Factions

[Kur]

I'm new to planetside, I never played the original and I can't wait to try planetside 2, but I was wondering for a new player what faction is the easiest to get the hang of, going off your past experience in planetside 1?

[Atheosim]

New Conglomerate is traditionally where newbs go due to the extreme ease of playstyle.

[Kur]

Is there a major difference between it and the Terran Republic?

[Coreldan]

Newbs wouldnt even have an idea what faction is the easiest to play to make the decision based on that.

NCs weaponry falls into few niches, sort of. 1) The shotgun niche (our heavy assault weapon is a shotgun as is our AI MAX unit) 2) Slower, but harder hitting weapons in general.

TR then again is more about throwing alot of lead down range that deals less damage, while NC shoots less but deals more damage per shot.

[Magpie]

NC, hard hitting
Tr, fast and rapid
Vs, high tech and moblie

[Atheosim]

On a more serious note, it's difficult to predict which empire will be most friendly to new players, but if anything the difference will be largely negligible.

But the Terran Republic are stated to be fond of speed and volume; maneuverability and rate of fire as opposed to the NC philosophy of "one and done", e.g. their 150mm cannon is purported to be the largest in the game, which will be mounted on the slowest, most heavily armored tank in the game.

tldr
NC: high damage/lowrof, heavy armor/slow speed,

TR: Medium damage/highrof, medium armor/ high maneuverability.

[Kur]

Ok, balance wise what way do you think it will tend to favour?

[CidHighwind]

If SoE does it right again, it won't favor any. They are supposed to be balanced in a way that 'ease' won't be a factor - this is PVP, and if one was easier, then it wouldn't work.

[Coreldan]

Well, it sorta depends on when you play. Currently in PS1 during the hours I play, TR always outnumbers NC and VS.

As for PS2, I'd guess most new players will go either TR or VS, cos they have better looking armor than NC. Then again, NC has cooler weapons than TR (imo). VS is sort of the oddball, the you either like them (if you are a scifi person) or you sorta dont :D

Too early to say at the moment where will majority go, but I'd say TR cos NCs armor looks so worn out while VS have weird alien tech. So TR to them looks like the generic US Marines the most :D

[Kur]

I tend to lean towards the underdog, but it seems the underdog in PS2 maybe the most complicated to get used to?

[Tamas]

I've searched for it but couldn't find an answer -

NC has the Gauss rifle - in the current class system who is most useful with it? In class perspective I'm looking for something like a medium/heavy assault (not MAX). I've read that NC was pigeonholed into shotguns, which I'm not a huge fan, as I prefer medium range engagements, so I was wondering what weapon could a Heavy assault class use effectively? I'f I take the Gauss rifle and heavy armor - is it a possibility, am I gimping myself etc.

[CidHighwind]

No one faction will be gimped or pidgeon-holed. They are simply BETTER at certain things than others. No one faction will be 'harder' to get the hang of, as each empire will have its own nuances.

This is my impression.

[ringring]

I've searched for it but couldn't find an answer -

NC has the Gauss rifle - in the current class system who is most useful with it? In class perspective I'm looking for something like a medium/heavy assault (not MAX). I've read that NC was pigeonholed into shotguns, which I'm not a huge fan, as I prefer medium range engagements, so I was wondering what weapon could a Heavy assault class use effectively? I'f I take the Gauss rifle and heavy armor - is it a possibility, am I gimping myself etc.
In current PS, a heavy assualt trooper, ie, REXO, could use both Jack Hammer and Gauss.
In fact because the Jack Hammer is not a medium range weapon the standard NC Rexo loadout was Jack Hammer+Gauss. An alternative would throw in Decimator for dealing with maxes.

However, in PS2 although we don't know for certain, we'll have to assume it's going to be along the same lines, so Heavy Assalt class will have both a close range weapon and a medium rankge one, ie Gauss for NC.

[sylphaen]

In PS2, factions will be a lot more similar.

It will also be possible to modify weapons in order to get weapons that behave more like other empires.

Only the VS will be radically different with guns shooting straight and very different vehicles.

I'd say that this time around, VS will be easier for beginners because shots will land straight where you shot them.

[Hmr85]

Since your a new player. Base your decision off of looks and your type of play style.
As Mentioned above my Magpie

NC, hard hitting
Tr, fast and rapid
Vs, high tech and moblie

No one faction is going to be the underdog. No one faction is going to have a distinct advantage over the other.

[SuperMorto]

You have to base your choice from your own gaming play style and interests.

You like lazer guns? Then go VS.

You like blowing things up? then go NC.

You like filling a room with lead? Then go TR.

[Vancha]

Pick whichever one you like the aesthetics and maybe the philosophy of the most. As Sylphaen says, even the differences that exist between empires will be able to be somewhat negated by personalizing equipment toward other empire styles...

Of course, if you manage to get into beta, you'll be able to give all 3 empires a go.

[Kur]

I read the Vanu do splash damage, or was that only PS1?

[Azren]

NC, hard hitting
Tr, fast and rapid
Vs, high tech and moblie

There is an other type of grouping you can use:

NC has the most systematical war mashine. Here you don't ever have to worry about ammo and repairs for your vehicle, there always are lodestars around. They really give the feel to have the most professional empire. Their iconic tanks, the vanguards are very commonly used.

TR, the Zerg faction. Every single one of them carries a minigun (heavy assault weapon) and rocket launcher. They don't like to use ground vehicles much, nor are they big on teamwork, but solo aircav and zerg rushing is their forte.

VS has the motto: "If you want something done, do it yourself". If you play as VS, don't ever expect anything to be done well. They like to get hang up on silly things like tower farming the most. Expect to be the underdog in any fight, even if VS has the greater numbers. The one redeeming factor of this empire are their tanks - while these lose on armor rating and firepower to the others, they hover and have direct fire which makes them most deadly at range.

[MadPenguin]

I read the Vanu do splash damage, or was that only PS1?

The VS were the only team that had splash damage on their heavy assault weapon and max's. But the splash on the max weapons was terrible, and the splash on their heavy assault weapon (the lasher) was, as you might guess, more of a lashing effect.

Im not sure that will be coming back though. They already removed it on the original because it was too hard to balance. There was a lot of complaining about it being too powerful at some times and too weak at others. I doubt the splash thing will be a major factor

[Trolltaxi]

Not much is known about PS2 mechanics, but in PS1 NC was the easy mode.

Most of the time you were fighting indoors, close range, and the shotgun was your best friend there.

With the MCG (TR heavy assault weapon) you were like spray'n'pray or you had to try to constanty keep the reticule on your target - or to be more precise you had to keep the reticule somewhere near. You had to lead your shots, calculating with the bullets travel time and the always changing position of your enemy. And you had to do this while the blaze was masking a significant part of your screen. So it was like tracking the enemy in an analoge way.

With the Jackhammer (NC heavy assault weapon, a huge 3 barelled shotgun) the pellets seemed to travel almost instantly (at least it seemed to me usually at the wrong end of the weapon), you had a shooting tact like bamm-ba-bamm-ba-bamm-ba-bamm. There was no blaze when you started to aim and you didn't have to lead that hard. Targeting was like digital, you had to be on target only at the moment of firing.

(note: I had to play on a ping around 170-200 on gemini and with an fps dropping under 20 when things got hot - this may explain why I had so much trouble with the MCG)

The disco orbs of the VS lasher was a different case, I think SOE have never managed to balance it. Playing VS may be an inner urge, it may not be about their weapons.

So if a new player tries to decide the empire, he should consider his playstyle and choose accordingly, unless he is a sci-fi-fan in heart when he needs to pick VS.

[Kur]

I'll probably make a decision when I get the chance to play, I don't really want to be US marine or Halo like character so I'm leaning towards the VS, but I've read they have the longest reload times, and require locking for certain weapons.

[Azren]

I've read they have the longest reload times, and require locking for certain weapons.

We don't know any such details for PS2

[Redshift]

I'll probably make a decision when I get the chance to play, I don't really want to be US marine or Halo like character so I'm leaning towards the VS, but I've read they have the longest reload times, and require locking for certain weapons.

It really doesn't matter mate, overall the weapons were balanced in PS1 i'd assume they'll be balanced in PS2, like others have said, pick it on looks.

[DayOne]

lazer

Laser*

And you complain about Americans and SOE stealing our language? You are one of them! :eek:

I joke :D

On topic: With the new addition of bullet drop perhaps VS will be the most newb friendly? No bullet drop. Also they seem to be the middle ground on damage and fire rate favouring accuracy. Lots of mid to long range advantages. A good way to get started in a game the size of Planetside IMO.

[MgFalcon]

NC, hard hitting
Tr, fast and rapid
Vs, high tech and moblie

I'd like to submit a friendly amendment, just adding accurate for the VS, yeah we're high tech and mobile, but that doesn't explain much in terms of causing damage :)

[Kur]

I'll probably be solo a lot, so I take it VS is the way to go?

[Graywolves]

All the noobs will go wherever they want.

[ringring]

I'll probably be solo a lot, so I take it VS is the way to go?
My advice is hook up with a good organised outfit. Then you can be part of and form plans to attack and defend specific points.

PS1 and I expect PS2 really is a much better game because of the outfits.

[Vancha]

I'll probably be solo a lot, so I take it VS is the way to go?
If you're solo a lot, VS would be the way to go, along with NC, and also TR.

You sound like you want to go VS though, so I'd go VS.

[Captain1nsaneo]

I'll probably be solo a lot, so I take it VS is the way to go?

Playing Planetside solo is like like having a pizza party. Sure the pizza tastes great but it's nothing special unless you have some friends to share it with. I'd highly recommend following Ringring's advice about getting into a good outfit.

[Magpie]

I'd like to submit a friendly amendment, just adding accurate for the VS, yeah we're high tech and mobile, but that doesn't explain much in terms of causing damage :)

Very true, you could add for NC; Amoured

:)

[Warborn]

TR are the best kissers.
NC are the angriest at space dad.
VS will upgrade your RAM for you.

Everything is all speculative and general ideas which may or may not pan out in the actual game.

[Trolltaxi]

PS is like sex. You can play it solo but it's more fun if you share the joy!

[Graywolves]

Playing Planetside solo is like like having a pizza party. Sure the pizza tastes great but it's nothing special unless you have some friends to share it with. I'd highly recommend following Ringring's advice about getting into a good outfit.

Don't have a pizza party alone!

TR are the best kissers.
NC are the angriest at space dad.
VS will upgrade your RAM for you.


:trrocks:

[SniperSteve]

My Opinion: Pick the empire based on the outfit you want to get into.

If there is an old outfit that did awesome stuff in PS1 and you like their style, go to their forums and check them out and if it looks good, roll with whatever empire they are on.

My experience is that TR have the most military-style outfits (the one I am in, Black Widow Company, is lead by military personnel.) VS and NC outfits are more traditional clans. They will probably value your skill over your dedication. That's just a generalization of my experience, but I think it is quite close.

[Kur]

Hmm well I'm in a long running "guild" that moves from game to game, but think I want something fresh for planetside since I don't think they'll be trying it. I like the idea of the military style outfits, always look out for those when I choose my server. In my games I usually end up using a big machine gun since my accuracy tends to be sloppy a lot more than it is good lol so maybe TR is the one for me on that front to.

[TheBladeRoden]

TR= neonazi wannabes and ex-mil
NC= noobs and dudebros
VS= scifi nerds and hipsters

[Redshift]

TR= neonazi wannabes and ex-mil
NC= noobs and dudebros
VS= scifi nerds and hipsters
since when have the TR been nazi's? It's a peaceful republic for 1000 years

VS are more like nazi's, wanting to erradicate anything that isn't hitech and FABULOUS

[NEWSKIS]

At this point no one really knows what each empire will be like, so I'd say try to get into the beta and see what you like by playing the game. Its a little too early to try to say "if you like x, join empire y".

[That one noob]

There really is no easy mode faction, really. They all play differently and you get used to your faction after many hours of playtime. It's like picking a class in TF2, they all play differently and you just get used to playing as one eventually.

[IronMole]

since when have the TR been nazi's? It's a peaceful republic for 1000 years

VS are more like nazi's, wanting to erradicate anything that isn't hitech and FABULOUS

I'm TR and like to shoot black people?

[Saintlycow]

PS is like sex. You can play it solo but it's more fun if you share the joy!

made my day

[Warborn]

VS are more like nazi's, wanting to erradicate anything that isn't hitech and FABULOUS

Harry Enfield: Hitler - YouTube

[MGP]

I guess it'll be the same as in PS1. The NC will be the easiest to play. The top damage and heavy armor are the two most important things in any FPS.

[Aurmanite]

I guess it'll be the same as in PS1. The NC will be the easiest to play. The top damage and heavy armor are the two most important things in any FPS.

There was no empire that was easier to play than the other.

[VioletZero]

TR = Fast
NC = Tough
VS = Precise

TR have the fastest everything. They have the fastest firing weapons and fastest vehicles. If that idea appeals to you, go for it. Their general drawback is that they aren't as adept at fighting long as other classes(Not to imply that they don't have very good long range weaponry though.)

NC is everything big and tough. Their guns and slow firing, but they pick a helluva punch. As are their vehicles that are slow, heavily armored and arm themselves very well.

VS is high tech and precise. Their guns have the best accuracy and are best at long ranges. Their vehicles specialize in being able to handle them in ways that no other faction can do. The drawback to them is that they lack specialization in other areas and sort of fall in between TR and NC.

As far as newbie factions, pick any of them and it'll work.

[basti]

There is no underdog, and there is no easy faction. And thats a fact.

The factions differ in their style, as said mutiple times in this thread already.

The Terran republic focuses on High Rate of Fire weapons. The New congromerate focus on hard hitting stuff, and the Vanu Souvereignty goes pretty much in between. Thats at least for the kind of damage they do.
As for style of vehicles: Same rules apply for their weapons, but TR got the fastest vehicles, NC those with most armor, and Vanu can move in ways that spin ur head. ;)


BUT, BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT! GIANT BIG RED
BUT


This only applys for the standard loadouts of weapons and vehicles. You can customize your weapons and vehicles the way you want. Means, as an NC, you could sacrifice damage per shot and get your Rate of fire up. As a TR, you could sacrifice your vehicles speed and upgrade its armor. Etc, pretty much anything is possible.
If a TR goes onto rate of fire to the max, and a NC does the same, the TR would still have a higher Rate of fire, simply because he got a higher rate of fire to begin with. But , if said TR goes full on damage, and the NC full on Rate of Fire, the NC would now shoot faster, while the TR hits harder per shot.





As for the "underdog": As said, there is none, for the gameplay at least. How well a faction is doing depens on its players, and that will differ from server to server.

[Boogster]

Sorry guys, if we're going off PS1, NC was the 'easiest' empire to master.

Best HA in most indoors fights, best MA, best AI Max, the best tank for farming etc, etc.

That's just the truth of it. Doesn't look like things will be the same this time round, though. The dynamics of indoors fights in particular seems likely to have changed dramatically.

[basti]

Sorry guys, if we're going off PS1, NC was the 'easiest' empire to master.

Best HA in most indoors fights, best MA, best AI Max, the best tank for farming etc, etc.



This is so wrong that it really hurts reading.

Jackhammer was rather pointless on range, especially back in the day before the lasher got fucked up.
Gauss is good, just as the pulsar. The TR MA is just crappy.
Scatmax is extremly powerful close range, but is rather gimped on anything else.
And the Vanguard? Yea, miss one shot against a Magrider, and the vanguard is toast. Tower farming doesnt count as "best tank"

[Redshift]

This is so wrong that it really hurts reading.

Jackhammer was rather pointless on range, especially back in the day before the lasher got fucked up.
Gauss is good, just as the pulsar. The TR MA is just crappy.
Scatmax is extremly powerful close range, but is rather gimped on anything else.
And the Vanguard? Yea, miss one shot against a Magrider, and the vanguard is toast. Tower farming doesnt count as "best tank"

Nah i have to agree, NC did have a lot of good kit, still worked out pretty balanced though.

also saying the JH and scat lacked range is stupid, they're designed to work pointblank, it used to piss me off when people assumed the MCG was balanced because it had a longer range, tbh at the MCG's max range i'd be using MA.

the mag and vanny were close enough. Sadly the only thing that the TR had that was hands down the best was the repeater pistol :P (actually after typing that, TR did have the best AV MAX too)

[Vancha]

I started off as a VS and I'd say they were probably more newbie-friendly. You had a single ammo-type, no AI vs AP confusion. The lasher was extremely forgiving if you missed a lot (the lash still had some bite back then), the lancer was your basic straight-firing, long-range, fast-projectile AV (and again, the most forgiving to miss with), heck, even the magrider had straight-firing guns as opposed to the arcs of prowlers/vanguards/thunderers.

I wouldn't argue that the NC had the best ESDeli or AI MAX, or that they weren't better at various things, but for sheer newb-friendliness? I couldn't have joined a better empire than VS.

[alienmoose]

You are all kidding yourselves. NC is the easiest faction to play, no contest.

[Vancha]

You are all kidding yourselves. NC is the easiest faction to play, no contest.
I can't argue with that reasoning, so I'll just say...

Nuh-uh!

[Aurmanite]

The Vanguard was not the easiest tank to farm with. Killing infantry was easier with the Prowler because of the higher rate of fire. Plus, the Prowler was a chubby girl so you could mow you a couple of men in one swipe, even post mow nerf.

The Scattermax was a beast, but nothing a few decimators couldn't handle.

People who claim that the JackHammer was the 'easiest' to use must not have used it. It was no easier than the other HA's, and if I had to choose I would choose the MCG. The bigger clip and the consistent damage win over the JH's burst. I'm not saying that the JH didn't have a slight advantage inside, because well, it was a shotgun. Even so, it always came down to the skill of the individual.

As for the Cycler, I always liked it more than the Gauss because of the the sound it made. It also had 50 rounds in a mag. I could kill motherfuckers using the Cycler just as well as anyone with a Gauss. So could anyone. It always came down to the skill of the individual.

[Redshift]

As for the Cycler, I always liked it more than the Gauss because of the the sound it made. It also had 50 rounds in a mag. I could kill motherfuckers using the Cycler just as well as anyone with a Gauss. So could anyone. It always came down to the skill of the individual.

cycler was competitive on agile, it was far behind on rexo. It wasn't just a matter of flavour, the TTK was far far far behind on rexo. The massive clip made no difference since you needed more shots to kill anyway.

[Aurmanite]

cycler was competitive on agile, it was far behind on rexo. It wasn't just a matter of flavour, the TTK was far far far behind on rexo. The massive clip made no difference since you needed more shots to kill anyway.

Don't quote me numbers. They don't matter to me.

I'm talking about playing the game, the way it actually went down.

[Knocky]

You are all kidding yourselves. NC is the easiest faction to play, no contest.

Lancer

Flying Maxes

Floating Tanks with a giant sniper cannon.

Yeah....NC sure is the easiest faction.

[Redshift]

Don't quote me numbers. They don't matter to me.

I'm talking about playing the game, the way it actually went down.

Yea.... The way it went down, the guass killed far quicker after the rexo buff, thats how it went down.

And btw wtf did i quote numbers?

[Aurmanite]

Yea.... The way it went down, the guass killed far quicker after the rexo buff, thats how it went down.

And btw wtf did i quote numbers?

You're right, you didn't use numbers. But you used TTK as the sole determiner of how a weapon functioned in game. TTK alone is inadequate to properly judge the effectiveness of a weapon.

That said, this is 2012 so I don't really want to revisit that discussion. I'll just end in saying that I never once felt under powered with a Cycler out in the field against the NC. In fact, even though I really liked the Gauss, I had a locker full of Cyclers on my NC character.

[Redshift]

You're right, you didn't use numbers. But you used TTK as the sole determiner of how a weapon functioned in game. TTK alone is inadequate to properly judge the effectiveness of a weapon.



TTK is the only useful way to judge a MA weapon, and when i say TTK i'm talking about at range, where it's supposed to be used.

[Aurmanite]

TTK is the only useful way to judge a MA weapon, and when i say TTK i'm talking about at range, where it's supposed to be used.

Oh, man. I just don't have the will to get into this again. It's like a throw back to 2004.

[MGP]

Comparing JH to MCG.
Which weapon is better?
The one that requires you to follow the target movements with reticle, requires to use small bursts, or more then half of your bullets will miss.
Or the one that have instant-traveling bullets, point-and-click system and instagibs everything with a couple of shots.
Sorry, Aurmanite, but if you think what MCG was superior, you're simply in denial.
I'm not even mentioning what a player with JH was able to take down not locked DC max in point-blank. Wanna try that with MCG vs SplatterMax?

[Vancha]

Comparing JH to MCG.
Which weapon is better?
The one that requires you to follow the target movements with reticle, requires to use small bursts, or more then half of your bullets will miss.
Or the one that have instant-traveling bullets, point-and-click system and instagibs everything with a couple of shots.
Sorry, Aurmanite, but if you think what MCG was superior, you're simply in denial.
I'm not even mentioning what a player with JH was able to take down not locked DC max in point-blank. Wanna try that with MCG vs SplatterMax?
I don't think you understand the meaning of "instagib", or "everything", or "reasonable".

To start with, you pretty much needed to be within head-butting range to two-shot an agile, and you couldn't two-shot a rexo. Yes, the JH was very nice defensively because you could wait for the enemy to come to you, but on offense, especially down a corridor, MCG's range advantage meant you'd be dead before you got close enough to do any real damage.

Also, seeing as your example used the kill-time for an agile, it took 9 shots to kill an agile with an MCG and 9 shots for an MCG to start to bloom, if I recall correctly. No burst required.

[MadKat]

I don't think you understand the meaning of "instagib", or "everything", or "reasonable".

To start with, you pretty much needed to be within head-butting range to two-shot an agile, and you couldn't two-shot a rexo. Yes, the JH was very nice defensively because you could wait for the enemy to come to you, but on offense, especially down a corridor, MCG's range advantage meant you'd be dead before you got close enough to do any real damage.

Also, seeing as your example used the kill-time for an agile, it took 9 shots to kill an agile with an MCG and 9 shots for an MCG to start to bloom, if I recall correctly. No burst required.

^-- This.

As for the point & click instagibbing, I must've missed out on the JH's mechanics that allows that; last I recall the JH still requires leading, alike the MCG, and Lasher -- It just doesn't have visible projectiles. It is all reliant of the users accuracy, and situation. They each have their pros and cons. Back to topic though;

Each empire has their ups and downs, as for PS2, we have no idea how each will play out, so I'd pick on what looks cool/sounds more like your forte. :groovy:

[Redshift]

last I recall the JH still requires leading, alike the MCG, and Lasher

No, it's hitscan, no leading required

[Kur]

Started playing together, spent a good amount of time on Vanu and a bit of Terran Republic. Tried out various skills like Max suits etc, I'm sure they get better with training, but have to say I thoroughly enjoyed driving a lightning, very versatile, good speed, not to difficult to drive where as other vehicles seemed to go haywire at the slightest touch of the mouse, good mobile support vehicle, I enjoyed it a lot.