Training is important to all warriors, without doing training a Mechwarrior can never become good. The best way to train is with fellow LCAF/LAAF members.  They will help you train and learn just ask them.  Many warriors do not train as often as they should which limits their progress into the ranks of the LCAF/LAAF.

Based on documents authored by former Archon Talon

Basic Training Index

This section describes the most basic fighting tenets, not only for the Mechwarrior universe, but any combat engagement.  These concepts are ancient in origin and the value of them has been borne out through centuries of strife and conflict.  The examples set forth in this document, if taken sincerely to heart, can generously extend the life of many a fine pilot.  Long enough, at least for a young warrior to begin to understand the nature of uncompromising warfare and the basic laws which govern it.

These tenets can generally be utilized in both MW3 and MW4.

Targeting: Simply stated, the goal of Mechwarrior combat is to destroy the enemy before you yourself are destroyed.  The quickest (and quickest kills are always best) means to accomplishing this goal is to target one specific part of an enemy Mech, hammering away at it until the target is destroyed.  It is almost worthless to scatter damage over an entire chassis, most Mechs are pretty well armored, and some carry tremendous amounts of protection.  The most vulnerable area of almost any Mech are the legs.  Concentrated fire to one or the other is the most efficient way to destroy an enemy.  The use of a Targeting Computer, and the keypad targeting inputs (in MW3: keypad 1 or 3 for legs) in Mechwarrior 3 (MW3) can be of great value in isolating these areas.  An indication of the amount of armor carried in specific areas of a target Mech can be found by the use of the damage display, hit "CTRL+D" in MW3 and "," in MW4 to scroll through the options until you see the bar graph type of display.  This is the only display that will indicate relative armor values and remaining protection.  Always scan your enemies to look for weak areas, a surprising number of MechWarriors will leave rear torso areas severely under-protected, this should be the focus of your attack.  This display also has another valuable use, it's superiority for lag estimation and correction, which will be discussed later in this module. Remember: "CONCENTRATE FIRE!".

Movement: A stationary Mech will be a dead target within 2 seconds, max.  Now is not the time to enjoy the scenery, there will be time for that when all opposition is eliminated.  Keep the throttle open, and don't provide the enemy with an stationary target, and an easy kill.  Varying the speed of your Mech is also an excellent way to disrupt the aim of an enemy warrior, you might find more shots missing close in front and behind your mech.  Those are the shots that would have damaged you with constant throttle settings.  Any savings of accumulated damage will greatly increase your survivability in a fight, and could well mean the difference between a victory, or a defeat.  A serious mistake made by "green" pilots is crouching to reduce target area, don't do it!  It might be acceptable against the computer, but not in multi-player.  You are absolutely immobile in a crouch and gain no protection by it's use.  Experienced MechWarriors will view this tactic, laugh, and quickly kill the hapless offender. Always keep this idea in mind: "STAY ON THE MOVE!".

Angles: Don't approach any threat head-on if at all possible, move towards your target at right angles.  Zigzagging from side to side forces your foe to calculate your lead time into every shot.  You will still be hit and take damage occasionally, but it will certainly be less than bearing the full brunt of weapons fire.  Used in conjunction with effective throttle control, this tactic goes a long way towards making your Mech truly tough to hit and damage.  Ensure that your tactics against a particular opponent don't lead you directly into the sights of another enemy.  Remember that angles are not only side to side, when equipped with jump jets, a Mech is able to attack from almost any angle.  Use your jump ability to move yourself into a favorable firing position.  To ensure long life and prosperity, the moral here is: "ZIG-ZAG-JUMP"!.

Engagement: Don't be in a hurry to close with an enemy, allow time to maneuver to a favorable attack aspect.  In other words, set yourself up to attack a weak or unprotected part of your opponent (i.e. the rear).  Once engaged, fight to the death, a retreating Mech is easy to kill and many warriors have met an early death from the mistaken notion that they have gotten into a fight they cannot win. All fights are potential victories to a warrior that never gives up.  Conversely, very few victories are had by a Mech with it's tail tucked tightly between its legs.  Once the decision has been made to fight, go after the enemy as a mad dog, no talk, no mercy, and no quitting.  Even if the battle should result in your being beaten, you will have gone a long way towards earning the respect of other MechWarriors. Tenacity is a quality that is always highly valued among the elite.  Remember always: "NEVER QUIT!".

Observation: Awareness of your surroundings is vital to your survival.  Many warriors are killed while they themselves are in the process of destroying another mech.  Firing shot after shot into a fallen opponent, they never notice the Shadow Cat that has moved into position behind them, and is ripping away armor and damaging critical systems.  You must maintain awareness!  No kill is so important that you can allow yourself to be killed.  Evade your attacker first, then return to finish off your heavily damaged foe.  Some fighters who, in all other respects, are terrifyingly efficient with their tactics and killing ability, become totally unaware of their immediate environment once they smell blood.  They fall easy prey to those pilots waiting in the wings, calmly observing the developments of the battle, then swiftly rushing in to tear the leg from an occupied and oblivious victim.  The simple rule to remember is: "WATCH YOUR BACK!".

Reaction: The one area that is strenuously avoided by all MechWarriors just happens to be the same one that all other pilots are vigorously trying to get them into, their gun sights.  Even the best pilots constantly find themselves staring down the barrel of a loaded Ultra 20 Autocannon.  The one quality that allows then to come away relatively unscathed is "Reaction".  If you have been keeping the other basic rules in mind up till now, you should be moving, weaving, jumping, choosing targets and watching the battle elements closely.  The thought here is to recognize the threat of imminent danger.  That danger presents itself when the Thor that you have been stalking suddenly swivels it's torso and levels it's mighty arms into your face!  You can sense the enemy pilots finger tightening on the trigger, what do you do?  It's easy, get away!  It is during this time that your jump jets pay for themselves a hundred times over.  The trick to quick reaction in these situations is, always be prepared for the worst case scenario.  Keep a twitching thumb over that jump button, and use it frequently, especially in close quarter combat.  Another trick, if your chassis of choice has the performance to pull it off, is to throw it quickly into reverse and back away in a curving arc, never back away straight!  The enemy will have to track a target that is receding as well as having to calculate a lead, perhaps enabling you to reorganize an attack strategy.  Even the lowly flea knows enough to jump when it lands on a frying pan, you should be able to do that at least.  Remember, it's not cowardice to run if you eventually win the fight, it's strategy: "AVOID DAMAGE!".

Damage Control: All Mechs get damaged, all Mechs eventually get destroyed, that's the nature of the game and warfare in general.  No one is invincible, though some pilots come surprisingly close to it.  In addition to using the previously stated rules to minimize damage, once damage does occur, especially severe damage, how it is managed makes a great deal of difference in the outcome of a match.  Maintain constant awareness of the condition of your own Mech as well as that of the enemy. Maneuvering your Mech to protect damaged areas is important in staying alive long enough to either reach a Mobile Field Base or support a teammate in a battle with another enemy.  Evasion of damage is more critical with a badly crippled machine, however, speed and agility are greatly reduced by severe damage.  A Mech with severe leg damage can manage only a few kilometers per hour by walking, but by using "Jump Jets Forward" large amounts of ground can be covered quickly. Sometimes though, the best option is just to continue fighting, concentrating on already damaged enemy Mechs, and maneuvering as well as possible until the inevitable.  At the very least: "PROTECT DAMAGED AREAS!".