Vech. Pilot Armor

Senyu · 2012-06-12, 12:36 PM

So I noticed in TB's videos a Terran Jump Jet Infantry driving a Prowler. As far as I understand MAX and Rexo suits are still unable to pilot vehicles but I'm also surprized the jet infantry is able to pilot as well. Given the fact that jet infantry are mobile infantry it doesn't make much sense to have them pilot vehicles such as tanks. If they need transportation they can be passengers or drive the ATV's. And their bulky jump pack shouldn't fit in the vehicle which would make sense.

Please correct me if I'm wrong or maybe they allowed them to pilot vehicles in the E3 demo but Jump Jet Infantry should be in the same boat of MAX and Rexo suits in regards of vehicle piloting.

Vanu Techpriest · 2012-06-12, 12:39 PM

The jump jets only allow for short jumps really like onto a rooftop. MAX's can't drive vehicles partly because of balance and also because it's not realistic for the giant mech suits to fit in a driver seat.

Light Assault aren't nearly as powerful as a Max and also not as versatile when it comes to weapon selection like Anti-Vehicle, Anti-Air, Anti-Infantry, etc.

Electrofreak · 2012-06-12, 12:56 PM

Light Assault is going to be a pilot loadout of choice due to its ability to allow the pilot to skip the safe ejection mechanism and rely upon their jetpack to get them to the ground safely. That means they can substitute the ejection seat for something like flares or better weapons.

Senyu · 2012-06-12, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Electrofreak

Light Assault is going to be a pilot loadout of choice due to its ability to allow the pilot to skip the safe ejection mechanism and rely upon their jetpack to get them to the ground safely. That means they can substitute the ejection seat for something like flares or better weapons.

Isn't that kinda cheating the game a little?

GreatMazinkaise · 2012-06-12, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Senyu

Isn't that kinda cheating the game a little?

Not really, it looks like an intentional design choice. Most likely MAX suits will be the only classes unable to board normal vehicle slots.

Warborn · 2012-06-12, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Senyu

Isn't that kinda cheating the game a little?

You can also exit aircraft mid-air to break the lock missiles have on you, and then re-enter it and keep flying.

Don't think of the game as being about fairness or "realism", or even it being like Planetside 1. It's Battlefield 1942 with leopard suits.

FastAndFree · 2012-06-13, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by Warborn

You can also exit aircraft mid-air to break the lock missiles have on you, and then re-enter it and keep flying.

Why would that break missile lock?

QuantumMechanic · 2012-06-12, 12:58 PM

As far as I know, it's valid for heavy assault to drive vehicles. I didn't hear anything to the contrary on the E3 streams...

Limiting the driver/pilot role to light assault and below in PS1 had a big tactical effect... I'm curious to see how this plays out in PS2 myself.

Senyu · 2012-06-12, 01:39 PM

Infantry that rely on their equipment in combat, IE MAX, Heavy Suit, and Jump Jet shouldnt pilot the more specific vehicles. Their roles are infantry in combat. This would then only leave Infiltrator, Engineer, and Combat Medic to pilot vehicles.

Just seems for a class thats supposed to get in your face and jump jet around with a jet pack wouldn't be spending much time driving a vehicle

Zhane · 2012-06-12, 01:15 PM

I think Engineer will be the driver/pilot class of choice in the long run. I'd rather be able to land and repair than bail out for free.

Kayos · 2012-06-12, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Zhane

I think Engineer will be the driver/pilot class of choice in the long run. I'd rather be able to land and repair than bail out for free.

I agree, most dedicated pilots will probably be Engineers so they can repair and get back into the fight faster.

Vorgan · 2012-06-12, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Zhane

I think Engineer will be the driver/pilot class of choice in the long run. I'd rather be able to land and repair than bail out for free.

But what about the autorepair certifications? I feel like going Light Assault + jetpack + autorepair negates the need for playing as an engineer, and for the ejection seat.

FastAndFree · 2012-06-12, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Vorgan

But what about the autorepair certifications? I feel like going Light Assault + jetpack + autorepair negates the need for playing as an engineer, and for the ejection seat.

If you want to play the air game you don't need to eject, though. The ejection seat mod and jumpjets both sacrifice your mission-relevant potential to negate a weakness that is not important

If you want to be able to bail out when in the right spot or near death, sure you can. But if you only care about the air game you won't, so you can get back in the air faster

The Kush · 2012-06-12, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Zhane

I think Engineer will be the driver/pilot class of choice in the long run. I'd rather be able to land and repair than bail out for free.

Agreed

Geist · 2012-06-12, 01:35 PM

If your going to be technical, I don't see why anyone besides Infiltrators should be able to drive vehicles. Bulky Armor and weapons are not exactly easy to drive with. If you can fit full-sized rifles and gadgets into a cockpit, a carbine and a jump pack can't be that much harder to stow away.