21 replies to this topic

[GreyFa1con]

-

Edited by GreyFa1con, 10 November 2015 - 03:04 AM.

[GreyFa1con]

-

Edited by GreyFa1con, 10 November 2015 - 03:03 AM.

[GreyFa1con]

A work in progress

Link to the guide:   http://tinyurl.com/hawkenquickstart

__________________________

 

 

 

Hey there new player, welcome to Hawken.

The only Free, Skill-based, Mech Shooter on the market.

 

Let's get you started:

• Get the Game 
• Register an Account 
• Go here, and put in therse two codes:
  NEWRECRUIT, LOADEDASSAULT
  Gets you an extra mech, 5000 Hawken credits (HC), and 2x XP/HC booster for 3 days.
• Go here, put in any name and city for 1000 Hawken credits (HC)
• Launch Hawken
• Click on the Training Tab, and do that
• Go to Settings Tab
  - Set Spacebar as Boost
  - Set Shift as Hover
  - Set R as Use Ability  (Or one of your side mouse keys if you have a fancy mouse)
  - Switch the radar to the top left
  - Disable mouse smoothing
  - Disable double-tap to boost
  - Lower/Raise your graphics settings as needed
• Go to Garage, Click on your Assault Mech,
  - Double click where it says ASSAULT, and rename it with a silly name.
  - Go the Assault's Items, and equip a 1x Shield, and 3x Repair Charge
  - The internals are fine enough now.
• Hit the orange Play button
  - Go to the top tabs where it says Co-Op
  - Choose Co-Op Team Death Match
  - Play this a bunch until you're ready for the real thing.
  - (Play this daily for a quick 250 HC)

Tactics:

Radar:===============

• Radar plays a big part of this game.  So be sneaky.
• Walk, don't shoot, and don't be seen if you don't want to show up on enemy radar.
• After you show up on enemy radar, you're still on there for a half second.
• (Also of an enemy is above you they will have a ^ above their radar blip,
  and if they are below they will have a v below their radar blip)

Boosting==============

• Space+W to boost forward
• Space+W+D to boost at a 45 degree angle
• Space+W then a half second press Shift,
  to Hover a tiny bit after a forward boost to carry momentum
• (Never use Space+S, it's the devil.)

Dodging==============

• Space+D to side to do a sideboost Dodge.
• You can still shoot while Dodging (!!!!)
• And Dodging costs almost no fuel.
• Dodge a lot during combat.
• But generally try to save your dodges to get to cover, or to dodge rockets.
• (Note: Light Mechs have faster boost recovery speed)

Combined Boost and Dodge=====
 

This is where the magic happens.

Zigzag:
When running away is to mix up,
Space+W, release, Space+D, release, Space+A.
(Unpredictable, and very fuel efficient)
 

Three Point Turn:
Space+S is the devil. Never use it.
Instead, do Space+D, turn hard to the left, then Space+W+A, then Space+A

Hard Left Turn:
Space+W, rotate 90° to the left, Space+D, Space+W

More advanced stuff over here:

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AyzNifXSFA

 

 

Heat Management ======
This game doesn't have reloading. Instead, it has heat.  
To the sides of your crosshairs you'll have a red heat meter fill up.

If it goes all the way to the top, you can't shoot for 3-5 seconds. (BAD)

If you're using an Assault.  Just click your ability key, and it will eliminate all your heat.

Or wait 3 seconds.  Whichever is safest for the fight you're in.

 

 

Machine Guns==========

SubMachineCannon (SMC),
Left Click, Your default gun. This is the most reliable and easy to use gun in the game.
Offers good damage at close range and medium range. Easy to aim. Low heat generation.

Point-D Vulcan (Vulcan)
Takes a half second to start firing, double the heat generation, and kinda worthless outside close range.
But spits out about 30% more damage at close range. It's basically an automatic shotgun that can shred Mechs.

Assault Rifle (AR)
For medium range and further, this gun gets the best damage, and good accuracy (aside from dedicated sniping weapons).
You see this used a lot by high level players. Sizable heat generation though.

 

TOW Rockets==========
Just Right Click to unleash the heavy firepower meat and potatoes of the game.  

On a direct hit, this weapon eats up about 1/4th of an Assault Mechs armor, and about 1/2 the armor on a light mech.
If you miss a direct hit, you can still Right Click again to manually detonate the rocket midair
for half damage with a sizable explosion radius. (Do this, unless you're pretty sure it's a direct hit)

 

 

Healing=============

You can self-repair in two ways in Hawken

Either hold down the C key, to initiate a self repair sequence.

Or drop a repair charge by pressing  (I forget what the item key is)

It's a powerful tactic to use healing orbs while in combat, or just outside of combat

(Be warned, repair charges show up on radar, so they can give away your position)

If you're not in huge danger, try repairing at the corner of a wall, so you can see 270 degrees around.

 

Shields=============

I like these, they are pretty useful, it's like tossing up a wall.

 

Internals==============

I suggest going to this website, and finding your own username.

i.e. http://hawken.heroku...user/GreyFa1con

Then click on the server your in, and study the internals of good players.

 

EMP================

Knocks out Shields and other devices

Also kills your ability to shoot for 3 seconds.

Very powerful, but hard to aim

Direct hit is an instant EMP

Otherwise it takes a few seconds to explode.

 

Mech Choice===========

Generally avoid heavy mechs until you get some map knowledge.

Poor positioning is really punishing in for those mechs.

Avoid predator because it's the hardest mech in the game.

And unless you are amazing at sniping, Sharpshooter and Reaper are going to be hard.

That leaves

Assault, Berzerker, Technician, Scout, Infiltrator, Bruiser, Raider

Choose one of those, but always default to Assault when things get tough.

 

 

Extra stuff I'll fix this later:

Spoiler

EMPs

Enemy spotted, Need Support

HoloTaunt

Taunt

Switching primaries midround
Limited Garage time after a round

Mouse 4, 5, ctrl
Mouse 3
F
Q
E
C
R

HerokuApp
KhangsMechs
Teamspeak
Wednesday events
If you see a hacker, do this
Forums
CapnJosh interviews

Buying Mechs
Berzerker, Technician, Bruiser, and maybe Scout

I'd avoid Heavy Mechs entirely for now. But if you have to, get a Vanguard and never use the guard mode abilities.... Because they almost always is isn't worth the massive mobility loss.

Don't get Predator, SharpShooter, or Reaper... Unless you've mastered at least one other Mech. Losing teams are full of these classes usually.
Better to use a Technician with the RPR gun for sniping, or an Infiltrator with a Fuel Converter for extended invisibility stuff

Basic description of each Mech
Difficulty level
Class 1

Card game
Comic
TShirt
Live action videos
Hype videos
Soldier Hobbes
WolfyFTW

STRESSTESTXP

HawkLauncher

Get MC with Steam
Get MC without Steam
Start game without Steam

Use HerokuApp to study Mech builds

Gamer etiquette:
Don't block a low health teammate from running away
Better yet, give some covering fire. Might even score a kill out of it.
If you got a bunch of spare repair charges/shields, and you're in a semi-dangerous area where a teammate is repairing, toss one on them. Greatly appreciated
Gg at the end of the round.


TDM rules:

Avoiding Hellfires:

 

 

 

 

Once you got the game installed, go to your My Documents > My Games > Hawken > Config

Find the part where it says this and delete it, then save
(Or trust me, and run this program to do it instead)

 (Or watch this video)

 

Go to the icon to the right of you're Send Message button, choose Add Friend
Add Scrimbot
Send a message to Scrimbot, and type MMR
(This is your match maker rank, out of 1250-3000, it will be at least a month before you can get above 2000 MMR)

 

 

Angle Juke:
Space+W+D, release, then Space+A.
Rapidly moves you forward at 45°, then back the same way you came from.

Great for corners.

 

Edited by GreyFa1con, 28 November 2015 - 12:16 AM.

[asipo]

should you at least finish it first before post 

[GreyFa1con]

should you at least finish it first before post 

I agree, but had 4 new players ingame. Figured something was better than nothing.

I'll fix it, just gimme a bit.

[Hyginos]

Not sure specific key bindings need to be in a quick start guide.

 

Either way it would be silly not to note a fairly exhaustive compendium, even if only for reference.

 

 

EDIT:

Don't get Predator, SharpShooter, or Reaper... Unless you've mastered at least one other Mech. Losing teams are full of these classes usually.

Better to use a Technician with the RPR gun for sniping, or an Infiltrator with a Fuel Converter for extended invisibility stuff

 

I'm going to assume the later part is a facetious statement to contrast the former, and that you are not legitimately recommending tech and infil as sabot replacements.

Edited by Hyginos, 10 November 2015 - 12:37 PM.

[CraftyDus]

Newer player makes guide for newer players. 

How move forward and up at the same time and "right click for tow rocket". 

Thank You For Sharing!

[Silverfire]

did you mix up space (default hover) and shift (default boost) because you have it the other way around, and it's confusing.  Even for me.

 

 

and why recommend alternate keybinds like that? Every gamer needs to figure that out for themselves, and I find that it's counter intuitive when nearly every shooter out there has space for the jump and shift for a dash.   So I would say don't recommend those keybinds, or keybinds in general.

Edited by Silverfire, 10 November 2015 - 12:29 PM.

[Silverfire]

A work in progress

Link to the guide:   http://tinyurl.com/hawkenquickstart

__________________________

 

 

 

Hey there new player, welcome to Hawken.

The only Free, Skill-based, Mech Shooter on the market.

 

Let's get you started:

• Get the Game 
• Register an Account 
• Go here, and put in therse two codes:
  NEWRECRUIT, LOADEDASSAULT
  Gets you an extra mech, 5000 Hawken credits (HC), and 2x XP/HC booster for 3 days.
• Go here, put in any name and city for 1000 Hawken credits (HC)
• Launch Hawken
• Click on the Training Tab, and do that
• Go to Settings Tab
  - Set Spacebar as Boost
  - Set Shift as Hover
  - Set R as Use Ability  (Or one of your side mouse keys if you have a fancy mouse)
  - Switch the radar to the top left
  - Disable mouse smoothing
  - Disable double-tap to boost

I highly do not recommend rebinding these keys (boost and hover) only because Space for a hover/jump and Shift for boost is practically in all but very very few FPSes.  So like, for anyone coming from another FPS, this makes no sense.  

• - Lower/Raise your graphics settings as needed
• Go to Garage, Click on your Assault Mech,
  - Double click where it says ASSAULT, and rename it with a silly name.
  - Go the Assault's Items, and equip a 1x Shield, and 3x Repair Charge
  - The internals are fine enough now.
• Hit the orange Play button
  - Go to the top tabs where it says Co-Op
  - Choose Co-Op Team Death Match
  - Play this a bunch until you're ready for the real thing.
  - (Play this daily for a quick 250 HC)

Tactics:

Radar:===============

• Radar plays a big part of this game.  So be sneaky.
• Walk, don't shoot, and don't be seen if you don't want to show up on enemy radar.
• After you show up on enemy radar, you're still on there for a half second.
• (Also of an enemy is above you they will have a ^ above their radar blip,
  and if they are below they will have a v below their radar blip)

An easier way to summarize this is (generally speaking):

You want to stay off radar.  Boosting, shooting, hovering, flying all put you on radar.  Try not to so you stay off radar.  Radar is a powerful tool.  Use it wisely.

 

Boosting==============

• Space+W to boost forward
• Space+W+D to boost at a 45 degree angle
• Space+W then a half second press Shift,
  to Hover a tiny bit after a forward boost to carry momentum
• (Never use Space+S, it's the devil.)

Mastering Shift-S is mighty useful.  I use it all the time.  Players need to learn to use it.  Shift-S is a 180 degree quick turn that can help you maneuver in unique ways.  Instead of not using it ever, tell players what it is first of all, and how it can be applied.  It's an underrated mechanic of the game that gets a lot of fuzzy bunny that quite honestly it doesn't deserve. 

 

Dodging==============

• Space+D to side to do a sideboost Dodge.
• You can still shoot while Dodging (!!!!)
• And Dodging costs almost no fuel.  It costs ZERO fuel.
• Dodge a lot during combat. Dodge when you need to, otherwise if you dodge constantly, you become surprisingly easy to predict.
• But generally try to save your dodges to get to cover, or to dodge rockets.
• (Note: Light Mechs have faster boost recovery speed)

Combined Boost and Dodge=====
 

This is where the magic happens.

Zigzag:
When running away is to mix up,
Space+W, release, Space+D, release, Space+A.
(Unpredictable, and very fuel efficient)
 

Three Point Turn:
Space+S is the devil. Never use it. Might be the devil to you but it isn't the devil to many good players.
Instead, do Space+D, turn hard to the left, then Space+W+A, then Space+A

Hard Left Turn:
Space+W, rotate 90° to the left, Space+D, Space+W

More advanced stuff over here:

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AyzNifXSFA

 

Quite honestly, I'd just recommend the videos, they're less confusing than trying to put instructions for complex maneuvers in typespeak.

 

 

Heat Management ======
This game doesn't have reloading. Instead, it has heat.  
To the sides of your crosshairs you'll have a red heat meter fill up.

If it goes all the way to the top, you can't shoot for 3-5 seconds. (BAD)

If you're using an Assault.  Just click your ability key, and it will eliminate all your heat. The question is, why can the Assault do this? It's because of its special ability, Weapons Coolant which eliminates heat.  Wording could be clearer on why this happens.  

Or wait 3 seconds.  Whichever is safest for the fight you're in.

 

 

Machine Guns==========

SubMachineCannon (SMC),
Left Click, Your default gun. This is the most reliable and easy to use gun in the game.
Offers good damage at close range and medium range. Easy to aim. Low heat generation.

Point-D Vulcan (Vulcan)
Takes a half second to start firing, double the heat generation, and kinda worthless outside close range.
But spits out about 30% more damage at close range. It's basically an automatic shotgun that can shred Mechs. Okay, the vulcan isn't a shotgun.  I'm sorry. It's just not.  Better analogy would be a minigun, or something along those lines.  

Assault Rifle (AR)
For medium range and further, this gun gets the best damage, and good accuracy (aside from dedicated sniping weapons).
You see this used a lot by high level players. Sizable heat generation though.

 

TOW Rockets==========
Just Right Click to unleash the heavy firepower meat and potatoes of the game.  

On a direct hit, this weapon eats up about 1/4th of an Assault Mechs armor, and about 1/2 the armor on a light mech. Grab real numbers instead of estimations here: https://docs.google....iIRs-crsEgVY6Y/
If you miss a direct hit, you can still Right Click again to manually detonate the rocket midair
for half damage with a sizable explosion radius. (Do this, unless you're pretty sure it's a direct hit) It's not half damage always.  It depends on the distance between the remotely detonated TOW and the enemy mech because of the explosion radius and the feathering on it.  Be clearer.

 

 

Healing=============

You can self-repair in two ways in Hawken

Either hold down the C key, to initiate a self repair sequence.

Or drop a repair charge by pressing  (I forget what the item key is)

It's a powerful tactic to use healing orbs while in combat, or just outside of combat

(Be warned, repair charges show up on radar, so they can give away your position)

Shields=============

 

 

Extra stuff I'll fix this later:

Spoiler

EMPs

Enemy spotted , Need Support  Q and Z respectively, as default keybinds

HoloTaunt H

Taunt G

Switching primaries midround
Limited Garage time after a round

Mouse 4, 5, ctrl
Mouse 3
F
Q
E
C
R

HerokuApp
KhangsMechs
Teamspeak
Wednesday events
If you see a hacker, do this
Forums
CapnJosh interviews

Buying Mechs
Berzerker, Technician, Bruiser, and maybe Scout

I'd avoid Heavy Mechs entirely for now. But if you have to, get a Vanguard and never use the guard mode abilities.... Because they almost always is isn't worth the massive mobility loss.

Don't get Predator, SharpShooter, or Reaper... Unless you've mastered at least one other Mech. Losing teams are full of these classes usually. Losing teams usually consist of players that can't play together well enough.  Mech composition does not have as great an impact as you might think.  I've had plenty of winning matches with Predator, Sharpshooter, and Reaper.  They're good mechs. Just not a lot of players play them as well.
Better to use a Technician with the RPR gun for sniping, You're kidding right? RPR for sniping? On the Technician? Why not recommend the sniper mechs, like Reaper or Sharpshooter? Mechs that actually, you know, snipe?  or an Infiltrator with a Fuel Converter for extended invisibility stuff  Why fuel converter? As an infiltrator, yes you can sneak around with the cloak and packing fuel converter can be handy, but it's moreso due to the Infiltrator's slow fuel regen time which makes more sense to pack instead of for the ability.  Definitely helps with the ability, but remember, you're an A class.  Why do you want to take more damage while being sneaky? Why would you want more fuel to stay cloaked while your HP just drains and goes away, small as it is? And why are you recommending something you don't even own?

Basic description of each Mech
Difficulty level
Class 1

Card game
Comic
TShirt
Live action videos
Hype videos
Soldier Hobbes
WolfyFTW

STRESSTESTXP

HawkLauncher

Get MC with Steam
Get MC without Steam
Start game without Steam

Use HerokuApp to study Mech builds

Gamer etiquette:
Don't block a low health teammate from running away
Better yet, give some covering fire. Might even score a kill out of it.
If you got a bunch of spare repair charges/shields, and you're in a semi-dangerous area where a teammate is repairing, toss one on them. Greatly appreciated
Gg at the end of the round.


TDM rules:

Avoiding Hellfires:

 

 

 

 

Once you got the game installed, go to your My Documents > My Games > Hawken > Config

Find the part where it says this and delete it, then save
(Or trust me, and run this program to do it instead)

 (Or watch this video)

 

Go to the icon to the right of you're Send Message button, choose Add Friend
Add Scrimbot
Send a message to Scrimbot, and type MMR
(This is your match maker rank, out of 1250-3000, it will be at least a month before you can get above 2000 MMR) It'll take as long as a player takes to get to 2000 MMR.  Many players do not even reach that range and that's nothing to be ashamed of.  Some players take a month, others a week to hit 2k+ MMR.  Others years.  It took me over a year to hit 2000 MMR.  Also, care to explain the reasoning behind knowing a number like your MMR? What it does to matches, how it influences autobalancer, etc.?

 

 

Angle Juke:
Space+W+D, release, then Space+A.
Rapidly moves you forward at 45°, then back the same way you came from.

Great for corners.

 

 

 

comic sans master race

 

Edited by Silverfire, 10 November 2015 - 12:51 PM.

[Epsilon_Knight]

OK so it's a bit non-conventional but I recommend using spacebar and right alt to primary and secondary fire.  Because the spacebar is the biggest button and you'll be firing your weapons more than anything else you do in Hawken.  And then right alt falls into position right next to it, works so well and keeps you from accidentally releasing TOWs.

 

Now the more advanced stuff.  Obviously you need to shift your hand to be able to get to right alt.  How do we avoid that?  Rebind WASD to the arrow keys!  Position your fingers on them as you would WASD.  You'll need a comfortable 5 inch spread between your ring finger and your pinky to operate your weapons -- if this doesn't feel natural at first, just give it time.

 

So what about boost and hover?  Right hand, baby!  Since we need to use the mouse to rotate anyway (unless we want to get a joystick, which I don't recommend, it can really compromise your game), we should do something useful with the minimum two buttons on it!  Rebind left mouse to boost, and right mouse to hover!  Now your mouse is synchronized for movement functions, with your keyboard picking up the additional movement and firing operations.

 

Caveat: Due to key placement, I recommend keeping middle mouse to change mode/det your secondary weapon.  Some things are just good where they were originally, you know?

Edited by Epsilon_Knight, 10 November 2015 - 01:10 PM.

[GreyFa1con]

I find that it's counter intuitive when nearly every shooter out there has space for the jump and shift for a dash.

Notable exception being Titanfall mechs.

Also if you play this game like another basic FPS, people will over use their hover during combat, and underuse their boost/dodge.

We both know that's a death sentence in this game. Because this isn't a standard FPS game.

[Silverfire]

Notable exception being Titanfall mechs.

Also if you play this game like another basic FPS, people will over use their hover during combat, and underuse their boost/dodge.

We both know that's a death sentence in this game. Because this isn't a standard FPS game.

 

Then people need to learn how to utilize it properly, not switch it around to fool them into thinking they're doing it right.  Accidentally boosting instead of accidentally hovering is just as bad, if not worse because you can't fire when you boost.

 

You have to address the core of the problem, which is essentially players not learning and playing the game to its potential, and mastering the ground movement system.  Teach them right, and they won't do that.  Changing a keybind isn't teaching anything.   Not to say hovering isn't a bad thing. Flying with the Berserker is generally a good thing.  

 

Default keybinds work, and they're far more intuitive as players come from other FPSes.  I don't think intentionally confusing them is worth it. Hawken is the first FPS I've played seriously and space = jump and shift = dash is just...intuitive.  It makes sense, even from a previously non-FPS person.  Switching it around may "solve" the issue of too much hovering, but it doesn't help them learn how to move properly, which should alleviate the "spacebar = win" instinct.  Just because this isn't "a standard FPS game" because it has unique movement options doesn't mean the controls shouldn't be standard as well.  If anything, I would venture to say that it helps gets players into the game easier because controls are similar to other games. If this game was a mech sim, I might understand "strange" keybinds, but as an FPS, there are standards (I would think) when it comes to controls. 

Edited by Silverfire, 10 November 2015 - 01:34 PM.

[GreyFa1con]

So keybinding layout, and muscle memory don't matter. Just learn around it. Easy right?

But they totally totally matter. And how dare you think binding it the same way as the most popular other Mech shooter game out there.

Seems like a rather schizophrenic argument.

[Hyginos]

So keybinding layout, and muscle memory don't matter. Just learn around it. Easy right?

But they totally totally matter. And how dare you think binding it the same way as the most popular other Mech shooter game out there.

Seems like a rather schizophrenic argument.

 

Consider reading his post again. Key bindings are always down to preference anyway.

 

How dare he make such an assertions? How dare you make recommendations about mechs you've never played? At least buy an infil and a sharpshooter. Humor me here. Your play time barely scratches what some people have in single mechs and yet you presume to throw their advice to the wind on the basis of, what, experience in tribes? 

[Silverfire]

So keybinding layout, and muscle memory don't matter. Just learn around it. Easy right?

But they totally totally matter. And how dare you think binding it the same way as the most popular other Mech shooter game out there.

Seems like a rather schizophrenic argument.

 

 

Back on topic:

 

Keybinding is totally subjective, so while we can discuss whether or not your keybind is actually productive versus the default ones for an infinite amount of time, it's irrelevant.  Let players figure it out on their own (so I would recommend against a custom keybind like yours because I find it confusing and unintuitive) and find what works for them.  Some players bind the special weapon utility to their left Alt key.  Or a thumb button on their mlg gaming mouse.  Some bind item use to Z and don't bother using the "help me" key.  Would you criticize that?  I just hesitate to recommend an unconventional keybind to a new player because like I said, your boost/hover rebinds are unintuitive to literally 99% of FPS games.

Edited by Silverfire, 10 November 2015 - 01:47 PM.

[GreyFa1con]

Humor me here. Your play time barely scratches what some people have in single mechs and yet you presume to throw their advice to the wind on the basis of, what, experience in tribes?

Actually, probably more to do with 1400 hours in TF2.

Mostly it's an observation that in TF2, a team filled with Spies and Snipers loses.

Granted, at high levels of skill they are ungodly effective.

However in that game, they'd be far more effective if they mastered Soldier or Medic.

As Tom Cadwell, LoL's main balance guy, points out that designing a game to play across various skill levels is tricky.

That said, I'm pretty well aware how Tech with an RPR is very simple, and a great addition to most TDM teams, regardless of skill level.

Infiltrator, you got me there, I have to admit, I'm not that good with the primaries it uses. However, especially with a Fuel Converter. It would have a pretty solid GTFO retreat tactic.

Where as Pred is nearly worthless on a newbie.

[Silverfire]

Actually, probably more to do with 1400 hours in TF2.

Mostly it's an observation that in TF2, a team filled with Spies and Snipers loses.

Granted, at high levels of skill they are ungodly effective.

However in that game, they'd be far more effective if they mastered Soldier or Medic.

As Tom Cadwell, LoL's main balance guy, points out that designing a game to play across various skill levels is tricky.

That said, I'm pretty well aware how Tech with an RPR is very simple, and a great addition to most TDM teams, regardless of skill level.

Infiltrator, you got me there, I have to admit, I'm not that good with the primaries it uses. However, especially with a Fuel Converter. It would have a pretty solid GTFO retreat tactic.

Where as Pred is nearly worthless on a newbie.

 

Work in positives.  Don't say "don't get this" because people will say "well why, there's literally no reasoning behind it, he hasn't provided a drop of reasoning behind it."  Instead, say "try getting this mech after you've played Assault" because people respond to the positivity implied in that message than "don't play this."

 

Also, everyone in the game would be far more effective if they played the Assault.  It's just the best mech pretty much.  However, people don't just play Assault because they long for variety and uniqueness.  If a player wants to play sniper mech, let them. If they want to dabble in stealth mechs like the Infiltrator or the Predator, let them.  People like exploring the different kinds of mechs.  Don't pigeonhole them into a few because you discouraged expanding.  Maybe they don't want to play other mechs. By saying "don't buy this mech like the Sharpshooter or Predator or Reaper" you're sending the wrong message to players.  You're telling them they're not viable, when they are.  Even if you don't mean it like that, it can be perceived as that, which may send away potential players.

 

That said, Tech with any primary is extremely simple.  Just don't recommend it for sniping.  Because 1. the RPR is not a long range sniping weapon 2. the Technician isn't a sniper.  Because a sniping Tech is a goddamn useless Tech.  

 

Please tell me how  your 1400 hours in TF2 makes you an expert in Hawken.

[OdinTheWise]

just another shitpost about telling newbs how to play the game 

 

[Hyginos]

Actually, probably more to do with 1400 hours in TF2.

 

...

However in that game, they'd be far more effective if they mastered Soldier or Medic.

...

 

That said, I'm pretty well aware how Tech with an RPR is very simple, and a great addition to most TDM teams, regardless of skill level.

 

Your post didn't really say much to the point I made, but the statements I've left in the box above I think explain your reasoning behind the technician thing so allow me to address that directly.

 

Playing Medic and Soldier in TF2 teach you important things about the game and are impactful classes at all levels (or at least, I will assume that this is the case since it seems to be your assertion). The problem it appears, is that you have assumed that this implies that assault and technician are solid choices for new players in Hawken as well because they are similar in purpose. This logic led you to the right conclusion in the case of the assault, but it is fallacious nonetheless. 

 

Ultimately the tech teaches bad habits and inflates MMR, so I would recommend new players not buy it until after they have purchased pretty much everything else.

[GreyFa1con]

Please tell me how  your 1400 hours in TF2 makes you an expert in Hawken.

Don't claim to be an expert.

But speaking of TRIBES, I can claim designing/balancing a server mod, use by about 25 clans, with league play, hosted on 40 servers.

Also got about game design 30+ changes implemented into PlanetSide, by bugging the devs often enough. (Probably didn't hurt that I wrote a program that pushed about 30,000 downloads of the game.)

I'd say I know a thing or two about FPS game design.

[Silverfire]

Don't claim to be an expert.

But speaking of TRIBES, I can claim designing/balancing a server mod, use by about 25 clans, with league play, hosted on 40 servers.

Also got about game design 30+ changes implemented into PlanetSide, by bugging the devs often enough. (Probably didn't hurt that I wrote a program that pushed about 30,000 downloads of the game.)

I'd say I know a thing or two about FPS game design.

 

Don't claim to be an expert in Hawken and Hawken mechanics when other players have more time on single mechs than you have in the entire game.  No offense, but many other players have demonstrated mastery of this game and have had so much more time in the game than you.  And yet you come and try to ignore it because you allegedly have had design experience in a completely separate game that plays differently.

 

There have been plenty of "I'm an expert" folk who roll around.  Just because you've done something for one game doesn't mean the same principles apply to the next.  And I certainly hope you haven't ignored the rest of my posts.  A lot of your little guide is useful tidbits for new players, just not all of it.

 

And I certainly don't mean to be condescending.  If I am, I apologize.
 

We should also talk on topic, instead of waving our epeens around.

Edited by Silverfire, 10 November 2015 - 02:34 PM.

[GreyFa1con]

And I certainly don't mean to be condescending.  If I am, I apologize.

Thanks. That said, I probably will remove the keybind change. Mostly because you're probably right that cutting out the unnecessary bits would better suit a Quickstart guide.

I'll probably still leave it in a spoiler tag though, as my personal opinion.