Cash Gash
1 36 Infantry Battalion
1
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Posted - 2013.11.10 21:30:00 -
[1] - Quote
Former US Army
MOS: 11B or infantryman
UNIT: 1st Armored Division 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st of the 36th Infantry Battalion, A Co. (2007 - 2010)
I actually feel some training does transfer over to an extent. For example, unlike call of duty I believe this game is better fought under cover instead of out in the open (unlike reality sometimes you need to strafe out in the open). That means when I am engaged I will try and bound from cover to cover to put myself in a better position. This reminds me a lot of one of the US army's battle drills referred to as reacting to contact. This would also involve organized flanking while in a squad which I feel is also a very useful tactic in this game since the TTK is much higher than games like call of duty so natural firing lines are often created during matches. Sometimes I even employ another battle drill referred to as breaking contact. If I am engaging an enemy position (usually with randoms) the enemy may have an advantage over allied troops in the area or solo I come in contact with a heavy armor and instead of bounding forward I will bound to my rear to avoid an almost for certain defeat. In reality breaking contact will happen in similar situations when pinned down, bad position, or in other words in a situation where the casualty risk endangers the objective. There are skirmish matches that will end when clone reserves are depleted so it is imperative you try to survive at all costs and not be so gung ho.
Another thing that I feel transfers over in this game, due to the fact the maps we play on are so large and the topography of them are very realistic and well put together, is how I maneuver myself around the map. I will utilize draws on mountains instead of silhouetting myself on the ridge or hill for example, really anything that will conceal my position to the human eye as to not be detected. Also looking at the map even though it is not like military maps I am still able to easily identify ridge lines, draws, cuts, hills, etc. Also speaking of silhouetting yourself on a hill, it is often taught in training to not do so and when I snipe you will not catch me on a ridge line out in the open where I can easily be counter sniped. 360 degree security on objectives is a must while hacking in most situations. Rear security is a must due to the likely hood of being flanked.
I can honestly say that my former training does play a part in how I play my game. I think the same is true for most former infantrymen or military in general even if they do not realize it. Now that is not me saying this game resembles real life combat as the two are not at all similar but tactics and routines are useful and I think most of us do it through a thing the military refers to as "muscle memory". I actually wish the game would continue on a path where it is more of a tactical shooter than a game that is more pray and spray like COD where much less of my training is able to transition over. Keep it up CCP I think you all are creating a quality shooter that is unlike most others. Planetside 2 is the only other game I feel is even in the same MMO type style but both are still very unique from one another as DUST is a part of the New Eden Universe and Planetside is in its own sandbox and far less complex in regards to fitting and options available.
One thing I would like to see implemented into DUST though is field artillery. I know most FPSers hate being spammed by splash damage by an enemy from across the map but I really feel that trajectory artillery that can reach out from a good portion of the map would be useful in many situations. Plus I believe Howitzer Artillery cannons are available in EVE of the 1400mm variety so why cant DUST marines utilize a 150mm variety. I feel it would really change the dynamic of the game providing new ways combat roles are used and scout roles alike. I mean if the scout is used for scanning as one role it could also be used as a FO or forward observer marking targets for the artillery. Artillery really is the back bone in most engagements throughout history so dont leave it out of the history being made in New Eden. Believe me as an infantryman it is hard for me to recommend this being added to the game since FA is an infantrymen's worst enemy allied or not. |