HAWKEN servers are up and our latest minor update is live!
Forgot Password? SUPPORT REDEEM CODE

Jump to content


[Guide] The pitfalls of Hawken.


  • Please log in to reply
11 replies to this topic

#1 h0B0

h0B0

    Non Sequitur Leprechaun

  • Full Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 4,143 posts
  • Location[delete for trolling] --defter

Posted October 10 2013 - 10:28 AM

I am writing this guide from memory, please correct me if some of these have been changed/fixed.

Hi there hakenites, i have once again decided to write a guide to help the less experienced player improve their gaming experience in the hawken universe. This guide will be unique in the sense that it doesn't cover anything specificly relating to the hawken game. Instead i will cover what i call the pitfalls of hawkens. These pitfalls consist mostly of unclear communication, lack of information and misguiding text or mechanics.

Purchasing MC: When purchasing MC it is important to note that you will be taxed on your purchase. Meaning a 25$ code will cost you 25$+tax. These taxes apply to all regions without exception. This can cause issues if you intended to buy a 25$ code with a 25$ prepaid card for example.

Lack of confirmation prompt for MC purchases ingame: There are no prompts to confirm purchases made with MC. This can lead to very unfortunate events if you happen to click in order to gather more information or if you are a clumsy browser. Therefore be wary not to select the wrong type of currency when unlocking something. And be wary of browsing HC and EXP bonuses

Cammos, Items, Internals, Mech parts: Upon achieving pilot level 10 you will unlock global cosmetics. Don't be fooled. All the current cosmetics, items and internals one can unlock with MC are restricted to the mech you have purchased those on. Therefore before making a purchase, make sure you have the proper mech selected and be aware that you are only purchasing it on that specific mech. You will not be able to change it between mechs afterwards.

Counter measures: Frowned upon by the competitive hawkenite for multiple reasons. Its cost alone is enough to set you back considerably in your unlocks required to remain competitive as you are grinding to level 30. The advantages gained by the battery CM vs an EMP MK-I is of half a second and the coolant CM is of no use whilst piloting the CR-T due to its ability which has the same functionality as the CM. As for the radar CM with a bit of experience you will be able to easily ascertain which dots are illusions.

Heatsinks VS cooling units: Heatsinks reduce the amount of heat generated per shot. Cooling unit reduce the time it takes to recover from the overheated status. with the current balancing of these mechanics there is no reason to pick heat sinks over cooling units. Cooling units are in all instances better.

Air dynamics: Whilst this is a very appealing tuning option it has is share of hidden drawbacks. For starters a lot of the verticality of the maps has been removed from the game due to the unfair advantages these hiking spots provide. Therefore whilst some rocks, buildings or other may seem in reach they are most likely blocked by and invisible wall. Floating in combat is also not a favored strategy at top tiers of play. It forces you to invest in an internal to dodge in midair and even then provides less manoeuvrability than staying on land.

Charging the heat cannon: When comparing the heat cannon and other chargeable weapons in hawken one might think that holding the M1 down would give it a noticeable boost to its damage output. Think again, the current stats of this weapon only provide an aditional 5 damage for a full charge. Effectively reducing its dps by nearly half. However charging the weapon greatly increases its AoE explosion allowing you to hit targets hidding behind walls.

Turnrate cap: Hawken is a fast paced mech FPS. One of the mechanics used by the devs to create a feeling of heavyness is a reduced turning ability. The only time the game will clearly demonstrate that it limits your ability to turn is in the first information prompt of the basic training. Therefore if you feel slugishness in your mousemovement it is not negative acceleration but rather an intended turn rate cap.

Free mechs: According to the mech progression tab you can get free mechs simply by leveling another mech. Whilst this is true, those free mechs have the cost in time, exp and HC attached to the leveling process of the former mech. Therefore if you are finding yourself getting annoyed at the leveling of a mech you do not enjoy to obtain a new mech, you might be better off simply buying the new mech, it will not only be cheaper HC wise, but will also save you considerable amount of time and frustration.

Double EXP boost: This is another one of the cute little bunnies that turn into a face eating monster. It is in itself a very apealing bonus one can purchase. However there are ramifications tied to this boost that will end up putting you at a disadvantage and here is why. As you play hawken you will gain pilot levels and mech ranks. As you gain these you increase and power and are segregated in match based on your level. However with the very high cost of mech level, items and internals it is too easy to fall behind in HC and not be able to be on par competitively with people that have managed to keep up with their HC expenses. basically, more exp =/= more HC => leads into disparity of power between you and your opponent.

Turret mode: Don;t let this ability fool you. With proper dodging capabilities, one can avoid just as much damage as is negated by the ability and not suffer any of the inconvenience associated with it.

Cosmetc changes without warning: https://community.pl...ech-camo-change

Hope this helps you alleviate some of the potential frustrations associated with playing hawken.

Edited by h0B0, October 16 2013 - 10:45 AM.

Click me! I dare you.

Posted Image

View Post[HWK]HUGHES, on March 15 2013 - 08:35 PM, said:

Oh don't always listen to h0B0. Lol.


#2 hendman

hendman

    Advanced Member

  • Full Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,901 posts

Posted October 10 2013 - 10:38 AM

View Posth0B0, on October 10 2013 - 10:28 AM, said:

I am writing this guide from memory, please correct me if some of these have been changed/fixed.

Hi there hakenites, i have once again decided to write a guide to help the less experienced player improve their gaming experience in the hawken universe. This guide ill will be unique in the sense that it doesn't cover anything specificly relating to the hawken game. Instead i will cover what i call the pitfalls of hawkens. These pitfalls consist mostly of unclear communication, lack of information and misguiding text or mechanics.

Purchasing MC: When purchasing HC MC it is important to note that you will be taxed on your purchase. Meaning a 25$ code will cost you 25$+tax. These taxes apply to all regions without exception. This can cause issues if you intended to buy a 25$ code with a 25$ prepaid card for example.


Spotted some typos, but a nice read, lets just hope people read it before they waste a lot of time/xp/hc/mc. Maybe they should make a map called pitfalls with giant warning signs about the pitfalls :)

Edited by hendman, October 10 2013 - 10:39 AM.


#3 Preternatural

Preternatural

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,056 posts
  • LocationLurking in the Tunnels of Origin

Posted October 10 2013 - 10:50 AM

Ah, the many pitfalls of Hawken.

That was a good read, hobo. Kudos to you for putting that all together.

View Posth0B0, on October 10 2013 - 10:28 AM, said:

Free mechs: According to the mech progression tab you can get free mechs simply by leveling another mech. Whilst this is true, those free mechs have the cost in time, exp and HC attached to the leveling process of the former mech. Therefore if you are finding yourself getting annoyed at the leveling of a mech you do not enjoy to obtain a new mech, you might WILL be better off simply buying the new mech, it ill not only be cheaper HC wise, but ill also save you considerable amount of time and frustration.
TANSTAAFL. This basic rule of economics is still valid in a video game.

Nothing is really free, guys. Those mechs are no exception. As a matter of fact, it is worth your HC to go ahead and buy the mech instead of leveling up other mechs.

Edited by Mr_UnKNoWn, October 10 2013 - 10:57 AM.

Posted Image

#4 M4st0d0n

M4st0d0n

    Advanced Member

  • Full Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 770 posts
  • LocationBelgium

Posted October 10 2013 - 11:03 AM

Instant like.

#5 ThirdEyE

ThirdEyE

    Moderator 007

  • Full Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 607 posts
  • LocationSeattle

Posted October 10 2013 - 11:52 AM

View Posth0B0, on October 10 2013 - 10:28 AM, said:

Heatsinks VS cooling units: Heatsinks reduce the amount of heat generated per shot. Cooling unit reduce the time it takes to recover from the overheated status. with the current balancing of these mechanics there is no reason to pick heat sinks over cooling units. Cooling units are in all instances better.

I might be the odd one for preferring Heatsinks over Cooling Units for Brawler.  CU might give you more uptime statistically on paper, but assuming you aren't constantly firing all weapons until you overheat, Heatsinks can usually extend my uptime per engagement enough to come out on top.  5 seconds of overheating still seems far too long of downtime to make CU worth it on Brawler.
Posted Image

Offering coaching on all mechs, maps, and gametypes, PM if interested.


Violent Resolution - http://vr-gaming.org/

Hawken IRC - #hawkenscrim


#6 FuryMonster

FuryMonster

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 746 posts
  • LocationToronto

Posted October 10 2013 - 02:16 PM

If your not being tech healed , Heat sinks is the more reliable option for the brawler since the Armor fuser nerf they're not able to fight for ever
Want to watch high tier scrims, clan and league matches? Check out my YouTube! --->https://www.youtube....low=grid&view=0

#7 h0B0

h0B0

    Non Sequitur Leprechaun

  • Full Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 4,143 posts
  • Location[delete for trolling] --defter

Posted October 10 2013 - 03:21 PM

@hendman: thanks fixed.

Furrymonster and third eye are right. Heat sinks can be in some cases like the brawler more advantageaous.

Adding an EXP boost section.

Click me! I dare you.

Posted Image

View Post[HWK]HUGHES, on March 15 2013 - 08:35 PM, said:

Oh don't always listen to h0B0. Lol.


#8 Exeon

Exeon

    Advanced Member

  • Full Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,009 posts
  • Locationnear the north pole

Posted October 10 2013 - 11:07 PM

View Posth0B0, on October 10 2013 - 10:28 AM, said:

Free mechs: According to the mech progression tab you can get free mechs simply by leveling another mech. Whilst this is true, those free mechs have the cost in time, exp and HC attached to the leveling process of the former mech. Therefore if you are finding yourself getting annoyed at the leveling of a mech you do not enjoy to obtain a new mech, you might be better off simply buying the new mech, it ill not only be cheaper HC wise, but ill also save you considerable amount of time and frustration.

I would like ot point out that if you do plan on unlocking all mechs eventually following HAWKEN's yellowbrick road of unlocks is FAR FAR FAR more cost effecient than not doing so. You save over 80k hawken credits not paying for mechs which can go towards upgrades/items/internals.

View PostDew, on April 04 2014 - 01:15 PM, said:

There's a difference between making the hoop 14 feet high and telling all the players that you have to wait for half a second after running before you can shoot the ball.


#9 Grizzled

Grizzled

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 383 posts
  • LocationAlaska

Posted October 11 2013 - 08:04 AM

Thanks, knew most of this but every little bit is accumulative.
Iligetimi carborundum est

#10 h0B0

h0B0

    Non Sequitur Leprechaun

  • Full Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 4,143 posts
  • Location[delete for trolling] --defter

Posted October 11 2013 - 01:07 PM

View PostExeon, on October 10 2013 - 11:07 PM, said:

View Posth0B0, on October 10 2013 - 10:28 AM, said:

Free mechs: According to the mech progression tab you can get free mechs simply by leveling another mech. Whilst this is true, those free mechs have the cost in time, exp and HC attached to the leveling process of the former mech. Therefore if you are finding yourself getting annoyed at the leveling of a mech you do not enjoy to obtain a new mech, you might be better off simply buying the new mech, it will not only be cheaper HC wise, but will also save you considerable amount of time and frustration.

I would like ot point out that if you do plan on unlocking all mechs eventually following HAWKEN's yellowbrick road of unlocks is FAR FAR FAR more cost effecient than not doing so. You save over 80k hawken credits not paying for mechs which can go towards upgrades/items/internals.
You are correct sir. However unlocking all mechs and leveling all mechs are two seperate things. and i feel my initial statement covers both alternatives.
Thank you tho, rereading myself allowed me to stop 2 typos and fix them.

Furthermore HWK stated that they intend to eventually build a system to get refunds on mech we have doubles of, so if you do find yourself with 2 of the same mech you will in the not so distant future be able to get a refund on those mechs.

Click me! I dare you.

Posted Image

View Post[HWK]HUGHES, on March 15 2013 - 08:35 PM, said:

Oh don't always listen to h0B0. Lol.


#11 ReachH

ReachH

    Advanced Member

  • Full Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,459 posts
  • LocationUK

Posted October 11 2013 - 02:30 PM

1) unlocking/buying/spending any amount of time on a bruiser.
2) spending money on items and internals that don't fit a coordinated build.
3) Relying on EMPs or countermeasures, or any such crutches. Floating into battle for a good EMP does not transition into advanced gameplay once you start doing well in the starter servers.

View Post[HWK]HUGHES, on October 23 2013 - 06:01 PM, said:

Development happens.


Posted Image


#12 h0B0

h0B0

    Non Sequitur Leprechaun

  • Full Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 4,143 posts
  • Location[delete for trolling] --defter

Posted October 16 2013 - 10:46 AM

Added a turret mode section.

And this was also brought to my attention, thanks Komodo. https://community.pl...ech-camo-change

Click me! I dare you.

Posted Image

View Post[HWK]HUGHES, on March 15 2013 - 08:35 PM, said:

Oh don't always listen to h0B0. Lol.





1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users