Role unlocks

[draeh]

I know in the beta, the unlocks only happen as you score points kind of like field upgrades in 2142. Is this the only way its going to work, or is their going to be a permanent unlock system like the BF series?

[jb4]

Here is all I could find on this:
http://www.frontlineswar.com/?page=roles

It seems like it will stay the same...based on points and progress in the game. You will build power over the rounds within a match but start over the next match.

EDIT: See Whiskey below. I think we were typing at the same time. He would know the score on this one.

[WhiskeySix]

No, the dev's said there will not be persistent upgrades. As it is now, the roles have three tiers of equipment and you start with the base level equipment. Then, as you score points, you "become qualified to operate" level 2 and level 3 gear. Note that after you use the roles' equipment, they have to recharge before you can use them again - like CO abilities in BFx. Also - the higher the level, the longer it takes to recharge... which makes sense, otherwise you'd end up with Dresden with constant fuel-air bombs exploding.

In the beta servers, the maps play 5 times in a row before the next map is loaded. Your roles persist through all 5 rounds per map, so towards the later rounds most people have all the equipment.

[Exploding_Silver]

One interesting thing is the different levels can be used independantly and have seperate recharge times, when i read this i thought i would try it out. I got to level 3 with the drones and had all three drones out at once and could switch between them

[draeh]

Never even thought to try putting out 2 drones at once. As ground support I did have out the chain gun emplacement and a sentry at the same time. I really like the sentry. The chain gun leaves your head to exposed.

[machowner]

yea, I think these things need a longer respawn time. I was messing around with the recon and attack chopper and the c4 car last night. I was pretty much able to fly the choppers around blowing poeple up and then drive the car into about two or three poeple, and by then one of the choppers would have recharged. I started over again blowing poeple up. I went for 24 kills and 4 deaths in one round that I had to drop out early. I think longer respawn times would be a good thing.

[WhiskeySix]

I like that you can right-click when operating the drones to let them stay where they are. If you can park the scout heli with it's crosshair pointing down an alley, you can move up with your squad and get advance notice of OpFor in the area. Of course they're not very sensitive when 'spotting' (short range 'view'), so it takes some skill to park them somewhere where they'll be seen yet not get shot-up immediately

[WhiskeySix]

Originally Posted by machowner

yea, I think these things need a longer respawn time. I was messing around with the recon and attack chopper and the c4 car last night. I was pretty much able to fly the choppers around blowing poeple up and then drive the car into about two or three poeple, and by then one of the choppers would have recharged. I started over again blowing poeple up. I went for 24 kills and 4 deaths in one round that I had to drop out early. I think longer respawn times would be a good thing.

That's why you need a countermeasures role in your squad. Plop down one of those EMP beacon things, and you're squad operates under a drone/air-strike/vehicle-free umbrella.

[machowner]

Yea, I imagine once this game is released and TG gets a server going things will be very different. Right now it just too easy to fly the choppers around and kill poeple.

[jb4]

Originally Posted by WhiskeySix

That's why you need a countermeasures role in your squad. Plop down one of those EMP beacon things, and you're squad operates under a drone/air-strike/vehicle-free umbrella.

I played a few rounds this morning and did exactly that. EMPs quickly change the game from "toys" to classic infantry. I love all the toys and enjoy using them, but I equally like to play toy spoiler as well.

Also, about the recharge of abilities and the reset overall: I like the concept that you have to acquire them each match. Other games have rolled out recently like CoD4 (love the game) that are very punative towards new players because of the ongoing retention of abilities. It is great when you have them because you get more accurate and damaging weapons, etc., but if you are new, it takes you a long time to get competitive against players who started before you based on toys/weapons versus twitch or tactical skill.

FFOW seems to put us all on the same playing field for the ability to get the cool toys, but the difference will be made by the players and squads who know best how to tactically deploy them.

[Kebab-Kastike]

What I havent been able to figure out is how to use the first ability EMP-guy has. :S

[WhiskeySix]

Originally Posted by Kebab-Kastike

What I havent been able to figure out is how to use the first ability EMP-guy has. :S

I had to do a little digging for that - it turns out he can't be 'spotted' by enemy drones or vehicle-targetting systems! (He can't be seen on the enemy mini-map)

[Kebab-Kastike]

Originally Posted by WhiskeySix

I had to do a little digging for that - it turns out he can't be 'spotted' by enemy drones or vehicle-targetting systems! (He can't be seen on the enemy mini-map)

Oh right I thought it was some kind of cloak thingy that renders you invisible.

[Snail88]

It also allows you to see EMP beacons on your HUD if im not mistaken.

[WhiskeySix]

Originally Posted by Snail88

It also allows you to see EMP beacons on your HUD if im not mistaken.

That's right - it also allows you to see enemy drones.. put's a red box around them on your HUD... though I'm not sure if it alerts the rest of your squad/team to their location...