We’re still considering some kind of draft mode, as well as a quick opportunity to sub Mercs at half time in SW. We’re not planning to up the Merc count to five.
For the time being though I’d suggest enforcing a ‘no swaps’ rule in pick-ups. Folk should be picking their three Mercs with both halves in mind. Yes they won’t have the ideal character for every circumstance but that is part of the strategy and ‘meta’ of the game, of your choices and your team’s choices.
[QUOTE=Anti;502528]We’re still considering some kind of draft mode, as well as a quick opportunity to sub Mercs at half time in SW. We’re not planning to up the Merc count to five.
For the time being though I’d suggest enforcing a ‘no swaps’ rule in pick-ups. Folk should be picking their three Mercs with both halves in mind. Yes they won’t have the ideal character for every circumstance but that is part of the strategy and ‘meta’ of the game, of your choices and your team’s choices.[/QUOTE]
I would actually like to see it without the ability to sub Mercs at half time because I think that preventing it would be the biggest builder of ‘meta’ due to people needing to plan ahead. Having to live with a Engie when its not “needed” could really spawn some interesting mine/turret placements. Also having a Field Ops on attack when normally you would sub him out for a medic adds the ability to have more aggressive strikes…
All in all because you would be “making the best” of what you have rather than playing “optimal” I think we could expect to see more successful Attacks. The majority of teams will build their line ups for the attack and be simply making do on defence… I love that concept 
I do think in PUBLIC (not match making) you should unlock the Merc selection to allow everyone to play anyone 
prevent frustration in a game where people come and go.
[QUOTE=Anti;502528]We’re not planning to up the Merc count to five.
[/QUOTE]
then you need to add diversity to some mercs’ play. Otherwise, the game is boring for those, who like to play it different, and try something new to surprise opponent. Some mercs are way to straight forward and obvious.
ability to switch:
airstrike to molotov
mines to turret
primary or secondary weapons
etc.
anyway. very sad. 
I don’t have much of an issue with having only 3 mercs. I think having 3 and not being allowed to swap mid map adds something different to team tactics. I do think it will boil down to teams have almost exactly the same load outs once the competitive scene gets established. However, it would be a fun process finding the “perfect” balance of mercs for each map.
Would love to see a “lock in” actually mean LOCK IN in the near future
Yea, I see what you are saying, however I still believe that if you have a game with lets say 30 different “Mercs/Heros/Champions/Legends” at launch yet everyone wants to have the same 5 Mercs per team with 3 more to switch to (each)… Tells me that the Merc system failed on a fundamental level. Was hoping for a long term story line of what players play what merc and crazy strats with abilities that only a certain merc has…
But nope… Sawbones + Phonix or Aura + Thunder or Fragger + Arty or Skyhammer + Objective Merc (Kira, Vas, Bushwacker, Proxy, Rhino) AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN…
[Big Sigh]
I really hope I am proved wrong.
True.
I really don’t mind the 3 mercs only. Truthfully, i’d be hard pressed to find 5 mercs that I like. Having it locked to 3 would obviously add more to the game, but it is quite frustrating having to leave to change it up when pubbing. It would be nice to have the lock for comp and have less restrictions for public play.
[QUOTE=PixelTwitch;502536]Yea, I see what you are saying, however I still believe that if you have a game with lets say 30 different “Mercs/Heros/Champions/Legends” at launch yet everyone wants to have the same 5 Mercs per team with 3 more to switch to (each)… Tells me that the Merc system failed on a fundamental level. Was hoping for a long term story line of what players play what merc and crazy strats with abilities that only a certain merc has…
But nope… Sawbones + Phonix or Aura + Thunder or Fragger + Arty or Skyhammer + Objective Merc (Kira, Vas, Bushwacker, Proxy, Rhino) AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN…
[Big Sigh]
I really hope I am proved wrong.[/QUOTE]
I agree, but the mercs aren’t fleshed out enough imo + no progression during a match (no way to change / upgrade your merc)
Merc selection doesn’t seem skewed to me. Unless I’m really imagining things I see them all used in equal amounts.
So after a little break, I come back and was hoping for some positive news on this matter… It was my biggest source of frustration when i got into the beat and also when quit again and again. I still cant develop some understanding for this 3merc limit. I dont like being reduced in my opportunities, I dont like being stuck with wrong mercs and I dont understand why things get enforced that can be easily worked around.
Did you manage to have a GUI now with quick merc changing or do I still have to hit the mini “switch” button instead of the giant avatar itself?
Why is it so hard to put that menu with all mercs in the match GUI? The design decision of just 3 feels soooo off. Its so pseudo competitive while hurting your core gameplay with objectives.
The lack of Merc diversification isn’t due to abilities or lack there of but due to the weapons the most used mercs have. Barely any recoil, manageable spread, and decent ammo.
Regarding the amount of Mercs available each match. It helps pubs be more team oriented.It forces you to actually think how you can best help your team. Having too many options causes people to be too self gratifying. Just my opinion.
[QUOTE=Mangosteez;502659]
Regarding the amount of Mercs available each match. It helps pubs be more team oriented.It forces you to actually think how you can best help your team. Having too many options causes people to be too self gratifying. Just my opinion.[/QUOTE]
My problem is that most of the time something is missing drastically and i feel helpless cause i cant respond accordingly. My playstyle was always to switch for what was needed. In almost any game. I wanted to win it.
And I hate when people dont care and just play their own class for whatever reason. “its just pub”, “i want to play snip0r cause iz cool in da moviez” or “just training purpose”. Such behaviour is helped with these limits, you are still able to play your ego style while the people who try to think how to best help their team are being punished. Especially if matches change by leaving players etc. You cant respond anymore and are ****ed (if you care).
My problem is that most of the time something is missing drastically and i feel helpless cause i cant respond accordingly. My playstyle was always to switch for what was needed. In almost any game. I wanted to win it.
Me too, and not only in ET/ETQW.
In the majority of FPS, I swap of character during a game, depending of the situation.
