Factions

[SuperMorto]

You have to base your choice from your own gaming play style and interests.

You like lazer guns? Then go VS.

You like blowing things up? then go NC.

You like filling a room with lead? Then go TR.

[Vancha]

Pick whichever one you like the aesthetics and maybe the philosophy of the most. As Sylphaen says, even the differences that exist between empires will be able to be somewhat negated by personalizing equipment toward other empire styles...

Of course, if you manage to get into beta, you'll be able to give all 3 empires a go.

[Kur]

I read the Vanu do splash damage, or was that only PS1?

[Azren]

NC, hard hitting
Tr, fast and rapid
Vs, high tech and moblie

There is an other type of grouping you can use:

NC has the most systematical war mashine. Here you don't ever have to worry about ammo and repairs for your vehicle, there always are lodestars around. They really give the feel to have the most professional empire. Their iconic tanks, the vanguards are very commonly used.

TR, the Zerg faction. Every single one of them carries a minigun (heavy assault weapon) and rocket launcher. They don't like to use ground vehicles much, nor are they big on teamwork, but solo aircav and zerg rushing is their forte.

VS has the motto: "If you want something done, do it yourself". If you play as VS, don't ever expect anything to be done well. They like to get hang up on silly things like tower farming the most. Expect to be the underdog in any fight, even if VS has the greater numbers. The one redeeming factor of this empire are their tanks - while these lose on armor rating and firepower to the others, they hover and have direct fire which makes them most deadly at range.

[MadPenguin]

I read the Vanu do splash damage, or was that only PS1?

The VS were the only team that had splash damage on their heavy assault weapon and max's. But the splash on the max weapons was terrible, and the splash on their heavy assault weapon (the lasher) was, as you might guess, more of a lashing effect.

Im not sure that will be coming back though. They already removed it on the original because it was too hard to balance. There was a lot of complaining about it being too powerful at some times and too weak at others. I doubt the splash thing will be a major factor

[Trolltaxi]

Not much is known about PS2 mechanics, but in PS1 NC was the easy mode.

Most of the time you were fighting indoors, close range, and the shotgun was your best friend there.

With the MCG (TR heavy assault weapon) you were like spray'n'pray or you had to try to constanty keep the reticule on your target - or to be more precise you had to keep the reticule somewhere near. You had to lead your shots, calculating with the bullets travel time and the always changing position of your enemy. And you had to do this while the blaze was masking a significant part of your screen. So it was like tracking the enemy in an analoge way.

With the Jackhammer (NC heavy assault weapon, a huge 3 barelled shotgun) the pellets seemed to travel almost instantly (at least it seemed to me usually at the wrong end of the weapon), you had a shooting tact like bamm-ba-bamm-ba-bamm-ba-bamm. There was no blaze when you started to aim and you didn't have to lead that hard. Targeting was like digital, you had to be on target only at the moment of firing.

(note: I had to play on a ping around 170-200 on gemini and with an fps dropping under 20 when things got hot - this may explain why I had so much trouble with the MCG)

The disco orbs of the VS lasher was a different case, I think SOE have never managed to balance it. Playing VS may be an inner urge, it may not be about their weapons.

So if a new player tries to decide the empire, he should consider his playstyle and choose accordingly, unless he is a sci-fi-fan in heart when he needs to pick VS.

[Kur]

I'll probably make a decision when I get the chance to play, I don't really want to be US marine or Halo like character so I'm leaning towards the VS, but I've read they have the longest reload times, and require locking for certain weapons.

[Azren]

Originally Posted by Kur

I've read they have the longest reload times, and require locking for certain weapons.

We don't know any such details for PS2

[Redshift]

Originally Posted by Kur

I'll probably make a decision when I get the chance to play, I don't really want to be US marine or Halo like character so I'm leaning towards the VS, but I've read they have the longest reload times, and require locking for certain weapons.

It really doesn't matter mate, overall the weapons were balanced in PS1 i'd assume they'll be balanced in PS2, like others have said, pick it on looks.

[DayOne]

Originally Posted by SuperMorto

lazer

Laser*

And you complain about Americans and SOE stealing our language? You are one of them!

I joke

On topic: With the new addition of bullet drop perhaps VS will be the most newb friendly? No bullet drop. Also they seem to be the middle ground on damage and fire rate favouring accuracy. Lots of mid to long range advantages. A good way to get started in a game the size of Planetside IMO.

[MgFalcon]

Originally Posted by Magpie

NC, hard hitting
Tr, fast and rapid
Vs, high tech and moblie

I'd like to submit a friendly amendment, just adding accurate for the VS, yeah we're high tech and mobile, but that doesn't explain much in terms of causing damage

[Kur]

I'll probably be solo a lot, so I take it VS is the way to go?

[Graywolves]

All the noobs will go wherever they want.

[ringring]

Originally Posted by Kur

I'll probably be solo a lot, so I take it VS is the way to go?

My advice is hook up with a good organised outfit. Then you can be part of and form plans to attack and defend specific points.

PS1 and I expect PS2 really is a much better game because of the outfits.

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by Kur

I'll probably be solo a lot, so I take it VS is the way to go?

If you're solo a lot, VS would be the way to go, along with NC, and also TR.

You sound like you want to go VS though, so I'd go VS.