The Bushwacker has arrived, and is now en-route to the MechBays of eligible MechWarriors. The Bushwacker is a classic 55 ton Inner Sphere Medium with a distinctive history, and we're really excited to see its presence and impact on the battlefields of the Inner Sphere.
With development currently focused toward the release of the new Skill Tree, the Incursion Game Mode, and additional Faction Play improvements, January is a relatively light month in terms of patch content. Of particular note are a number of gameplay and balance changes, including a change to Clan XL Cooling Efficiency and Quirk adjustments for 13 'Mech chassis, a total of 105 'Mech-related fixes and improvements, and an array of other fixes and items.
A brand new launcher and patcher system for the standalone MechWarrior Online client is releasing as part of this patch, to replace the existing launcher and patcher. The primary goal of this launcher is to provide a central method for accessing different builds of MechWarrior Online; specifically the standard MWO client and the MWO Public Test client. The new launcher also brings with it greater stability and performance when installing or updating the client, and provides a more streamlined ‘launchpad’ for accessing MechWarrior Online standalone clients.
Full details and download link for this new launcher will be provided this Monday, prior to the patch on Tuesday.
If you'd like a look at what's coming for MechWarrior Online in the coming months, head over to the Roadmap for January, February, and Beyond. In addition to the marquee items outlined there, 2017 is shaping up to include more waves of quality-of-life improvements and refinements, along with additional features and items currently in the planning and design phase; so stay tuned.
In the meantime, read on for all the details of our January patch, and we'll see you on the battlefield!
The Marauder IIC has arrived, and is now en-route to the MechBays of eligible MechWarriors. This 85-ton Clan Assault 'Mech, a full 10-tons heavier than its Inner Sphere predecessor, is likely to be a devastating presence on the battlefields of the Inner Sphere.
Our next major update to Faction Play releases in this patch, with significant changes to Factional warfare mechanics, a refocusing of the Faction Play interface, the introduction of a new Tug Of War system for active battles, the replacement of Long Tom Artillery with a Radar Jammer Planetary Upgrade, the integration of Quick Play modes into Faction Play, new support for special Faction Play events, and more.
We've chosen to call this update Faction Play Phase 4.1, both to signal the start of a new development phase and to stress that this is only the first of future updates and improvements planned for Faction Play as we renew its focus in 2017.
Escort, an all-new asymmetric Game Mode for MechWarrior Online, arrives in this patch. Teams are split between Attackers and Defenders, each with their own victory condition. Defenders must ensure the AI-controlled Atlas 'Mech reaches the Extraction Zone in time for evacuation; the Attackers must do everything in their power to destroy that Atlas and prevent its escape. While the Attackers must also contend with destructible Defense Turrets, enemy Support Towers can be captured to aid the attack with additional ECM and/or Radar support.
The work required to implement reliable mobility for the AI-controlled Atlas 'Mech at the center of the new Escort Game Mode necessitated a re-evaluation of 'Mech collision code as a whole. As a result of this work, 'Mech-on-'Mech collisions will now operate much more smoothly, causing less 'rubber-banding' and warping. These improvements should have a great effect on the feel of close-quarters combat.
The 'grey-boxed' 1v1 Private Lobby map introduced in a previous patch this year has undergone a comprehensive art pass for this December patch. The result is Steiner Coliseum, a Solaris-themed Private Lobby map focused toward competitive 1v1 matches. We had a few 1v1 machines running at Mech_Con 2016 for attendees to check out Steiner Coliseum, and based on that response, we think you're going to like this one.
A number of Weapon and Equipment changes are releasing in this patch, including Quirk adjustments for 14 'Mechs (12 IS, 2 Clan), Heat Capacity and Engine Dissipation improvements for both Clan and Inner Sphere Double Heat sinks, along with a few ballistic and missile weaponry tweaks, including improvements to the Damage and Spread of both Clan and Inner Sphere Machine Guns.
Rounding out the patch we have another release of Faction Decals, two seasonal Cockpit Items, and a new set of 'Mech Pattern Retrofits, including full Pattern Support for all Clan Wave 1 and Wave Invasion variant 'Mechs.
It should be highlighted that with the bulk of work in this patch dedicated toward Faction Play Phase 4.1 and the new Escort Game Mode, this patch does not feature the usual set of Map, 'Mech, and General fixes seen in all other patches this year.
Before we proceed to the Patch Notes, all of us here at Piranha Games would like to thank all of you for a stellar 2016, and for continuing to take to the battlefields of the Inner Sphere as a MechWarrior. We are extremely excited for the continued development of MechWarrior Online in 2017, and we hope you are as well. If you haven't done so already, go check out our December Roadmap...And Beyond post for a 2016 retrospective and a look ahead to what's coming in 2017.
Read on for all the details, and we'll see you on the battlefield in the new year!
The Linebacker has arrived, and is now en-route to the MechBays of eligible MechWarriors. At a top speed of 97.2 KPH the Linebacker outpaces all other Clan Heavies currently fielded by the Clan forces in MWO, and is even capable of keeping pace against lighter Clan 'Mechs such as the Stormcrow. Decently armored and boasting two high-mounted hardpoints, the Linebacker is likewise capable of utilizing a decent variety of potential Loadouts.
Since the release of Clan Wave 1, Hero variants for each of those Wave 1 Clan 'Mechs have been a common request, and we hope you'll enjoy the eight brand new Clan Hero 'Mechs being released in this patch. These Hero 'Mechs were designed with a focus toward offering new Loadout options for these classic Clan OmniMechs, and we expect them to be a formidable addition to the Clan arsenal. We look forward to see what you can do with them!
An array of Weapon and Equipment balance changes are arriving in this patch, brought over from or informed by the various Energy Draw PTS sessions. These Patch Notes include a rundown on all of these changes, with design notes where necessary. Energy Draw itself is currently on-hold however, and may be re-approached in the new year.
This patch also includes Quirk adjustments for a total of two Inner Sphere 'Mechs and ten Clan 'Mechs.
This patch features the release of 99 new decals, comprised of another set of the usual lore-related Decals, but additionally includes a few new Symbol, Signage, and Word Decals. We're also going a step further in this patch with the release of much-requested alphanumeric Decals (a-z, 0-9). Support hasn't seen a significant impact on in-game moderation since the release of Decals, and we're hoping the introduction of numbers and letters will allow for more personalized customization of 'Mechs, with a (hopefully) minimal amount of abuse.
It's worth pointing out that Support can audit player Decal placements, and will take action as needed for things that cross the line.
In this patch all variants of the Banshee, Kintaro, Locust, Orion, and Shadow Hawk 'Mechs now have full Pattern support. The Art team continue to work on Pattern retrofits, so keep an eye out for more retrofits in future patches.
In the October patch notes we called that month out as fairly light in the grand picture, and November is much the same in that regard. Behind the scenes however we continue to work on a few 'banner' features planned for release either in December or in the coming months.
We know everyone is eager to hear what these items are in further detail, but Mech_Con is almost here, and with it will come much more detail about what's in store for December and the new year.
Some of these in-development items, such as the Skill Tree revamp, the latest update to Faction Play, the Assault Game Mode revamp, and the brand new Quick Play Game Mode have been touched on briefly in previous posts and Town Halls, but there's much more to come in the way of details and surprises.
In the meantime, read on for all the details of this November patch, and we'll see you on the battlefield!
This Event provides rewards based on Kill Most Damage Dealt achievements according to your piloted Weight Class, along with a 'Play A Day' Challenge; the more you play, the more you'll earn!
For each day during this Event in which you have achieved a minimum Match Score of 80 in at least one Quick Play or Faction Play match, your Reward Level will increment by one.
The total amount of C-Bill Rewards you'll receive at the end of the Event are based on your final Reward Level multiplied by the total number of Mechtoberfest Challenges you've completed.
If you go all the way you can earn a grand total Event Reward of 400 MC, 4 Standing Cockpit Items, and over 8,000,000 C-Bills!
The Night Gyr has arrived, and is now en-route to the MechBays of eligible MechWarriors. The Night Gyr is a powerful Heavy OmniMech. Trading out the speed of the seminal Timber Wolf for more firepower - making it somewhat slow for its weight class - the primary configuration, with its twin extended-range PPCs and Ultra-class Autocannon 10 and a brace of Medium Pulse Lasers, packs the punch of a light Assault ’Mech.
Stock 'Mech Mode has been added for use in Private Matches. This has been a long-requested feature, and brings with it the ability to independently toggle the use of Quirks and Efficiencies.
An array of improvements have been added for Unit Management, including the removal of the Invite Ticket system and a transition to a much simpler 'direct-withdrawal' method for issuing Unit Invites.
Derived from Loadouts built by and voted for by members of the MechWarrior community, 4 new Inner Sphere Champion 'Mechs and 4 new Clan Champion 'Mechs are now available for purchase with MC.
The Art team are continuing to work on Pattern retrofits for the remaining 'Mechs without full Pattern support. In this patch all variants of the Cataphract, Cicada, Raven, Spider, Stalker, and Trebuchet 'Mechs now have full Pattern support.
Rounding out the patch we have an array of map and 'Mech fixes, including some gameplay adjustments to the Emerald Taiga Faction Play map, the addition of 77 new Decals with which to customize your 'Mechs, the addition of a distinct 'Blocked' menu to the Social window, minor performance improvements, improvements to the Command Wheel, fixes for issues related to the loss of 'Mech Favorites, and much more.
Read on for all the details, and we'll see you on the battlefield!
While the Falcon continues to soar and strike almost unimpeded into the heart of the Inner Sphere, Clan Ghost Bear has emerged from the isolation of previous defeats, ferociously tearing through the territory of the Free Rasalhague Republic. Frontline battles pitting Clan against Inner Sphere are more critical now than ever.
The time has come again for Operation Frontline Mk II.
To all Clan and Inner Sphere MechWarriors alike; do not allow inter-Factional conflicts and grudges to blind you to the true enemy. The most honorable goals and the most lucrative rewards are not to be gained from fighting among yourselves for minor territories. The true fight is for the very foundation of the Inner Sphere itself. Look to the frontlines. Look to the true enemy.
We have a number of cumulative goals with awesome rewards for you to collect in Clan vs. Inner Sphere Faction Play matches throughout this Event. We have tuned the requirements and (hopefully) given you plenty of time between now and the next patch to complete them.
