Drop ships

[elementHTTP]

---DROP SHIPS (air assault asset ) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It should look like this

Function
-flying infantry carrier (MAX included)

Advantage
- cheap asset
-transport large amounts of troops (10 -12 regular inf or 4 MAX "insert any number " ) over terrain
- fast movement speed - slower than interceptors, faster then ground transports and galaxy
- smaller silhouette
- hover capability

Cons
- LOW HP or armour (compare to ground transports)- or HI armour but no weapons (for assaults in heavy flack areas )
- no air to air defense (or minimum support guns )
- cannot carry vehicles
- must LAND for troops to disembark/embark ( no paradrops)


Why to have 2 air transports ?

Galaxy "=" C3 military transport plane = big slow HI priority target - easy to hit



equal to



"drop ship" = lower priority fast moving target ideal for spec ops and heavy flak areas



(dogs are not included )

[Zekeen]

Currently the Galaxy only carries Troops and MAXes with mods to change the ratio. Vehicles are considered, as they were carried in PS1.

I am, however, for any sort of new dropship. Especially a fast lander type. It would be fun, I'm all for it. Something much more maneuverable and fast with such things, and looks like the typical sci fi drop ships (I love those designs). I'm all for variety!

[Haro]

I'd love it. Gals are fun and all, but I'd love a low and fast dropship too. Maybe 5 passengers and a couple gunners?

[ChipMHazard]

I could see drop ships having a big role, if they were to be implemented, in attacking behind enemy lines where a galaxy might not be fast enough or more likely not be able to fly unnoticed.
So I think it would be a great idea to add them in.

[Zekeen]

I think we're ALL thinking the same thing -

Chase scene with aircraft, with a lesser armed and armored faster drop ship racing through a canyon with a Raver on it's tail.

[ChipMHazard]

Originally Posted by Zekeen

I think we're ALL thinking the same thing -

Chase scene with aircraft, with a lesser armed and armored faster drop ship racing through a canyon with a Raver on it's tail.

Hehe, aye something along those lines and for some reason I now have the Airwolf theme stuck in my head.

[WiFiN]

What about a sidegrade for Liberator that removes the bomber crew-place with personnel compartment for 6 soldiers (or 4 soldiers and one MAX)? This way we get a good-looking well-armored dropship which is slower than interceptor, yet more agile than galaxy.


I don't know about the landing part - maybe just remove the ejection ability and just let everyone hop out.
To Jaegen: That's the point - dropship is armored better and is more agile than galaxy, this way it can land much faster and fly closer to the ground. I like the idea of a dropship because it has a smaller target signature as well, making it more suitable for hotdrops behind enemy lines

[elementHTTP]

Originally Posted by Zekeen

I think we're ALL thinking the same thing -

Chase scene with aircraft, with a lesser armed and armored faster drop ship racing through a canyon with a Raver on it's tail.

Ohhhh yeee like chase scene form independence day

[Flaropri]

Originally Posted by elementHTTP

Ohhhh yeee like chase scene form independence day

As long as you can drag the pilot out after they crash, punch them in the face, and yell: "Welcome to Auraxis!"


Anyway: regarding that, I actually like having more vehicles down the line even if they seem somewhat redundant in capacity. I would point out that all vehicles can hover, including Gals. Having a light (and cheaper) transport for 6 people or whatever sounds good, easier to destroy but harder to hit basically. Important questions would be how restricted it would be. Could you make them at basic airports are would they be as limited as Galaxies? If they can be made anywhere, how much would that cut into Galaxy use?

A lot of that depends on cost and the relative risk. If the transport is too fragile then they probably wouldn't be used because they'd just be free xp for AA even if they are relatively maneuverable.

All told, it's worth looking into, though I think it should probably be "down the line" along with buggies and such.

[Jaegen]

I'm not a fan of the idea. One of the best things about Planetside is the Galaxy drop. Just having a vehicle land seems boring as well as extremely vulnerable to anti-air when it is slowly landing. I also don't really see the point of a smaller transport when a squad size is 10-12. I can see being able to modify a galaxy to be able to carry less personnel, have fewer weapons, etc. to be more maneuverable, but I don't like the idea of the staff spending time on an entirely new vehicle that is fairly redundant.