So, yeah. I've been waiting for them to overhaul the tank crosshairs since... well, beta. And it just hasn't happened. Am I the only one who lusts for this? It would take the devs like two seconds to implement; simply adding some numbers to the texture file for that HUD element. I dunno. Maybe it's just not such a problem for Vanu and NC (I only play one character), but as a Prowler driver, I end up with my face pressed against the damn monitor whenever I deploy for long-range bombardment... not to spot the target itself, but to try desperately to keep track of my range. Essentially, I have to refrain from blinking at all when I fire, so I can watch the recoil and remember which of those damn nondescript lines gave me the correct elevation. I swear, Planetside 2 has the most primitive sci-fi technology in the history of science fiction. Who the hell builds a tank with the ability to hurl rounds over huge distances... and gives the gunner a series of identical lines for range-finding? This desperate plea could, of course, extend to any weapon where the firing arc is a standard issue (vehicle-mounted grenade launchers etc), but it's the tanks that require the most precision from my point of view.
your having trouble seeing the mil dots on your screen. I hate to ask but how small of a monitor do you have? I would like a range finder so with a little testing I could determine which mil dot I should be using.
I'm not having trouble seeing anything. I'm having trouble differentiating between a repeating pattern of lines: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vvf9zyna278tvuf/TankRange.jpg
You'll only ever need the first 3 or 4 big notches anyways (assuming 2x zoom), the rest are calibrated to a range where nothing renders.
You can test it yourself on the VR, just set a personal waypoint in your map where, say, a VR vanguard is and then just move around and test. You can also use your minimap to set a waypoint faster while ingame, that way you can always know at what distance the enemy is at. It's much worse for VS.
Numbers, by themselves, would fix nothing. Each tank shell has its own velocity (and sometimes gravity?!?!?!), so they would need redrawing for each cannon (mortar, launcher, etc). Furthermore, the mill lines need to zoom in along with the camera so that the (say) 300m line means 300m zoomed and unzoomed (currently it does not). Finally, the reticule and mill lines need to constantly rotate so that the axis the lines are spaced along always points downwards, much like ESF reticules do. It has been twenty months or so and I know people have been asking for this all that time. Simply having the sights act as an artificial horizon and zoom with the camera would provide the most benefit for the least work.
it sounds like he is just wanting the lines to be labeled 1, 2, 3,, etc to be easier to keep track of which line is which. What might also help is an angle tracker, can be at the bottom right or what have you, keeps track of your degree elevation and compass heading
Exactly. I don't need help with actual range-finding; I'm talking about when I've FOUND my range... and need to remember where on that series of unmarked lines that range is. Due to lag, often the recoil (for the prowler at least) seems to accumulate; I'll fire one shot... no recoil... next shot, double recoil. Which means that, when I'm staring at a series of nondescript lines, it's very easy to lose track of my elevation. As "Frosty The Pyro" says, I'd be happy with literally "1, 2, 3" etc. Just so I can keep track of it. Surely I'm not the only person who ends up making their eyeballs hurt from staring, unblinking, at those damn lines?
Good idea indeed. I on the other hand am frustrated that there is such a huge gap between the actual reticule and the mil dots. There is quite a large range gap there where you just have to guess everytime as you can't use the mil dots to guide your aim. The lack of range finding annoys me extremely much, but I know nothing will be done about it, either because that's the way it's done in BF, or it would be OP. I personally lean on the former but well. Coming from WoT, where correct angle was calculated automagically, and having tried the first version of Steel Beasts I think it wouldn't make tanks particularily OP as they can be compensated, but would make them more interesting and enjoyable to play. Before you yell "no skill", I'dd suggest it be done in either WW2 panzer style, or Steel Beasts style. That means you have to measure the distance and adjust the aiming angle manually. This could be done in two styles: Manually adjusting a slider or something such, or "lasing". Lasing means you measure the distance to the target by shooting a laser to it and then the tank computer automatically adjusts the angle.
I don't even see the overlay any more. It seems pretty useless for range finding. The VS overlay washes out against the sky/esamir a lot of the time anyway. You'll get better at guessing the distance and drop after a while. Lockdown prowler/vanguard has it MUCH easier than a magrider's sad velocity. Do your best guess on the first shot and adjust the follow up shots accordingly. I know the cannon overlay is supposed to give the game some eye candy, but that's about all it does. About the only part of it I use is the center cross. People have wanted a horizon indicator for a long time. Like the ones aircraft have. In a perfect world, we'd have a rangefinder overlay with horizon indicator and all the other useful gizmos. For now, I'd settle for some magnifications stronger than 2x, and magrider cannons faster than softballs.
Good idea. I've also noticed wonky recoil thing in my Lighting. On one shot, the recoil resets, and sometimes it just kicks the barrel up a few degrees and leaves it there. I don't get it.
