News: PlanetSide 2 Empire Debrief – The Terran Republic - Page 3

Crator · 2011-10-25, 11:49 PM

The Prowler is a medium tank that is not only the fastest empire specific tank on the field but it can be armed to the teeth with extra weapon systems beyond the other empires medium tanks, making it one of the deadliest vehicles in the game.

Are we going to have a balance issue here?

Xyntech · 2011-10-25, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bags

Three in one basket? Try two. Gunner + Driver.

Drivers control the main gun in PS2 (until such a time as they change it back to PS1 style tanks, assuming that ever happens).

Gunners control secondary turrets, such as AA guns that "mean business" or whatever they said about them. They said this about tanks in general, not just Prowlers, so I think that it is safe to assume that all three MBTs will have a driver who controls the main cannon and a gunner who controls a secondary turret, at least until we hear otherwise.

Todays comm-link stated that the Prowler could be armed with extra weapons systems beyond that of the other empires tanks. Unless this means something completely different than it implies, I would argue that this means that the Prowler will get an extra turret slot.

One driver slot on every tank plus one turret slot on every tank plus an extra turret slot on the Prowler equals three slots.

Unless I missed something where they stated they were switching back to the PS1 style of tanks, I believe this is accurate.

From what I gather, all three empires MBTs will be able to be driven and gunned with only a single person, with the option of having gunners operate secondary turrets to provide AA defense or whatever. The only difference with the Prowler will be that it can have an extra gunner slot beyond the normal amount.

In some ways that's an upgrade from the PS1 Prowler, since you will no longer have a third individual who only gets to use a pea shooter. On the other hand, there is the whole 3 eggs in one basket problem.

Brusi · 2011-10-26, 12:19 AM

it can be armed to the teeth with extra weapon systems beyond the other empires medium tanks

This does not necessarily mean that it requires 3 players to utilise the extra weapon systems.

Are 3-man Prowlers mentioned or eluded to anywhere else?

Xyntech · 2011-10-26, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Brusi

This does not necessarily mean that it requires 3 players to utilise the extra weapon systems.

Are 3-man Prowlers mentioned or eluded to anywhere else?

No, however there are only a few ways to interpret it.

1) The driver gets another gun that they can switch to, in addition to the main gun.

2) The gunner gets a lot of guns that they can switch between.

3) The Prowler just has more customization options than the other two tanks.

4) An extra additional gunner slot allows for "extra weapons systems" to be used simultaneously.

We have had no confirmation one way or another on how many people a Prowler will be able to hold, but consider that the Prowler of PS1 had three slots, the Vanguard and Magrider of PS1 had 2 slots and, to the best of my knowledge, they Van and Mag still have 2 slots in PS2. Based on this, I think it's reasonable to assume that option 4) is the most likely, even if it is still far from certain.

Of course I may be missing another, more likely interpretation of the information we have so far.

Draep · 2011-10-26, 12:37 AM

Fastest, most heavily armed tanks must inevitably mean weakest armored. I'm ok with this. Cool update

Marth Koopa · 2011-10-26, 12:42 AM

That screenshot is just more proof that the TR are fashionably inept. So ugly.

mefy · 2011-10-26, 12:54 AM

So the prowlers gonna be faster then the Magrider and have the best weapon systems on it? Hmm.... ok.

BorisBlade · 2011-10-26, 01:09 AM

Extra gunner slots for only one empire (if thats teh case) is only viable if the two man version is still equal to the other empires or its the same tired problem where we need to have more people to be as good. Its such an obviously bad idea that we never shut up about, i seriously doubt they would go that ps1 route. It just means you have more options but arent screwed balance wise if the manpower issue is done right. Yeah if you fully man it you can have better firepower, but at the same time the other empire can get two tanks, literally since they are designed like lightnings. Just one will have both guns, the other of course only has the main gun...but its still two main guns and one secondary and 2x the armor, versus one main, two secondary and half the armor.

On the up side, these being referred to as medium tanks, lends me to think that heavy tanks will come at some point and we can get real tanks with actual turrets for all empires and with dedicated drivers and gunners, none of this lightning stuff. Although i'd put good money that they release heavy tanks as mechs again. Done differently mechanics wise than BFR's but still mechs.

Aractain · 2011-10-26, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by mefy

So the prowlers gonna be faster then the Magrider and have the best weapon systems on it? Hmm.... ok.

Fun has been doubled!

Bags · 2011-10-26, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by Aractain

Fun has been doubled!

Fun? Whateth ist this fun? We TR know not of this funeth, for we art disciplinst.

TRex · 2011-10-26, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by Bags

But when we work together (read: have more people) we are "one of the most fearsome and deadly forces you’ll ever meet on the battlefields of Auraxis".

Herein lies the problem : whenever the nc or vs 'work together' the theory is nullified . In essence this theory makes tr always need a 3:2 advantage wherever they are on the battlefield. If your side has a tendency to be zerglings , you can up this to 4:2 just to keep the ground you have.
Tr need to be the most populated, the most well organised , and the most accurate aim in the game for them to be at the same theroetical level as the other 2 empires. Graywolves does have a good point.

Grimster · 2011-10-26, 03:39 AM

Well I hope that they rethink the idea about driver operating the main gun.

I always liked the concept in PS1 where you have a gunner handling the main gun and you as a driver can focus on the driving instead of having to split your attention to two vital operations.

In my opinion having the driver handling the main gun will only result in "Rambo" behavior.