IPS or IDS?

[Adaxa]

Yes, I know that the recommended loadout that most people use when going support is EMP and IDS. Now, I fully support the use of the IDS, but I dont really see the use of the IPS that often, as the EMP is valuable against vehicles. So it all comes down to:

IDS or IPS?

IDS (Infantry Detection Sonar)

Pros:

Allows you to detect infantry in the map, and is discreet, so the chances of the enemy finding it is low.
Useful for SL's, because it really helps the squad when you're near a choke point/bleed area, so you can detect snipers and the like.

Cons

Short - Medium range
Not really needed in vehicle maps, but people don't really use it then I think.

IPS (Infantry Protection Shield)

Pros

Is very effective when guarding choke points/bleed areas.
Gives cover in enemy fire line. (Try using it during Camp Gib)

Cons:

Doesn't protect fully from rifle rockets and grenades
Doesn't protect from vehicle rounds
Provides effective cover for only about one person (i.e you.)


Added- I think that the following are ideal support item loadouts.


IDS and EMP (Detect and Disable)
IDS and IPS (Protect and Detect)
IPS and EMP (Protect and Disorient)
IPS and Sentry (Protect and Kill)

[WarV]

I rarely use the IPS as it seems to be more like a giant pink sign saying "Shoot me! Shoot me! Shoot me!" Its more useful for blocking up choke points making it harder for the enemy to run thru. This really only helps in a few maps or titan defense. The thing just isn't big enough really.

The IDS has a bit more uses I feel. It lets you have a third eye. You put it in your blind spots which can be very helpful when defending a flag. I also think you can put it on vehicle which lets you watch out for those pesky little recon demo runners.

[Tarenth]

You can actually 'expand' the IPS protective cover by deploying it and taking a few steps back. Its actually a very handy tool in open ground if you have a long range engagement because it will block and eat any grenade or rocket fired at it. However the red glow is a dead giveaway so if you deploy it near hard and heavy cover people will just range find and airburst over the shield. In flat open ground with no other cover its a little harder to range find that fast.

You're neglecting the Sentry gun though. Sometimes there are so many contacts in the area that the IDS just isn't worth the bag space. You know they're out there and all their friends too. I usually pack the Sentry gun if we're hitting a choke point because the detection and fire it provides is a nice distraction.

[MDFubar]

The Sentry has been improved since the last patch, I don't thinnk I have ever used the IPS. To counter the IPS, you just need to range it and fire above, throw a grenade and bounce it over, or have a sniper take it out(if you have one). The IDS is very useful, I am not sure but I think that if you use the IDS in conjuction with the Sentry, it will help the Snetry target enemies. Evne if the sSentry doesn't kill, it slows an approach and most of the time will wound the soldier approaching it. When it targets and fires, you know someone is coming.
My load-outs will often depend on what the other people are carrying with the same kit. If someone else is bringing IDS and EMP, then I will bring IDS and Sentry.
As a squad, it is important to utilize all six members and maximize the load-out capabilities with the weapons available.

[nuckj]

I would definately say IDS over the shoot me shield. IDS is a very valuable tool for the entire squad where the IPS at best could offer one soldier a small bit of cover. IDS has great tactical uses, like keeping an eye on a flag you just capped and moved on from.

[Augustus Gloop]

I wish you could deploy the IPS and then pick it up and run with it infront of you!

[Lorax74]

I think it's great if the enemy wants to use the IPS, as Tarenth said, it gives me something to air burst my rockets over.

The only use I have ever seen for the IPS is when defending a Titan corridor and you use it as an obstacle.

[Razcsak]

Originally Posted by Tarenth

You can actually 'expand' the IPS protective cover by deploying it and taking a few steps back. Its actually a very handy tool in open ground if you have a long range engagement because it will block and eat any grenade or rocket fired at it.

If I don't get hit indicators on the first two rockets I'll just scroll the range three meters further back. Honestly, in long-range combat it just gives me something to sight against. One of the harder rocket targets is a support lying down high on a ridge, in the open, at least for me.

[Anospa]

The shield can also block ladders pretty well too, as well as some aisles and whatnot, causing one to jump become more visible.

[Xen]

Originally Posted by Augustus Gloop

I wish you could deploy the IPS and then pick it up and run with it infront of you!

My question is, does it stay on the front of the Jeeps while it's moving? Instant sniper proof windshield. ::Runs off to check this out:: I'll be back.....

[P.Drona]

I only use the IPS when I'm defending a titan hallway. I always run with IDS but the second slot is a secret.

[Freeboter]

I use the pulse infantry scanner thing it has a larger range.

[Azura]

The shield gizmo is great to play around with, but the negatives out weigh the good. Definitely, the IDS is what you want to carry around. It not only helps you but helps the rest of the team. Very helpful when placed on back flags.

I mean you can't always rely on the Commander, but as you're at the spawn screen a see an NME there, it's much faster spawning there than having to run back when you see it's neutral!

[McBuff]

Originally Posted by WarV

I rarely use the IPS as it seems to be more like a giant pink sign saying "Shoot me! Shoot me! Shoot me!" Its more useful for blocking up choke points making it harder for the enemy to run thru. This really only helps in a few maps or titan defense. The thing just isn't big enough really.

The IDS has a bit more uses I feel. It lets you have a third eye. You put it in your blind spots which can be very helpful when defending a flag. I also think you can put it on vehicle which lets you watch out for those pesky little recon demo runners.

I agree, the IPS, in my experience, gets me killed more than it does protect me, because no matter what you have to move out of the way of the shield to shoot and the enemy can always lob a nice little grenade in with you behind the shield and, well, you get the picture, though it is good for blocking choke points. Many a time have I found myself jumping over a IPS and getting shot in mid air, or landing on a conveniently placed APM.

The IDS helps a ton when your on the move and your squad leader has a drone to put it on, it can make your whole squad more efficient if they know how to watch the mini-map well.

[SharinganTH1422]

If you can be bothered... (note, for the Ganz, I meant the 1.25 patch)

I'll add one because I've got more experience with it now...

IDS Shield - I haven't used this much, but the few times I have it's turned out to be very useful. No matter where you put them down they can be useful. When you're a commander, you're praying that people just put down IDS's all over the place, they're like mini-UAVs that last forever. Put them at a chokepoint, and you're in heaven, and you're rocket-whore squaddies that are defending the chokepoint will love you. Stick it on a back flag, and it won't be useless. leave it there, if someone's hiding out and waiting for you to leave so that they can recapture the flag, the IDS will tell you, and even f you don't notice it, your commander probably will. Leaving it on flags that you are defending and are being pushed, can alert you if anyone has managed to sneak to the flag. It can even be useful on the attack. Capturing a flag alone and think a dog tag collector someone is following you (you paranoid b*st*rd)? Drop an IDS and keep an eye on it, or if you think that anyone might spawn there and come through a certain place (I'm thinking one of the entrances to the Ruins flag on CampG). Or even place it on an exit to a flag that you are pushing for, and the opposition is defending (e.g., one of the exits to central camp, anyone coming through, just mow them down, suppress them into their own little structure, and then have multiple squads push through when they are all squashed in and after chucking in a couple of nades to clear out, unsettle and disorientate). There are thousands of situations where the IDS is useful, which is why it is one of my weapons of choice with support. When I have both this and the Pulse meter, I decide on what sort of situation I'm going to be in before I decide which one to take. Obviously the pulse meter is more mobile, and you can pulse about every 2 - 3 seconds, which is quite awesome, but some problems occur such as not having 360 degree cover, and not showing locations on the minimap, just the diamonds on the screen, without any sense of their distance, and also it only appears for your squaddies of course, not your whole team. Pulse is probably better when attacking, and IDS when defending.