New Tank Concepts

[HiroshiChugi]

So we don't have ES Light tanks, only a common pool one. We don't have a common pool MBT, only ES ones. So why not add ES LTs and a common pool MBT? I've found 2 concepts, one for each.

Here is the ES LT:
http://th02.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2011/261/1/3/scorpion_tank_by_phade01-d4a85xn.jpg

And the common pool MBT:
http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs24/f/2007/361/3/c/IDW___Main_Battle_Tank_by_Hideyoshi.jpg
^This could also be similar to what the common pool heavy tank might look like maybe? Possibly?

Thoughts? Ideas? Oh, and both would have dedicated drivers. LT would have something similar to and just a little bit stronger than a M40 Fury, with maybe a 10 round clip.?

[Landtank]

I like the idea of Empire Specific Light Tanks. Could end up being a really cool addition. Make them have a driver, a gunner, and space for 4 allies in the back. I know the Deliverer, Thunderer, Aurora and Raider already existed in PS1, but I don't really like the look of those. Maybe keep the names though!

I don't think they should have any significant AA ability, let the Skyguard handle that.

For the TR, give it a vulcan like weapon or a 25mm chain gun/auto cannon (perhaps both, vulcan being AI and the chaingun being AV). Also allow the infantry inside to fire either their weapons or smaller MANA style turrets that don't really do much, but put a lot of bullets down range. Can't really think of an ES ability other than lockdown, but it should be something unique.

http://kofler.dot.at/40k/units/Imperial_Guard_Steel_Legion_Chimera.gif

For the VS I figure it should float, because our friends in spandex love things that float. So, give it a Lancer (or Saron) type weapon (AV) and an AI Hailstorm turbo laser thing or whatever their AI tank secondary is. Should be quick, and lightly armored, and maybe able to boost away as an ES ability, but again I would want something more unique.

http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m1252674_99120104007_Waveserpentmain_873x627.jpg

For the NC! The best faction! Perhaps they should have a railgun (AV) and a shotgun (AI), or an autocannon that fires slowly but really shreds infantry. Perhaps ~20rpm but 3 hit kill? Who knows. Can't think of any abilities other than some sort of shield, boo. The image you posted would be pretty sweet for the NC imo, just give it a big ass railgun instead :D.

http://data3.primeportal.net/apc/hans-hermann_buhling/stryker_nbcrv/images/stryker_nbcrv_03_of_72.jpg

[moosepoop]

empire specific solo tank

TR: prowler
NC: vanguard
vanu: magrider

[HiroshiChugi]

empire specific solo tank

TR: prowler
NC: vanguard
vanu: magrider

Well no sh*t Sherlock. :rolleyes::rolleyes: I mean ES LIGHT tanks. I asked for constructive criticism, not things that we already know...

[moosepoop]

Well no sh*t Sherlock. :rolleyes::rolleyes: I mean ES LIGHT tanks. I asked for constructive criticism, not things that we already know...

no reason to have them if you can solo a mbt.

[Landtank]

no reason to have them if you can solo a mbt.

Really now. I don't know if you're aware, but this is a forum for discussion, not for just you typing your opinion and calling it fact.

[moosepoop]

Really now. I don't know if you're aware, but this is a forum for discussion, not for just you typing your opinion and calling it fact.

its logic. its an issue of power + cert gain + survivability.

players are barely using lightnings these days. if you introduce empire specific lightnings, no ones gonna use them either.

"neat idea" isnt a good reason to implement it.

[wasdie]

I would love to see ES and NS version of each vehicle class.

I feel that the NS should always be cheaper and more flexible but the ES version be more powerful in one faction specific way. This means the ES is more focused on a specific faction trait and it's usefulness is defined based upon that trait thus bringing in more asymmetrical balance which is good for this game.

An NS version of all vehicles means that there is at least some common ground. This common ground will allow the devs a bit more freedom in exploring the unique traits of each empire. They could get a bit crazier with the designs but because there is an NS variant to fall back on, no one empire will be at a major disadvantage in a certain way.

One thing that could be great is a boring NS MBT that is larger than the lightning that is set up just like the vanguard (single turret, secondary gunner position) and then turn all of the ES MBTs into more powerful 2-3 man crewed tanks that focus on the faction specific trait.

For example the Vanguard would have a single driver and single gunner. The main gun would be much more powerful than the current gun, but the loss of the secondary armament means the tank loses a higher rate of fire when going 2/2. This means the tank would have to be specialized for a role on loadout. These things would just be lumbering giants with a single focus but be extremely powerful at that. Very NC like.

The prowler could be a 3 man tank with 2 separate turrets with the #2 and #3 guys manning these turrets. This means a higher rate of fire and the ability to engage multiple targets at once. Very TR like.

The mag rider could stay pretty much how it is but get a side strafing and frontal armor boost. Make it more maneuverable and able to take more hits from the big vanguard turret and prowler turrets. Out of the 3 tanks right now the magrider is the one that suits the faction trait the best. I really don't see a reason to change it.

So then the NS tank would be pretty much a vanguard. Bigger and slower than the lighting, able to be driven and gunned by a single player and is cheaper than the ES variant, but really have no special traits and is pretty much inferior to the ES variant.

This is just to compliment that idea of an ES specific light tank that is basically a straight upgrade on the lightning in one faction specific way.

[JesNC]

its logic. its an issue of power + cert gain + survivability.

players are barely using lightnings these days. if you introduce empire specific lightnings, no ones gonna use them either.

"neat idea" isnt a good reason to implement it.

MBT =|= light tank. I see plenty of Lightnings around, and - at least for me - the Lightning is outperforming the solo MBT by far. But this isn't the "dedicated crews" debate.

ES light tanks would sure be fun. Don't know about a NS MBT though.

[wasdie]

MBT =|= light tank. I see plenty of Lightnings around, and - at least for me - the Lightning is outperforming the solo MBT by far. But this isn't the "dedicated crews" debate.

ES light tanks would sure be fun. Don't know about a NS MBT though.

NS MBT would replace the role of the current MBTs and the current MBTs would have a certain trait exaggerated at the cost of more resources, a higher cooldown timer, and requirement of multiple players.

I think it's a good tradeoff. Giving an NS variant to a class of vehicles really allows the developer to exaggerate a certain trait that may make a tank more situational than it is now but we have weaker-all around tank as a fallback if your faction really struggles in a certain situation. Allows you to still fight.

[Rasui]

I would absolutely LOVE a ES light tank. Though I wonder, would that replace the ES buggies role too much despite them being multi-crew vs single crewed vehicles?

[wasdie]

I would absolutely LOVE a ES light tank. Though I wonder, would that replace the ES buggies role too much despite them being multi-crew vs single crewed vehicles?

The buggies are really in the class of their own. They aren't a very stable attacking platform and their speed really requires a dedicated gunner. I see them more as quick transport vehicles with more offensive capabilities in certain situations. They are certainly great for getting maxes to a fight really fast as well as just having fun.

I wouldn't really compare the buggy to a lightning. They fufill different rolls. So really an ES specific buggy lightning wouldn't upset the balance that much.

[Carbon Copied]

I like the idea of ES specific tanks however think it should go further than that before they start redefining / adding at the upper end of the scale; at the minute vehicles both ground and air are very generic you can't easily say "that's a VS/NC/TR sunderer" without spamming q to see if it is actually friend or opposition. Outlines, movement, sound tell you very little whats coming or what you will potentially have to deal with (doesn't apply so much to the air vehicles as there's so few utility on them that makes any difference outside of the individual piloting - however at a distance the point stands); but most importantly fails to tell who's bringing what to the fight..

Vehicle chassis are as it stands a jack of all trades you just cert/buy a different turret/top for a purpose; boring. Why can't the NS vehicles be your bare bones/cheap as chips disposable vehicles then faction equivalents are your specialty vehicles that allow "the bolt ons". Take the sunderer as a prime example: it does.. pretty much everything short of shoot nukes and battle tanks. To me the sunderer should be the vehicle that gets troops from A to B cheaply on resources and moderately hassle free with very few bells and whistles, common and fit for purpose: its the Renault Espace of PS2..

Having limited cert trees trees of (but including the chassis upgrades):

Blockade armor / Mine guard / Nanite auto repair / Fire suppression / smoke screen / proxy radar as well as common pool turrets able to be equipped for defense.

Now the ES "sunderer equivalent" costs more resources (ball park figure of 50% more), but allows the use of all the bells and whistles like modded chassis for AMS and all the swap out goodies, but this comes with the trade offs that you lose troop space as it heavily modifies the vehicle integrity - because introducing a new vehicle can't/shouldn't negate the old. So the "old" sunderer still has it's place as ground transport for troop movement and to travel in tandem with the "new".

So what would be the point?
Well for starters there's more variety on the battlefield: a war thats waged for several hundred years and all they have developed is 12 vehicles, 6 of which each faction's enemy uses..
Potentially quicker and easier target recognition - the q button is lazy implementation it really is.. I should be able to say "take down that AMS vehicle" and it's distinct enough to stand out from a group at distance without relying on a spot etc. leave that mechanic for platoon and squad leaders / IC's.

So TL: DR - yes I think there should be NS and faction tanks/vehicles however I feel they should concentrate splitting up and adding to the motor pool already there before adding yet more new ones that are in their own categories..

[Dougnifico]

Personally, I really hate common pool. I think they should make empire specific versions of everything. If they want to tack on an NS variant, cool with me. More content = $ for SOE = win for everyone.

[AThreatToYou]

Empire Specific light tanks sounds like a very cool idea.
In fact, i might prefer that idea over ES buggies, but we're gonna get ES buggies anyhoot.

ES Light Tanks would be multi-crew: driver+gunner. Ideally the gunner would control a forward-facing anti-infantry machine gun.

The gunner would control the turret, which could feature the following kinds of weapons:

TR - Bolter Cannon
Burstfire Rocketpods (CIRCUS)
(Skyguard)

VS - Arcing Plasma (with damage-over-time fire effect against infantry)
High velocity plasma cannon (with damage-over-time effect against vehicles and MAX)
(Skyguard)

NC - Napalm rocket launcher (with arc)
An actual hitscan laser-gun (effective against armor, heavy damage drop-off)
(Skyguard)

*I give NC the laser-gun because it sounds more "experimental" and "jury-rigged" than plasma. Typically, plasma weaponry is placed higher on the tech scale than lasers, and NC also use gauss right now.

[HiroshiChugi]

I love these ideas, it's really coming together. MOAR IDEAS I SAY! MOAR IDEAS!

http://www.roflcat.com/images/cats/I_Want_Moar.jpg

[HiroshiChugi]

its logic. its an issue of power + cert gain + survivability.

players are barely using lightnings these days. if you introduce empire specific lightnings, no ones gonna use them either.

"neat idea" isnt a good reason to implement it.

http://i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/007/718/cry-moar.jpg
;P

[RodenyC]

He has a point though.What would be the point in a Light tank that requires more crew when you can get a MBT by yourself and be more powerful?While yes the idea of Light ES tanks sound great it wouldn't be something that would improve the game balance wise.

[OmegaPREDATOR]

Could be interesting to just add news abilities and weapons to Lightning for is rewamp. Different for each faction.

For memories, there was only MTBs and Lightning in Planetside (http://planetside.station.sony.com/).

[HiroshiChugi]

Well, instead, take my idea for the turret, but make it so that the driver is also the gunner, and have those 4 passenger seats and make it basically a light APC. Basically a mini Sunderer.

[wasdie]

He has a point though.What would be the point in a Light tank that requires more crew when you can get a MBT by yourself and be more powerful?While yes the idea of Light ES tanks sound great it wouldn't be something that would improve the game balance wise.

You're looking at it from a pure DPS perspective. These ES light tanks would have other advantages that aren't just pure DPS. They would have a special trait and ability that makes them far more appealing than just driving the MBT by yourself.

This game gets awfully boring if your bottom line is determined by DPS. The harasser is a great argument for that. Sure the MBT can put out far more damage than that of a harasser, by why don't we see people just pulling 2 MBTs instead of 1 harasser? Why not 2 lightnings? It's technically double the firepower so why aren't people doing that?

Simple fact is if you're just looking at overall DPS you're really missing the point.

These ES specific tanks could have a lot of other reasons to make them appealing. The ES specific MBTs could as well but they are too focused on trying to balance the MBTs between the factions instead of going wild with them and exaggerating their traits to make them feel truly unique. This is why a base NS MBT would be great because then they could really exaggerate a feature on the ES tanks and make them blatantly better in some situations than the soloed or even 2/2 crewed NS MBT and then give the players the choice on what they want to do.

I'm a favor of more choice. An NS and ES flavor of every vehicle class could make this game rather interesting. The NS version could be very basic and fulfill the role that most FPS gamers today expect such a vehicle to fulfill and ES tanks can be the specific 3-way asymmetrical gameplay that is unique to Planetside. Everybody gets something they want and the factions become more unique without becoming way more imbalanced.

[AThreatToYou]

He has a point though.What would be the point in a Light tank that requires more crew when you can get a MBT by yourself and be more powerful?While yes the idea of Light ES tanks sound great it wouldn't be something that would improve the game balance wise.

An ES light tank would be:

- Faster
- Do more damage for how much hitpoints it has
- Have a unique ability in either its defense, mobility, or offense
- Have weapons that other vehicles will not have

[moosepoop]

empire specific lightning weapons would make more sense.

[Timealude]

empire specific lightning weapons would make more sense.

I would honestly like to see this before adding new ES tanks.

[AThreatToYou]

I don't think faction specific turrets for the lightning could change it into a 2-seater vehicle.

[HereticusXZ]

Give us more vehicles period, it's not a bad thing, More options, more diversity, interesting battles.

If you're off lonewolfing then you can pull the ES MBT: Prowler, Vanguard, Magrider, or the Lightning Common Pool. If you're playing with some friends, or organizing with your Outfits Armor Division then Multi-Crew tanks would be pretty fraken awesome.

I would like to go a step further and demand Empire Specific Sunderer' with faction specific abilities or weapons.

More Choices, More Options, Happier Me. And the cash SOE could score off of cosmetics for these new vehicles... I don't see any justifiable reason NOT to add more vehicles.

[HiroshiChugi]

Give us more vehicles period, it's not a bad thing, More options, more diversity, interesting battles.

If you're off lonewolfing then you can pull the ES MBT: Prowler, Vanguard, Magrider, or the Lightning Common Pool. If you're playing with some friends, or organizing with your Outfits Armor Division then Multi-Crew tanks would be pretty fraken awesome.

I would like to go a step further and demand Empire Specific Sunderer' with faction specific abilities or weapons.

More Choices, More Options, Happier Me. And the cash SOE could score off of cosmetics for these new vehicles... I don't see any justifiable reason NOT to add more vehicles.

I don't see anything wrong with all of this, really.

[Qwan]

I liked the first one it looked real nice, the second one reminds me of a Vanu super battle tank, just paint it purple and push it out the door. I like the look though.

[HiroshiChugi]

-bump- o.o

[Eggy]

I think the game needs more higher cost vehicles, not more cheap and "powerfull" ones.
Otherwise we risk mass vehicle spam.

The harraser has a bad rep at the moment mainly becuase due to it being dedicated driver it is "powerfull". If you add a light tank that takes 2 people and can be dedicated driver then you just removed the current MBTs from the action, they just wouldnt stand a chance.

If however you add more vehicles, needing more people to the other end of the vehicle range, they can be stronger,quicker or whatever and not be un balanced.

A Heavy Battle tank. Common pool or ES requiring 3-4 people to be combat effective.
Idealy the ES buggies we have been promised should have less powerfull guns than the current harraser, but have more than 1 gunner seat. It needs to have reasons to pull it over an MBT and also reasons not to pull it if you cant fill all the gun seats. This is the problem with the current LBT and MBT, if you have the resources for an MBT there is zero point to pulling a LBT.

The deliverer/raider level of vehicles also has a place but should have access to more counter measures and support tools rather than stacking guns, but again requires more than one person.

The game is an MMO, stacking lots of power onto lone wolfs isnt a good idea.
I realise how much fun it would be to have a Vulcan on a lightning but in terms of cost&risk versus reward it just isnt going to happen.


An ES light tank would be:

- Faster
- Do more damage for how much hitpoints it has
- Have a unique ability in either its defense, mobility, or offense
- Have weapons that other vehicles will not have

This is exactly what the harraser is to the MBT except it does less damage and is dedicated driver. In effect a common pool MBT with access to ES weapons and look how much its apparently unbalanced the game for solo players.

[HiroshiChugi]

Well, if you look at it this way, the ES LBTs could really just be light APCs. Think of something with half the armour of a Sunderer, only one gunner, and only 6 seats in the vehicle (1 Driver, 1 gunner, and 4 passengers). it's a great way of getting around if you are in a small squad, spec ops squad, or if you need a samll part of your platoon to go help out one of your squads. It won't be overpowered because you won't be able to have guns any bigger than the Halberd. Hell, if you have ES weapons, it won't really be a problem because it doesn't have a lot of armour. Sure, it has the speed a torque to get up and around mountain sides per-say, but it doesn't have the armour to effectively take place in main battles. If you even TRY to have it as one of the vehicles up front in the battle, it'll be a big target and destroyed extremely quickly due to it's armour value. The Harasser isn't OP in my opinion because of it's armour value. Sure, it can pack a mean punch with even a halfway decent driver and gunner combination, but 3 hits from a MBT and it's done. Hell, I think it should only be two because of it being a buggy. You don't even see half as many Harassers out there today due to people mainly using them for quick transport. PS1 vets, what do you think?