Bolt Driver

[CrystalViolet]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1010436&l=cb285c439a&id=209775182400434

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/404831_330023617042256_209775182400434_1010436_108 8506100_n.jpg

"The Bolt Driver uses an electromagnetic propulsion system to drive an extremely accurate, high velocity projectile at distant targets. It is prized by New Conglomerate snipers for its stopping power over long ranges and has become the primary weapon of choice for many soldiers entering the field of battle.[RadarX]"

So the bolt driver is NC specific now?

[Aurmanite]

Empire specific sniper rifles? I can dig it.

[CrystalViolet]

interesting that it seems to default with iron sights. Also looks like the breach load design has been eliminated.

[Mordicant]

Wtf? Okay? Up is down left is right..

It makes sense with their design ideas but now I am really curious to see the other factions 'sniper' rifles. But that being said, are sniper rifles more defined by attachments than the base weapon?

[Zenben]

:huh: Did I miss the TR ES sniper rifle?

Edit:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/404867_319061914805093_209775182400434_984452_1422 67322_n.jpg

Oh, I guess it's that middle weapon, but that was never revealed, was it?

[Niemand]

More like a designated marksman gun then a true snipe riffle. Maybe upgradable with a scope?

[Aaron]

NC took the bolt driver, eh? Looks pretty sweet. I wonder what the other factions are getting.

But it does look like some sort of assault rifle, doesn't it? Perhaps it's just missing a scope.

[SniperSteve]

Maybe TR don't get a sniper rifle? Or there is a common pool sniper, and each empire gets a 'special' weapon that do not necessarily fill the same rolls. (Nc=sniper(Bolt Driver), TR=machine gun(heavy cycler) VS=AOE Weapon???)

[DOUBLEXBAUGH]

They are not revealing every weapon every side has. They all get an LMG (like the cycler ARV variant) and they all get a sniper rifle like this.

[CrystalViolet]

They seem to have taken a few styling cues from the Barrett m82, so I'm guessing it will be the hardest hitting and slowest firing Sniper rifle, but it's interesting to note that there are 3 rails for adding attachments.

[EVILPIG]

It's just a name, get over it. As long as there is balance between the roles each weapon fills for it's empire. As with everything else we keep seeing everyone cry over, wait for Beta before you formulate a real opinion.

[Raymac]

All your weapons are belong to us! First the Reaver is ours. Now the Bolt Driver is ours. Join the revolution!

[Aurmanite]

It's just a name, get over it. As long as there is balance between the roles each weapon fills for it's empire. As with everything else we keep seeing everyone cry over, wait for Beta before you formulate a real opinion.

There's actually no crying in this thread.

...yet.

[Quovatis]

:huh: Did I miss the TR ES sniper rifle?

Edit:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/404867_319061914805093_209775182400434_984452_1422 67322_n.jpg

Oh, I guess it's that middle weapon, but that was never revealed, was it?

The middle weapon is the Cycler ARV, which was already revealed. It's a heavy assault weapon, not a sniper rifle.

But yeah, looks more like a modified Gauss rifle than a whole new weapon...much like the ARV.

[FIREk]

So the Bolt Driver is kind of an NC SR-25... It kinda makes sense, since the original's name didn't make any sense either. ;)

I'm hoping the devs quickly redesign the Cycler ARV to be its TR equivalent.
The ARV, as an LMG is ridiculous, with the added weight and long sniper-like barrel somehow leading to less accuracy instead of more.

The Cycler LMG version should have a slightly longer barrel than the Cycler rifle, and have some sort of cooling frame built around the barrel. It should PROPER. It should look like an LMG.

[Rbstr]

I'm betting that every empire gets thier own version of the LGM (ARV) and the sniper/marksman rifle (Bolt Driver).

I bet the VS weapon week introduces the carbine version of thier assault rifle.

[Robert089]

TR better not end up with some semi auto piece of crap like the HSR...

[etheral]

hmm, phrase "primary weapon of choice" in the fluff text seems to imply that is more of a DMR variant of the gauss than a true sniper rifle.

Has anyone else noticed that the NC weapons seem to be shifting more toward powerful, accurate weapons that seem to focus on long range combat? It will be interesting to see how this works in beta

[Bags]

Pretty damn bad ass looking.

[sylphaen]

It looks like a standard rifle...

Will TR get something like this:
http://world.guns.ru/userfiles/images/sniper/sn35/hecate_ii.jpg

While the VS get something a tad more balanced with AoE ?
Railgun from Eraser - YouTube

[Quovatis]

I'm hoping the devs quickly redesign the Cycler ARV to be its TR equivalent.
The ARV, as an LMG is ridiculous, with the added weight and long sniper-like barrel somehow leading to less accuracy instead of more.


Yeah, that never made sense to me either. Adding a longer, heavier barrel means MORE accuracy, not less.

[Raelity]

It would be a shame if the sniper rifles are Empire specific without a common pool one, because some people prefer semi-auto and some people prefer bolt action or slower fire rates. If the TR don't have a single shot style sniper rifle I may have to consider joining the rebellious scum instead.

[Bags]

It would be a shame if the sniper rifles are Empire specific without a common pool one, because some people prefer semi-auto and some people prefer bolt action or slower fire rates. If the TR don't have a single shot style sniper rifle I may have to consider joining the rebellious scum instead.

CUS TO MA ZAY SION

I would guess.

[waldizzo]

So the NC will have all the people hiding in the hills and not completing objectives? Niccccccccceeeeeeeeeeee

[Aurmanite]

So the NC will have all the people hiding in the hills and not completing objectives? Niccccccccceeeeeeeeeeee

Who cares about objectives?

Imma kill everything that moves.

[DayOne]

Looks to me like they are really going all out on customisation. Not just a few attachments but a full on "this is my rifle" swing to it.

[sylphaen]

Who cares about objectives?

Imma kill everything that moves.

Good luck vs. AirCav.

[Aurmanite]

Good luck vs. AirCav.

Good luck vs my friend the AA Lightning driver!

And he will have good luck vs the Vanguard.

Who will have good luck vs AirCav

Who will have good luck vs the AA Max...

Planetside is awesome, amirite?

[sylphaen]

Good luck vs my friend the AA Lightning driver!

And he will have good luck vs the Vanguard.

Who will have good luck vs AirCav

Who will have good luck vs the AA Max...

Planetside is awesome, amirite?

Yes, you understood what I meant.
:)

And I'm totally hoping for a good balance between all of those playstyles.

[WellWisherELF]

It is prized by New Conglomerate snipers

It's NC theme week, so obviously they aren't going to say that a weapon is prized by Vanu soldiers. They just happened to showcase 1 common pool weapon during NC week

Nowhere does it say that it's exclusive.

[BigBossMonkey]

Who cares about objectives?

Imma kill everything that moves.


Jokes on you, I'm a TR MAX. I don't move.

[Ceska]

if you look at this screenshot (http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/viewer.php?img_id=1750), you will see that the "bolt driver" really looks like a standard NC assault rifle with a longer barrel and a recoil assist.
I guess that every rifle can be customized to achieve a specific role (assaut rifle, light machine gun, designated marksman, sniper...). They did the same with the cycler, they just showed the LMG and assault rifle variant with it, but a sniper variant is certainly possible.

[Graywolves]

Like with the earlier empire overview videos, these weapon weeks are starting to fill me with a sense of incompleteness as they show A, X, Z, T for one faction then A, V, Y, R for another.

[Aurmanite]

Jokes on you, I'm a TR MAX. I don't move.

Quality humor BBM, quality.

[GTGD]

Why name it the bolt driver when it clearly has a magazine and isn't a bolt-action sniper?

[Aurmanite]

Why name it the bolt driver when it clearly has a magazine and isn't a bolt-action sniper?

Perhaps it drives bolts.

[Boogster]

I don't get it. Why haven't they shown the TR sniper rifle?

[Ailos]

TR have the ARV and the NC have a sniper rifle-like variant of the Gauss called the "Bolt Driver". I'm sure this isn't the only sniper rifle in the game, just the ES NC adaptation that goes along with the empire idea. If you think about it, NC's firearm strategy is: high damage, high accuracy, very low fire rate. In practical terms, that means a sniper rifle.

I'm also quite certain there will be a common pool "proper" sniper rifle, much like the original bolt driver.

[RadarX]

Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon. It's prized by NC snipers because they prize their sniper rifles. Wouldn't you?

[Vancha]

My decision to stick with NC this time round suddenly feels vindicated. It'll be good to get my hands on a bolt driver again, even if it is in name only.

I don't get it. Why haven't they shown the TR sniper rifle?
The same reason they won't show the NC LMG this week.

Edit:
Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon. It's prized by NC snipers because they prize their sniper rifles. Wouldn't you?
And just like that, my smugness evaporates (I was going to laud this over the heads of a few TR friends).

So does the same apply to the LMG we saw last week? There'll be the Cycler ARV, Gauss ARV and Pulsar ARV?

[Magpie]

Wait is this for heavy assault Or can softies use it?

[Revanant]

If this is a common pool weapon, why is it being shown during NC week? And why does it look so much like a Gauss rifle variant?

[Vancha]

If this is a common pool weapon, why is it being shown during NC week? And why does it look so much like a Gauss rifle variant?
That's a point. I quite liked the styling of the Nanite Systems pistol we saw. I'd have thought common pool weapons would follow that theme...

[Bags]

Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon. It's prized by NC snipers because they prize their sniper rifles. Wouldn't you?

If it's common pool, why show it during NC week, and why does it look so much like the gauss rifle?

[Firefly]

Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon. It's prized by NC snipers because they prize their sniper rifles. Wouldn't you?
Thanks for the clarification.

[sylphaen]

If it's common pool, why show it during NC week, and why does it look so much like the gauss rifle?

SNAFU ?

Im still confused about this piece of news. NC or NS ?

[TacosWLove]

"The Bolt Driver uses an electromagnetic propulsion system to drive an extremely accurate, high velocity projectile at distant targets. It is prized by New Conglomerate snipers for its stopping power over long ranges and has become the primary weapon of choice for many soldiers entering the field of battle.[RadarX]"



Why the hell is a Sniper rifle the primary weapon for soldiers? WHERE IS DA JACK HAMMA(See what I did there?)!

[FriendlyFire]

I wonder if this will be semi auto, like the SKS or MK11 Mod 0.

[HitbackTR]

I don't think you can fit velociraptors in that thing.

[Hermes]

These weapon reveals are becoming more confusing than exciting. :)

So... one/some of the TR week reveals were common pool too? Ah you know maybe the common pool ones should have been revealed first in their own specific week.

Unless the availability of finalised models is messing with these showcases? Either way colour me confused (and blue and gold).

[Knightwyvern]

I'm a little confused right now, to be honest. I think PR needs to step it up a notch. I mean, I look at that and I: A) Don't see a Bolt Driver, B) See an NC ES Gauss Rifle variant, C) Wondering why they aren't showing equivalents across empires (to a lesser extent) D) Am still really confused about the whole "long heavy barrel means worse accuracy and range" thing from the TR LMG Cycler variant.

Don't get me wrong, I am really liking the aesthetics, but.. it almost seems to me that someone is mixing up the weapon models and the descriptions. Things aren't making too much sense :P

[BorisBlade]

curious to see how this idea of hits harder but fires slower will work with a sniper rifle. Personally, a harder hitting but slower firing weapon is massively better hands down. It doesnt balance out like it does with faster firing rifles.

[Raymac]

Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon. It's prized by NC snipers because they prize their sniper rifles. Wouldn't you?

Well, I wasn't confused until you said this. :confused:

It looks similar to the Gauss we've seen, so is this just what the NC "bolt driver" looks like and the other empire "bolt drivers" look different? Or is the "Gauss' we've been seeing in NC colors this whole time just a common pool rifle and all the "bolt drivers" look the same?

[polywomple]

i dont know who to trust anymore :D


yeah it does look like a guass. perhaps the bolt driver is common pool but it looks different depending on the empire

[Knightwyvern]

i dont know who to trust anymore :D


yeah it does look like a guass. perhaps the bolt driver is common pool but it looks different depending on the empire

Yes I suppose this is possible, but at that point I'd wonder why not just make ES sniper rifles? :P

[Vancha]

Stop complaining about the confusion, it is quite simple. The Bolt Driver was always intended to be a common pool weapon, it was stated to be a common pool weapon a long time ago by Higby and T-ray, I believe through Q/A on twitter actually. (see bags' info post)

Showing it during NC theme week shows that the NC are the hardest hitting faction out of the three and the Bolt Driver is the hardest hitting weapon in the game on a round for round basis that is hand held (minus OS's and the such). Hence them taking pride over it and it being exposed during NC weapon theme week.

I am eager to play this game.
Well yeah, lots of things stop being confusing if you just flat out ignore the confusing bits.

[Biohazard]

Why name it the bolt driver when it clearly has a magazine and isn't a bolt-action sniper?

The original was not bolt action either, it was break action. We didn't question it then, why are we now?

[FriendlyFire]

It drives bolts, its not a bolt action driver.

[Knightwyvern]

The original was not bolt action either, it was break action. We didn't question it then, why are we now?

I used my BD indoors as my "ghetto shotgun" anyways :)

[Hermes]

Stop complaining about the confusion, it is quite simple. The Bolt Driver was always intended to be a common pool weapon, it was stated to be a common pool weapon a long time ago by Higby and T-ray, I believe through Q/A on twitter actually. (see bags info post)

Showing it during NC theme week shows that the NC are the hardest hitting faction out of the three and the Bolt Driver is the hardest hitting weapon in the game on a round for round basis that is hand held (minus OS's and the such). Hence them taking pride over it and it being exposed during NC weapon theme week.

Something having a simple explanation doesn't stop it being confusing. Almost everyone was clearly expecting that each themed weak was focusing on the empire specific weapons. That now leaves the TR reveals open to question as well.

I'm more guessing that the availability of the final models are having an impact on the weeks reveals, though handling it like the lightning would have been clearer.

No one's really complaining in any serious way though, don't worry about it.


I am eager to play this game.
+1 ;)

[ThGlump]

Showing it during NC theme week shows that the NC are the hardest hitting faction out of the three and the Bolt Driver is the hardest hitting weapon in the game on a round for round basis that is hand held (minus OS's and the such). Hence them taking pride over it and it being exposed during NC weapon theme week.


Well thats the confusion. I recall it was stated that there will be ES sniper rifles. And by NC theme they should have the hardest hitting one. So showing bolt driver during NC theme and stating its common pool is really confusing. ES snipers are no longer there?

[xcel]

I agree. I hate to say it, but not much effort went into the design. Looks like they just copied/pasted the gauss rifle and then put the barrel of sniper on it. Unless they are going the "it's an attachment" route ....then that would be interesting.

[Atheosim]

I think the bolt driver specifically is a common pool weapon, but it will use the rifle model of the faction using it. Shown as an NC rifle because it's NC week.

Also, ^^ there are going to be an extreme amount of customization options for each weapon. I'm expecting that this weapon will be hardly recognizable once somebody has put a good amount of time into advancing its skill tree...

[Marth Koopa]

That seriously does not look like a bolt driver whatsoever. I'm thinking someone put up the wrong picture and typed an incorrect description, or they used the wrong name for some type of long range NC rifle

[Aurmanite]

That seriously does not look like a bolt driver whatsoever. I'm thinking someone put up the wrong picture and typed an incorrect description, or they used the wrong name for some type of long range NC rifle

What does the bolt driver in Planetside 2 look like?

[polywomple]

What does the bolt driver in Planetside 2 look like?

http://www.instructables.com/image/FIFMQ84F1B3REMC/Tiny-torture-knex-gun.jpg

[LZachariah]

While this isn't a "huge" issue for me, I guess I can echo my being underwhelmed by this gun's design. This is a Gauss with a long barrel. I have absolutely no problem with the Bolt Driver becoming Empire Specific, the same way I had no problem with the Mosquito and the Reaver doing the same. However, the Bolt Driver had an iconic look to it that has not only be changed, this weapon looks rather generic. I'm grateful that the images we've seen of the Vanu weapons look absolutely stunning, but I want my enemy-empires to have amazing-looking equipment as well. There should not be "one awesome-looking faction and two boring-looking factions."

Again, I don't think this is a crisis, but I also don't think that the art design behind this weapon is a bullseye by any means.

~Zachariah

[Aurmanite]

Polywomple, you are a boss.

[LZachariah]

He posts pictures like a BAUS.

[Graywolves]

Kinex technology was so 1999

[Aurmanite]

Just a reminder, this is an NC Bolt driver. The TR/VS design is probably going to be different.

[Marth Koopa]

Just a reminder, this is an NC Bolt driver. The TR/VS design is probably going to be different.

If the gun's design is completely different to each faction then it's not a common pool (Nanite Systems) weapon, it's just a "sniper rifle", not a "Bolt Driver"

[Aurmanite]

If the gun's design is completely different to each faction then it's not a common pool (Nanite Systems) weapon, it's just a "sniper rifle", not a "Bolt Driver"

We'll see.

[Hmr85]

The Bolt Driver looks good. I love the design of it. I can't wait to put it to good use.

[LZachariah]

I don't think we have any reason to assume that this is a Nanite Systems weapon that is just being showcased on "NC week." That would be more than confusing, it would be a little stupid. The Devs showing us this weapon during NC week is an implicit affirmation that the Bolt Driver is NC-only now.

[Talek Krell]

I don't think we have any reason to assume that this is a Nanite Systems weapon that is just being showcased on "NC week."Other than this, you mean?

Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon. It's prized by NC snipers because they prize their sniper rifles. Wouldn't you?

[Raymac]

Well perhaps that just means Common Pool =/= Nanite Systems

[LZachariah]

Ho-lee-shit. I am 100% uber-wrong. Where was THAT listed?

This is actually awesome news! Though I am still baffled to Hell as to why they posted this during NC week.

Thanks for the correction!

~Zachariah

[Talek Krell]

Where was THAT listed?I think it was on page 2. I'm playing catch up as ever so I just ran through the whole thread. >_<

Took me by surprise. They've mentioned ES sniper rifles before, so I assumed the bolt driver had just gone the way of the Reaver. Not sure what to think now.

[BigBossMonkey]

I think it was on page 2. I'm playing catch up as ever so I just ran through the whole thread. >_<

Took me by surprise. They've mentioned ES sniper rifles before, so I assumed the bolt driver had just gone the way of the Reaver. Not sure what to think now.

Someone asked Higby earlier, and he stated there are also ES snipers.

So maybe there is an empire flavor sniper rifle, as well as this one if you dont like your empire one.

[LZachariah]

Well, I will say that, if this is the NC-version of a Nanite Systems bolt-driver, I'd say that it looks just fine. Granted, it doesn't look like the original Bolt Driver, but Nanite Systems weapons tend to look simpler in general, and this weapon does look fairly no-frills. I'm glad that this is how they're doing it.

[Vancha]

Well, I will say that, if this is the NC-version of a Nanite Systems bolt-driver, I'd say that it looks just fine. Granted, it doesn't look like the original Bolt Driver, but Nanite Systems weapons tend to look simpler in general, and this weapon does look fairly no-frills. I'm glad that this is how they're doing it.

I think we need clarification as to whether Nanite Systems weapons will actually exist or not. We've seen an NS pistol (AMP?), but that's it. If that's been scrapped and all the common pool weapons will have empire-specific aesthetics with identical stats, then fine, but if NS weapons exist, why wouldn't the bolt driver be an NS weapon?

[Quovatis]

The only NS weapon we've seen (an unnamed pistol) has NS markings on it. The bolt driver clearly has NC marking and looks like a Gauss rifle. So I still don't get how it's common pool.

[Atheosim]

The only NS weapon we've seen (an unnamed pistol) has NS markings on it. The bolt driver clearly has NC marking and looks like a Gauss rifle. So I still don't get how it's common pool.

That's why I'm thinking (as previously mentioned) that the bolt driver as a weapon will be common pool, but the appearance will change according to the empire using it. So this is what the NC bolt driver looks like. And then the TR will have a bolt driver that looks different and so on.

[basti]

Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon. It's prized by NC snipers because they prize their sniper rifles. Wouldn't you?

Sure 'bout that?

https://twitter.com/#!/mhigby/statuses/167315995768262659

[Quovatis]

That's why I'm thinking (as previously mentioned) that the bolt driver as a weapon will be common pool, but the appearance will change according to the empire using it. So this is what the NC bolt driver looks like. And then the TR will have a bolt driver that looks different and so on.

But as others have pointed out, that makes no sense either. You don't call the American M4 an AK-47. They are different guns and have different names.

[DayOne]

Well, the way it works does fit the way NC weapons work. There will most likely be a TR and VS version that work the same but are more faction styled. The TR with a 50. cal round and the VS with a plasma shot (not a straight shooting laser or it will be unbalanced) or something.

This most probably comes from the customisation system. So each faction will have one main rifle that can be hugely customised to suit many roles, in this case a sniper.

[Atheosim]

But as others have pointed out, that makes no sense either. You don't call the American M4 an AK-47. They are different guns and have different names.

What I'm saying is that the functionality will be identical, the appearance variable.

[Quovatis]

What I'm saying is that the functionality will be identical, the appearance variable.

Like the PS1 guns: Eraser, Stinger, and Spear? They look and sound different, but the damage and statistics are exactly the same. They still have different names though.

[Atheosim]

Like the PS1 guns: Eraser, Stinger, and Spear? They look and sound different, but the damage and statistics are exactly the same. They still have different names though.

Exactly. That's essentially a common pool weapon because the stats are identical.

[Vancha]

Exactly. That's essentially a common pool weapon because the stats are identical.

...Yet they aren't called the same thing. Even the knives had their own names.

[Atheosim]

...Yet they aren't called the same thing. Even the knives had their own names.

What makes you think that the TR version won't be called something different and look different but be functionally identical?

[Vancha]

What makes you think that the TR version won't be called something different and look different but be functionally identical?

Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon. It's prized by NC snipers because they prize their sniper rifles. Wouldn't you?

You could be right. I drew the implication from Radar's post that we'd all be getting "bolt drivers", but it's not necessarily there.

That said, I'm still curious about NS weapons and why this isn't one of them.

[Quovatis]

You could be right. I drew the implication from Radar's post that we'd all be getting "bolt drivers", but it's not necessarily there.

That said, I'm still curious about NS weapons.

We have no precedent for a "common pool" weapon to have different names. And I thought all common pool things in PS2 will be NS. That's why I'm confused.

[Vancha]

We have no precedent for a "common pool" weapon to have different names. And I thought all common pool things in PS2 will be NS. That's why I'm confused.
You yourself mentioned the PS1 pistols. I think that's the definition of "common pool" being used here...Statistically identical throughout empires.

[Knightwyvern]

You yourself mentioned the PS1 pistols. I think that's the definition of "common pool" being used here...Statistically identical throughout empires.

But it doesn't really make sense that way. I mean, the common pool vehicles are all just differently skinned/colored versions of the same model. My best guess right now is that the BD is in fact an NC specific sniper rifle now. But, who really knows? lol.

[Oryon22]

What was the the NS pistol? The only NS weapon I remember was what appeared to be a new Punisher.

I am a little confused as to why they showed a common pool Bolt Driver during NC week. Maybe it's an example of how different common pool weapons will look?

[Vancha]

What was the the NS pistol? The only NS weapon I remember was what appeared to be a new Punisher.

I am a little confused as to why they showed a common pool Bolt Driver during NC week. Maybe it's an example of how different common pool weapons will look?
http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/viewer.php?img_id=1749

[DayOne]

Can we get away from the fact the bolt driver USED to be common pool? It's the same with the Gal, they have changed the game around a lot.
They've probably gone with the BD being NC only and have given VS and TR faction themed sniper rifles.

[SuperMorto]

NS may have sniper rifles, I cant imagine they would give one side them and not the other. NS......

[Knightwyvern]

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/viewer.php?img_id=1749

See, I'm not convinced that is a "pistol." I think it's the medic.. hypospray, we'll call it. Though the rail on top is a bit strange, I still hold to that idea.

[Vancha]

Can we get away from the fact the bolt driver USED to be common pool?
Not really, no.

Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon.

[DayOne]

Not really, no.

Well, I need to learn to read.

But at least I now see everyone's confusion as to why this looks exactly like a gauss rifle...

[somers]

I think the bolt driver specifically is a common pool weapon, but it will use the rifle model of the faction using it. Shown as an NC rifle because it's NC week.

Also, ^^ there are going to be an extreme amount of customization options for each weapon. I'm expecting that this weapon will be hardly recognizable once somebody has put a good amount of time into advancing its skill tree...

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING!

[DayOne]

Internals (barrel/firing mechanism etc.) made by NS with a faction-made casing perhaps?

[somers]

Internals (barrel/firing mechanism etc.) made by NS with a faction-made casing perhaps?

Also this... Perhaps the empires each make different casings for the same base weapons that Nanite ships them.

[CrystalViolet]

Just compared the pictures of the Gaus and the "Bolt Driver" side by side. They are completely identical minus the barrel and muzzle break. This thing can't be common pool.

[Raymac]

Just compared the pictures of the Gaus and the "Bolt Driver" side by side. They are completely identical minus the barrel and muzzle break. This thing can't be common pool.

identical - YouTube

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

[Oryon22]

See, I'm not convinced that is a "pistol." I think it's the medic.. hypospray, we'll call it. Though the rail on top is a bit strange, I still hold to that idea.

Ah yes, I remember this picture now. I have a hard time thinking this is a pistol, but the accessory rail on top tells me it is. I originally thought this was some medi-gun given the vials on the soldier's belt.

[CrystalViolet]

:)
going to tweet Higby and ask him to give us a little clarification.

[PsychoXR-20]

Ah yes, I remember this picture now. I have a hard time thinking this is a pistol, but the accessory rail on top tells me it is. I originally thought this was some medi-gun given the vials on the soldier's belt.

Just because it has a rail doesn't mean it can't still be a medical applicator. The rail could accept various forms of medical scanners, which could help the user diagnose, or maybe even some form of extended "clip".

[Rbstr]

Yeah this is only not confusing if you're not paying any attention at all.
It looks exactly the Gauss rifle.

Now, maybe the Gauss rifle is actually based off the Bolt Driver, which makes a bit of sense considering the NC's story fluff.
Or maybe things got confused on SOEs end. Or whatever.

[Akemo]

Via Matt Higby's Twitter: The Bolt Driver is NC specific. Not common pool.

edit:
Basti's question - @Arclegger @mhigby quicky, to clear up PSU confusion: Is the Bolt Driver Common Pool, or NC only?

Higby's answer - @BastiVC NC specific.

[DayOne]

Via Matt Higby's Twitter: The Bolt Driver is NC specific. Not common pool.

Well that explains it. Maybe I was right about the TR and VS getting stylised equivalents?

[Raymac]

Just to avoid confusion, this is a common pool weapon. It's prized by NC snipers because they prize their sniper rifles. Wouldn't you?

Why must you turn this forum into a HOUSE OF LIES?!?! :mad:

[Higby]

This is going to go a bit more in depth than it needs to to answer the question, but I figure you guys deserve a bit of extra explanation for being awesome and providing me with so many good times reading speculations.

Many of our weapons are built similar to the Chinese QBZ or German G36 where several weapons (carbine, assault rifle, LMG, sniper rifle, etc) are built off the same platform. We have a huge number of variant parts that can mix and match to create different unique weapons. A lot of the parts will be unique to certain weapon types, so a barrel on an assault rifle won't necessarily be the same as on your LMG so that we have distinct silhouettes and looks, each of these weapons also behaves completely differently in game from an ammo count, accuracy, firing rate, damage, etc. standpoint.

The Bolt Driver is an NC specific sniper rifle, each empire will have their own ES sniper rifle, but due to the way our weapon platforms work, they'll have some variation even within the sniper rifles, this is the "sidegrade" concept you've heard us talk about a lot. While an NC sniper might start default with a high-damage, slow firing rate, magazine fed bolt driver, that player would be able to unlock variants of the bolt driver that might be semi automatic, or breach loaded for extra damage, or anything in between that makes sense for us to make. TR, and VS will be similarly versatile. So, if you want to be the high damage sniper guy, you don't necessarily have to play NC! You can be on TR and unlock a higher damage sniper rifle than the default which is semi-auto and has low recoil to allow for successive shots. Similarly if you want to be a super high firing rate VS player, you can unlock a pulsar that has some higher burst potential at the trade-off for, say, damage over distance, or ammo capacity, or whatever we think the best tradeoffs are to make the guns balanced and fun.

Now, that being said, it may very well be that the highest possible damage sniper rifle will be available to NC, and TR can get to have a weapon as powerful as one of the best NC rifles, but not quite as beefy, and likewise the NC might be able to get a very high fire rate gauss rifle, but not quite as high as the highest fire rate weapon available to the TR. This will allow us to retain the unique empire feel without having it be a straight up "these guys are always like this and those guys are always like that" vibe.

Savvy?

edit: by the way, RadarX saying it's common pool is just email fail on our part, I had said it "was common pool" meaning in PlanetSide, not "that gun was supposed to be common pool".

[MadKat]

Well being as the gun itself is clearly not a bolt driver, a house of lies sounds accurate.

[Pillow]

Ban the devs for trolling :D

[BigBossMonkey]

Higby, sounds awesome.

Really looking forward to reading/seeing/(USING) this customization system you guys are cooking up...

Seems really powerful.

[Vancha]

Savvy?
Thanks for the clarification Higby. It all sounds awesome.

Though I have to say, confusing the hell out of us via misinformation is the most bizarre "community managing" I've ever seen.

[DayOne]

Oo...I feel all psychic :D

[CrystalViolet]

Great explanation. I love how the system should allow us to modify weapons right into our comfort zones as far as range and feel. Let the player decide what the gun is capable of doing. Almost reminds me of how MMORPGS have different skill sets that allow you to be more effective in different roles.

[Higby]

Great explanation. I love how the system should allow us to modify weapons right into our comfort zones as far as range and feel. Let the player decide what the gun is capable of doing. Almost reminds me of how MMORPGS have different skill sets that allow you to be more effective in different roles.

This is precisely the goal of the design - allow players to customize to fit their playstyle while maintaining empire distinction. We don't want you to feel compelled to play NC to get the gameplay experience you want to have when all your friends want to play TR, but, we don't want all the empires to feel like nothing more than a color swap. So, we have blurred the edges to allow for personalizing your gameplay experience while still having each empire have a distinct overall feel and direction to what their soldiers can field.

[Oryon22]

Thanks Higby!

[Erendil]

Just because it has a rail doesn't mean it can't still be a medical applicator. The rail could accept various forms of medical scanners, which could help the user diagnose, or maybe even some form of extended "clip".

Yeah I'm pretty sure that pistol is a med app - probably without rezzing ability since that's not a medic holding it (maybe a medic-only rail attachment is what let's you rez someone?).

The image caption says, "via @mhigby: Here's the thing that TR soldiers see the most when fighting against the NC." Since Higby's an NC fanboi, he's basically saying when fighting NC, the TR will spend most of their time lying on the ground bleeding and getting healed by their teammates :D

It wouldn't surprise me either if it's PS2's re-imagining of a med app + medkits rolled into one tool. If so that would mean no more medkit-popping while firing your weapon.

[Raymac]

This is precisely the goal of the design - allow players to customize to fit their playstyle while maintaining empire distinction. We don't want you to feel compelled to play NC to get the gameplay experience you want to have when all your friends want to play TR, but, we don't want all the empires to feel like nothing more than a color swap. So, we have blurred the edges to allow for personalizing your gameplay experience while still having each empire have a distinct overall feel and direction to what their soldiers can field.

So, we get to have our cake and eat it too? You spoil us, sir.

[DayOne]

Anyone else for a chain fed sniper? :cool:

[CrystalViolet]

This is precisely the goal of the design - allow players to customize to fit their playstyle while maintaining empire distinction. We don't want you to feel compelled to play NC to get the gameplay experience you want to have when all your friends want to play TR, but, we don't want all the empires to feel like nothing more than a color swap. So, we have blurred the edges to allow for personalizing your gameplay experience while still having each empire have a distinct overall feel and direction to what their soldiers can field.

That's a great way to add depth to a shooter. Keep people experimenting with different load outs to try and get a leg up on the competition. I'm sure it'll get even deeper once people start organizing squads with specific roles.

[Johari]

Thank you Higby for the clarification.

[Erendil]

This is going to go a bit more in depth than it needs to to answer the question, but I figure you guys deserve a bit of extra explanation for being awesome and providing me with so many good times reading speculations....

...

...Now, that being said, it may very well be that the highest possible damage sniper rifle will be available to NC, and TR can get to have a weapon as powerful as one of the best NC rifles, but not quite as beefy, and likewise the NC might be able to get a very high fire rate gauss rifle, but not quite as high as the highest fire rate weapon available to the TR. This will allow us to retain the unique empire feel without having it be a straight up "these guys are always like this and those guys are always like that" vibe.

Savvy?


Very cool! And don't everEverEVER worry yourself over whether you are giving us too much information! That'll never happen. :D The more information you give us, the happier we'll be. Trust me. :cool:

And I must say I love the fact that there are still ability distinctions between the Empires, so that for example as TR/VS, no matter how hard-hitting you spec out your rifle to be, it'll never hit quite as hard as the hardest-hitting NC rifle. It keeps the empire flavors/themes alive. :)


This is precisely the goal of the design - allow players to customize to fit their playstyle while maintaining empire distinction. We don't want you to feel compelled to play NC to get the gameplay experience you want to have when all your friends want to play TR, but, we don't want all the empires to feel like nothing more than a color swap. So, we have blurred the edges to allow for personalizing your gameplay experience while still having each empire have a distinct overall feel and direction to what their soldiers can field.


Excellent, excellent...! Just what I was hoping you's say! I gotta say I can't wait to play with all of the different weapon configs... *hint* *hint* *cough*BETA*cough*

[Shogun]

thanks higby!

its always great to get some clarification on systems! and the common pool/empire specific system you describe sounds great! reminds me a little bit of the inofficial weapon-editors for borderlands! just with some balance involved ;)

having empire flavoured ns weapons is really nice, and it sounds great that you use special sets of reused parts in the weapons for all empires!
thanks for the info!
keep them coming ;)
that´s exactly the kind of things we love to read about!

[ThGlump]

This is going to go a bit more in depth than it needs to to answer the question

There cant something like "too much information". Keep it comming :)

Nice concept of having ES guns share same base concept. It give each empire easily recognizable weapon concept.
But each type of the gun could be harder to recognize. Now they are easily recognizable in their BASE form. There will be plenty customizations, which could blend distinguishes of each weapon type. Modify gauss for more precision/power by adding a little longer barrel, similarly modify bolt driver with shorter barrel for faster shooting. And you start to have problem tell them apart on quick first glance.

Are they that much customizable, or do they clearly stay apart visualy no matter what customization you do?

[Talek Krell]

Glorious, glorious truth.I feel like there should be a triple Venn diagram to represent how customization will work. I'm not sure why that popped into my head, but there ya go. Thanks for the clarification! Poor RadarX. He may never live this down. :p

[Mordicant]

Thank you Higby!

[Atheosim]

I like higby more and more every day. I might even take to calling him higgles soon, god forbid.

[SniperSteve]

awesome post Higby. I really like the direction you guys are heading with the side-grades allowing players to adapt the weapons to what they like and not feel like the other empire is always "better", but still retain a focus for each empire.

[Shotokanguy]

Well, I guess we don't have to worry at all about how weapons work in game yet. It sounds nice, and then when the beta rolls around we'll actually get to see how it works out.

All I have to worry about now is making my guns look cool.

[FIREk]

Many of our weapons are built similar to the Chinese QBZ or German G36 where several weapons (carbine, assault rifle, LMG, sniper rifle, etc) are built off the same platform. We have a huge number of variant parts that can mix and match to create different unique weapons. A lot of the parts will be unique to certain weapon types, so a barrel on an assault rifle won't necessarily be the same as on your LMG so that we have distinct silhouettes and looks, each of these weapons also behaves completely differently in game from an ammo count, accuracy, firing rate, damage, etc. standpoint.

While I like the concept, the non-carbine Cycler looks pretty ugly now, with all the "missing" body parts. Please consider extending the body's external plastic bits (they can be segmented modules, to facilitate the concept of modularity) instead of leaving long, featureless empty spaces that seem to make no sense as far as weapon design is concerned.

And while we're here, how can the Cycler ARV's long barrel and added weight cause lower accuracy? :P

So, if you want to be the high damage sniper guy, you don't necessarily have to play NC!

Please don't. This is a bad idea. It's like making MAXes TR-only, Light Assault VS-only and Infitrators NC-only, or something.

I can semi-survive the NS pump-action shotgun being weaker per-shot than the NC-specific pump-action shotgun (if there is one other than the Jackhammer). Still, I'm assuming there will be a decent pump-action shotgun will be accessible to everyone, and I won't be forced to play a faction that I don't like, just because 2/3 of them can't facilitate my playstyle.
Making the most powerful per-shot sniper rifle only accessible to 1/3 of the playerbase, however, means that 2/3 won't have access to a core playstyle. If you're using a slow, bolt-action sniper rifle, it makes no sense to go with anything other than the absolute most powerful one. The first shot must count.
This wouldn't ruin my game, since I'm an in-yo-face shotgun guy, but I've got friends who play snipers and I'm not about to tell them they're destined to be gimped if they wish to play with me, because "they don't have to play TR".

NC, TR, or whatever can have the most powerful semi-auto sniper rifle. No one will care. The most powerful bolt-action rifle, though, must be made by Nanite Systems. I'm hoping this is how it's designed right now, and my rant was ultimately useless. ;)

[Figment]

...ehr Firek, he said that you DO NOT have to be NC for that rifle type, because you can customize your weapons accordingly as TR or VS...

[FIREk]

...ehr Firek, he said that you DO NOT have to be NC for that rifle type, because you can customize your weapons accordingly as TR or VS...

The way I understand it, you won't be able to customize a weapon to match the dominant characteristic of a different empire's, equally customized, weapon.

What I mean by this is, for instance:
TR sniper rifle: default damage 100
NC sniper rifle: default damage 120 (let's assume it's the most powerful per-shot sniper rifle in PS2, so that's its dominant characteristic)

I customize my TR sniper rifle with the maximum +20% damage boost, at the cost of fire rate. Let's assume that the rate of fire is the same as the default NC one. I now have a sniper rifle that does 120 damage as well.

The NC guy, however, will apply the very same upgrade to his sniper rifle (and we know that all snipers will pick damage unless it affects accuracy; such a mod wouldn't make sense so it probably won't be in the game) and his rifle will now do 144 damage.

So at the end of the day all NC snipers would have the dominant rifle. At short and medium ranges fire rate will balance out damage. At long and extreme ranges, you either kill or miss. This is basically what I'm getting at.

I would prefer to be wrong, but this is how I understand "maintaining empire distinction" in "customize to fit their playstyle while maintaining empire distinction".

[Magpie]

Oops double post

[Magpie]

The way I understand it, you won't be able to customize a weapon to match the dominant characteristic of a different empire's, equally customized, weapon.

What I mean by this is, for instance:
TR sniper rifle: default damage 100
NC sniper rifle: default damage 120 (let's assume it's the most powerful per-shot sniper rifle in PS2, so that's its dominant characteristic)

I customize my TR sniper rifle with the maximum +20% damage boost, at the cost of fire rate. Let's assume that the rate of fire is the same as the default NC one. I now have a sniper rifle that does 120 damage as well.

The NC guy, however, will apply the very same upgrade to his sniper rifle (and we know that all snipers will pick damage unless it affects accuracy; such a mod wouldn't make sense so it probably won't be in the game) and his rifle will now do 144 damage.

So at the end of the day all NC snipers would have the dominant rifle. At short and medium ranges fire rate will balance out damage. At long and extreme ranges, you either kill or miss. This is basically what I'm getting at.

I would prefer to be wrong, but this is how I understand "maintaining empire distinction" in "customize to fit their playstyle while maintaining empire distinction".

Each emipre are gonna have better and worst things,

Let's say u have a vs guy running to into a base and u only have 7 seoconds to kill him

Now the NC sniper shoots an hits him in the chest and takes out lets say 90hp
He go's for the reload rushes and misses and the vs guy gets to the door safe

Now let's take the tr sniper he shoots and takes out 75 hp not as good as NC but the tr has 2 more seoconds pair coz he can reload fast boom hits VS he dies


Now does the big bad NC hard hitting sniper over powered? In this case no

Let's say you have a vs trooper with 90 hp left and he's waiting for somthink and u only have one shot

NC sniper boom hit dead

Tr sniper hits and vs runs away and then a Magrider hovers on your face

[Espion]

This is precisely the goal of the design - allow players to customize to fit their playstyle while maintaining empire distinction. We don't want you to feel compelled to play NC to get the gameplay experience you want to have when all your friends want to play TR, but, we don't want all the empires to feel like nothing more than a color swap. So, we have blurred the edges to allow for personalizing your gameplay experience while still having each empire have a distinct overall feel and direction to what their soldiers can field.

It sounds like an absolutely nightmare to balance.

[Boogster]

Balance is going to be an absolute nightmare - and it's really important. You can't have a game that aspires to attract mainstream FPS players but brushes over issues of weapon balance. Sniping, in particular, always attracts controversy and it sounds to me like you're making things more difficult than they need be.

I predict carnage in beta.

[Hermes]

Thanks for the wall of clarity Higby :)

[Tigersmith]

Beta should help to work this all out. Make sure you guys post feedback every chance you get when it starts

[NewSith]

Ban the devs for trolling :D

^THIS.

I already bought a ticket to America just to burst in your office and start smashing things like a true Panda from that ad! But you preserved your lives. For now...

[Hmr85]

Beta should help to work this all out. Make sure you guys post feedback every chance you get when it starts

QFT

This is very important here. We want to help the devs out as much as possible so we can have a great game come release.

[RadarX]

I think the most important lesson is, all that needs to be done to get Higby to post is for me to misunderstand an email.

Glad this was cleared up and I of course plan to be a little more clear on our other weapons.

[Magpie]

I think the most important lesson is, all that needs to be done to get Higby to post is for me to misunderstand an email.

Glad this was cleared up and I of course plan to be a little more clear on our other weapons.

its all good fella, Shit Happens ;)

[UnknownDT]

I think the most important lesson is, all that needs to be done to get Higby to post is for me to misunderstand an email.

Glad this was cleared up and I of course plan to be a little more clear on our other weapons.

Everything wrong in this world is your fault!






<3

[Shogun]

do some more misunderstandings, please!
to get matt posting some more detailed stuff ;-)

[Papagiorgio]

I'll use whichever weapon is closest to the M39/M14 EBR irl. Semi-auto, smallish magazine, high power per shot, high accuracy.

[acosmo]

possibly the longest post by a dev yet.

[MGP]

Great news what NC is getting best sniper rifle in game! I really enjoy sniper playstyle.

[Hermes]

I think the most important lesson is, all that needs to be done to get Higby to post is for me to misunderstand an email.

Glad this was cleared up and I of course plan to be a little more clear on our other weapons.

Thanks Radar :) We must be a fairly difficult audience to release stuff to. The speed at which any statement gets analysed is pretty rapid, which also shoots us off down a wrong path pretty rapidly if there's a misunderstanding.

Keep up the good work :groovy:

[Talek Krell]

I already bought a ticket to America just to burst in your office and start smashing things like a true Panda from that ad! But you preserved your lives. For now...Couldn't get through security, eh? ;)

[Sik]

The way I understand it, you won't be able to customize a weapon to match the dominant characteristic of a different empire's, equally customized, weapon.

What I mean by this is, for instance:
TR sniper rifle: default damage 100
NC sniper rifle: default damage 120 (let's assume it's the most powerful per-shot sniper rifle in PS2, so that's its dominant characteristic)

I customize my TR sniper rifle with the maximum +20% damage boost, at the cost of fire rate. Let's assume that the rate of fire is the same as the default NC one. I now have a sniper rifle that does 120 damage as well.

The NC guy, however, will apply the very same upgrade to his sniper rifle (and we know that all snipers will pick damage unless it affects accuracy; such a mod wouldn't make sense so it probably won't be in the game) and his rifle will now do 144 damage.

So at the end of the day all NC snipers would have the dominant rifle. At short and medium ranges fire rate will balance out damage. At long and extreme ranges, you either kill or miss. This is basically what I'm getting at.

I would prefer to be wrong, but this is how I understand "maintaining empire distinction" in "customize to fit their playstyle while maintaining empire distinction".

This is how I understand it also & as a player who only enjoys being a sniper I do NOT like this. I've played TR since the day I started PS, until the day I was heartbroken to say goodbye due to a massive serge of player abuse & not enough support to combat it.

Now I either play NC or stay where I'd LOVE to play. Of course i'll be maxing out my gun for dmg but none the less I'm still gimped compared to an NC sniper who decides to play as I do, as most snipers will.

Any how, I'll suck it up because I know the TR will easily stomp the massive amount of lone snipers that pour into the poor NC & to any NC sniper that kills me, OP! :rofl:

[xSquirtle]

It looks like an assault rifle, not a sniper.

[Fenrys]

If any one empire gets a sniper rifle that does more damage in a single hit, that would be way OP. Damage dealt with the first shot is the most important, or maybe even the only important, stat to consider.

[xSlideShow]

If any one empire gets a sniper rifle that does more damage in a single hit, that would be way OP. Damage dealt with the first shot is the most important, or maybe even the only important, stat to consider.

I really disagree with this, and do not feel like typing my entire reasoning for why...

In short, you're wrong.

Eh, I decided I'll just leave it at that.

[Zulthus]

In short, your wrong.



You're* wrong

[xSlideShow]

You're* wrong

Oh ty, fixed.

[Zulthus]

Oh ty, fixed.

I'm here for you.

[Fenrys]

I really disagree with this, and do not feel like typing my entire reasoning for why...

In short, you're wrong.

Eh, I decided I'll just leave it at that.


I might not argue too much if you decided to elaborate.

In PS1 I get the HSR free and feel no need to spend 3 certs on a Bolt Driver. I'd probably get more sniping kills if I did, but the HSR does an adequate job of suppressing AV so our armor can advance.

It would be annoying if the option of using the PS1 bolt driver were available to just one empire, and the other 2 could only use the HSR.

[xSlideShow]

I don't think the sniping is going to be anything like PS1. Or I at least hope not.

[Vancha]

It would annoying if the option of using the PS1 bolt driver were available to just one empire, and the other 2 could only use the HSR.
From the way Higby described it, your comparison is way exaggerating the damage difference there'll be between the empires' snipers.

The bolt driver doing more damage in a single hit than the TR sniper doesn't automatically make it "way OP". What matters is how much more damage it can do and how many shots it takes each sniper to kill a target.

From here on I'm assuming both rifles have been upgraded to do as much damage as possible...

It sounds like a bolt driver and a TR sniper will be pretty closely matched. Remember we're talking about guns that'll probably take 2-3 shots to kill (headshots aside)...A 10% damage difference wouldn't amount to very much and even less when it comes with a 10% RoF difference as well.

Now if it turned out that the Bolt Driver could take away 99% of someone's life in a single shot where the TR sniper could only take away 51%, I'd be in agreement with you, but I really don't think that'll be the case.

[CutterJohn]

I'm here for ya.

I'm here for you*.

[HitbackTR]

I don't think the sniping is going to be anything like PS1. Or I at least hope not.

Sniping in PS1 was balanced, I hope for the same in PS2.

[HELLFISH88]

I approve New Conglomerate Week.

[Zulthus]

I'm here for you*.

Thanks, fixed.

[MGP]

From the way Higby described it, your comparison is way exaggerating the damage difference there'll be between the empires' snipers.

The bolt driver doing more damage in a single hit than the TR sniper doesn't automatically make it "way OP". What matters is how much more damage it can do and how many shots it takes each sniper to kill a target.

From here on I'm assuming both rifles have been upgraded to do as much damage as possible...

It sounds like a bolt driver and a TR sniper will be pretty closely matched. Remember we're talking about guns that'll probably take 2-3 shots to kill (headshots aside)...A 10% damage difference wouldn't amount to very much and even less when it comes with a 10% RoF difference as well.

Now if it turned out that the Bolt Driver could take away 99% of someone's life in a single shot where the TR sniper could only take away 51%, I'd be in agreement with you, but I really don't think that'll be the case.

I'm pretty sure, what fully upgraded NC sniper will be one-shot-kill. While other ES rifles with same upgrades will likely require multiple shots to take down target (TR one, for sure). And for snipers, the first shot damage is most important. Look at the current latest shooters, there are auto-load fast shooting sniper rifles, but almost no one is using them, everyone prefer slow shooting, more damaging types.

TL;DR Smurfs will be best snipers in PS2.

[Atheosim]

I feel it's safe to say that every sniper rifle will be osok if it is a headshot. I feel it's equally safe to say that no sniper rifle will be osok if it's not a headshot.

Nobody likes AWPs.

[Vancha]

I'm pretty sure, what fully upgraded NC sniper will be one-shot-kill.
On what basis?

[DxC]

Well that sucks I do not want to play NC but I like sniping and the Bolt Driver... ugh :( I hope all empires get a sniper rifle of some sort I really do!!

[Redshift]

Well that sucks I do not want to play NC but I like sniping and the Bolt Driver... ugh :( I hope all empires get a sniper rifle of some sort I really do!!

Yea i kind of agree, i hope they manage to balance these things or the pops will never be equal.
Everything was pretty close in PS1 we saw a fairly even 1:1:1 split as people just rolled what looked best, if one teams design philosophy gives better weapons this time round that won't happen

[DayOne]

It will likely be so that an NC sniper does, for example, 90 damage on body shot and other rifles have a maximum of 85 on body but with a slightly higher fire rate. Both will multiply to a OSOK headshot if that is what's being planned.

Something along those lines.

[Hmr85]

I don't know why people are freaking out about the bolt driver being NC exclusive. The other 2 factions I am sure will get their own version of a sniper rifle.

Look at it this way. Sure the NC have the Bolt Driver. It may do slightly more damage than the other rifles. Just like all the other NC weapons but at a slower rate of fire.

Where as the TR version of the rifle does less damage than the Bolt Driver but they can fire more frequently than the NC version.

As for the VS. I wouldn't be surprised if its some form of a laser sniper rifle that fits somewhere in the middle of the NC version and TR version.

Its all going to work out in the end. Stop freaking out about it. :cool:

To help better explain please see examples below.

NC: Bolt Driver - 90dmg - 3 sec reload
TR: ????? Rifle - 80dmg - 1.5 sec reload
VS: Laser Rifle- 85dmg - 2.5 sec reload

[FastAndFree]

NC: Bolt Driver - 90dmg - 3 sec reload
TR: ????? Rifle - 80dmg - 1.5 sec reload
VS: Laser Rifle- 85dmg - 2.5 sec reload

That would make the TR one twice as good as the NC in the vast majority of situations

[Redshift]

Look at it this way. Sure the NC have the Bolt Driver. It may do slightly more damage than the other rifles. Just like all the other NC weapons but at a slower rate of fire.

That's the reason the JH was the ultimate cqc weapon in PS1, front loaded damage has a faster ttk

Think of it this way;
NC 50 dmg 2 second fire
TR 25 dmg 1 second fire

Overtime these do the same dps, in practice the NC kills in 2 seconds, the TR takes 4, they both get to do any dmg over 100 on 4 seconds.

Same with the old JH and MCG, they were balanced over time; in the field the JH was far superior.

I'm not saying it's not possible to balance these, but dmg/RoF do not play as well with eachother as you think.

[Hmr85]

These where just examples to help explain my point. My numbers were not meant to be taken seriously. If SOE went that route they could adjust the numbers accordingly.

[Redshift]

These where just examples to help explain my point. My numbers were not meant to be taken seriously. If SOE went that route they could adjust the numbers accordingly.

yea same with mine, just illustrating, but the point stands, it's very hard to balance with just those two things, near enough always the front loaded dmg is better

[Cosmical]

Just realised. VS sniper wont have drop off because it will be a laser, as with all their weapons. But will probably do less damage.... hmmmm? Im kindof a single bolt sniper guy, better be able to mod my Phaser biatches!

[Atheosim]

Just realised. VS sniper wont have drop off because it will be a laser, as with all their weapons. But will probably do less damage.... hmmmm? Im kindof a single bolt sniper guy, better be able to mod my Phaser biatches!

Won't have drop off but VS will have severe damage degradation at range.

[DayOne]

Won't have drop off but VS will have severe damage degradation at range.

For a SNIPER!?

I highly doubt that. Easier to just make it a plasma ball or something that drops and travels around bullet speed.

[Livefire]

This gun reminds me that I want lots of options of ammo in Planet Side 2, standard fulll metal jacketed, Armor piercing, and most importantly for large caliber weapons like this sniper riffle say .50 cal equivalent and larger HE high explosive round. This semi auto riffle with HE rounds would be awesome it would not kill high armor targets as easily like REXO and MAX with the AP ammo but it would be great for light infantry that you are over killing with the AP or standard with a .50 cal so you can hit and kill on one shot or severely wound with an explosive and hit other light targets around them to. Totally futuristic sniping! Also I saw the picture of the grenade launcher attached to the gauss riffle GREAT JOB! But like the different kind of grenades you can use with it please don't forget the different kinds or shot gun shells there are to. Standard buck in at least 3 different size of sprays like the NC MAX also great job by the way, AP, Slug, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY AGAIN HE with spring loaded stabilizer fins.....This is a real shot gun round by the way so they should totally have a very powerful improved version in the far future.AA12 Automatic Shotgun firing HE shells - YouTube

[GalacticaActual]

For a SNIPER!?

I highly doubt that. Easier to just make it a plasma ball or something that drops and travels around bullet speed.

I have to agree here, giving only one of the 3 factions a Sniper rifle that's less effective over range is just crazy.

I know nothing is set but I think this is something that has been mentioned by the Higby in some form earlier in this thread.

Any damage degradation for sniper rifles should only ever be as a consequence of modding the weapon, not as part of it's basic setup. If the VS Sniper had to deal with this from word go and the other factions didn't then it would be a crazy disadvantage for the VS.

[FriendlyFire]

I have to agree here, giving only one of the 3 factions a Sniper rifle that's less effective over range is just crazy.

I know nothing is set but I think this is something that has been mentioned by the Higby in some form earlier in this thread.

Any damage degradation for sniper rifles should only ever be as a consequence of modding the weapon, not as part of it's basic setup. If the VS Sniper had to deal with this from word go and the other factions didn't then it would be a crazy disadvantage for the VS.

That's the benefit of using technology, everything you make is under-powered or doesn't work as intended.


/sarcasm.

[xSlideShow]

I'm pretty sure, what fully upgraded NC sniper will be one-shot-kill. While other ES rifles with same upgrades will likely require multiple shots to take down target (TR one, for sure). And for snipers, the first shot damage is most important. Look at the current latest shooters, there are auto-load fast shooting sniper rifles, but almost no one is using them, everyone prefer slow shooting, more damaging types.

TL;DR Smurfs will be best snipers in PS2.

Not the right situation for real sniping. That's quick scoping and everyone prefers the single shot because you only have 1 shot to take.

The way I imagined it. Was that the NC gun would probably kill in 2 shots no matter what while the TR gun would probably kill in 2 shots if they didn't med pack. ( Pretty sure they said medkits are in?) The VS gun I dunno, I thought it was gonna be OP, cause 0 bullet drop = lol headshot.

How they balance it doesn't really matter though. The point, there is plenty of ways to accomplish it so all this NC gonna be OP cause their gun does 15 more damage is pretty silly.

[Redshift]

The way I imagined it. Was that the NC gun would probably kill in 2 shots no matter what while the TR gun would probably kill in 2 shots if they didn't med pack.

The point, there is plenty of ways to accomplish it so all this NC gonna be OP cause their gun does 15 more damage is pretty silly.

Yea that's totally balanced.......

[xSlideShow]

Yea that's totally balanced.......

If the fire rate on the TR weapon is quick enough it is. I'm thinking TR gun would fire about the speed of HSR and the NC would fire at about the rate of a bolt action in CoD.

But from what Higby said that's not even how it's going to be. That could be an example of the 2 extremes at work. Maybe.

[Redshift]

If the fire rate on the TR weapon is quick enough it is. I'm thinking TR gun would fire about the speed of HSR and the NC would fire at about the rate of a bolt action in CoD.

But from what Higby said that's not even how it's going to be. That could be an example of the 2 extremes at work. Maybe.

HSR was pathetic compared to the bolt driver, harder hitting weapons will always have the edge

[xSlideShow]

HSR was pathetic compared to the bolt driver, harder hitting weapons will always have the edge

Not comparing the HSR to the Bolt driver is the thing. I'm saying the TR weapon would still kill in 2 shots if they didn't medkit so it would probably kill in 3. So in the end the NC have to land 2 shots that invovle a pretty long refire, while the TR can fire 3 pretty rapid shots. The only reason the HSR was only bad because, the way sniping was set up.

Anyway, it was just an example. The way the described it that would be the extremes of the 2 rifles with the customization it sounds like you'll be able to pretty much create a bolt driver using the TR's Sniper Variant.

[Redshift]

So what you're saying is the TR have to hit more rounds more often, i.e an NC sniper will always win a sniper duel?

[xSlideShow]

So what you're saying is the TR have to hit more rounds more often, i.e an NC sniper will always win a sniper duel?

No, I don't believe so, since both snipers can remain hidden until the other one is spotted and a good sniper is going to be sitting near cover. I can't predict though. All I know is that I prefer a faster shooting weapon over a hard hitting one any day. And I still win, against the hard hitting weapon.

You have to consider the range, headshot. Which is what I figure would be the major deciding factor in a sniper duel.

[Redshift]

stuff

again though that situation favours a slower weapon, if the sniper hasn't been found then the first shot is essentially a guarenteed hit, more front loaded dmg means more likely to get a kill.
We saw it in PS1, you hit targets with less than 70 hp if you can, or if they're in a fight you let them take a little dmg then shoot them. Can't do that with faster weaker weapons.
You'll also find yourself getting instgibbed by slower snipers, happened loads in PS1 two snipers pick the sanme target and splat, happened by accident easily enough with TS is was childsplay, again something that doesn't work with the HSR.

[xSlideShow]

again though that situation favours a slower weapon, if the sniper hasn't been found then the first shot is essentially a guarenteed hit, more front loaded dmg means more likely to get a kill.
We saw it in PS1, you hit targets with less than 70 hp if you can, or if they're in a fight you let them take a little dmg then shoot them. Can't do that with faster weaker weapons.


In a sniper duel I can see it favoring a bigger weapon if there is nothing such as in planetside 1 where you shot the sniper and it fucked up his CoF. So the HSR did great at killing other snipers.

You'll also find yourself getting instgibbed by slower snipers, happened loads in PS1 two snipers pick the sanme target and splat, happened by accident easily enough with TS is was childsplay, again something that doesn't work with the HSR.

In a group situation I would think it would be better to use both variants. Faster fire rate means you don't have to spend as much time setting up the shots. So you could just shoot down range and hit the guy you see him hit while hitting your own target.

I really think it will be down more to play style than which sniper is the best at sniping. Even if it's not, it's not because it's imbalance-able, it's because the devs failed to balance it.

[DOUBLEXBAUGH]

I highly doubt they would make the TR sniper as bad as the HSR.

[xSlideShow]

I highly doubt they would make the TR sniper as bad as the HSR.

The gun I described is not the HSR. It is the current Bolt driver with the HSR fire rate, or very similar to. Speculation though, of an extreme.

[Redshift]

It is the current Bolt driver with the HSR fire rate, or very similar to.

If that's what you mean then thats even more unbalanced, cept this way TR come out on top :P

[xSlideShow]

If that's what you mean then thats even more unbalanced, cept this way TR come out on top :P

lol, the NC weapon is going to shoot like 10-20% slower, that's not that much of a difference. If you play MW3 I was thinking the NC gun would have to at least be close to that fire rate.

I'm wondering if Snipers are going to be 1 shotting each other all day though.

[Redshift]

lol, the NC weapon is going to shoot like 10-20% slower, that's not that much of a difference. If you play MW3 I was thinking the NC gun would have to at least be close to that fire rate.

I'm wondering if Snipers are going to be 1 shotting each other all day though.

doubt it, they have active cammo, it'll be a pain to distinguish the head let alone hit it, killing snipers will be up to cloakers again i bet

[Rbstr]

I'm wondering if Snipers are going to be 1 shotting each other all day though.

Well that doesn't happen in games like BF3, why would it happen in planetside? A head shot at appreciable distance when you've got bullet drop and scope sway is pretty difficult.

I'm kind of assuming PS2 will implement some sort of mechanic so that guns aren't simply laser beams that hit dead center period...I don't think that's an unreasonable assumption.

[xSlideShow]

Well that doesn't happen in games like BF3, why would it happen in planetside? A head shot at appreciable distance when you've got bullet drop and scope sway is pretty difficult.

They are infiltrators and in PS1 you can 1 shot an infiltrator. So kill times = faster I would still think they could 1 shot infiltrator? I mean we haven't heard otherwise.

doubt it, they have active cammo, it'll be a pain to distinguish the head let alone hit it, killing snipers will be up to cloakers again i bet

Yeah, I was thinking they'd get owned by Infils and vehicles.

[xSlideShow]

Double Post... QQ

[Raka Maru]

HSR wasn't bad and could make a good sniper rifle if given more up front damage.

OTOH, would rather see sniper rifles as NS, than ES, but will await judgement after beta.

[Rbstr]

They are infiltrators and in PS1 you can 1 shot an infiltrator. So kill times = faster I would still think they could 1 shot infiltrator? I mean we haven't heard otherwise.

You're ignoring the fact the PS1 infils couldn't carry rifles, so the class comparison doesn't fit very well.

Oh...and hitboxes.

[Graywolves]

Eventually they're going to give all the sniper rifles the ability to have the same capability.

People will complain wether it's balanced or not at some point.

[ShockNC]

People will complain wether it's balanced or not at some point.

I have a feeling that the Sniper Rifles will become the new Lasher.

TR will whine that they need a buff for their rifle and the Devs up the damage.

the NC will whine about the TR basically have their rifle only with more Ammo and the Devs will nerf the TR rifle/buff the NC.

The VS will tell everyone that they've been having to deal with having the Lancer and everyone should STFU and deal with it.

[Redshift]

The VS will tell everyone that they've been having to deal with having the Lancer and everyone should STFU and deal with it.

The lancer was awesome..... especially when it was the lancer sniper, you should crap yourself with excitement if they gave you that