Reading this: http://www.mechlivinglegends.net/content/view/88

Wondering this: Is it really only meant to be for the bomber? I would like to see it work for LRMs too if possible. That's what I did in MW3 often .. mark stuff and let others kick it's butt with rocket

Sorry if this has been discussed before - but it really came to my mind when I checked that spec page.

/signed

That would be a neat idea. And if aeros don't have bombs yet you could add them to fulfill certain mission objectives - like bomb on a bunker and make the bunker almost indestructible for any other weapon. Something that might be added later on?

And here the reason why I want to be in control of a Raven The TAG idea with skyboxed target is great. Wouldn't disturb the game too much and everyone seeing the box can fire away a salvo of rockets. Imagine the Raven standing someplace hidden TAGing an assault 'mech. 2 Mad Cats and a Catapult notice the target box hanging in the sky and fire away a salvo. That Assault will be in for a surprise just a couple of seconds later ... *rubs hands*

Finally I got an idea how to implement TAG and NARC to MWLL. It just came to me after a MW4 Merc battle after I went to bed Here my ideas:

Support Role of TAG
TAG is used to mark units with a target marker for LRM Boats (as an example). Your teams units will need some sort of selector in the User Interface. They select the Raven as their Targeting Guide for the LRMs. The warhead of the LRM will be programmed to find their target tagged by the TAG of the Raven. Rockets will fly in a ballistic way when fired from far off and in a straight manner when getting up close (much like in MW4 - but keep the ballistic way of flight as long as possible - makes it possible to stay in cover for longer).

Now for the Unit equipped with the TAG. As TAG is only a laser beam that marks the target for the rockets. Since it's just a low powered laser beam let it be a long range thing. Here an example: Let the Raven stick behind a cover as long as possible. The LRM Boat fires the rockets straight in the sky with no aim. The Raven waits a bit then jumps from his cover and marks the unit. The rockets stop ascending and start falling back to the target marked by the Raven. If it's a building the raven can take cover as soon as the rockets are heading for the building. If the Raven wants to hit a moving target he will need to stay out of cover as long as the target is moving. Of course the TAG laser has to be set on that target all the time. As soon as the rockets start hitting the Raven can jump back taking cover and run for another position to try again.

Support Role of NARC
Now we check the NARC system out. As the TAG it will work in much the same way for the LRM Boat. Maybe add a selector for using a NARC or TAG system on a friendly unit. That way you can attack 2 different targets tagged by the Raven. Maybe make the programming thing a timely process so you can't switch anytime you feel like it. Just for balancing purposes.

Now again how NARC could work. Instead of a laser a rocket is used to mark a unit with targeting data for the warheads. Unlike the TAG the NARC is a dumbfire rocket with low range. Make it 300m. You may remember that in MW4 the NARCs just went off after a few seconds. That should not be the case in MWLL. Something that has been NARC is doomed. Now the balancing factor: Get in close range to your target to set the NARC. But in addition to that you have to get out alive too. If you can't get out alive the NARC is rendered useless. Let's just say it needs the Raven around to keep sending data. This gives the Raven the opportunity to TAG something forever if the pilot manages to get out alive. After playing MW4 M I know that can be really tough when you try to pull that on an Assault unit. First you gotta get close enough and then even get out again


That's what I had in mind. Here a summary:

TAG

• Long range (1000m ex.)
• It's suffice to temporarily tag something when rockets are already flying
• Can be used when rockets already on their way up

NARC

• Low range (300m ex.)
• TAGS forever if Raven stays close to it
• TAG gets lost when Raven dies or gets out of range (500m or so?)

LRM Supports

• Program their warheads to the support unit TAG OR NARC, not both
• Programming takes some time (Request Data from Raven, Read Data to Computer, Flush Data on Rocket Warhead, Write Data, Ready)
• LRM can be fired anytime
• LRM already flying will descend when TAG Laser or NARC becomes active

I was actually thinking of a programmable thing. Like hit some F key and get a menu with support units available. Hit another key to select the unit and get TAG and/or NARC as a selectable option. Once you hit the option the programming starts and seconds after you can fire at will (taken that something is actually tagged - but that can be managed with TeamSpeak or TeamChat).


That would even balance it out a bit. Since you gotta at least fire in your targets vicinity and not only up the sky. The "up the sky" thing should still work for the TAG though.

I wouldn't be too worried about IS/Clan balance if the IS only get this stuff.  I'm sure the Clans will have some of their own tricks up their sleeves with their "superior technology" and all that jazz

Actually, almost any modern guided anti aircraft missile is capable of doing that.  Missile technology is frightening now.  And I'm not even talking about the ship launched big guys or anything made cross continents.  I'm talking about missiles made to launch from the shoulder or a backpack, or a truck, that can go from a standstill to acquiring chasing and blowing up any moving target in less than a second. 

Now the point can be made, that maybe that is Losttech, but that's what things like streaks and TAG are all about, some resurgence of that good old fashioned murder magic. As for the believability of missiles behaving that way in game. Try the NARC or just a streak boated 'Mech out in Mech 4...  Works and looks fantastic.