Have seen the gametype 'McRugby' mentioned several times; what is it and how do you play?

Also, what happened to the webpage the last couple of days? I've tried to access and keep getting 'server not found' messages!

While I have not played any games of McRugby, I know what the jist is. Basically it is Capture the Flag(Have not played anygames either) with both teams scrambling for a flag that is in the center of the map. Each team has a Dz that is supposed to be equaldistant from the drop to the flag. Flag CAps are worth 1000 points, enemy kills 25 points, 1 point per second your team is holding the flag, 5 points per second when you, the flag, and an enmey is within 100m, of Mchome ( where the flag normall is I assume), -25 points for teamkills or sucide. Then there are basic roles such as runners, chasers, defenders and what have you.

McRugby is a gametype based loosely on CTF and Steal the Beacon. There's one flag a central area (called McHome) that opposing teams try to grab and take to the other team's goal area. You usually see variants of CTF tactics, with beefed-up armor since the flag spawn is a contested area and defenders are going to be slugging it out with each other. Roled vary depending on the map, but you'll usually have "McHomies" in assaults --Gargoy;es, mostly, but sometimes Hauppies or Sunders -- trying to control McHome, with runners in fast lights (typically Dashers) whose only purpose in life to to pick up the flag and run for dear life towards an enemy spawn. Sometimes a Blackhawk will pop up, but that seems to have fallen into disfavor somewhat. Only on the largest maps will you see anything resembling a chaser from CTF, in (what else) a Turbogoyle. It pretty much runs like CTF other than that. You won't see it much on open servers, but there's a moderately large number of teams on the MWL McRugby ladder.

One big adreneline rush is one way to describe it.
I'll try to give you an overview.
There is one flag and two teams.
Each team has a goal to which they have to carry the flag to. This goal is usually located at the opposite side of the map from where you spawn.
The flag starts at and reappears after a goal at what is called McHome. McHome supposed to be located equidistant from each teams spawn point.

McHomies (McHome defenders) usually consist of Hauptmans, Daishi, Warthog,.....you get the picture.
Runners usually consist of Dashers, Fleas, Ullers and BlackHawks.
Chasers usually consist of Gargoyles, Lokis, and sometimes Dragons.

The object of the game type is to gain control of the flag and run it to your goal. Easier said than done.

McHome is usually being fought for by big ugly assault type mechs that just love to see light mechs run in front of them. It's not unusual to get 30 kills as a McHome defender. You can also get killed 30 times as a McHome defender. As a McHome defender you want to try to time your push for McHome so that when the flag is capped at a goal you have control of the area around McHome and can pick it up when it reappears.

As a runner your only mission is to take the flag to the goal. You don't have much in the way of weapons because your mech should be at max speed. Speed is life for the runner. You stay away from the bad guys unless you think there is a chance you might be able to pick the flag. As a runner you also have to be able to time your rush to McHome to pick the flag when it reappears.

The chaser can have two missions. Chase the opposing runner down and take the flag away from them and help out at McHome when needed. This is where the high speed Gargoyle is at it's best The Gargoyle can almost run down a zigzaging Flea and still have enough firepower to knock it down.

There are alot of tactics involved with this game type. If you want to learn more read this McRugby over at MWL.

Nutshell:

CTF
There are two flags. You have to defend your own flag, and have some other guys go get your opponent's flag and bring it back to your base to score points.

McRugby
There's only one flag, that pops up in no-man's-land in the middle of the map. You have to grab that flag, and then ram it down the enemy's throat, taking it to his base to score. It's kind of like Football with 'Mechs.


Makes for two completely different game dynamics, to me. One is about grabbing and escaping. The other is about grabbing and smashing the enemy's teeth in. Can you tell which one I like better?

Both gametypes require an unreal level of cooperation and communication among team mates, which is one of the reasons why you don't see them hosted or played on open servers much. They are a ton of fun with an organized group, but can be more of an exercise in frustration if you're just sort of lumped together with other people at random.