Wrong Class?

[Palerion]

I've been playing Light Assault almost exclusively, save for a little bit of experimentation, for about 4 or 5 months now (since launch and a little bit of beta), and have been wondering if I'm simply playing the wrong class.

I was looking for an infantry fighter that is less of a bulky point man with big guns, and more of a speedy lightning-dueler. Quick and powerful. The guy who runs and guns instead of laying down sheets of fire with an LMG.

When I first heard of Light Assault I figured a jetpack would be a valuable tool in combat that would allow me to play this lightning-quick dueler, and he had a basic rifle, pistol, and grenades.

But, upon hearing that people think this class is supposed to be stealth based, more like an infiltrator, it sounds less like my cup of tea.

Now, having spent about 1500 station cash on Light Assault alone, I would really like to not have to switch up and specialize in a different class.

Did I just choose the wrong class? Is there a better option for me?

[ShadetheDruid]

You can play the class however you want (well, within reason obviously ). The classes are more than just "one role and that's it".

Don't underestimate the advantage the jetpack can give you in CQC, assuming you have the head room to float over someone of course. Most people don't react well when an LA's version of CQC is to jump and float over them, they tend to get confused and their aim goes to shit. Of course, your aim goes to shit as well from the flying, but it's still a great advantage if you have an automatic weapon with decent hipfire capability.

A lot of people will use the jetpack in a more "sneaky" sort of way, to get up to high points and ambush, but that doesn't mean it's the only way.

[Neutral Calypso]

Light assault is not an infiltrator-type class. Light assault is about speed and effective use of your jet pack. There are any number of viable strategies involving the light assault.

Some guys in my outfit tried this crazy thing involving using gliding jets on a light assault, flying a mosquito, making a hard bank and bailing over an enemy tank formation, and using the gliding jets to find a target, then dropping two C-4 on 'em and BOOM dead tank.

That being said, my outfit is kinda crazy.

(If anyone from my outfit gets on here to protest that we are not crazy, all I have to say is 8 engineers riding on top of a galaxy...)

You can use light assault like a sniper with a lame rifle, but it is not the only way to use it. Some people just like to dance over an enemy's head using the jetpack to confuse him so you can get in more hits with your gun. As for me, there are two things I like doing with light assaults:

Killing people from the trees in biolabs and blowing up tanks with C-4.

[Palerion]

Thanks. Just wanted to make sure I hadn't accidentally invested 4 months into a class made for stealth and recon.

[OCNSethy]

The question you gotta ask yourself Palerion, do you enjoy play LA? Sounds like you do and you have been playing LA for a while. Your stats arent anything to sneeze at either.

Ive just started playing LA. It was the last of the classes to play and Im quiet liking it. The thing I like is you can be anything you like with this class.

I dont think you have wasted your time or certs. Dont worry about what other peeps are saying. It your Char... if you like it, stick with it

[SeraphC]

First of all: let me just say that I still can't figure out why anyone would want to play just one class. Save for the station cash investment.

When people talk about Light Assault as having a stealth role they simply mean play to your strengths. Just like all the other classes LA has a major, role defining ability: it's jet pack. It allows you to take an optimal position in each fight. This is of course similar to the cloak on the Infiltrator, but that where the similarities end.

Don't face your enemy head on, flipping the coin on who will react fastest when you can be on a roof and shoot him without him even realising you were there.
Don't charge onto enemy lines when you can flank them and take them out from a position where their bullets are not flying around your head.

[Stellarthief]

First, interested to know how you wasted SoE cash on LA? If you bought any weapons they are usable on other classes (carbines to engineer, pistols to everyone, shotgun to nearly everyone). So you can't have wasted cash there.

Did you waste that much on dunno helmets for LA? I don't know what SoE cash is class specific only other than certain weapons (sniper rifles).

At either rate, I like to equate my classes to their "real world" counter-parts (or how I see them in my head, from previous FPS or games, movies, etc.). When I play my LA I like to think of SWAT or something repelling down buildings with MP5s or breaching a door with flashbangs and MP5s or something.

I think of it as the fast tactical response class. Hit infantry hard, fast, and full of confusion. Or take out tanks from places where they can't hit you unless they are godly with those canons.

With good jet packs, C4, bangs and a great carbine (using VX6-7 + softpoint + adv. laser + silencer) you can fly over people, hop around objects to avoid getting fired upon. In CQC or short range with some half decent aim, carbines are godly. They can be beasts! With Adr. Boost in CQC you can run out and do circles around maxes and most people and get away from the situations and kill boxes that leave others dead. Or you can respawn elsewhere and get into the action from angles no one expects. And even take out those annoyingly hidden snipers that pod drop onto places.

You can be a great short/medium range sniper if you use shotty with slugs.

I also try and avoid open field warefare as my LA. Imo, not really designed for it.

[Calisai]

Originally Posted by SeraphC

First of all: let me just say that I still can't figure out why anyone would want to play just one class. Save for the station cash investment.

I agree with ya. I've spread my certs around 2-3 of the infantry classes. There are just too many times when I need the right class for the right job.


Personally, I use LA to flank and attack from angles that the enemy is not expecting. The amount of times I've put my shotgun to the back of a head and one-shotted a heavy is countless and very rewarding... That and hunting snipers.

My goal is to make up for the horrible 1-on-1 twitch skills I have with the element of surprise.

[Palerion]

I spent the cash on carbines. If i were to switch I'd be most interested in HA or Combat Medic because they have infantry combat abilities and survivability (all I really care about).

My carbine buys would not transfer to those classes.

I "stick to" one class because it's the class whose playstyle I like most, and thus spend SC on.

But anyway thanks for the help guys.

[haisho]

How do I put this...
The Light Assault is kind of what you're describing, but the problem with that train of thought is that it really only applies to really small skirmishes. I'm talking ghost-capping small.

When it comes to the big picture, Light Assaults are more for launching surprise attacks from awkward angles and hit-and-run shenanigans. Sustaining a frontline offensive and fighting on an open field is better suited for Heavy Assaults, MAXes, Medics and Engineers.

As for them being an infiltrating class...it can be done easily, but the statement comes from how difficult it is to actually infiltrate as an Infiltrator rather than the Light Assault being an actual stealth class.
I blame the fact that Infiltrators just have to wait for those ideal situations to even be moderately effective at their job.

[Baneblade]

Not sure why you would get hung up over what other people think after playing LA so long unless you were already having doubts.

LA and Medic both seem to fit what you were wanting in any case.