293 replies to this topic

[Lightangel112]

The guide is pretty much completed now. I have just transferred over the new sections onto the steam version, so that is now up to date. The only things that will be later added or changed are video's and any changes made to Predator by the Developers.

Edited by Lightangel112, May 15 2014 - 10:33 AM.

[Skitzo1d]

This is probably a stupid question, noob to preds. But when your in stealth mode and you fire a shot but you arent getting fired at or hit, are you still in stealth mode as in enemies cant see you but just not in heat vision mode_ Like you fire a shot you have 2 seconds to renter stealth/heat mode _  Just wondering if you fire a shot can enemies see you right away_

Also if in stealth mode and you fire a shot can you be seen on the radar_

I know this is probably basic and should be self explanatory but idk just feels like it should be in some guide somewhere about the pred but I havent been able to find a clear point definition yet as to exactly how it works.

Edited by Skitzo1d, May 15 2014 - 11:34 AM.

[Hijinks_The_Turtle]

If you fire, it'll kick you out of stealth mode.  Firing still shows up on radar, it should be noted that using items like det, repair charge, etc. will also kick you out of stealth and show on radar.

[Skitzo1d]

so whats the difference witht he 2 sec duration vs the 15 sec_ just if you dont get hit you can go back into stealth faster this way_

[Lightangel112]

Quote

This is probably a stupid question, noob to preds.

But when your in stealth mode and you fire a shot but you arent getting fired at or hit, are you still in stealth mode as in enemies cant see you but just not in heat vision mode_

Like you fire a shot you have 2 seconds to renter stealth/heat mode_ How it works is, your stealth is permanent, till you boost, fire a round or use an item or eventually get hit by something, even fall damage can knock you out of stealth, this is can be called Soft Cooldown. In the case that your in stealth and you fire or side dodge or boost, you will re-cloak after 2 seconds. Any of the other things mentioned, would put you on Hard Cooldown.

Just wondering if you fire a shot can enemies see you right away_ No they cannot see you right away, depends where and how your facing the enemy. If you fire from behind them, they will not see you. The trick is to fire rounds when soft cooldown is over and you are re cloaked again to fire again. This makes things hard for the enemy. If you are not using cover, they will see you pretty easily when you fire and are in soft cool-down, as you are not in stealth.

Also if in stealth mode and you fire a shot can you be seen on the radar_ Yes, because the fundamentals of radar apply to every mech whether in stealth or not. Boosting, firing and side dodging still apply to the Predator even in stealth.

I know this is probably basic and should be self explanatory but idk just feels like it should be in some guide somewhere about the pred but I havent been able to find a clear point definition yet as to exactly how it works. I know that it might seen a bit unclear to you, but with some time spent in Predator, you would of figured it out eventually.

Edited by Lightangel112, May 15 2014 - 02:19 PM.

[Lightangel112]

Skitzo1d, on May 15 2014 - 02:10 PM, said:

so whats the difference with the 2 sec duration vs the 15 sec_ just if you dont get hit you can go back into stealth faster this way_

If you are in stealth, boost a little, you can still go back into stealth, this is the soft cool down (2 seconds). If you get hit or take dmg by any means your stealth resets and goes into hard cool down (15 seconds). It's pretty simple.

I'm not sure if this should be mentioned in the guide though, hm.

Edited by Lightangel112, May 15 2014 - 02:21 PM.

[xeroslash]

Thanks for the guide, guys! I picked up the Predator two days ago after trying it out in Test Drive, and it's a pretty fun mech. I recorded a few videos as well - if they're anything decent I'll do an upload.

[m0bieduck]

This guide could be easily modified into a scout guide. I played with it as a trial mech and as a more aggressive pred. My enemies were cut up like butter. This wouldn't work with better players. If you want to learn pred I suggest learning CRT then raider then scout then pred.

[Lightangel112]

m0bieduck, on May 16 2014 - 09:15 AM, said:

This guide could be easily be modified into a scout guide. I played with it as a trial mech and as a more aggressive Pred. My enemies were cut up like butter. This wouldn't work with better players. If you want to learn Pred I suggest learning CRT then raider then scout then pred.

Yeah it really could be and to be honest with you, I find Predator does have a similar traits to a scout. Just has different weapons to go about the same thing. Both are burst in my eyes, but since Predator is the more slower mech you do have to use more defensive tactics than offensive. Great observation m0bieduck!

Edited by Lightangel112, May 21 2014 - 04:39 AM.

[Meraple]

Lightangel112, on May 21 2014 - 04:38 AM, said:

m0bieduck, on May 16 2014 - 09:15 AM, said:

This guide could be easily be modified into a scout guide. I played with it as a trial mech and as a more aggressive Pred. My enemies were cut up like butter. This wouldn't work with better players. If you want to learn Pred I suggest learning CRT then raider then scout then pred.

Yeah it really could be and to be honest with you, I find Predator does have a similar traits to a scout. Just has different weapons to go about the same thing. Both are burst in my eyes, but since Predator is the more slower mech you do have to use more defensive tactics than offensive. Great observation m0bieduck!

I play it very aggressively; I just like to get into people's faces.
I basicly play it like a FLAK Scout with cloaking abilites.

It works with better players as well.

[xeroslash]

So I made it to rank 5 on my Predator, and I can safely say that the only real con to this mech is that it demands a lot out of you as a pilot. Little mistakes that you could get away with on other mechs will most likely get you killed as a Predator. That said, it's a pretty satisfying mech, and the Breacher is probably the primary I like the most in Hawken.

I capped a few videos and will be processing them in the next few days. For reference, my MMR is in the 2100-2200 range, although I still feel like a 1850 player on many occasions. I guess it'll get better as I play with it more.

[mmm_yep]

The Stealth section and Side Boosting section both mention the walking speed with stealth but have different numbers.

Excellent work here though, very comprehensive!

[Lightangel112]

mmm_yep, on May 29 2014 - 09:23 AM, said:

The Stealth section and Side Boosting section both mention the walking speed with stealth but have different numbers.

Excellent work here though, very comprehensive!

Great, thank you for spotting that, I changed it now. About the only mistake I've made lol.

[P3ntatonix3d]

I just noticed mines cant be remotely detonated when boosting or boost-hover while others like Grenade Launcher and TOW can remote detonate while boosting. Any opinions_

[Meraple]

P3ntatonix3d, on May 30 2014 - 08:16 AM, said:

I just noticed mines cant be remotely detonated when boosting or boost-hover while others like Grenade Launcher and TOW can remote detonate while boosting. Any opinions_

I couldn't care less TBH.
I don't see why people even bother whining about this either.

Boosting away_
Have fun dying.

[Lightangel112]

P3ntatonix3d, on May 30 2014 - 08:16 AM, said:

I just noticed mines cant be remotely detonated when boosting or boost-hover while others like Grenade Launcher and TOW can remote detonate while boosting. Any opinions_

Can't detonate when boosting is simple, it takes you out of stealth. Why bother_ I have no opinions on this.

[xeroslash]

So far I managed to upload 2 videos. I have a few more clips, but I'm trying to get full match footage whenever I can. Only issue at the moment is that my piloting isn't very consistent, but that's okay - it just tells me that it's me that needs to work on my game, and not the fault of the mech itself.

Going over the guide every now and then helps as well!

[Meraple]

xeroslash, on June 01 2014 - 11:11 AM, said:

Only issue at the moment is that my piloting isn't very consistent, but that's okay - it just tells me that it's me that needs to work on my game, and not the fault of the mech itself.

Even if you were piloting the mech badly 24/7 it'd be your fault.




You totally didn't get carried by your teammate in the first video, congratz on winning that one.
/sarcasm

Things you could work and improve on in the first video:
-Dodging in general
-Shield dances
-Not pressing C even while you were damaged, without a healing Internal
-Puck placement and firing rate
-Using Stalker Vision more in corner play

Your slug Breacher aim is nice though.


Also, me and Light can't help you in matches, seeing as you play on the US servers.
With that said, goodluck becoming a good Predator.
If you need anything, ask away.

Edited by Meraple, June 01 2014 - 12:19 PM.

[Lightangel112]

Hi XeroSlash. I mainly play on US E and EUROPE servers. Just those two, I'll add you ingame.

From what I could see your aim with the breacher is really good, especially when charged. However you're not firing the puck first with the slug shots, it's a simple mental thing to accomplish so you can do 160 dmg in bursts, to do this successfully you need to aim lower than center and aim from a height or in the air. It's one of the main reasons why I can overheat after just 1 battle.

You need to learn to dodge better, your AC dodging seems good plus aim in the air (aiming down etc). When you use a shield you use it at the worst times giving away your position, and it make you play very defensively or even passively. I hardly see you bait your targets in and sometimes neither do you go for better positioning when your in a pinch or even think to escape_ You need to aim further out on the pucks like Meraple said. You should repair no matter the damage sustained, even 1 hp more helps.

You should use orbs when in a real (combat) pinch and not to help you repair, unless you are able to do that then np, use it when you are about 150 hp. Also you can't just hit people from range you also have to hit them up close too. I hardly saw you use stealth to try land an alpha strike when you had a few opportunities. I'm pretty good at alpha strikes now.

Edited by Lightangel112, June 01 2014 - 01:45 PM.

[xeroslash]

Meraple, on June 01 2014 - 11:55 AM, said:

Things you could work and improve on in the first video:
-Dodging in general
-Shield dances
-Not pressing C even while you were damaged, without a healing Internal
-Puck placement and firing rate
-Using Stalker Vision more in corner play

...

If you need anything, ask away.

I'll keep those tips in mind, if I run into anything in particular I'll ask. Thanks!

Lightangel112, on June 01 2014 - 01:42 PM, said:

-snip-

Thanks for pointing out my EOC-P deficiency - it's a mental thing for me. It does seem to make more sense if I fired the puck first so that I don't feel out of sync with my firing, amongst just general EOC-P things.

Movement and healing are things I'm trying to improve gradually in general, not just for Predator but for other mechs as well. As you mentioned I play fairly conservatively, I'll try to remember to be more aggressive when the situation calls for it. Thanks again guys!