Buggies; what role should they fill?

[DviddLeff]

The devs have said that the buggies are unlikely to make it into the game at launch, but will be in afterwards.

But my question is what role will they play?

Tanks being able to equip a variety of weaponry will make them more versatile and more able to fill roles that were filled by buggies in the original (eg the Skyguard being the only mobile ground vehicle based AA, and the Thresher filling in for the Magriders lack of effective AI).

The empire specific aircraft also fill the role of rapid assault vehicle, especially with them being able to adjust their weaponry as well.

Now what are buggies and the like used for in real life? Transport of troops and equipment behind the battle lines.

Perhaps therefore buggies should be able to carry more personnel than tanks, and certainly travel faster. They could also be customisable to allow them to serve a variety of support roles; spawn points once set up, equipment terminals for resupply, etc.

What are your thoughts on buggies?

[acosmo]

Originally Posted by DviddLeff

What are your thoughts on buggies?

highly maneuverable fast moving weapons platforms. like horse drawn cannons in the mexican american war

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by DviddLeff

The devs have said that the buggies are unlikely to make it into the game at launch, but will be in afterwards.

But my question is what role will they play?

Tanks being able to equip a variety of weaponry will make them more versatile and more able to fill roles that were filled by buggies in the original (eg the Skyguard being the only mobile ground vehicle based AA, and the Thresher filling in for the Magriders lack of effective AI).

The empire specific aircraft also fill the role of rapid assault vehicle, especially with them being able to adjust their weaponry as well.

Now what are buggies and the like used for in real life? Transport of troops and equipment behind the battle lines.

Perhaps therefore buggies should be able to carry more personnel than tanks, and certainly travel faster. They could also be customisable to allow them to serve a variety of support roles; spawn points once set up, equipment terminals for resupply, etc.

What are your thoughts on buggies?

I don't think air has the monopoly on quick assault. We know there'll be air-unfriendly areas, as well as times when there's simply too much AA around for air to get close, but I like the idea of expanding buggies' role to equipment transport/possibly a MAX transport (and I do mean a MAX).

Edit: Or maybe I don't. We still don't know enough about them to say.

[Fate]

Originally Posted by Vancha

I don't think air has the monopoly on quick assault. We know there'll be air-unfriendly areas, as well as times when there's simply too much AA around for air to get close, but I like the idea of expanding buggies' role to equipment transport/possibly a MAX transport (and I do mean a MAX).

Edit: Or maybe I don't. We still don't know enough about them to say.

Too much AA? Doesn't sound like PlanetSide at all.

[Aractain]

Light infantry transport (3-4 positions), big gun options (heavy AA, AT and AI weapons) for the gunner with a smaller (or optional) gun for the driver.

Obiovusly fast movement - lots of ability to hill climb and move over rough terrain.

Definately like the idea of support customisation as well as using them as 'ground fast response' (I want them to be that fast pls).

[EASyEightyEight]

I imagine they'll be the softer, faster variant of the tanks. They, in their own way, will pack a punch that can match a tank, but getting hit isn't an option, where as a tank is built to take a blow and keep plowing forward. It would be a play style choice.

[Knocky]

Buggies are hunters.....

[basti]

Originally Posted by Knocky

Buggies are hunters.....

This.

While you use tanks to break into the enemy lines or defend your stuff, you use buggys to hunt down lone tanks and runners.

Buggys really should have AV, AI and AA as options. They should be fast, but only lightly armoured.
And a single gun turret, controlled by the gunner. The driver could have a straight forward gun, if any.

[Jimmuc]

imo buggies should be versatile. like you said in your post Dvidd, i think they should also be able to equip AV, AI, and AA weapons. fast land response/light assault is what i've always seen them as.

[Shogun]

what about the mainrole they had in ps1?

being a fast vehicle a rexo could drive.

we don´t know if there will still be the driver-penaltys for rexo wearing soldiers. if they still exist, this aspect still has some value

[Atuday]

Fast scouts hunting for the nearest enemy tank group so they can call in air support to the right areas and also to prevent sneak attacks. In strategy information is power.

[LongBow]

buggy's will always rock with speed, and honestly I think their meta game role would come out as AA or AT hunters
...they may lack the armour but they will be fast and their speed will render traditional AT and AA weapons less than effective. (assuming the driver is capable enough!)

[Espion]

Harassment.

[Princess Frosty]

Originally Posted by Espion

Harassment.

This. There's a reason one of the original buggies was called the "Harasser", it's perfect for fast hit and run manoeuvres which do light damage but cause the enemy to react and pull troops off more important targets to intercept. If you can piss off a tank and pull it from the front lines on a trek through some woods or swamp then it's not shooting at it's target and that's valuable, especially when direct counter attacks aren't working.

They were never AV even the Marauder with it's fast firing grenade launcher was never going to pose a threat for tanks, and troops generally could avoid them if they had some cover, so as direct assault these vehicles sucked.

They were great (and FUN!) for bombing around the battlefield at high speed picking up people and giving them a ride, hoovering up the randoms and giving squads a fast way to get from A to B with only a few cert points. they were the next best thing to taking individual aircraft.

[Vash02]

ha, if the buggies are going to be anything like the ones in PS1, driving will be a full time job.