Test Server Update - June 25, 2021 (NSOverhaul)

Download the Test Server client from this thread after reading the Test Server Policies: https://forums.daybreakgames.com/ps...st-test-server-policies-download-link.114038/
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There's a known crash that we need additional information to resolve. So please jump in to PTS to test out the upcoming update.
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Nanite Systems Operatives are now FREE FOR ALL PLAYERS
When the update goes Live, players will be able to play as the Nanite Systems Operatives (NSO) faction without a membership. Unlocking this faction will require a quick mission to be completed, gained at BR20 (or above) upon entering Sanctuary. For the Public Test Server, we've disabled the BR requirement on this mission.

• Free players will operate similar to how NSO does on Live currently, by fighting for the lowest populated faction on a continent.
• In this "Freelance" state, players will be unable to join or create Outfits.

Members will gain the ability to semi-permanently align themselves with a "Home Faction." Selecting VS, NC, or TR as your home faction will allow you to create, manage, and join an Outfit on that faction.

• Additionally, you may still opt into a Freelance state, and will not be kicked from your Outfit.
• If you're fighting for an opposing faction during the optional Freelance mode, Outfit communication and representation will be cut off.
• Enabling or disabling Freelance, or re-assigning yourself to a new Home Faction can be done through an NPC on Sanctuary named Emerson who now resides where Foster used to.

The Current Plan for Outfits
We'll be looking to migrate some of the larger NSO Outfits to home factions when this update is released to prevent those communities from being disrupted, while disbanding the much smaller and solo Outfits. As mentioned above, NSO characters will still be able to create an operate Outfits for a Home Faction. These changes address some of the pain points raised in our initial reveal post here: https://www.planetside2.com/news/nso-development-update



Dervish Heavy Fighter (NSO Vehicle)
The Dervish is a two-seat air superiority fighter new to the Nanite Systems Operatives faction. Read the details here: https://www.planetside2.com/news/dervish-heavy-fighter-teaser

Dervish will release with 3 noseguns, 3 top turrets, and a mix of common and unique utility/defense/performance cert lines.

Known issues and work in progress:
Dervish airframes are currently a work in progress.
Dervish' landing gear isn't deploying properly, this will be addressed in a later PTS build.
Dervish weapon audio is currently a work in progress.

Chimera Main Battle Tank (NSO Vehicle)
The Chimera is a 6-wheeled, six-seater new to the Nanite Systems Operatives faction. Read the details here: https://www.planetside2.com/news/chimera-main-battle-tank

Chimera will release 3 main cannons, 3 forward turrets, and a factional ability alongside more common utility/defense/performance cert lines.

Known issues and work in progress:
Chimera faction ability is currently a work in progress.
Chimera's default main cannon causes a black screen when the vehicle is pulled, use an alternate turret for now.
Chimera movement and weapon audio is currently a work in progress.

New Infantry Arsenal
The NSO faction has been given an entirely new arsenal of infantry weapons, and common pool NSX weapons are no longer provided as the defaults (but still accessible, as with all common pool weapons.)

New weapon directives have been added for NSO, complete with new banners.

Known issues and work in progress:
Default blue dot reticle is awaiting a visual update, use alternate optics in the meanwhile.
New directive weapons are currently a work in progress.

Defector (NSO MAX)

• The Defector can now equip implants available to MAX units.
• Time Bomb now removes weapon heat when active, and has been given an additional upgrade rank.
• Now has access to the Emergency Repair ability.
• We will be updating the Defector's silhouette so that it is more readily identifiable in the future. - CURRENTLY A WORK IN PROGRESS
• Two new weapons are slated for the Defector's release, and are currently under review. - CURRENTLY A WORK IN PROGRESS

Javelin (NSO Vehicle)

• Rumble Seat passenger now faces forward by default, and can swivel 360 degrees.
• Now has a default heavy machine gun weapon.
• Has access to two additional weapons, and will have three at launch. - CURRENTLY A WORK IN PROGRESS
• Handling has been reworked to be less... whimsical, and bring the vehicle balance more in line with the Flash. - CHASSIS HAVE NOT YET BEEN TUNED AGAINST THESE CHANGES

NSO Bug Fixes

• Adjusted continent queue code to account for NSO teams properly.
• NSO characters no longer spawn under the Warpgate floor.
• NSO characters now communicate with the correct teams in proximity voice.
• Engineer's repair beam now points to a Defector's chest.
• NSO's router now colors based on faction.
• Fixed issues with numerous faction-specific jump pads not accounting for NSO teams.

Black Market
All previous NSO weapon directive rewards now have non-Auraxium versions available in the Black Market, and are available to all factions. This includes the following:

• NSX Kappa
• NSX Sesshin
• NSX Yawara
• NSX Masamune
• NSX Kuwa

The NS Viscount G6, a suppressed variant of the NS Baron G5 is now available in the Black Market for all factions.


Infantry
NSO Infantry Changes

• NSO characters have access to Nanite Auto-Repair as an optional suit slot certification.

Aircraft Synergy(Engineer Passive)

• Rank 1 now includes ESF Interceptor variants, and Heavy Fighters.
• Rank 2 now includes the Valkyrie.

SABR-13 (Terran Republic Assault Rifle)

• Minimum damage from 125 to 143.

Betelgeuse 54-A (Vanu Sovereignty LMG)

• Must now be reloaded when overheated.
• Heat bleedoff rate from 240per sec. to 200per sec. (1000 maximum heat.)
• Loadout UI now properly states 50 round magazine (not the 65 it's never been.)

NSX Tengu(Common Pool SMG)

• Refire rate from 120ms to 117ms.

NSX-A Kappa(NSO/Common Pool SMG)

• Refire rate while aiming from 75ms to 80ms, now matching its hipfire refire rate.

NSX Daimyo(Common Pool Sniper Rifle)

• Refire rate from 333ms to 667ms.
• First shot recoil multiplier from 1 to 2.66.

Extended Magazines

• Now increases weapon equip and unequip times by either 15% or 20% depending on size increase.
• Many DBC costs were reduced during this pass to bring them in line with newer attachment pricing.

Lightning Grenade(Campaign Item)

• Removed storm restrictions on the Lightning Grenade, and it can now be used on all continents.
• Overall damage and area of effect were reduced.
• No longer overloads vehicles.

Missions

• The Mission system UI has been updated to allow for "Priority" missions and their filtering. Currently, only the NSO faction unlock mission is included as a Priority mission.
• The NSX Weapon Eval mission will continue to offer A7 as a potential reward, even after you've hit the soft cap.
• Ten new vehicle-centric missions have been added to the daily rotation.

High Impact Changes
Rumble Seat Repairs

• Repairing from the rumble seat has been removed for all vehicles.

Dev Note: We've removed rumble seat repairs to create clearer, more predictable vehicle balance. A lack of rumble-seat repairs should weaken the Harasser's ability to escape to a small degree, and slow down the pacing for this vehicle. The vehicle most impacted by this change will likely be the Valkyrie, as it will need to fly closer to the ground instead of being less brazen in the air. We've compensated to a small degree by allowing the Valkyrie to use the Engineer's Aircraft Synergy passive, but we'll be monitoring to see if additional changes are necessary to keep the Valkyrie relevant and fun.

Battle Rifles and Scout Rifles

• Both Battle Rifles and Scout Rifles have been combined under the "Scout Rifles" category.

Dev Note: This change increases weapon diversity for all non-Light Assault classes, and open up some new playstyle options.


Misc. Changes, Fixes, and Additions

• TEST SERVER ONLY: Added an Auraxium Weapons bundle in the Depot to unlock all current Auraxium weapons.
• Merit will no longer be cleared when leaving an Outfit.
• Fixed a memory allocation issue associated with audio events. (This is unlikely to fix the "Audio Bug" caused by longer play sessions.)
• You should no longer see random weapon attachments listed in the marketplace while using the search function.
• Added very small cooldown between grief audio indications to prevent stacking when multiple projectiles hit at the same time.
• NC and NSO Hardlight Barriers can no longer be stacked on top of one another.
• Fixed a particle issue with medical applications point to point visuals.
• Boosts can no longer be purchased with Merit.
• NS-11 "Endeavor" Carbine's 2x optics now correctly uses a 2x zoom range.
• Added missing Vanguard "Warning" horn.
• Vehicle dismount locations are now prioritized based on which seat the player occupied before ejecting.
• Fixed an issue with the "Storm Spotting" mission where placing a buoy wouldn't add progress.
• Biolabs now use teleporters from satellite bases, instead of spawn rooms within the Biolab.
• Fixed an issue with maximum voice channels being set improperly and the setting description being incorrect.
• You no longer auto-join squads in Sanctuary, and auto-join has been disabled by default for new installations.
• NSX Weapon Eval mission can no longer be completed by shooting NPCs.
• Nanite boosts no longer give extra cert rewards.
• Polish on Bastion terminal's "Launch" button disabled state.
• Added gunner kill experience for passengers on the Flash and Javelin.
• Fixed missing collision in the Sunderer Tower asset.
• Flash Basilisk Ammo Capacity upgrade no longer uses incorrect descriptions.