Sparrow Nerfed?

Real Mulambo · 2004-08-09, 03:48 AM

Since the recent patch I have been unable to get a lock on a LIB unless it is really low down.
Is this the case for all the other SPARROW users?
I can find no mention of this in the patch notes but maybe I have missed something.
No more taking them out when they are in high bombing formation.
If this is intentional it is NASTY!!!

Lartnev · 2004-08-09, 06:28 AM

Nah, it technically got buffed, but then got bug fixed:

http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/....id=6179#M6179

Originally Posted by SmokeJumper

The oversight in the patch notes was due to the fact that Spork and I didn't know the change had been pushed Live (we though it was scheduled for the next patch).

That change was this:

Ranges on the Starfire and Sparrow were extended from 270m to 350m.

Vertical range is now checked properly when using a lock-on weapon. Previously, only horizontal range was being checked. This was incorrect and resulted in the Starfire and Sparrow being able to hit objects beyond their intended range.

This is resolved now.

Defensive aircraft should be used to prevent high altitude intrusion into your airspace. AA is effective at destroying low- to mid-range altitude aircraft. The TR Burster can fire 500m, but is not guided and must "lead" its targets manually in order to score a hit.

ORANGE · 2004-08-09, 08:37 AM

this is to fix for the fact that the burster hasn't been able to hit libbys flying at max altitude but the sparrow and that other vs one have

EDIT: I should say however that that only applies on continents where the max alt is really high not places like ceryshen

Lartnev · 2004-08-09, 08:40 AM

Well now the only AA MAX that has a hope of hitting a lib at max altitude is the burster

Sentrosi · 2004-08-09, 08:53 AM

And that, honestly is about a 10% chance. You'll have to lead the target out ahead a WHOLE lot just to hit it. Then it's probably not even worth hitting. Therefore, I do not want to see any OMGNERFTEHBURSTER threads because I know that they're coming. Put down your nerfthrowers, hike up your garter belt wearing AA MAX armors and just dig in.

ORANGE · 2004-08-09, 09:01 AM

sentrosiowned

Lartnev · 2004-08-09, 10:46 AM

I'm not too bad when it comes to hitting Libs with a burster... even took one down in the last playtest. The result of a lot practice, and eating a lot of liberator bombs

But yeah it's not really a massive advantage over the StarFire and Sparrow.

Firefly · 2004-08-09, 10:51 AM

It's not a nerf. It's a balance adjustment.

And yeah - the Burster can hit it, but stop bitching. The Burster, unlike other MAXes, does not lock on. It's a flak-based weapon (lame). And you have to lead it essentially one screen length away from the aircraft and pray to God that you're not at sea level.

Previously your AAMAXes were the only things that could hit it, and it took one out in a single pass. So yeah. You've been taken down a few pegs and brought into line with the rest of us. Boofuckinghoo.

Madcow · 2004-08-09, 11:00 AM

There is still a bug, however. While the range is 350, you actually can't acquire a lock until 250. They know about it, but I haven't heard when they'll fix it. As of right now, Sparrow and Starfire are gimped pretty badly.

Warborn · 2004-08-09, 05:16 PM

So the Burster can hit stuff at really long range, but isn't as good at medium range vehicles due to its lack of lockdown. Seems fair, and it's nice to have some more variety in the MAXs too.

Doppler · 2004-08-09, 09:34 PM

Actualy i personnaly find it bullshit that they are nerfing any of the anti-air max's. If i had my way not only whould the burster be able to hit cieling but it whould calculate how much lead you need to hit the flying target. (Play starsiege to see what i mean) in addition the flak should have an ever so slight adjustment in flight capability. I find sporks conclusion that you should be forced to have Combat Air Patroll to police liberators, when so many times for a sieged defense thats just not an option, giving liberators immunity while reavers and mosssies can already swoop in on AA maxs thanks to their crappy lock on bugs, in addition to the upcoming flying one seated max, no point in playing infantry folks.

Madcow · 2004-08-09, 10:51 PM

Unfortunately, I agree with that. To use Liberators you should be forced to go in numbers, with escort and full planes to make sure you have a tail gunner. I'm afraid Liberators are about to get as bad as Flails, and those damn things shouldn't even be in the game.

Cauldron Borne · 2004-08-10, 12:14 AM

ddbq needs to post here....

and the other two empires can shut up about their 'gimped' maxes. How's it feel to be on the shit end of the stick for once? yer stupid AA maxes STILL work for AI maxes in a pinch...ours does shit to infantry.

Also: a StarFire can JUMP UP 100m. With that sort of extra height boost, you have 50m with witch to fire at a max alt Libby....not to mention trees....or standing on mountains where planes can't reach you and shooting DOWN on them...

Doppler · 2004-08-10, 01:02 AM

Cauldron, take your medicine, i dont see any posts on this thread about people saying the burster is imbalanced, there are many her,e myself included, that find the concept of an anti air max that cant hit aircraft retarted.

KIAsan · 2004-08-10, 01:05 AM

Yeah, gotta agree here, VS and NC should just remain silent in this case. We have been on the receiving end of this since libs were added ingame. I must say though, it was great going on lib runs again, where all you worry about is enemy air!!!!!

Now if we can just get our burster on par with the NC/VS AA max ability to kill troops. Either nerf those two down to our level, or buff the burster so it does equal damage to infantry (and Remove splash damage from theirs too!!!).