[Suggestion] Expand Light Assault to also be The Command Class

Iridar51 · Jan 28, 2015

Degenatron said: ↑

“It is indeed like introducing a seventh class. But the idea is to be able to give players the ability to "mix-n-match" the LA and COMM gear. Perhaps the requirement for the player to have the Comm Pack to use the Uplink Tool is too much. If that requirement was removed, it might not be too OP. The idea for that requirement was specifically to "demobilize" the Commander class because I didn't want them acting like a Jetpacking LA when they need to be running a squad. LAs tend to be out in front of the squad where you would want a Commander to be behind the squad. That could totally be me overthinking it. The flip side of that would be, "Do you want an LA flying around with that Uplink Tool in hand?" Would that be too much?”

You're overthinking. The key thing about Jet Pack is not that it allows you to be in front, it's that it allows you to be where you want. The Jet Pack would allows the Commander to get in a nice position overlooking the battlefield, from where he can issue orders as he likes.

zaspacer · Jan 28, 2015

Degenatron said: ↑

“

zaspacer said: ↑

“Light Assaults should be given a Repair Tool that only works on Air Vehicles and Terminals. Then Light Assault would then be the "Pilot - Assault" class.

This cuts directly against one of the core goals of my idea: Don't step on the toes of other classes. I wanted to introduce a concept for expanding the LA in a way that would not infringe on the abilities of the other classes. The only real direction that leaves open is the "Command Class". If I had my way, no one would have med kits, because med kits infringe on the medic's role in the game.”

It's basic design to have Classes/Units overlap in key abilities. This prevents "bottleneck", where one Class has a monopoly on a specific ability, and all gameplay related to that ability gets choked down to requiring (or otherwise making key) that monopoly.

It's easier to see in a classic MMO RPG where only one Class can Heal and one Class can Tank. In those cases, groups will sit and wait for the one Class they need in order to play, declining other Classes's requests to join, because those other Classes can't provide the key Bottleneck ability. But adjust the Game Design, such that multiple Classes can Heal and Tank, and now groups can open up that bottleneck and play without waiting around and being Bottlenecked by one Class.

Handing out unique Class defining abilities does not have to be a death blow to that Class:
1) give out a "weaker" or different version of that ability, one that does not equal it in all things, but that simply can provide a substitute source in key bottlenecks. Giving an Air Vehicle Repair only Tool to LA does not impact others playing Engineer that much: most repair to Air is not done except by people crewing that Air Vehicle anyway, and the LA can't repair any of the other things the Engineer can repair. In fact, because it's Air Vehicle Only Repair, the tool should be given other abilities such that LA's tool is robust enough to be considered a good enough Tool for the Class (maybe a "havoc" gun that can lock (unoccupied) Turrets and Terminals: which only an Engineer or Hacker or LA can unlock <-- this is just an example, I don't care what else the LA tool does, just something LA wants, makes sense for their Class to be using, is something they can make use of in combo with what they do, and that can fit in the game).
2) give Engineers an additional perk to help offset the loss of their Monopoly. It always hurts to lose something as a Class. Even if it's just that others get access to do it themselves now. But when it makes sense, when there's a bottleneck, it's the right thing to do to break that Monopoly. But you can give the Monopoly loser a perk to offset some of the sense of loss.

Look at the game. Find the Bottlenecks and open them up. Find the things (that work well) players are doing in game on their own as a workaround, and change the game to embrace those as real systems in the game.

LA and Infiltrator lost their ability on Destroying Generators. Because it was a Bottleneck that limited the flow and feel of the game.

LA's need a tool. Too many Engineers monopolize Vehicles (it's not a major access problem because anyone can just choose Engineer, but it is a game "full potential" problem because it limits the creativity and robustness of possible gameplay. Many pilots would love to play as LA so they can get what every other Vehicle user in the game gets: the ability to exit and survive a dying Vehicle. And pilots having emergency exit systems standard makes sense.

I see this as a no brainer Design-wise. It's just seeing the strings that are already in the game now and tying them together. Making for a better game overall.

I see Bottlenecking "Command" abilities into LA as a step in the wrong direction. It conforms to an intuitive sense of order and sorting out, but it forces the game into artificial limits which box in potential gameplay.

I think Designers should watch the game for Bottlenecks, and take steps to open them up.”

Fry_Poncho · Jan 28, 2015

@Degenatron
I see what you mean on the "removal of the jetpack" and the "LA spawn beacon only". When explained in more detail, they make more sense. The OS still seems op, though. Perhaps the os would follow the HE, HEAT, and AP rules, just tweaked a little. the lowest version would be a long bombardment (8 shots in 5 sec?) and would do no damage to armor. The second would be good against armor and infantry. (3 shots over 3 sec?) The third would do massive damage to armor and maybe 5?m maximum splash of 1000 and min. damage of 500 at 15?m. For the abilities, (ex. airstrikes, av+ai turrets, portal+supply drop, cloaking?) have a set. The double tap q would be default. For examle the airstrikes would be paired together, as would the turrets, and so on. An interesting ability could be a cloaking field that goes 2? meters around. Just idead

Anywho, still would like to see worked in the game.

On another note, to those who think that this would remove the Light Assault's "Light", allow me to explain. This unit would still have light weaponry, and its mobility (through abilities). It may not have its "insta mobility" but it would be able to move quickly thanks to abilities that kill or distract enimies. Also, hasn't there always been whining about "light assault needs more of a team role"? This would provide this choice.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Vauguerd, saying "See you on Auraxis"

MechSniper1324 · Jan 28, 2015

This game isn't battlefield for a reason people. I like the idea, but it would change planetside for the worse imo. Light Assault is meant to be the run & gun guy. The loose cannon with 9 trunks of beer and a shotgun. The rambo with added death dealing. You get my point?

MrGhosty · Feb 4, 2015

I can't say that I agree with this, while I do support the intention. What I would rather see is all of those commander aspects (with obvious OP balances) given automatically to whoever is the squad leader while still requiring them to respawn or refit from a terminal to get all the gear. Depending on the makeup of the squad I don't believe you should force command into one class.

As for the light assault kit, I would like to see more tools to give them some more options as LA is largely unused beyond suicide runs and solo player. I am intrigued by the concept of having LA be the "pilot" class leaving engineers to be largely the tank/ground vehicle class. Maybe instead of invalidating the safe ejection system, give it a boon when used in conjunction with the LA jetpack instead of dropping down it acts a bit like jump pads do. Though something that I would love is something like a jump pad ladder that LAs can drop.

The Jump Ladder would be a limited range/height jump pad connected to an upper ledge straight down a building, susceptible to gunfire, this would allow LAs to actually lead attacks or open additional entry points when a base is particularly fortified. I would like to see support abilities added rather than anything that makes them more deadly (let's face it, part of the reason they've not got a lot of kit is they can attack from any angle and get in and out of scrapes all other classes would be dead in) so something like the jump ladder would make them a worthwhile addition to the squad makeup.

Fry_Poncho · Feb 8, 2015

Even though I can see how this wouldnt be fair, there sould be at least a commander class.

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[Suggestion] Expand Light Assault to also be The Command Class

Iridar51

zaspacer

Fry_Poncho

MechSniper1324

MrGhosty

Fry_Poncho

[Suggestion] Expand Light Assault to also be The Command Class

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