill increases sensor range. Visual range is kept low so the game is more tactical. Otherwise its too easy to play sniper and destroy everything at range with little risk.

 

[TheDarkestStig]

no skill increases sensor range. Visual range is kept low so the game is more tactical. Otherwise its too easy to play sniper and destroy everything at range with little risk.

Visual range can be increased with 'mech mods; I've seen one Rangefinder+ that gives +50m View Distance.

 

[Stormforge]

Sight range can also be modded to be part of Gunnery, Tactics, or other skill. In the beta I was able to set it up where you received a base 200m for visual range, +50m added per point in Tactics.

https://community.battletechgame.com/forums/threads/7137/comments/185389

Sure sensor range could be done as well.

 

[CuCulainn]

During beta one of the bigger discussions was sensor and visual range in the game.

Do we know what the values will be at? Did anything change for these ranges from beta or did the devs take it into consideration at all?

i KNOW THERE IS EQUIPMENT THAT CAN BOOST SENSOR RANGE AND i THINK ONE OF THE STAT TRAKS DOES AS WELL TCTICS i THNK

 

[Wissenschaft]

Visual range can be increased with 'mech mods; I've seen one Rangefinder+ that gives +50m View Distance.

I did not know this. I'll have to keep on the look out for that mod.

 

[Holy.Death]

I am thinking the sensor range is either too big or shows too much information (such as mechs' tonnage) - it removes the element of surprise, because you know, more or less, what you're facing, even if you don't see it.

 

[lordpepper]

I am thinking the sensor range is either too big or shows too much information (such as mechs' tonnage) - it removes the element of surprise, because you know, more or less, what you're facing, even if you don't see it.

I think the amount of info shown for objects in sensor range depends on the distance to the object.

Target barely in sensor range: you only see that something is there

Target almost in visual range: you get info about tonnage and the object shows within the initiative bar( not sure about the last one, but in one of the streams it was explained like this. Might have been the Eck stream )

 

[veevoir]

I am thinking the sensor range is either too big or shows too much information (such as mechs' tonnage) - it removes the element of surprise, because you know, more or less, what you're facing, even if you don't see it.

You know what phase the mech is activated, so I'd say tonnage is just icing on the cage.. I wouldn't call the surprise ruined though, tonnage hardly indicates a mech in a way that activation phase already did not.

But let's test this in practice @Holy.Death - Phase 3, shown tonnage 55T. What is it?


BTW - I've seen people during streams recognize the mechs just by their activation phase + them firing an alpha from outside of view range.

 

[Holy.Death]

But let's test this in practice @Holy.Death - Phase 3, shown tonnage 55T. What is it?

Easy. 55T. Meaning it's not a light mech and not a heavy mech.

 

[Bodha]

On a per-mech/class/pilot basis?

Both values are global numbers used by all mechs vehicles etc. If you change them it is changed for everyone.

 

[veevoir]

Easy. 55T. Meaning it's not a light mech and not a heavy mech.

Indeed. But the point is - you still don't know what mech. And tonnage did not give any extra information that their activation phase has not given to you already. From what I've seen you can see what phase does the object act sometimes even before it "gets" a shape of vehicle or mech - and it shows tonnage even later, when they are almost in your vision range.

Though there are few mechs which are outliers and you can pinpoint them thanks to tonnage + phase information (like locust or Cicada) .

However, even currently we are able to determine the size of the object through 2018 detection equipment, I'd say sensors in 3025 should not have a problem with determining rough tonnage.

 

[LemurFromTheId]

Indeed. But the point is - you still don't know what mech. And tonnage did not give any extra information that their activation phase has not given to you already. From what I've seen you can see what phase does the object act sometimes even before it "gets" a shape of vehicle or mech - and it shows tonnage even later, when they are almost in your vision range.

Though there are few mechs which are outliers and you can pinpoint them thanks to tonnage + phase information (like locust or Cicada) .

However, even currently we are able to determine the size of the object through 2018 detection equipment, I'd say sensors in 3025 should not have a problem with determining rough tonnage.

Ehh...

20t - Locust
25t - Commando
30t - Spider, Urbie
35t - Firestarter, Jenner, Panther
40t - Cicada
45t - Blackjack, Vindicator
50t - Centurion, Enforcer, Hunchback, Trebuchet
...and so on.

Seems pretty specific to me.

Besides, sometimes it's just as important to know which mech you are not facing as it is to know the exact model. For example, a 30t mech is never a Firestarter, and out of LOS you're likely to be safe from 45t mechs, whereas a 50t might have some nasty surprises for you.

 

[Holy.Death]

Indeed. But the point is - you still don't know what mech.

That is your point, not mine. All I really need to know is the tonnage and its position on the battlefield, because it gives me more than enough information to not be surprised by whatever the exact model it may be. And that's my point: without knowing the exact tonnage game would be more interesting by having more possibilities. Yes, tonnage shows at a certain range, but mechs have to meet anyway and sensor range is already very large, meaning there is little to no room for surprise attacks.

And tonnage did not give any extra information that their activation phase has not given to you already.

The exact phase queque could be hidden until a mech enters the line of sight of one of your own mechs.

However, even currently we are able to determine the size of the object through 2018 detection equipment, I'd say sensors in 3025 should not have a problem with determining rough tonnage.

I am not questioning the possibility of having such technology or lore as much as I am questioning the impact it has on gameplay.

 

[Bodha]

Ehh...

20t - Locust
25t - Commando
30t - Spider, Urbie
35t - Firestarter, Jenner, Panther
40t - Cicada
45t - Blackjack, Vindicator
50t - Centurion, Enforcer, Hunchback, Trebuchet
...and so on.

Seems pretty specific to me.

Besides, sometimes it's just as important to know which mech you are not facing as it is to know the exact model. For example, a 30t mech is never a Firestarter, and out of LOS you're likely to be safe from 45t mechs, whereas a 50t might have some nasty surprises for you.

I just find it funny you stopped the list before 55t.

55t. Shadow hawk, griffin, wolverine, kintaro. All good mechs, but at range the griffin can snipe you and if just around the corner that kintaro would be a nasty surprise.

Also 50t the trebuchet would be a nasty thing to have sitting well back peppering you with lrms, but if its still closing, but not shooting you have to start wondering is that an ac20 hunchback coming for me.

 

[LemurFromTheId]

I just find it funny you stopped the list before 55t.

55t. Shadow hawk, griffin, wolverine, kintaro. All good mechs, but at range the griffin can snipe you and if just around the corner that kintaro would be a nasty surprise.

Also 50t the trebuchet would be a nasty thing to have sitting well back peppering you with lrms, but if its still closing, but not shooting you have to start wondering is that an ac20 hunchback coming for me.

So what is it exactly that you're trying to say? I think it's great there's a step between knowing the class and knowing the model, as it can provide valuable tactical information the class designation alone can't. Are actually trying to dispute that?

Besides, there are other sources of information besides the sensors, and you can combine that with tonnage. Perhaps you've observed the mech's movement or it has fired at you from beyond LOS - or maybe you just know your friend likes to use Awesomes and Atlases before any other assault mechs and you'd like to be able to tell the difference.