Combat Strategies

Moving circles around an enemy Mech is one thing, blowing apart its limbs or torso is another. As adept as you are in maneuvering the giant machines, if you don't understand the intricacies of the various weapon systems, such as missiles, ballistics and energy lasers, you won't be able to defeat the solo campaign or an online opponent.

Sniping - Not Just for Campers
Though some Mechwarriors might say it isn't exactly the "honorable" way to fight, taking out enemy Mechs from a safe distance is part of the game - and an integral part of finishing the solo campaign. Say, for instance, all your lancemates are toast and you spot three enemy Mechs in the distance. If your lancemates were at your side, you might be able to charge in with guns blazing and come out victorious; however, all alone, the odds of you defeating three Mechs is quite low. Thus, your best option is sniping. With the addition of the zoom window, you can see the detail on a Mech from a great distance. Plus, your targeting crosshair indicates (by turning yellow) if you'll score a hit with a particular shot. It's quite easy, then, to damage a Mech from a great distance even if you can barely see it on your view or zoom screen.

When sniping, it's better to target the vulnerable areas of the Mech, such as the legs, arms or head. If you can take out the arms, for instance, when the Mech does finally charge, it'll likely be without several of its weapons (because he's without arms) making the fight much easier. Because of their high range, ER PPCs and ER Large Lasers make the best sniping weapons. In fact, an Alpha Strike (firing all weapons at once) loaded with several ER PPCs and ER Large Lasers can take out an enemy leg in no time. But the heat of those energy weapons discharging could melt your cockpit.

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