MAG Catch-All.

Are there level restrictions? I'm adding this to my GameFly queue, but I'm concerned I won't be able to team up with anybody when it arrives.

Cymbrogi wrote:

I think a better way to ask my question is this - how many of you see yourselves playing this in 6 months or even 12 months if it stays as is.

As is, I will be playing this game 6 months down the road. I probably won't play in the same volume as I have for the last week but for a weekly game night I'll gladly log on. If they release new maps or other updates every 3-6 months they'll keep me playing indefinitely and paying for all the new content (assuming the price is reasonable).

Thirteenth wrote:

I noticed yesterday that we're mostly field support. Is that going to somehow hinder how we play?

Field support is probably the most common "specialization" amongst new players, and it really means that you've spent as much time healing dudes and repairing stuff as killing dudes. It does not mean that you are ineffective. In fact teams need a solid group of field support or else they will loose and loose often (especially on defense). Some may want to spec loadouts for more specialized roles (1Dgaf has mentioned sniping primarily and I think Zedian expressed an interest in close quarters commando shinanigans) and those specialties can be integrated into our squad tactics as we play. The key will be to know our own strengths and to play to them.

I guess what I'm trying to say is "field support" is not code for "pansy."

some other zach wrote:

Off to Amazon to use my $20 credit only to find they're...

sold out.

I'm glad it's doing well. That bodes well for the long term success of the game.

ahrezmendi wrote:

Are there level restrictions? I'm adding this to my GameFly queue, but I'm concerned I won't be able to team up with anybody when it arrives.

Not to worry. You can group up with people of any level. And if you are in a group the only level that is considered is that of the group leader. Also the only relevant level restrictions are for the larger gametypes and those are all lifted by level 8 which isn't super difficult to reach.

Thirteenth wrote:

Compared to MW2, it's pretty difficult to level up in MAG. I suppose you could play field medic and just Rez people all day, but from normal run and gun, 2 or 3 matches won't gain you a single level.

Once you get the rez gun and keep it as your constant companion you'll be quickly gaining a level a match especially on the larger maptypes until you pass level 15 and then the curve steepens a bit. But you're right, run and gun is not the most efficient way to level up in MAG.

I've picked this up and would like an invite if possible. G_Squiggle is the name.

Thirteenth wrote:

I noticed yesterday that we're mostly field support. Is that going to somehow hinder how we play?

Nope. All that icon indicates is the skill path the user has invested the most points in.

Early on, everyone should invest in the medkit and resuscitation. As a result, most of us who are level 20 or lower bear the field support icon.

It's almost impossible to overstate how important resuscitation is. You can be running with a group of 4 other people, and if all but one of you gets mowed down, that one can resuscitate the nearest guy, and then the two of them can rez the other guys, and you've quickly got your little group back on their feet and moving. It's vital.

When the other guys are all rez-ing each other and your crew isn't, it feels like you're fighting five times as many people.

Played quite a lot today. I put my first points into being able to heal and resurrect people. The next points I put into the suggestions listed in the Wiki linked earlier (shorter sprint cool down, spotting enemy fire more easily, longer sprint).

Sniping is more difficult than I remember from the beta. I played Raven in that, so maybe the default weapons have different properties.

As in most games, I keep finding myself trying to flank and take up position behind people (preferably). Any tips for that kind of build?

EDIT: I leveled up to 13 today, for people wondering about the difficulty of the game. I healed more people than I killed.

Anyone fancy a game tonight? Soon, though.

I'll be on in about a half an hour

AmazingZoidberg wrote:
some other zach wrote:

Off to Amazon to use my $20 credit only to find they're...

sold out.

I'm glad it's doing well. That bodes well for the long term success of the game.

ahrezmendi wrote:

Are there level restrictions? I'm adding this to my GameFly queue, but I'm concerned I won't be able to team up with anybody when it arrives.

Not to worry. You can group up with people of any level. And if you are in a group the only level that is considered is that of the group leader. Also the only relevant level restrictions are for the larger gametypes and those are all lifted by level 8 which isn't super difficult to reach.

Good to know. I'll definitely be focusing on Medic, it's what I play in any team-based shooter.

Zoidberg helped me through my first time being a squad leader. Despite his sterling advice, it didn't go well. I was surprised at how tough it was. Looking forward to getting better at it, though it's a shame there's no training mode for this. (Perhaps some Advance Wars style.)

Good games tonight with 1Dgaf and crew.

1Dgaf, since you are not in the clan I would suggest that you quickly friend up everyone in this thread who is. That way you can quickly find them online even though the clan option won't be open to you.

For all the talk of SVER being overpowered I must say we lost just about every engagement we played in against Valor tonight. I think squads are starting to up their game substantially. I'll be interested to see how the meta-game progresses over the coming weeks and months.

Finally Pro-tip. If you are attacking the Anti-Air Batteries are everybody's problem. With AAAs up there are no forward spawns and squad leaders can do little more than highlight points on the map. If you are anywhere near an AAA, BLOW IT UP! That is all.

1Dgaf wrote:

Zoidberg helped me through my first time being a squad leader. Despite his sterling advice, it didn't go well. I was surprised at how tough it was. Looking forward to getting better at it, though it's a shame there's no training mode for this. (Perhaps some Advance Wars style.)

To be fair, you did jump into the deep end of the pool. It's a lot tougher being a squad commander on Acquisition or Domination than it is on something like Sabotage, where there's little to do other than frago a point. I'd imagine that was for a reason, as it's much easier getting used to the interface when you aren't constantly changing objectives.

Sabotage does sound like the place I should experiment. I'm beginning to wonder if the waypoint could become a substitute for what I wished FRAGO was -- something I can put anywhere to influence the battle.

A simple use would be to put it down infront of a base and say 'Nobody crosses that line', in the hope that it'll get people to push forward slightly. Or in domination, put it next to a FRAGO objective and say 'Attack from this area'.

If we can use waypoints to break out of the 'run up the middle!' mentality, that alone could make games easier.

The problem with Sabotage is there is too little to do as a squad leader, so it doesn't do a good job of preparing you for the bigger maps. I forgot to discuss waypoints while we were playing which is probably because I don't use them much. You've got some good ideas about how to use them so more power to you.

I just sat down to grind out a couple more levels on my own. MAG has a special kind of hold on me. After sitting down for two hours and shooting dudes, as soon as I turn it off I really just want to sit down and shoot more dudes. This is impressive because I don't really like shooters (MP even less). They are not my genre of choice, and when I do play them I prefer them on the PC. But the carrot of progression and skill points is an effective incentive program.

AmazingZoidberg wrote:

The problem with Sabotage is there is too little to do as a squad leader, so it doesn't do a good job of preparing you for the bigger maps. I forgot to discuss waypoints while we were playing which is probably because I don't use them much. You've got some good ideas about how to use them so more power to you.

I just sat down to grind out a couple more levels on my own. MAG has a special kind of hold on me. After sitting down for two hours and shooting dudes, as soon as I turn it off I really just want to sit down and shoot more dudes. This is impressive because I don't really like shooters (MP even less). They are not my genre of choice, and when I do play them I prefer them on the PC. But the carrot of progression and skill points is an effective incentive program.

I know Sabotage is very simple, but it can help you get used to the squad leader interface, i.e. setting frago points, calling for assistance, etc.

Apparently I have some sort of problem. Because this actually happened.

That's hilarious. I think you need to take a break from MAG, Z.

BioShock 2 is in the car, but all I want to do is go home and level up in MAG.

TheCounselor wrote:

BioShock 2 is in the car, but all I want to do is go home and level up in MAG.

There's a song in there somewhere. "All She Wants to do is MAG"

I do recommend, if'n y'all haven't yet, getting the good assault rifle, once you have the resurrection gun and the speedy repair. It makes killing dudes a slightly more viable XP choice.

I'm finding that getting about a 1:1 kill:death ratio is maddeningly difficult for me. On the plus side I got resuscitation again and my XP each round is pretty much double. On the downside I'm pretty sure I'm the ugly duck of the group and leveling horribly slow.

Hockosi wrote:

I'm finding that getting about a 1:1 kill:death ratio is maddeningly difficult for me. On the plus side I got resuscitation again and my XP each round is pretty much double. On the downside I'm pretty sure I'm the ugly duck of the group and leveling horribly slow.

Unless I'm playing suppression mode I really don't worry about kill/death ratio at all in MAG. If you die 100 times but complete the objective on that 101st, I consider that success. If I charge into a room and die but managed to also take down someone else or it distracted the opponents enough to let my teammates behind me break in, I consider that success. To me it's all about the objectives and I know I'm gonna a lot along the way. Likewise, killing your opponents is the means to the end, not the goal. I'm just as happy tossing down a gas grenade to keep the opponent away for a bit or putting down a well-placed smoke grenade to help my squad make a good run. I might not get as much XP or have crazy awesome stats but I have fun doing it

I am thinking of buying this game. I was a bit on the fence on this game but it sounds like there are a lot of gwjers playing it which would make any game better :P.

kazar wrote:

I am thinking of buying this game. I was a bit on the fence on this game but it sounds like there are a lot of gwjers playing it which would make any game better :P.

Goodjers do make everything better.

I take back everything bad I said about machine guns. I scavenged a top tier LMG from a fallen Valor foe and became a death dealing dervish. Now I'm saving up for a nice one of my very own.

AmazingZoidberg wrote:

I take back everything bad I said about machine guns. I scavenged a top tier LMG from a fallen Valor foe and became a death dealing dervish. Now I'm saving up for a nice one of my very own.

Let us know how many points it takes. I don't have a lot of breathing room in my assemblies.

SpacePPoliceman wrote:

Let us know how many points it takes. I don't have a lot of breathing room in my assemblies.

That's the downside, I'm going to have to lighten up my loadouts. I'm probably not going to be able to have my medkit/repairkit/RPG loadout anymore.

I just got the game today. Can I get an invite into the gwjer clan? My handle is kazar.

I'd love a clan invite.. I'm gonna give this another shot.

El_Producto75

kazar wrote:

I just got the game today. Can I get an invite into the gwjer clan? My handle is kazar.

El-Producto wrote:

I'd love a clan invite.. I'm gonna give this another shot.

El_Producto75

I'd love to help you guys out but alas you are not in SVER. Unfortunately clans are limited to one faction.

AmazingZoidberg wrote:
kazar wrote:

I just got the game today. Can I get an invite into the gwjer clan? My handle is kazar.

El-Producto wrote:

I'd love a clan invite.. I'm gonna give this another shot.

El_Producto75

I'd love to help you guys out but alas you are not in SVER. Unfortunately clans are limited to one faction.

Oops. Can I wipe my current character?

Any suggestions on headsets? I'm new to PS3 gaming, as I do all my MP on the 360. I have a cheap Motorola headset, and don't really want to spring 50 clams on the sony one. Suggestions?

El-Producto wrote:

Any suggestions on headsets? I'm new to PS3 gaming, as I do all my MP on the 360. I have a cheap Motorola headset, and don't really want to spring 50 clams on the sony one. Suggestions?

Any blue tooth will work. I'm currently using one my friend didn't want because it hurts his ear.

AmazingZoidberg wrote:

That's the downside, I'm going to have to lighten up my loadouts. I'm probably not going to be able to have my medkit/repairkit/RPG loadout anymore.

I gave up on a build like that so I could have my fancy AR with the red dot--I never hit anything without that. I've found that lifespan in the game is so brief, it works well enough to have only 2 of those items on a build, then switch to them when I die, which won't be long.