Flak Gunning Infantry and Universal Launcher

[TheGodCanine]

I would like to say Hello to everyone on Planetside 2 Forum.

Now,on to the discussion on recent PS2 Footage

Flak Gunning Infantry
While we all know Infantry can be a threat to Air Vehicles in PS2,I was never expecting them to have a whole dam portable Flak Cannon to shoot down aircraft.

Universal Launcher
The Anti Vehicle Launcher in this game is shown to be Universal.Can shoot and destroy vehicles just like a normal Launcher put also have the ability to work like a Javelin to lock on to ground vehicles.Same goes for Air Vehicles as well work close range AA.They are basically an all in one Launcher.

Discuss.

[Gogita]

How about if you add your opinions and issues on those weapons, instead of only asking other people to discuss?

[Duddy]

I would like to say Hello to everyone on Planetside 2 Forum.

Now,on to the discussion on recent PS2 Footage

Flak Gunning Infantry
While we all know Infantry can be a threat to Air Vehicles in PS2,I was never expecting them to have a whole dam portable Flak Cannon to shoot down aircraft.

Universal Launcher
The Anti Vehicle Launcher in this game is shown to be Universal.Can shoot and destroy vehicles just like a normal Launcher put also have the ability to work like a Javelin to lock on to ground vehicles.Same goes for Air Vehicles as well work close range AA.They are basically an all in one Launcher.

Discuss.

That isn't actually an infantry equip-able flak cannon. It's actually used on a MAX unit, which is essentially a slow powered exoskeleton weapon platform. So you won't be seeing those everywhere unless they're all in MAX suits.

It pretty much is a universal anti vehicular weapon, though as you may have noticed it isn't particularly effective at range, making it more of a defensive weapon.

[Stardouser]

Welcome to the forums! Yet another Battlefield refugee seeing the light.

As far as we know, there is no hated Disabling. Also, it took a lot of shots in Planetside 1 to kill vehicles, though I confess, we don't know what the vehicle TTK is in PS2 yet.

[TheGodCanine]

How about if you add your opinions and issues on those weapons, instead of only asking other people to discuss?

Oh forgot my opinions,my bad.

The Portable Flak Cannons for Infantry,I quite like it.I was kinda expecting the Infantry AA forces to just be a launcher with a lock on ability but seeing the Flak Cannon Infantry,I was quite impress that it more awards my aim rather than relying on lock on warfare.

The Universal Launcher,I kinda have mix thoughts on it in terms of being able to lock on to ground vehicles.

It's easy for Aircraft to fly away from these things,not so with a ground vehicle.


Edit: Just learn the Flak Cannon are part of the Max Suits.

That isn't actually an infantry equip-able flak cannon. It's actually used on a MAX unit, which is essentially a slow powered exoskeleton weapon platform. So you won't be seeing those everywhere unless they're all in MAX suits.

[Mechzz]

The burster flak cannon seemed quite similar to the PS1 version. Looked fun to use!

I like the universal launcher. Infantry need some way to defend themselves against tanks and planes and that looked just the ticket. The scythe was able to afterburner away, which is cool, but it seemed to do a fair amount of damage when it hit. Can't wait to down a few hovering reavers and mossies with it.

[Atheosim]

It seems like each empire will have a wide selection of different AV weapon functionality, from laser deg to fly-by-wire to camera guided to heat seeking fire and forget. This type of launcher I'm sure will be available to everyone, but I'm doubly sure that it will be heavily modifiable.

[Sifer2]

Honestly I am a tad worried by how universal the weapons seemed to be in general in this beta footage. The Flak cannons seem like they would be good at killing everything infantry included. The turret on the tank was also just as good at killing other tanks almost as it was at killing aircraft. And aimed low enough i'm sure it would blow away infantry no problem. And now it appears its pretty easy for a grunt to C4 a tank. Universal launcher is ironically the least universal weapon he used since at least it looks like it would be hard to kill infantry with it.

So its looking like at least in this beta that the traditional idea of specialized roles for taking out Infantry/Vehicles/Aircraft has been completely thrown out the window.

[Toppopia]

Honestly I am a tad worried by how universal the weapons seemed to be in general in this beta footage. The Flak cannons seem like they would be good at killing everything infantry included. The turret on the tank was also just as good at killing other tanks almost as it was at killing aircraft. And aimed low enough i'm sure it would blow away infantry no problem. And now it appears its pretty easy for a grunt to C4 a tank. Universal launcher is ironically the least universal weapon he used since at least it looks like it would be hard to kill infantry with it.

So its looking like at least in this beta that the traditional idea of specialized roles for taking out Infantry/Vehicles/Aircraft has been completely thrown out the window.

Why is it bad that grunts can C4 a tank? You arn't meant to be alone in a tank, you should be surrounded by other teammates and thats good if you can C4 tanks, it means that you don't get owned by them every single time, like in BF3 when the driver somehow knew you were there by using 3rd person view, that was soo annoying and stupid, its up to the teammates or the gunner to protect from threats like that.

[Sifer2]

I don't have a problem with it personally. I'm just using it to make a point that it seems like everyone can kill everything now. Also I have a knee jerk hatred for anything involving C4 after all the ridiculous **** I have seen people do with it in the battlefield series. Especially on friendly fire off servers. Thank god Planetside 2 is FF on all the time.

[Toppopia]

I don't have a problem with it personally. I'm just using it to make a point that it seems like everyone can kill everything now. Also I have a knee jerk hatred for anything involving C4 after all the ridiculous **** I have seen people do with it in the battlefield series. Especially on friendly fire off servers. Thank god Planetside 2 is FF on all the time.

My brother would get C4 and put it on his jeep then crash the jeep into a tank then jump out and explode it, he would always die but what a fun way to kill tanks. KAMIKAZE!! :D

[CutterJohn]

Honestly I am a tad worried by how universal the weapons seemed to be in general in this beta footage. The Flak cannons seem like they would be good at killing everything infantry included. The turret on the tank was also just as good at killing other tanks almost as it was at killing aircraft. And aimed low enough i'm sure it would blow away infantry no problem. And now it appears its pretty easy for a grunt to C4 a tank. Universal launcher is ironically the least universal weapon he used since at least it looks like it would be hard to kill infantry with it.

So its looking like at least in this beta that the traditional idea of specialized roles for taking out Infantry/Vehicles/Aircraft has been completely thrown out the window.

I was quite happy with it. PS1 went way too far making weapons worthless outside of their given roles/engagement ranges.

[Bromaxulon]

While I have no issues with the weapons targeting both aircraft and tanks, I do any an issues with both the NC launcher and the VS fusion having identical weapon profiles. Both weapons function exactly the same, and even have similar targeting reticules.

[Xyntech]

While I have no issues with the weapons targeting both aircraft and tanks, I do any an issues with both the NC launcher and the VS fusion having identical weapon profiles. Both weapons function exactly the same, and even have similar targeting reticules.

I'd rather have empire specific looks to otherwise identical weapons than constantly rely on most things being common pool.

That being said, I do prefer more uniqueness, so I am interested to see how the two weapons differ.

PS1 did suffer from having some weapons be a little too unique for their own good, with some empires having enormous gaps or advantages in certain roles. Hopefully they don't get rid of that entirely, but I wouldn't mind seeing a few of the gaps shortened a bit.

[PeteHMB]

Empire specific advantages and disadvantages were part of the fun in my opinion. It meant that people actually had to try and come up with tactics and coordination instead of just bumrushing (though that happened plenty anyway). Think about it: TR would run around and lock on aircraft, but had limited range with the Strikers. Vs could Lancer snipe aircraft, but it was difficult to do. NC could hit hovering aircraft from cover, but that was about it. On the other hand, shifting indoors the NC Jackhammer did very well in towers and hallways and CQB situations. Lashers were great for sort of AOE damage indoors, but basically sucked outdoors at range. MCGs were great medium to short range heavy assault weapons. Everything being situational meant you had to think a lot more if you wanted to survive.

[Mechzz]

.... VS could Lancer snipe aircraft, but it was difficult to do....

Right, like trying to snipe aircraft is an effective tactic lol. All it did was alert the pilot to your presence and hasten your addition to his K/D.

Agree on lots of this post, but the lack of decent hand-held AA in PS1 was a major lack. I'm glad to see an apparently effective weapon will be put in the hands of the soldiers.

[Captain1nsaneo]

Right, like trying to snipe aircraft is an effective tactic lol. All it did was alert the pilot to your presence and hasten your addition to his K/D.

...

You... never really used the lancer much did you? It was definitely possible to win 1v1s with mossies and I've won against Reavers using it and a Flacklet.
Sniping aircraft at range was regularly done, the speed of the round and its accuracy made it a wonderful tool for any sort of AV as long as you could successfully lead your target. Best AV in the game.

[Mechzz]

...

You... never really used the lancer much did you? It was definitely possible to win 1v1s with mossies and I've won against Reavers using it and a Flacklet.
Sniping aircraft at range was regularly done, the speed of the round and its accuracy made it a wonderful tool for any sort of AV as long as you could successfully lead your target. Best AV in the game.

I guess I didn't - I now recall you making a similar comment after the last time I posted along these lines. Label me as a lesser-able player, but I prefer a stinger-type AA missile any day. Lancer was designed for AV and did a reasonable job at that if you had a few chums also popping away, but wasn't good AA in my epxerience.

[Captain1nsaneo]

I guess I didn't - I now recall you making a similar comment after the last time I posted along these lines. Label me as a lesser-able player, but I prefer a stinger-type AA missile any day. Lancer was designed for AV and did a reasonable job at that if you had a few chums also popping away, but wasn't good AA in my epxerience.

Much is forgiven. I also recall having made that post before, I don't like talking down to anyone but the Lancer is probably my favorite heavy weapon so I'm a bit defensive about it.

I'll admit that it takes a lot of time to get used to but if you stick your crosshairs on the cockpit of the aircraft the round normally travels fast enough to tag them. I think mossies can take 4 to 5 hits before going up in a ball. That means that if you get an early shot in you can even win in a a point blank fight with a mossie (with a bit of dancing). It really is a weapon that rewards perfection though, 6 hits on a MAX is a kill and I think it's faster than a Deci's 3 shots just harder to pull off.

Packs of lancers were just out and out crazy fun when dealing with armor as the range and no warning made them perfect for ambushes. Though once I soloed a Vanguard who was too stupid to run away (EMP Thumper + Lancer + Trees to block run over attempts). Heck back in beta the lancer could 3 shot infantry. Basically did bloody everything.

[Mechzz]

Much is forgiven. I also recall having made that post before, I don't like talking down to anyone but the Lancer is probably my favorite heavy weapon so I'm a bit defensive about it.

I'll admit that it takes a lot of time to get used to but if you stick your crosshairs on the cockpit of the aircraft the round normally travels fast enough to tag them. I think mossies can take 4 to 5 hits before going up in a ball. That means that if you get an early shot in you can even win in a a point blank fight with a mossie (with a bit of dancing). It really is a weapon that rewards perfection though, 6 hits on a MAX is a kill and I think it's faster than a Deci's 3 shots just harder to pull off.

Packs of lancers were just out and out crazy fun when dealing with armor as the range and no warning made them perfect for ambushes. Though once I soloed a Vanguard who was too stupid to run away (EMP Thumper + Lancer + Trees to block run over attempts). Heck back in beta the lancer could 3 shot infantry. Basically did bloody everything.

It's cool. I really am a lesser-able player, but try not to be too hung up about it. I knew about Lancers being good in packs against vehcs. I only ever tried it as AA against hover-spammers, but to no great effect. Lack of imagination I guess in not thinking I could hit a reaver doing 200kph across my field of vision with an unguided projectile. Props to anyone who can do that, and I hope in my new outfit, whichever one that is, that we have peeps with similar imagination to try things out.

[PeteHMB]

Again - I saw this as a major part of the fun. Forcing people to think and not just zone out if they wanted to win...

[captainkapautz]

[...]That being said, I do prefer more uniqueness, so I am interested to see how the two weapons differ.[...]

Well, for what it's worth, the VS launcher was firing an energy projectile, kinda like a "plasma torpedo" instead of a normal rocket/missile.


Empire specific advantages and disadvantages were part of the fun in my opinion. It meant that people actually had to try and come up with tactics and coordination instead of just bumrushing (though that happened plenty anyway). Think about it: TR would run around and lock on aircraft, but had limited range with the Strikers. Vs could Lancer snipe aircraft, but it was difficult to do. NC could hit hovering aircraft from cover, but that was about it. On the other hand, shifting indoors the NC Jackhammer did very well in towers and hallways and CQB situations. Lashers were great for sort of AOE damage indoors, but basically sucked outdoors at range. MCGs were great medium to short range heavy assault weapons. Everything being situational meant you had to think a lot more if you wanted to survive.

I have to admit, I'd rather have functionally the same weapons with different visuals, then from the ground up different weapons that need different ways of thought to use appropriately.

Simple reason being: Balance.

It is way easier to balance 1 weapon that gets used by all 3 empires, then balance 3 different ones, because lets face it, the diversity in PS1 may have been all fine and dandy on paper, but in the end both Jackhammer and Lasher were superior weapons indoors, ya know were it actually matters.

I'm all for special weapons that ARE special for each faction, BUT please don't let those be the standard weapons that are used by everyone from the get-go, but instead make 'em unlockable later. (Rather hard to explain what I mean, sorry about that)

[Sabrak]

Well, for what it's worth, the VS launcher was firing an energy projectile, kinda like a "plasma torpedo" instead of a normal rocket/missile.

That's aesthetics.

What we want to know is the real difference between those weapons in gameplay.

Maybe the main differences will be on their sidegrades?

[captainkapautz]

That's aesthetics.[...]

Well, he asked for differences.

And like I already posted, balancewise it'd be easier and less timeconsuming to have the broad spectrum of "standard" weapons just differ in looks, and only little in actual stats.

Would still love to see some kind of "Special Assault"-kind of weapons useable by (almost) all classes.
Like TR gets a fullauto-only rocklet with more shot, but less damage then the PS1 one, NC gets the Thumper with more bang and VS gets their Discoballlaun...I mean Radiator.

Keep in mind that I mentioned those just as rough examples

[Gonefshn]

Losing the Lancer as VS AV is probably my biggest Woe for this game. I just LOVED that weapon. So incredibly satisfying to use. I would have loved to have seen the AV weapons broken down like this.

VS: Lancer. as in PS1. No change.
TR: Striker. same as PS1, lock on rocket with dumbfire mode.
NC: Pheonix, has dumbfire mode BUT replace the wire-guided with a system that works like the homing rocket in Halflife 2 where the rocket tracks a red dot.

Losing the specific tactics of each AV weapon sucks in my opinion. It made it so fun to play for your specific empire. It also made it meaningful to approach your two opposing empires with different concerns.

[Mechzz]

As AV the Lancer was good. But we (VS) had no decent hand-held AA. That would seem to be the trade-off here?

Or maybe there are ES weapons still to be displayed?

[IMMentat]

One of my fave moments is still shooting down a fully crewed liberator on a low altitude bombing run with a dual-decimator setup (was on the base-walls looking for vanguards/ams him overflying a biolab genroom at safe bomb-distance).
Poor fool never realised what hit him.

Was a one time only deal OFC but ever-so-fun.

in regards to the ES trooper AV, I think we all getting a lock-on version shared between all empires (decimator replacement but each empire is visually different) plus a second specific weapon modeled after the empires style.
So don't rule out the lancer yet.

[Goku]

Could of sworn they said the Lancer was in the works or has a high chance of making it in.

[Xyntech]

Could of sworn they said the Lancer was in the works or has a high chance of making it in.

I was under the impression that there would be more Lancer like and more Striker like AV weapons for all three empires, but I may have just been hoping for that and imagined it.

I'd also like to see all 3 empires Heavy Assault classes get something short ranged like the Jackhammer, something medium range like the MCG, and something unique and special assault style like the Lasher. With as much uniqueness thrown into those categories as possible.