Improvement: Fighter jets idea

[dowinter]

Currently, the ESFs and all other planes have "helicopter mechanics", e.g. the ability to hover for the Liberators and Galaxies, and insane VTOL control for the ESFs. Rather than having a hybrid of a fighter and a VTOL, why not make two sets of ESFs? This is what I propose:

The current set of ESFs should be changed so that they are no longer VTOL, and fly like actual fighter jets. This includes taking off and landing on runways (have one at major bases and the warpgate), inability of changing height by pressing control or space, and increased speed to promote air to air fighting, strafing runs, escorts and whatnot.

A new set of ESFs could be introduced as helicopters, where the vertical control is buffed. They should be able to hover at a spot and do all sorts of maneuvers that you'd expect from that sort of control. These helicopters would no double be slower, but have better armor and a wide arsenal of weapons to choose from, as well as the ability to hold more than just a pilot.

So what potential do I think this idea has?
I think that by taking away VTOL abilities, pilots can engage in air to air combat more easily, without having random ESFs popping up from the ground. Ground to air attacks would be much harder since the ESFs would be faster, but air to ground attacks will still have their use as a suppressor. Also, this discourages players from flying an ESF and going on solo ghost capping missions, which defies the purpose of team play in this game.

The introduction of helicopter suppression would encourage a better team co-ordination since it makes it easier to have air support in outdoor areas that is awkward for the current ESFs to operate effectively. Players can fast rope down helicopters to get behind enemy lines, while the chopper can provide cover. This sort of teamwork is what Planetside is lacking right now, all we see are tank crashes and platoons with little or no co-ordination. By making the roles of the ESFs more specific, I believe that it will encourage better platoon plays.

TL : DR
ESFs should be in two sets: Fighters (without VTOL control) and Helicopters
Suggestions for each: Fighters with speed buff, armor nerf, Helicopters with speed nerf, armor and weapon buff
Important notes: Fighters will need a "runway" (amp stations, biolabs, warpgate) and helicopters can drop passengers.

[Memeotis]

Welcome to the dark side. Planetside 2 has a relatively small, but dedicated and very vocal community of full-time ESF pilots. I've been met with a lot of negativity when proposing this idea.

https://forums.station.sony.com/ps2/...ground.179771/

I think it is a much needed change, since it would make the air-ground-game much easier to balance. ESFs have too much freedom in terms of when to attack, and the resulting balance has left them completely detached from the core gameplay. They may have some impact on the battles, but their impact decreases rapidly as the number of ground troops increases.

That said, I think the ESF flight model is great, but SOE needs to understand that what makes people love the ESF can easily be replicated and improved upon in an arena format, such as the battle islands. It's all about the A2A gameplay for the ESF pilots; even if they weren't completely denied from large battles, attacking ground as an ESF is mind-numbingly boring.

[Huntsab]

It is supposed to science fiction not CoD 10 or BF 16. fucking noobs

[Figment]

Originally Posted by Huntsab

It is supposed to science fiction not CoD 10 or BF 16. fucking noobs

Hmm... Respectful and to the point...

Shame none of the posts involved were read or adressed or actual arguments made.

[Ghost Runner]

Originally Posted by dowinter

Currently, the ESFs and all other planes have "helicopter mechanics", e.g. the ability to hover for the Liberators and Galaxies, and insane VTOL control for the ESFs. Rather than having a hybrid of a fighter and a VTOL, why not make two sets of ESFs? This is what I propose:

The current set of ESFs should be changed so that they are no longer VTOL, and fly like actual fighter jets. This includes taking off and landing on runways (have one at major bases and the warpgate), inability of changing height by pressing control or space, and increased speed to promote air to air fighting, strafing runs, escorts and whatnot.

A new set of ESFs could be introduced as helicopters, where the vertical control is buffed. They should be able to hover at a spot and do all sorts of maneuvers that you'd expect from that sort of control. These helicopters would no double be slower, but have better armor and a wide arsenal of weapons to choose from, as well as the ability to hold more than just a pilot.

So what potential do I think this idea has?
I think that by taking away VTOL abilities, pilots can engage in air to air combat more easily, without having random ESFs popping up from the ground. Ground to air attacks would be much harder since the ESFs would be faster, but air to ground attacks will still have their use as a suppressor. Also, this discourages players from flying an ESF and going on solo ghost capping missions, which defies the purpose of team play in this game.

The introduction of helicopter suppression would encourage a better team co-ordination since it makes it easier to have air support in outdoor areas that is awkward for the current ESFs to operate effectively. Players can fast rope down helicopters to get behind enemy lines, while the chopper can provide cover. This sort of teamwork is what Planetside is lacking right now, all we see are tank crashes and platoons with little or no co-ordination. By making the roles of the ESFs more specific, I believe that it will encourage better platoon plays.

TL : DR
ESFs should be in two sets: Fighters (without VTOL control) and Helicopters
Suggestions for each: Fighters with speed buff, armor nerf, Helicopters with speed nerf, armor and weapon buff
Important notes: Fighters will need a "runway" (amp stations, biolabs, warpgate) and helicopters can drop passengers.

One can dream and I keep hoping. Just like a lot of us want tanks that require a driver/main guner/aux gunner, bigger mags on my shotguns(probably only me lol) and less ways to spawn so transport logistics can be usful again. So yes I would love the above too.

To bad so many people want watered down products for ease of use that things that just make sense get made fun of or flat out dismissed.