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--- guides:mtac [26/10/2023 09:27] – external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ guides:mtac [18/08/2025 23:43] (current) – added warpout instructions Cassandra Bisi
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 ====== The MTAC Guide ======
-This guide is designed as a basic explanation of mechanics on how to perform the MTAC roll in fleet.  This role is only required for the True Creations Research Center site (TCRC).
+This guide is designed as a basic explanation of mechanics on how to perform the MTAC role in fleet.  This role is only required for the True Creations Research Center site (TCRC).
 ===== What is an MTAC? =====
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 ===== Why we need someone to take the MTAC role =====
-A TCRC battle tower has the ability to repair itself after a period of time.  Even two strong Marauder fleets (80 pilots) will struggle to kill the battle tower before the tower starts repairing itself.  To prevent the tower from repairing itself, an MTAC unit needs to be taken from the MTAC factory to the Shield Transfer Control Tower approximately every two minutes.  The MTAC role is a critical fleet role to enable the completion of the TCRC site.
+The TCRC battle tower must be destroyed to finish the site, but the tower repairs itself.  Even two strong Marauder fleets (80 pilots) will struggle to kill the battle tower before the tower starts repairing itself.  To prevent the tower from repairing, an MTAC unit needs to be taken from the MTAC Factory to the Shield Transfer Control Tower approximately every two minutes. The MTAC role is a critical fleet role to enable the completion of the TCRC site.
+Failing to drop the MTAC into the Control Tower allows the main Tower to repair itself - and it repairs VERY quickly once it starts. The job of the mtac pilot is to drop these MTACs repeatedly during the tower bash to keep the tower from repairing. Once the tower dies the site pays out and is essentially "finished" although there are still dangerous NPCs on grid.
+A bonus for the mtac pilot is they get to warp out as soon as the tower dies. The rest of the fleet is expected to stay on grid and remove the more dangerous NPCs under FC direction.
 ===== How to MTAC =====
-In order to complete a TCRC, a CONCORD MTAC must be moved from the CONCORD MTAC Factory to the Shield Transfer Control Tower.
+The Mtac pilot must have a tractor beam (tech I is fine) fitted on their ship before entering the site. It's possible to refit outside the site using a nearby Nestor. Be sure to let the FC know if you need a moment to refit.
-Since the CONCORD MTAC is too large to fit in a battleship cargo hold, this is accomplished by creating a "jetcan" by jettisoning any item (such as a piece of ammunition or nanite paste) into space, putting the MTAC into the can and ferrying it to the control tower using a tractor beam. This process is then repeated until the tower explodes.
+The CONCORD MTAC item must be moved from one place to another, but it's too big to fit in a battleship cargo hold. Instead, the mtac pilot must create a "jetcan" by jettisoning any small item (such as a piece of ammunition or nanite paste) into space, then immediately tractor beam the can, drag the MTAC into the can and ferry it to the Control Tower. **This process is repeated until the tower explodes.**
 ==== Normal MTAC site entry and Procedure ====
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   * Once your ship is pointing in the correct direction, activate the MJD.
   * You should land close to the MTAC Factory. If you didn't, burn there with MWD.
-  * Jettison one ammo, lock up the can, and activate the tractor beam on it. **Do not shoot your can.**
+  * If you get bumped and land very far away, tell the FC so they know whether to get someone else to fill in.
-  * Drag the MTAC from the factory to your can.
+  * At the MTAC Factory, jettison one ammo, lock up the can, activate the tractor beam on it, and open it. **Do not shoot your can.**
+  * Open the MTAC Factory and drag the yellow MTAC from the factory into your can.
   * Approach Shield Transfer Control Tower, activating MWD for one cycle.
-  * Open the cargo window of the tower. Drag the MTAC from the can into the tower.
+  * Open the cargo window of the Control Tower. Drag the MTAC from the can into the Control Tower.
-  * Begin shooting the Tower, being careful not to shoot your can.
+  * Begin shooting the big main Tower, being careful not to shoot your can.
   * Burn back to the MTAC Factory. Wait for the next MTAC to spawn, then repeat.
-  * Keep doing it until the site is over. When the tower explodes, you are free to start warping off before other DPS due to the risk of you getting caught on collidable structures.
+  * Keep doing it until the site is over. When the main tower explodes, you are free to warp off immediately before other DPS due to the risk of you getting caught on collidable structures.
+  * If you have trouble warping out, let the FC know (say "mtac is stuck, working on it"), cancel your warp, and maneuver around the obstruction. You can also use your MJD to get clear of the obstruction before warping out. Keep an eye on your MJD timer if the next site is another TCRC. Once everyone else has finished getting out, let the FC know if your MJD cooldown will prevent you from jumping in the next TCRC.
-Please ensure you shoot the tower while MTACing otherwise you will miss out on the site payout.
+Things to keep in mind:
+  * Make sure to shoot the main tower while MTACing otherwise you will miss out on the site payout.
+  * Don't start shooting the main tower until after your first drop. Shooting too early can earn you "troll aggro" which means getting webbed and very badly slowed down. You need to be able to move quickly!
+Below left: view of a TCRC from above. You enter and land on the beacon, then MJD (yellow dashed line) to the MTAC Factory. You will be ferrying the MTACs between the Factory and the Control Tower, along the orange dashed line.
 <WRAP flexbox>
 <WRAP grow>
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 ==== Contest MTAC Site Entry Procedure ====
-During a contest scenario the FC may call for the MTAC to hold the drop or immediately drop.  These calls are made by the FC to favour our fleet in the DPS race to win the site payout.  During a contest it is important that you do your best to grab the MTAC before the other fleets MTAC can grab it.  Doing so allows us to dictate the terms of the site to our benefit.
+During a contest scenario the FC may call for the MTAC to hold the drop or immediately drop.  These calls are made by the FC to favour our fleet in the DPS race to win the site payout.  During a contest it is important that you do your best to **grab the MTAC** before the other fleet can grab it.  Doing so allows us to dictate the terms of the site to our benefit.
+In both scenarios below, grab the MTAC first and burn to the Control Tower as normal. You then either drop immediately or hold the drop depending on what the FC calls for.
 ==== Scenario 1 - Holding the MTAC Drop ====
-If the FC calls for you to hold the drop you follow the normal procedure up to burning to the Shield Transfer Control Tower but do not drop the MTAC into it until called for.
+If the FC calls for you to hold the drop you follow the normal procedure up to burning to the Shield Transfer Control Tower but do not drop the MTAC into it until called for. This is to allow our fleet time to land on the tower and apply DPS.
-This is to allow our fleet time to land on the tower and apply DPS.  If our fleet is stronger then the contesting fleet this call can be made to ensure we have a higher DPS total then the contesting fleet to win the site.
 ==== Scenario 2 - Immediately dropping the MTAC Drop ====
-If the FC calls for you to immediately drop the MTAC you follow the normal procedure up to burning to the Shield Transfer Control Tower and drop the MTAC as soon as possible.
+If the FC calls for you to immediately drop the MTAC you follow the normal procedure and drop the MTAC as soon as possible. If your fleet gets into the site first, this is almost always the call and should be your default if you don't hear otherwise from the FC.
-This is to deny a contesting fleet time to land on the tower and apply DPS.  If their fleet is stronger then the our fleet this call can be made to ensure we have a higher DPS total then the contesting fleet to win the site.