Which and how many vehicles will we see in PS2?

[Figment]

Okay so which vehicles do we know off sofar?

Confirmed vehicles:

Aircraft:


Galaxy (NS - AMS, Transport - gun options: AA, AV, AI + Gunship variant)
Liberator (NS - Gunship with 150mm - post beta weapon variant may have bombs)


Mosquito (TR Multirole Fighter - AA/AV/AI)
Reaver (NC Multirole Fighter - AA/AV/AI)
Scythe (VS Multirole Fighter - AA/AV/AI)


Ground vehicles:


ATV (Flash?) (NS - Multirole ATV AI or AV)
Lightning (NS - Multirole Light Tank AI + AV/AA or AV or AA)
Sunderer (NS - Ground Transport, probably variants are customizable from basic frame)
*Name(s) Unknown* (NS - Multi-crew, 6 wheeled assault APC)


Magrider (VS Multirole Tank - driver: main gun; gunner: AI, AV or AA)
Prowler (TR Multirole Tank - driver: main gun; gunner: AI, AV or AA)
Vanguard (NC Multirole Tank - driver: main gun; gunner: AI, AV or AA)


MERGED VEHICLES
Confirmed
Likely
Possible


Bassilisk (Incorporated as ATV customization)
Fury (Incorporated as ATV customization)
Wraith (No stealth vehicles at beta lauch? Incorporated later as ATV customization?)


Deliverer (Possibly unknown 6 wheeled NS APC variants customizable from the basic frame)
Aurora (Deliverer variant?)
Raider (Deliverer variant?)
Thunderer (Deliverer variant?)


Juggernaught (Incorporated as ES Sunderer customization?)
Leviathan (Incorporated as ES Sunderer customization?)
Vindicator (Incorporated as ES Sunderer customization?)


Vulture (Possibly incorporated in Liberator customization)


Wasp (AA missiles and gun difference incorporated in ES fighters)


POST-BETA
Likely
Speculated
No info


Enforcer (post-beta?: NC buggy)
Harasser (post-beta?: NS buggy with ES customization?)
Marauder (post-beta?: TR buggy)
Tresher (post-beta?: VS buggy)


*Name(s) Unknown* (Post-beta?: NS Multirole MBT - There have been hints at consideration of a common pool MBT (other than Lightning))
*Name(s) Unknown* (Post-beta?: NS or ES Heavy tank - A heavier than MBT tank has come up as an option)


Phantasm (No cloaked vehicles in beta)
Router (Unknown - Probably out)
Switchblade (Unknown - Probably out)



SCRAPPED VEHICLES
No concrete plans
Definitely out


ANT (post-beta?: base supply logistics unit is not part of gameplay concept as of yet)
AMS (Out - Respawn and equipment resupply functionality transfered to Galaxy)
NC/VS/TR GV BFRs (Out - Promised by Smedley)
NC/VS/TR FV BFRs (Out - Promised by Smedley)
Flail (Out - Indirect fire vehicles akin to artillery said to not fit the concept)
Lodestar (Out - Vehicle repair and resupply functionality transfered to Sunderer)
Skyguard (Out - AA functionality transfered to Lightning and MBT gunner)



So as it stands, we have for each faction five confirmed ground vehicle platforms (NS ATV frame, NS APC frame, NS Lightning frame, 3x ES MBT, Sunderer) and three aircraft platforms (NS Galaxy/Galaxy Gunship, 3x ES fighter, NS Liberator). If the Liberator is NC only (as was suggested at first and is suggested by the design theme), then the Vulture might be another Gunship, probably the TR version based on how Mosquito and Reaver became TR and NC vehicles as well, whereas the VS would then get something completely new. However, from Hamma's Nanite System image, it is most likely this will be a common pool vehicle at least during beta.
The buggies and ANT MIGHT make it in somewhere after beta, but that's a maybe on both and uncertain if this would be a Common Pool or ES variant. The Phantasm has not been mentioned anywhere as far as I'm aware and thus may or may not be in, though I doubt it'd make it to beta.

The Deliverer has, as far as I'm aware, not been mentioned anywhere at all, but a Nanite System 6 wheeled APC has been shown and might be the new Deliverer. If it does, I presume each empire will have ES weapons to put on top which basically creates the Deli variants of the past but under one unit name. I assume similar things for the confirmed Sunderer to create the Sunderer variants under a common name. The AMS, Lodestar and Skyguard have been confirmed as scrapped (Lightning functionality transfered to tanks) and the Flail insinuated to have been scrapped. I am currently presuming no Core Combat units will make it in either. And of course none of the 6 BFRs will ever see the new game (yay on that one). So far, I've been given the impression the ANT and Buggies are potential additions (I would presume in either ES manner, or CP), but as of now it is uncertain if that will happen.

Given the design of Indar, the only continent we've seen, being void of central water or coastal bases, I would not keep my hopes up for naval units either. Certainly not after some changes in the official PS site's description texts which removed sea combat.


What else can we expect? Can we expect more units or even more basic frames? Or is customized variants the only added variety we will see?

[Coreldan]

No stealthable vehicles at launch, so you can cross over Phantasm.

[acosmo]

no AT vehicles are returning. no flail, router, switchblade etc
lib is common pool

[Figment]

Alright, edited. Based on that info, I would scrap the Vulture as being customizable through a Liberator and I've blotted out the Router and Switchblade.

Coreldan, you said no stealthable vehicles at launch, so that means the Wraith is out as well?

[MooK]

Not enough!

I'd like to see a lot of basic frames for sure. It may be redundant, but the higher the possibility for customization, and the more objects that can be customized, will likely mean a much more enjoyable game. Uniqueness will do wonders for PlanetSide.

I would not agree with dismissing base PlanetSide 1 vehicles for PlanetSide 2, but I wouldn't object to adding them in over time. Not only would there be a good story aspect (Nanite Systems releases a new vehicle!) but it would also keep the game interesting.

So long as the original design of the game is not horribly mutated over time (keep our original designers employed!) trickling content in would help keep me hooked.

[acosmo]

I would not agree with dismissing base PlanetSide 1 vehicles for PlanetSide 2, but I wouldn't object to adding them in over time. Not only would there be a good story aspect (Nanite Systems releases a new vehicle!) but it would also keep the game interesting.

So long as the original design of the game is not horribly mutated over time (keep our original designers employed!) trickling content in would help keep me hooked.

i think they should have a common pool buggy rather than a lightning.

[SKYeXile]

i think they should have a common pool buggy rather than a lightning.

they should have both and have the buggy be the AA platform, not the lightning.

[acosmo]

they should have both and have the buggy be the AA platform, not the lightning.

why have a lightning when you can drive and gun an mbt?

there is no "the AA platform". all units have fairly similar AA capacity if customized properly

[SKYeXile]

why have a lightning when you can drive and gun an mbt?

there is no "the AA platform". all units have fairly similar AA capacity if customized properly

They said the lighting would be a much more effective AA platform than the MBT, hence why i said "the aa platform" as in, equivalent to the effectiveness of the skyguard.

[Azren]

They said the lighting would be a much more effective AA platform than the MBT, hence why i said "the aa platform" as in, equivalent to the effectiveness of the skyguard.

Well that makes no sence. They can fit x AA gun on a small framed light weight vehicle, but it won't fit on a much bigger and heavier one? Sure... At least they should come up with more logical restrictions.

[MooK]

i think they should have a common pool buggy rather than a lightning.

I'm definitely a fan of a common pool buggy!

[BorisBlade]

I'm definitely a fan of a common pool buggy!

me too, if they do em right this time tho. Aside from the skyguard, the other buggies were crap. Sad since it wouldnt have taken a ton of work to make em fit nicely into the battlefield. If we just get another worthless harasser done like ps1's then its not worth the time.

[MooK]

me too, if they do em right this time tho. Aside from the skyguard, the other buggies were crap. Sad since it wouldnt have taken a ton of work to make em fit nicely into the battlefield. If we just get another worthless harasser done like ps1's then its not worth the time.

The harasser was far from worthless. Fast, low profile, had a hefty trunk. Perfect for sniping. Great for moving across terrain with a friend.

I felt the Skyguard was way out of place in the game, tbh. I would have preferred something else.

[Atuday]

I pray for my thresher to be back and faster than ever before. Nothing says screw you all like being an un-hittable little buggy zipping through the trees while shelling the crap out of you.

[acosmo]

i think we would all prefer a customizable a la PS2 common pool buggy. capable of fitting a medium (more powerful than any man-portable version) AA/AV/AI weapon. (maybe even ES weapons?)

[Figment]

Personally, I'd hope they reconsider so much niche overlap and I prefer a lot of ES units as that makes for more unique gameplay situations. Would also be nice if they create another medium tank (so you can fight with a lighter two player tank when supplies are low for instance), but especially more dedicated platforms. Personally I'd prefer it if a unit could be AI/AA, or AI/AV, predominantly one type, AI, AV or AA and less allrounders. Bit more rock-paper-scissors which you can tell from a good distance.

In that sense I'd like a halftrack with AI/AA machine gun emplacement (could be the new Skyguard).

Would also like to see a tank destroyer or Self-Propelled Gun type unit for anti-tank purposes, rather than anti-infantry. Though I could see a TD customizable into a flame-thrower tank (20m range) for bunker busting with its short range AoE weapons. Could be easily flanked and destroyed if you give it softer sides than front.

Some amphibious/hovercraft units, so you can do some more diverse stuff around water and although VS would have an advantage having the Magrider there, they'd not be completely uncontestable.

If we get a typical support unit (with cloak shield) like the AMS at one point after much whining from our side, it would be nice if you could exchange the spawns with other support equipment such as anti-vehicle/air radar, large radius sensor disruptor, medical or vehicle repair bay. Perhaps even a version, though more likely a different vehicle altogther, that allows you to erect new fortifications such as small towers, checkpoints, bunkers and trenches. Really creating a sandbox game with player situated content.

Similarly I'm still hoping for either flying (Lodestar) or amphibious/hovercraft vehicle transports to create alternate assault routes.

[Figment]

Sounds like Sunderer gets equip term and lodestar facilities built-in, without the repairs. So I would imagine the loadstar will be unlikely to return after beta as well. Unless for vehicle transport and repairs.

From where I stand, all this role combining is going to make it difficult to add new units later.

[Lonehunter]

I do think less vehicles can work. With the Cert Specializations each vehicle can have different roles/modifications/attachments

[CutterJohn]

Personally, I'd hope they reconsider so much niche overlap

Just because two vehicles can fit the same general class of weapon does not mean the two weapons are equivalent. A sniper rifle and HA are both AI weapons, but they fill completely different roles on the battlefield. Rail beam and 150mm, both av. Completely different niches.

[Figment]

Just because two vehicles can fit the same general class of weapon does not mean the two weapons are equivalent. A sniper rifle and HA are both AI weapons, but they fill completely different roles on the battlefield. Rail beam and 150mm, both av. Completely different niches.

True, but depends entirely on implementation and if there are indeed significant differences OR if they are available. Though the Rail Beam and 150 mm have different firing arcs and therefore different gameplay, they are Empire Specific and as such you do not have a choice once you have selected your empire. So even if 100mm and 150mm for instance are more alike, they are not alternate options.

Now, a diverse range of weaponry may be possible for a single frame using tweaked/customized frame and gun stats, but I would say it is quite likely players will eventually adopt a particular optimum within a frame and optima in combination with other frames. Where exactly these optima lie is impossible to tell pre-beta (aside from manpower/armour distribution).



Here's a nice example of frame impact on weapon selection and overall balance MAX or infantry in combination with AA.

When fighting from for instance indoors against aircav, the best choice for AA would be flak. Thus you would always chose Burster MAX when fighting from indoors, unless of course... you were NC or VS and would have to use either 3 second or continuous lock on MAXes (hah...hah... in a cave, against Reavers camping the exit, right...) or Flaklet. In fact, TR had a better alternative for its infantry frame: a decent weapon for AA/AV purposes alike, called Striker, something NC and VS did not have.

It is therefore not surprising that TR hardly had a use for or required Flaklets, but instead used lots of Burster MAXes in combination with Strikers, whereas NC and VS didn't really want to deal with air at all and avoided it where possible, as the only option they had was the Flaklet which was rather underwhelming and inconsistant in performance, let alone leaving you vulnerable to everyone else (where a MAX can at least take a couple hits).

This is why TR currently rule the caves in PS1: they are the only ones with a viable 'indoor -> outdoor' AA frame. Proximity flak spam is after all far superior and less situational and demanding than (continuous line of sight or time requiring) lock on. This is all down to having certain weapons on certain basic 'frames'. You will probably see something similar happen with setups between the different classes in PS2.

[Mezorin]

While its kind of a bummer that somebody's favorite vehicle got cut, in all honesty most of the vehicles in planetside 1 never got used. Did anyone use the Harasser, like ever? While PS 1 was a great game, it had a lot of game design "bloat" where almost 1/2 of the vehicles were never used on a regular basis due to them being obsolete.

The way the AMS and Galaxy are being combined, the Sunderer and Lodestar are being melded, the Liberator being changed from a spam bomber to a Hind D/ mini AC 130, and the 3 empire air frames being able to go either "reaver"/"mossie"/"wasp" based on load out are all good game design decisions. For all we know, maybe the lightning and ES buggies will be combined into a single functionality platform with different load outs (ideally an AI, or AA platform based on load out).

And the best part about this that you do not lose out on any game play "styles" you had in the first game, with the exception of the BFR or Phantasm. Given the amount of bitching we've heard for the last 5 years, there will be very few tears shed over the loss of the BFRs. Stealthers will likely be more awesome on foot in this game anyways, though I could easily see the stealth ATV making a comeback for infiltration. If you liked all the other vehicles in the game, there will be something for you in PS2 that's roughly equivalent of what you were doing before, the only difference is you might slap a different set of guns/armor/engine on the ride you are doing than the next guy to fill that role.

[Figment]

Updated with a bit more hints from devs at a Common Pool MBT beind under consideration and a CP or ES Heavy Tank, which apparently had come up in dev discussions as optional.

It was also confirmed that Common Pool vehicles will have ES weapon attachments possible.

[Figment]

Updated first post with info from last few months and sorted the vehicles a bit.

[ringring]

I think the devs should consider the router making a return.

It all depends on how gameplay pans out but it could add valuable tactical options.

We haven't seen any hint of water masses as yet, although we have only seen a map of one cont. If there are water barriers then a vehicle that can float would be useful for TR and NC especially.

[IMMentat]

The listed vehicles covers the basics, and the multi-role ES vehicles could have a LOT of options.
Great thread, can we get a link here from the
http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=37350
thread please.

I'm also hoping for a mobile flying base though, something like the BF2142 bases or the shield helicarier from the avengers movie.

[Sabot]

We haven't seen any hint of water masses as yet, although we have only seen a map of one cont. If there are water barriers then a vehicle that can float would be useful for TR and NC especially.

Technology aint so bad now, is it? Shame you didn't think about that when you created your broken ideology! ;)

But honestly, router. Meh... I guess it'd work. Probably have to play the game first though. I'd rather see the flail tbh.. or rather, ES artillery. Nothing says "F you" like 25 65 pound arty shells all landing in an area at the same time.

[Timealude]

didn't they talking about naval units possibly post launch as well?

[Synical]

It's nice to see the Lightning is getting some love as it was my favorite ground vehicle in PS1. The only time I hopped in a Prowler was if my outfit really needed me in one.

Sad to see the buggies go though. I for one like all of them, including the Harasser.

[Noivad]

Excellent Posting Figment, good info, but sad.

Speaking from a TR perspective only, I disagree whith everyone who thinks that some of the PS1 vehicles were obsolete. Only the people who failed to learn how to properly use them, and all their ablities, would think such a thing.

Whats funny is that the Sunderer, was one of the least used vehicles in PS1,and is now gonna be one of the main ones.. We called them bang busses and boom boxes and toaster ovens because they were so easy to kill, so slow, and were not worth a dam against vehicles or infantry that got right up next to them. It was a slow way to get from point A or Point B. Imangine moving on any map from the top of the map to the bottom of the map and the time it would take. The new maps ar how many times bigger then the old ones. 64 square miles.

SOE wound up changing the Sunderers giving them more armor and a horn of all things and the ablity to go through shielded gates, and a side gun that had extended range against cloakers. Then they became more popular but not much. It was rare that you saw a unit using one.

There was nothing like two raiders or three delis, to take down a gg or gal, and yes even tanks. And they could float on the water like a boat. It is fast with 8 gunners and 2 coordinated drivers in a raider to take down an enemy air or ground vehicle.

Loadies moved whole units of tanks around, and the AMS as well. Can you fit them into the new GALs of PS2. Will see. Lot of driving and gameplay gone if you can't.

And if the Sunderer is a vehicle that is supposed to transport troops from A to B are they gonna stop with all the guys in them to repair tanks on the way. That will be exciting, or is it just gonna be an empty vehicle with 1 driver who parks it behind the action like the loady used to do if it had a poor operator who left it instead of repaired vehicles that came up to it.

The Sunderer, some have even suggested to make it an AMS too. Maybe it should fly as well, be a Gal varient, with a load capacity to carry tanks. We can have folding wings on it so it can be driven into battle when its not flying. Then add extra guns for ADA, Anti Infantry, and Anti veh. Oh they are already doing that, the new gals can defend themselves on the ground. Lets do it all with one vehicle and make all the other vehicles obsolete.

The harrasser was a vechile that had had stealth capablities, that a REXO heavy Armored person could drive with a buddy. Heavy Armored Infantry types were restricted to drive certain vehicles, only open air ones. A two person team that could not be seen by the enemy allowing them to pull up to any base undetected. It was fast too. And if you did not have a sky guard certed it was the next best thing to transport an LLU quickly. No LLUs in PS2. I'll miss that type of game play. A race against time and the ablity of the enemy to stop your hack. Gone in PS2

And isn't an epic air battle more epic with multiple types of aircraft configured each their own way. Aircraft reconnigition will be easy with only 5 types of air vehicles. 1 bomber type, 1 gal, and 3 seperate Air vehicles.

More vehicles, more diversity to chose from , more fun. Give a person three different roles for one vehicle, and you have made him an army of one.

And ATV / quads too funny. The number of people on those were never many unless an outfit was having an event. Cloakers liked them, but it took a lot of skill to use them and kill with them. They were only one cert point and you would expect to see them everywhere but you never did. Not because people were in outfits doing the outfit thing. Not too many people ever used them. Seems the trees kept getting into the way. Bad Tree Bad. Shoot it. And people missed a lot too with the ATV/quad. way to easy to kill.

Prowlers were used a lot, and outfits usually rolled with them three manned or 2 manned with a sky guard. A real team vehicle.

The lightning was used by people who did not have the certs to run a prowler, or were not part of an outfit. Or were extras. They were used when outfits had a lightning event with 25 or more of them at one time. Other wise it was nothing more then a solo tank, and looks like in PS2 it will be the same thing. I'd like this new lightning better if you could put two people in it.

The prowler once a 3 person tank, now reduced to a two person tank if the driver trains for it. But then that would make it more in line with what the NC had, and the VS had. Two person vehicles. The VS tank driver even got to shoot. Now so can the mighty prowler driver.

Hey wait a miniute here, Higby is NC, and T Ray is VS. Now I know where this is all coming from. this lack of team work with vehicles. Its that NC / VS mindset. I digress.

I hope you people realize that now you both have to drive your prowler tank, and fight it too at the same time. Another reason why not to many peeps in lightnings in PS1. Reavers killed them easy when they stopped to shoot instead of shooting on the move. Maybe thats why they put Air Defense guns on the prowler, and the lightning, so the solo player could kill Reavers. Some peeps, not all , have problems doing 2 things at one time. I betcha the reavers still kill them.

Its gonna be an interesting BETA. Being a TR, and playing the TR vehicles like NC and VS.

I think I'll stay Infantry this time in PS2. The vehicle battles don't seem like they will be as much fun when you don't need teamwork in one vehicle to kill the enemy. Its always so much easier to kill some one solo is it not. No coordination needed. kinad like most of the other lame ass FPS games out there. BF3 comes to mind.

Who needs teamwork anyhow. Planetside was not about teamwork was it? :evil:

[Timealude]

Hey wait a miniute here, Higby is NC, and T Ray is VS. Now I know where this is all coming from. this lack of team work with vehicles. Its that NC / VS mindset. I digress.


there are more then Higby and T ray doing the programming and working on the game, theres a few others in the dev offices that are TRs :rolleyes:

[Noivad]

there are more then Higby and T ray doing the programming and working on the game, theres a few others in the dev offices that are TRs :rolleyes:

I am aware of this, but they are both at the top of the development ladder. Regardless who is calling the shots, the TR are supposed to be the military types here, and it it rare in any military that they operate as a solo player on the battlefield. Even specialized Recon / sniper teams work in teams of two.

I cannot recall seeing, reading, or hearing about any type of tank being a solo vehicle. And so I was fecitious. As i was in most of my post. :doh: