Wouldn't a Sunderer Make More Sense If It Was Like This

[NewSith]

So as it stands here's what Sunderer is:


Weapons:
Kobalt
Basilisk
Ranger
Walker
Bulldog
Fury

Utilities:
Gate Shield Diffuser
Smoke Screen
Proximity Radar
Fire Suppression System
S-AMS

Defense:
Blockade Armor
Proximity Repair
Proximity Ammo Dispenser
Auto-Repair
Stealth
Mine Guard

Naked Sunderer dies to 2 C4s + burnout or 2 AT mines.


As it stands right now, you can't really spec into anything. There are basically 2 sensible Sunderer configs - AMS+Mineguard and AMS+Ammo Dispenser.

I propose doing some changes that would increase the amount of the Sunderer loadouts:


First and foremost, a Sunderer should NEVER die to 2 AT mines, even without a mineguard. I'm saying that as both Sunderer babysitter AND an AT-mines wielding engineer. By this Mineguard is made a mustahve cert for a Sunderer. So make it just like with C4 - 2 mines take the sunderer to very low health (a bit less than C4 does if you are very eager for mines to be OP) so if there's an engi, he can save the sundy, but if not - bye bye Sundy.

Weapons:
Kobalt
Basilisk
Ranger
Halberd
Bulldog

Utilities:
Gate Shield Diffuser
S-AMS
Proximity Repair
Proximity Ammo Dispenser

Defense:
Blockade Armor
Auto-Repair
Fire Suppression System
Stealth
Mine Guard
Smoke Screen
Proximity Radar


And buff for the Proximity radar, for Christ's sake.

...but the point is - it's barely a roadmap-worthy feature.

Thoughts?

Sidenote: I'm not sure about the Auto-Repair, because if we keep it in Defense, it becomes a good AMS cert. If we move it to Utilities, there's gonna be a nice mix from Fire Suppression and Auto-Reps.

[bpostal]

A restructuring of the abilities to streamline their utility/defensive slots would be nice.
I do agree that auto-repair should be a utility slot. Using it with the AMS would just lead to more lazy bus drivers.

[Neurotoxin]

That is cool, but.... I want a Sunderer, not an AMS with seats and guns.

In fact, give me a Sunderer variant. Built-in shield diffuser, driver has a radial EMP, two Lightning class guns, two MBT secondary class guns, two AI Kobalts on the sides, and a built-in default horn. Yes, it can even have a maximum occupancy of 2 MAXs, and even require an Engineer to drive it. It isn't deadlier than 3 MBTs and 1 Lightning, but it provides the functionality of a tough APC that can actually defend itself between destinations.

[Sirisian]

Not to derail the thread but I think you figured out why exclusive certification slots are a poor design choice for specialization. You end up with players that have a use for a vehicle but there's no feasible mechanism currently to allow it. There should be a different mechanism in the game for restricting a player's choices. You might read this if you have a chance (http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=55911). It would allow deep customization on the Sunderer.

[NewSith]

That is cool, but.... I want a Sunderer, not an AMS with seats and guns.

Question:
Wouldn't a Sunderer with shield diffuser benefit better from smoke screen rather than other than blockade armor?
Wouldn't an AMS be better if you had choice what to bring along with you - Proxy Radar, Blockade Armor, Stealth or Mineguard?
And so forth...

The castling I offer forces more choice, by removing the "ultimate" configurations, like say Blockade+Smoke for a combat Sundy...

[Dougnifico]

I think the reason the ammo dispenser and the AMS are separate is to encourage ammo use. It can already be tough to find an ammo sundy and even less people would have them if they couldn't also have AMS.

[typhaon]

I think as times goes on, we'll get more and more interesting skill slots for infantry and vehicles.

[Plaqueis]

I'd settle for option to get Halberd (or Saron :)) on the roof...

[Baneblade]

I'e never understood why they insist on putting obvious utility things in the defense slot.

[OmegaPREDATOR]

It will be worse after.
As I eard shield and invisibility (if they come) will be at the place of SMA ... Quite pointless !

[Ertwin]

I would gladly give up AMS in order to be able to provide ammo and repair allies at the same time.

[maradine]

Dual halberds on a bus resist/HP pool is probably not something you want to have be a thing.

[SternLX]

If you ask me they need to bring the Deliverer back and move the AMS ability to it. Maybe even adapt it for use with an ANT Module. Let the Sunderer do everything else that an APC can be.