A Better Command Structure

BadAsh · 2004-02-25, 05:38 PM

Ok, this idea is a little complicated and would need to be fleshed out more to make it feasible in the game but I think it would be a step in the right direction and add some very cool elements to game play. All I ask is that you hear me out before you flame cuz I know my next paragraph will make blood boil.

The first thing I�d change is that I�d remove the EMP Blast and Orbital Strike capability of high CR ranked players. These do not help leading troops, or issuing commands, or help with organizing an attack force in any way. These are simply tools used to �Rambo� by single-handedly clearing mine fields or taking out AMS units. More often then not the OS is used to rack up the kill count of the CR4 or CR5 using it. How many times have you seen an OS hit the CY of a completely overrun base after the defenders have long fled the battle? This is done simply to waste a bunch of people hanging out waiting for the capture BEP or CEP. Why not use this earlier to try and protect the base? Because you won�t kill as many and have a pretty screen shot to brag about.

Fun? Yes, to be sure. But, what does that have to do with command ability or leadership capabilities?

So I�m thinking what if you just ditch the Rambo abilities and add abilities that actually help with leadership, organization, and fun for everyone and not just the elite few CR5�s?

Here is what I�ve come up with:

FOR THE COMMANDERS:

Have a special War Room Bunker that is built deep underground below the bases (perhaps capitol base when those come out?) that only CR4�s or CR5�s can enter. To enter you simply deconstruct at that bases spawn tubes and then you will have an option to respawn at the normal local spawn points or the War Room Bunker. Once in the bunker you will see a large room with maps, war tables, and special terminals located throughout the room. In here modified sanctuary rules apply in that weapons can�t be used and the enemy can not enter this area. If the base above the war room is hacked the commanders in the bunker are instantly dumped into the spawn tubes of that base or the next closest spawn tubes if those are destroyed. If the base is resecured the commanders can again enter the war room bunker. If the enemy takes control of the base then they now own the bunker and can use it for themselves.

This gives the commanders a safe place to issue commands and lead troops without being pestered by enemy forces. They would share BEP and CEP if in a squad as normal.

The Command Terminals:

Assault Terminal (offense): Allows the placement of Continental Way Points a Commander can use this terminal to set Global Way Points on the continent than everyone in the empire can see regardless of outfit, platoon, squad, or solo status. This will help accentuate �Defend this base�, �Get this Generator up�, etc. Only once set of 4-6 of these CWP (continental way points) can be set. So commanders will have to decide where they should be and have one person set them or take turns moving them as needed etc. To help give players incentive to actually obey the commanders and their orders there could be a mild BEP and CEP reward for engaging enemy forces within a certain radius from the CWP. This would give a reward for those who help with the battle plan. Players would get their experience bonus and commanders would actually be obeyed and see their plans in action.

Security Terminal (defense): Accessing this terminal would display a detailed Base Map (showing all levels in one view) with enhanced warning indications for door breechings (CC, Gen, Back Door, Spawn Room). All enemy troops would show as red dots on this map and friendly troops would show as green dots. Friendly SLs would show as blue dots. So that at a glance a commander could see how many troops he has and where they are and who the SLs are. He would then have a special chat function that would issue out /l chats to that base�s SOI in a special orange color to denote they are from the local base �Security Commander�. A good commander would crush enemy opposition by having the ability to direct troops exactly where needed. He would have the ability to place �hot spots� on the base map that players see on their mini-map. These would shot as red flashing spots with a little radiation effect to show where the commander wants defensive lined drawn or to expose an enemy incursion.

The Player Interface and New Maps

I�d ditch all of the automatic reporting the maps do such troop warnings and hot spot indications and instead make this a simple manual system of reporting. I�d make the interface similar to how the voice chats in that you have a series of hot keys to navigate multiple choice menu options. So if you press 1 key the menu pops up and the second key stroke sends the report for things like: Enemy Armor, Enemy Troops, Enemy Air, Enemy AMS, Enemy Loadstar, etc. Making these reports would have a quick built in �reality check� the game would to just to verify that enemy troops are indeed in the area. This would prevent some goober from spamming false reports. Thus players could report and update the map that everyone sees rather then it being automated. I�d give a mild CEP reward for SLs who report enemy movements as that should be part of their job. Anyone else can report but they get no reward past the recognition. Making a �report� would put an icon on the map to indicate armor, air, troops, or whatever and it would stay there until the enemy force is dealt with or moves on. This part would be automated to simplify things for players.

Flames? Flames? Or Flames?

TheN00b · 2004-02-25, 05:44 PM

This actually isn't such a bad idea. One thing, though; make the /ignore function also have the additional attribute of turning of the /ignored player's Command Waypoints. I sure don't want the continent I'm on to have it's map spammed by a bunch of random assholes

.

BadAsh · 2004-02-25, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by TheN00b

This actually isn't such a bad idea. One thing, though; make the /ignore function also have the additional attribute of turning of the /ignored player's Command Waypoints. I sure don't want the continent I'm on to have it's map spammed by a bunch of random assholes

.

Well, my thoughts were to only have one set of 4-6 (I'm thinking 4) of these command way points for the entire continent. So each commander would not be able to place a set. They would have to decide where they should go and set them up. Anyone on the bunker or a bunker could move them, but that's a problem for the commanders to deal with. if they organize it could be pretty powerful. Finally, I'd make these alpha (a, b, c, etc.) rather then numeric to help avoid confusion... so when your SL says go to WP 1 you'll know what he means

TheN00b · 2004-02-25, 05:54 PM

Yes, I know you said 4-6 WPs would be the maximum... for one Commander . But is only one of the Commanders in Planetside retarded/a prick?

BadAsh · 2004-02-25, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by TheN00b

Yes, I know you said 4-6 WPs would be the maximum... for one Commander . But is only one of the Commanders in Planetside retarded/a prick?

Good point... I'm still working on a command voting system where the Cr4's and Cr5's can vote in a temporary "General" for the continental struggle... he would remain General until voted down, steps down, or he leaves the continent/game...

There would have to be a way to start a vote and actually vote for a general and then have a system for removing the general if he becomes an ass or goes AFK. Aslo, if he exits the game or leaves the continent he would automatically be removed from office.

Alerts to the commanders would go out letting them know who the General is and if he leaves or is voted out or steps down.

Currently there is a rudimentary form of this going on anyway. Usually I only see 1 or 2 guys using global chat to direct the battle. Usually it�s one guy directing and another guy helping and encouraging troops to follow. If you could have a temporary designated leader then you would have better organization with one boss and all other commanders being like sub-commanders and advisors. I don�t think it would take long to realize who the jerks are and who the good leaders are� just like how it works now... by name I know what CR5 to help out by obeying and what CR5 to TK... hehe

Like I said, this whole thing would take some work, but I think it's do-able and definitely worth while.

I'm imagining a final version where commanders take control zones and direct their troops from a war room as they are gathered around a continantal map... kinda like actual military leaders...

But for this to work leaders need incentive to lead properly and it has to be FUN... and the troops need incentive to follow orders... and doing so needs to be rewarding, fun, and cool as hell...

I wanna see coordinated, special ops, air assaults, armor pushes, etc facing coordinated defensive positions...

TheN00b · 2004-02-25, 07:05 PM

JumpDog, you are exactly the kind of CR5 that I would never want to have special abilities, much less be on PSU at all

. You seem to be the guy who, rather than use intelligence and tactics to coordinate a large zerg, would rather sit back and say 'TK Blackwidow, I don' like 'im *in a pouting tone*'. However, this system would be worthwhile for commanders with initiative .

EDIT: I didn't actyally believe that there could be retarded old veterans in a video game until I met you

. You refuse to have any of your special abilities taken away from you, and you seem to have garnered the ridiculous idea that seniority equals intelligence and respect. If a new CR5 has tactical savvy and people skills, then he should be recognized as such!

JumpDog · 2004-02-25, 07:10 PM