The ability to blind target unidentified mechs and vehicles

[psedodragon]

adding the ability to blind target unidentified mechs and vehicles would help differentiate long range weapons from short range weapons better.
blind shooting sensor ghosts with unknown results could add a new dimension to the game.
I would make it so that direct fire weapons without line of effect would automatically miss, targeting hit locations and breaching shot would be unavailable, there would be penalty to hit, and the results (hit, miss, reduced damage) would be unknown until you got closer.

 

[mjbroekman]

I love the idea.

I think the base to-hit for a non-visual target should be 10% for direct fire and 5% for indirect but, yes, if line-of-effect is interrupted (obstructed) in any way you auto-miss with direct-fire weapons. So, across a lake? Sure, direct fire _might_ hit. Across the flat plains? maybe. Hills? Umm...doubtful.

 

[unclecid]

that would negate sensor lock wouldnt it?

 

[psedodragon]

that would negate sensor lock wouldnt it?

you wouldn't need it anymore but it would still be useful. I think that is a good thing.

 

[mjbroekman]

that would negate sensor lock wouldnt it?

you wouldn't need it anymore but it would still be useful. I think that is a good thing.

Sensor Lock would definitely still have a place and would still be enormously useful.

Currently, Sensor Lock:
- Removes 2 evasion chevrons
- Grants Line of Sight

So it would negate the blind shot penalties. The point of 'blind shot' would be (to quote one of the mechwarriors in the game): "Accuracy through volume of fire"

You probably won't hit with all of your weapons, but you might hit with some.

 

[Sasuga]

I would say the chance of hitting with LRMs raining down indirectly would be better than the chance of hitting with a direct fire weapon like a laser, but then again you only get one chance to hit with a laser. If it were 'real life' (which the game is not) I would sweep the area with the laser, which would do very little damage if any, so... :-/