[Nubcake]

Sorry to double post AND having to make you read more.

Examples

Of note before reading this section is the fact that some certs are universal and are available to all roles. Examples of this are medium assault, light vehicles (which would include some basic ATVs and a humvee style vehicle and the ANT – come on ANT races!), basic medical and engineering are also included in this. This is also an assumption taken with a number of abilities and implants. Unless specifically stated all classes are able to certify in light and medium armour.

The Grunt AKA Red Shirt – Let’s face it, these guys might not see the end of the episode so there’s no need to teach them how to fly or how to drive. They just need to know how to shoot. The grunt could be the general ‘everyone starts here’ role. A grunt would be able to certify only in medium and heavy armour for protection and would have access to heavy weapons such as AT launchers and the empire specific heavy weapons (jackhammer, lasher, chain gun). The grunt would also face no limitations on implants.

Storm Trooper AKA Tank – This role would be designed to carry on the niche filled by the MAXes and would be the only ‘role’ able to certify in them and, similar to the grunt, would only be permitted to cert in either heavy or MAX armour; they would also be able to cert in heavy weaponry. As the tank is also designed to use the heavy stuff in an arsenal it would be interesting to see if role specific weaponry could be implemented here such as the lost NC flamer or heavy MGs. Could face limitations on implants such as second wind, personal shield etc. to prevent them becoming too overpowered.

Engineer – This would be the only role (apart from drivers/pilots/crew) that would be able to make use of the full sized glue-gun. They would also be one of a few classes allowed access to the ACE and its entire repertoire of fun. Could possibly have access to a passive implant that permits them to detect ACE deployables.

Drivers/Pilots/Crew – Could possibly be split into ground and air-based roles but I am hesitant to force too much of a specialisation. This is the only other class with access to a glue gun and the only class with full access to all vehicles and aircraft. It is of debate whether they are permitted access to medium armour and weaponry in order to try and keep the role balanced. Most vehicles would however require a maximum of light armour to pilot and medium armour to man any gunners’ positions.

Commander – Most of the other roles would only be able to gain enough CEP to level to CR4 but only the commander ‘role’ can level to CR5. This ‘role’ would also be the only one with access to some of the specialist SL features. CR4 would permit access to an RKV strike (for all ‘roles’) but the OS would remain only for the commander ‘role’ and retain its current format. In the map menu they would also have access to expanded drawing tools from CR4. As the commander would supposedly be leading they would be able to place pre-designed markers on the map such as flags, crosshairs, arrows, etc. Could also be the only ‘role’ apart from pilots to have access to aircraft, in this case think a mosquito given an OD of pro-plus (basically tablets of pure caffeine) and then a mug of coffee, or ten. It would only have a small armament and armour but it would be designed to get from A to B faster than yesterday. One idea for a CUD ability based roughly on the BF2 squad spawning system is to allow CR5s to call down a temporary spawn point limited by either the number of spawns or a timer and this can be locked to squad, platoon or outfit or left unlocked. It would act to get squads into the thick of it quickly and keep them there until an AMS or equivalent can be brought up.

Cavalry – This is the ‘role’ that I am most hesitant about since it skirts dangerously close to the Swiss-army soldier that this proposal is attempting to fix. The Cavalry are designed to be shock troopers either being the first to respond to a possible attack or exploit a possible break. Cavalry would have access to AT launchers and basic hacking and ACE functions but would be limited by medium armour and would generally be designed to act quickly. They would also have to rely on pilots to ferry them around but could possibly have access to a reaver type aircraft or the phantom-like galaxy gunship.

Universal Soldier – In the event that players do not respond well if the proposal is implement the universal ‘role’ is activated by dev command and simply forces all present and future avatars to the ‘role. It is a representation of the current unlimited cert system and could also be used for testing and giving the devs an identifiable avatar unavailable to any other players.


Hopefully that wasn't too much of a text overload for you. It sure as hell looks like it from this perspective. Any criticism, hate, confused looks, etc. welcome.