Patches to Live Servers and Public Test Server this week

[SporkfirePS]

I just wanted to let you know that we are planning to release Facility Link benefits very soon. Bishop and his QA guys are putting the Programmers and Designers to work, finishing up the last pieces of work that need to be done so we can get these patched out to you ASAP.

Platoons will be following closely on the heels of the FLB patch, with some testing on Public Test. We expect to see some public playtests to help shake them out as much as possible.

Facility Link Benefits

All friendly facility types have benefits they share with one another when connected to each other through the Continental Lattice. Facilities do not need to be directly linked in order to shared benefits, so benefits will be shared as long as there is an unbroken chain of Lattice Links between the facilities. On the continental map, icons over each facility will represent the benefits that it can access.

AMP Station (Shielded Vehicle icon): Charges the shield generators of vehicles while they are in a friendly Sphere of Influence.

Bio-Lab (Respawn Tube icon): Reduces respawn rates at friendly linked facilities.

Dropship Center (Wrench Icon): Enables Vehicle Repair and Rearm Stations.

Interlink Facility (RADAR Display icon): Enhanced RADAR abilities.

Technology Plant (Tank icon): Provides Access to Advanced Assault vehicles - Reaver, Medium Assault Buggy, Medium Tank and Sunderer.

BENEFIT DESCRIPTIONS

Shield Generators: Each vehicle has a shield generator installed in it. When they enter an Amp Station's SOI or the SOI of a facility linked to an Amp Station, the shield will begin charging to its maximum strength, which is a percentage of the vehicle's base armor. After the shield takes damage, it can recharge again if it is within a friendly SOI though any armor damage done to the vehicle will remain until it is repaired by an Engineer or at a Repair Panel. If a driver takes a shielded vehicles outside of the friendly SOI, the shield will remain, though it will not recharge if it takes any damage until the driver returned to an Amp Station's SOI or any SOI linked to an Amp Station.

Vehicle Repair and Rearm Stations: Rearm and Repair pads provide a quick and easy way for vehicles to repair damage and to replenish their ammunition supplies. Each facility is equipped with a several aircraft landing pads and ground panels that will perform these functions. When a player is in control of a vehicle, they can approach either the pad or panel, depending on whether they are controlling an aircraft or a ground vehicle, and remain stationary to begin the repair process. Aircraft do not need to land on the pad, but they must remain near the pad to be repaired. Similarly, ground vehicles will be repaired automatically if they remain stationary near the Repair and Rearm Panel. Multiple vehicles can be use the pads or panels at once.

To replenish a vehicle's ammunition, the player in control of the vehicle must be stationary near the repair pad or panel and will get a message that they may hit the "G" key to access the vehicle inventory menu. Players may store inventory loadouts in a favorites menu for quick access, similar to the Favorites Menu of an Equipment Terminal.

Enhanced RADAR Abilities: Facilities linked to an Interlink Facility will gain certain enhancements to their RADAR systems. All enemy vehicles will appear on RADAR, except for cloaked vehicles moving at 50% throttle or less and deployed Advanced Mobile Stations. All running enemy infantry, including cloaked Infiltrators, will appear on the RADAR. Enemy infantry, including cloaked Infiltrators, will appear on RADAR if they are within a Spitfire Turret or Motion Sensor's detection radius, regardless of whether they are moving or not.