Opinions on Squad Spawning

[Ragotag]

After reading the many posts in the "Likes, Dislikes" thread concerning the GDC videos, it appears that this specific feature has received a lot of "Disliikes", and I'm curious as to why.

My understanding of how squad spawning is currently implemented (and please correct me if I my information is dated or wrong on this) is:

• It is an ability that only a squad leader can use/activate (squad members cannot activate it).
• It requires some amount advancement down a "Leadership" CERT tree (not every squad leader will have this ability).
• The ability will be on a timer.
• It can only be used outdoors.
• It is not instantaneous (uses drop pods).
• It can be used as a OSOK weapon (verse Infantry only?) assuming that the target stands still long enough.

[Ragotag]

This is certainly not the same kind of squad spawning that is implemented in normal or even hardcore BF3; based on the above, this is a new beast altogether and I like it. It is also balanced in that a drop pod will give away the squad/squad leader's approximate location; and if not done in a safe location (behind cover), it will place the spawned squadmate at extreme risk of inst-death from concentrated fire.

[Gelnika]

I'd honestly have to see it in beta to make an informed decision. Squad leader spawns are more squishy and temporary than say, a Galaxy spawn.

If the issues of BF2/BF3 style squad spawning can be eliminated (people magically appearing, never-ending wave of guys etc.), then I am for this. In the meantime I will not vote.

[Ragotag]

Originally Posted by Gelnika

Squad leader spawns are more squishy and temporary than say, a Galaxy spawn.

That's a good point too... this changes the squad dynamic a bit in that the squad leader needs to stay alive for this to be useful and the squad needs to do their best to keep the squad leader alive so they can drop (spawn) back in.

[dowmein]

Originally Posted by Ragotag

This is certainly not the same kind of squad spawning that is implemented in normal or even hardcore BF3; based on the above, this is a new beast altogether and I like it. It is also balanced in that a drop pod will give away the squad/squad leader's approximate location; and if not done in a safe location (behind cover), it will place the spawned squadmate at extreme risk of inst-death from concentrated fire.

They did that in BF2142.

It was the best thing ever.

[VanuMAXGuy]

The way you described is fine.

But what I saw in the GDC footage was BF3 styled: spawn on any squad member instantly, anywhere, which is BAD

[DayOne]

Sounds about right to me. I have no problem with this so long as it is in drop pods. I don't this the HART is back so this is basically the new one.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by VanuMAXGuy

The way you described is fine.

But what I saw in the GDC footage was BF3 styled: spawn on any squad member instantly, anywhere, which is BAD

It's because the drop pods are not yet implemented, they did say this. It's just a place holder for now.

[Synapses]

I honestly think that this was just implemented this way for the demo.

Why do I say that?

Because Higs and others doing interview keep saying its going to be more drop pod type of a deal.

I dont agree with people being able to squad spawn inside buildings, so I will stick to hoping for just the drop pod idea, I think it works best. As well as a cool down time on it so there isnt raining drop pods every few seconds lol.. God knows im going to die a lot.

Put a two minute cool down timer on it imo.

[wasdie]

As long as it is why you described it. If squad spawning would work like Battlefield 2, there would be very little point to capture points and whatnot.

[Death2All]

As long as it's implemented in all the ways you mentioned I'd be fine with, tenfold if we're able to shoot the drop pods down or instantly kill them the second they emerge from the pod.


In the demo, they were instantly spawning on everyone, but I think that was just for presentation purposes because they hadn't yet implemented the system yet.


But anyone who plays BF knows how lame it is when you kill 5 guys and one manages to stay alive and then a few seconds later the whole squad spawns back. LAMENESS.


But like I said, so long as it's implemented properly I have no issue with it.

[Shogun]

that´s a clear "wait for beta" thing for me

[VioletZero]

Originally Posted by Shogun

that´s a clear "wait for beta" thing for me

Although I'd typically agree, my knee jerk reaction says that this will undermine the supply line aspect.

[ThGlump]

How it was described in Q&A as having steerable drop pod that could kill ppl feels weird. I suppose that what was shown in demo wasnt proper squad spawning but some temporal bf3 style spawning.

I have problem with squad spawn in general as spawn points (ams) was always important part of equipment that you needed to get rid of if you wanted to progress. With squad spawn it would be harder to push someone back even if you get rid of their spawns.
And it could be abused as fast travel around map (fp2 cloakers near every base) as you can spawn on any member of squad it you train it high enough.

[Ragotag]

Originally Posted by ThGlump

And it could be abused as fast travel around map (fp2 cloakers near every base) as you can spawn on any member of squad it you train it high enough.

If this is the stated design of it, then I would agree with you. What I wrote is very different and would not allow for this.

[Top Sgt]

Spawn on SL with the correct (cert) for it only and it's fine to me

I don't prefer the new noobed up way Dice did it with BF Spawn on any squad member.. already 10 guys in a squad etc there should be a penalty in dying.. you have to work to get back to your group if no forward spawn is available.