Make the TAG Laser A Toggle

This Guide shows you how to convert your TAG laser into a toggleable device instead of having to constantly hold down the button to use it.

Download AutoHotKey & Configure It

First thing you will need is the macro software AutoHotkey[ahkscript.org]. I suggest using the Installer version. Click the Download button and then the Installer button. This will also work using the other versions, but this guide will assume you are using the installer version and taking all defaults.

Once you have AutoHotkey installed, the next thing you need to do is allow it to run with Administrator privilege. This is a silly requirement in the 21st century I know, but it is required because direct installs of MWO run with administrator privilege (for patching itself through its own launcher).

To do this, in File Explorer navigate to the folder where you installed the program. In most cases this should be C:\Program Files\AutoHotkey\. Right-click AutoHotkey application (AutoHotkey.exe) and select Properties. Select the Compatibility tab and near the bottom under the Settings section tick "Run this program as an Administrator" then click the OK button.

Creating The TAG Script

Next we need to create a new file. Open up NotePad (or your favorite text editor) and paste the following text in the file.

#NoEnv  ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.
SendMode Input  ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%  ; Ensures a consistent starting directory.
#InstallMouseHook
#InstallKeyBDHook
#IfWinActive MechWarrior Online
 
toggle := 0
7::
if(toggle){
   toggle := 0
   send {6 up}
} else {
   toggle := 1
   send {6 down}
}
return

When done with that, we need to save the file and make sure the file extension is AHK. I have named my file as TAG_Toggle.ahk and saved it in a convenient location so that I can launch it either before I launch MWO or if I forget, I can ALT+TAB and enable it when I use a mech that needs it.

What the above code says is, when the window MechWarrior Online is active, when I press the 7 key, IF the toggle is not active, press the 6 key (this will be a weapon group in MWO). It is possible to change the toggle key (7::) to something else, but you have to be careful. MWO is very limited in what it will let you do with key mappings and some keys are hard coded. I have found using the 7 key as a toggle for weapon group 6 (the group the TAG laser is assigned) works best for me.

MWO Setup, Oddities, and Suggested Use

Once you've completed the steps above, launch your script. You will get a pop-up asking for permission to run the script as an Administrator, so say yes to that.

Now launch MWO and jump into a mech that is equipped with a TAG laser. You can either configure your weapon groups in the MechLab Weapon Groups screen or once you launch say into the Testing Grounds.

You MUST only use weapon group 6 for your TAG laser at this point. In most cases this is sufficient. I have found in my mech piloting that more than 3-4 weapon groups becomes unmanageable in the heat of battle unless you have an elaborate mouse with many buttons or you have extra long fingers that can reach out across the keyboard. With the latter you are lifting your fingers off the all important movement keys so YMMV.

I suggest launching into the Testing Grounds with a TAG equipped mech just to see how the toggle will work before dropping into battle. As advertised, your TAG laser should now toggle on and off when you press the 7 key. There are some caveats with this due to oddities with MWO game client.

Any time your cockpit window loses "focus" your TAG laser will be disabled. It's silly, but that's what PGI has given us to work with. If you type into local or team chat, look at the match scoreboard, or open up the battle map, you will have to double tap the 7 key again to re-enable your TAG toggle. You should be using Voice Comms for MWO since teamwork makes the dreamwork and typing is so 20th century.

It used to be that you could just jam a folded wad of paper or a coin into the weapon group key assigned to TAG, but due to the way the devs have "nerfed" the ability to keep your TAG laser on without constantly holding down the key, AutoHotkey is the best solution I've found (and I've tested many alternatives using gaming mouse & keyboard macro utilities).

Now that you have your toggle, when you have your TAG laser toggled on, you don't want to give away your team's position when you are trying to be sneaky. Always make sure your TAG laser is either toggled off, pointed at a wall behind cover, pointed at the ground, or pointed at one of your teammate's backs until you engage the enemy.

Note you do not have to be a missile boat pilot to use a TAG laser. A TAG laser is a hard counter to an ECM capable mech and they will be designated for any member of your team once you point it at the enemy unit and lock them (R key). Every enemy you look at with your TAG toggled on becomes more vulnerable to missiles from your teammates and you get bonus pay for it when they rain death on a target you TAG.

Good hunting pilot! <o

[|YT|Piotr1502_PL]

how i can create script in mouse double one click like your tag scrip........ plis fast awnser

[Rykter Syx]

@Moshii... That should be flagged as a bug then, but in reality, who cares. That's only before engagement when you are trying not to give away your position with the red beam.

[MagicMoshii]

pretty sure targetting your team with ecm gives the enemy that bonus

[Old Irish 8000]

Tag is very good at cutting through ecm.

[jaxjace]

Tag speeds up targeting time so much its almost worth running even if you dont have missles, just to see where he is hurt before he sees how hurt you are. Plus people tend to freak out when painted with a tag