What's the point of the Lightning?

[Aiden]

Why roll a Lightning when you can roll an MBT?

[zulu]

Gotta go fast

Or the MBT's on cooldown/you don't have a tech plant on the continent.

[OCNSethy]

Originally Posted by zulu

Gotta go fast

Or the MBT's on cooldown/you don't have a tech plant on the continent.

This or you cant find a gunner for your MBT...

[Aiden]

I get that it's faster. But it's also weaker, and the tech plant requirement really just gives the side that doesn't have one a substantial disadvantage.

Back in PS1, when MBTs had dedicated drivers, the Lightning filled a niche. Here, it seems like role redundancy, doesn't it?

[Ghoest9]

Originally Posted by Aiden

Here, it seems like role redundancy, doesn't it?

No it does seem redundant.


But it does seem like you have contrived a fake point as a way to have yet another thread whining about the MBT driver.gunner arrangement.

[Stardouser]

This is a very good question, especially when Lightnings are so fast yet not stabilized for firing accurately on the move, though that also has to do with the design decision to have virtually everything buck you as you roll over it.

[Neurotoxin]

The cannons are about as powerful on a Lightning as a MBT primary, giving VS an alternative to their usual weaponry, and other factions a smaller MBT variant for solo use.

They cost less resources than MBTs, and are almost comparably armored, but are smaller and more nimble. When there's no tech, they are the ground vehicle with the most powerful AP cannon available.

The limitation of having one gun is new to PS2, as the non-modular PS1 Lightning was fitted with a cannon and a machinegun for all targets. I'm hoping that one day we'll be able to pair any of the shell cannons with with the Walker, Basilisk, or Kobalt.

Skyguards are nearly worthless for anything but air, as it is tough to get an angle and accurate fire on infantry, and the only ground vehicles susceptible to Skyguard rounds are Flash and Harasser. They move faster than MAXs and have optics, but I have a feeling that the Skyguard will all but disappear when the MAX speed run is implemented.

Shells and a long-range scope are one of the most ideal uses for a Lightning. Shelling from a distance as artillery is very functional for supporting an assault, and is not particularly difficult to do, but some AA and AI support nearby should be present to fend off ESF or foot zerg attacks.

[Kiten]

I think the Lighting has a place in the game.

The most meaningful thing they offer is, I feel, the different playstyle to the MBTs. I don't think you can say that driving a Lighting is the same as driving a main tank, even if you're TR and the difference in movement speed to your MBT isn't as accentuated.

Just like MBTs can and will be solo'ed (especially when they still sport the basic Basilisk), but function best when in a team; the Lighting is valuable and designed as a solo, but when used in a squad with purpose it can provide means to flank enemy armor. Arguably this role's spotlight has been stolen by the newly introduced Harasser, but with the increased tank armour from the recent patch I feel the Lighting can still provide a valid alternative to this end.

We could also recognise it has a unique role if outfitted with a Sky Guard turret; even considering the turret's effectiveness on the battlefield (I'll say no more on this, as to not go off topic).

I feel the Lighting enriches the Planetside experience. And I like to think when the Lighting update finally hits, more people will start seeing it this way. I'll stop here, before I bore you with more words.

[HereticusXZ]

Need one of these for this argument

[camycamera]

when they "fix" the MBT's, the lightnings will have a more defined role. right now the only reason to roll one is because it is cheaper and faster, or if the MBT is on a cooldown.

[leifnielsen]

I've stated this in another thread before, but MAX's require support from engineers. With my Skyguard, I don't need any support. As an engineer, I can jump in my Skyguard, get to the fight quickly and I can repair my own gear.

[AThreatToYou]

- Faster.
- More maneuverable.
- Better acceleration (important for dodging)
- Smaller profile (important for keeping out of locks)
- Faster reloading gun than Vanguard MBT
- More linear damage-per-shot than Prowler MBT
- Has main gun on a turret, above Magrider MBT
- Cheaper resource cost
- Lower cooldown
- lower cert investment required

personally I find lightning vastly superior than the Vanguard for solo play.
because holy shit vanguard. SO SLOW.

[Canaris]

pfff just because you don't understand the Lightnings role well doesn't mean plenty of other players don't, especially the dedicated lightning drivers I know who love their "raider" tanks.

[ChipMHazard]

Originally Posted by AThreatToYou

- Faster.
- More maneuverable.
- Better acceleration (important for dodging)
- Smaller profile (important for keeping out of locks)
- Faster reloading gun than Vanguard MBT
- More linear damage-per-shot than Prowler MBT
- Has main gun on a turret, above Magrider MBT
- Cheaper resource cost
- Lower cooldown
- lower cert investment required

personally I find lightning vastly superior than the Vanguard for solo play.
because holy shit vanguard. SO SLOW.

Agreed. I've personally come to absolutely adore the lightning and what it is capable of bringing to the battlefield. I prefer using the lightning over the Prowler in most cases, the only real exception being when having to face enemy armor en masse.

[Figment]

Originally Posted by AThreatToYou

- Faster.
- More maneuverable.
- Better acceleration (important for dodging)
- Smaller profile (important for keeping out of locks)
- Faster reloading gun than Vanguard MBT
- More linear damage-per-shot than Prowler MBT
- Has main gun on a turret, above Magrider MBT
- Cheaper resource cost
- Lower cooldown
- lower cert investment required

personally I find lightning vastly superior than the Vanguard for solo play.
because holy shit vanguard. SO SLOW.

Nice list, but it only looks good when you don't place some disadvantages next to it.

- Maneuvrability increase is minor specially if you upgrade the MBT to a certain frame
- Same goes for speed difference, acceleration aside, 20 kph more doesn't matter much for flanking since turret and hull rotation isn't really restricted enough on heavier tanks to matter in most engagements.
- People hardly dodge or use speed in this game anyway because of the way they get best accuracy: stationary (and yes, that is lack of skill).
- Profile is lower, but has pretty much the same area footprint, so from above you're just as easy a target.
- Faster reload, but less damage per shot: trade-off
- Vanguard can completely negate damage for a few seconds with shield
- Can't fire two heavy shells in a row: trade-off
- Can't strafe: trade-off
- Resource cost difference barely noticable as resources are not felt strongly anyway
- Cert investment is pretty much the same for the solo version as it is for the solo MBT
- Less hitpoints, while more and more furious AV is brought out
- Can't switch weaponry types (or pick up a random in the field even if you don't really need one)
- Can't hull down in deeper trenches or larger rocks because of low profile (advantage and disadvantage)
- Under the impression it has a worse suppression angle too (not sure)

Lightning is decent alternative when the MBT is missing, but not a good enough alternative to be a priority choice, IMO. The MBT plays as a capable medium tank, rather than a pure heavy and that makes it hard to really say the Lightning excells at its role. IMO, it only excells as an air hunter compared to the MBT.

The Lightning would be a much better alternative and have a far clearer designed role if the MBT would go driver + gunner(s), MBT perhaps gets a very slight health boost and removal of seat switching.