I don't understand Tone

[ZanyScum]

The rockets of Tone are one of the coolest things ever but I don't understand how it work.

I can hit someone with the main weapon often enough for its "partial lock-on", then "sometimes"? I get a lock and see I can use 'q' and use the rockets.

I can use 'g' to send a pulse which reveals enemies and grants a "partial lock-on".

If I just keep spamming 'q' I shoot much more often than the 'q' indicator indicates.
I just don't understand what is happening.

Is the "partial lock-on" a random percentage between 1% and 99% or is it fixed 20% for each normal hit with the main weapon and 80% for a critical hit with the main weapon and 60% for the pulse? These are just random numbers I used as example... but, which one is it?
Random? Fixed? How much?

I wanted to misuse Tone as Artillery and rocket snipe enemies from far away.
But that does not really seem possible. Or I don't understand Tone. Which is quite possible.

[overmage]

Direct hit on enemy titan with main weapon -> 1 partial lock-on
Revealing enemy titan with sonar -> 1 partial lock-on

If enemy titan has 3 lock-ons then it becomes a full one and you can use the rockets.
The rockets have almost 0 cooldown and are gatekept by the lock-on mechanic instead.

The lock-on is fixed, and depends mostly on your accuracy. If you aren't getting a lock-on, you're just missing. (damage dealt from splash damage does not count as a lock-on)

[ZanyScum]

Thank you very much!

[🎃MaximusBlastalot🎃]

Originally posted by overmage:

(damage dealt from splash damage does not count as a lock-on)

This isnt true, splash dmg does give locks.

You will often see more experienced players aim at the feet most of the time (or "fish" around corners) as even if you miss the direct hit (and the minor extra dmg from directs or critical hits) you still get a lock from the aoe and most of tones dmg comes from the lock on rockets.

You can easily confirm this by running a solo match of bounty or frontier defense.

[Extreme]

As a new player, I find it easiest to use Tone, basically hit the enemy titan with the main gun until a red circle appears on it, then press Q to fire the missiles, then repeat. Also remember to use a shield, which is useful because it will protect you from enemies, but you can still shoot them through the shield.

[PyroMonk]

play somebody else tbh. Northstar wrecks Tone. Tone is always outplayable as Ion.