Changed.

I'm just saying that he is bringing up some points that should be taken into consideration (I should state that I'm all for cloaks, btw).

I actually like this idea.

The problem is that it would only work once. Because the next time I see you I'm going to know who you are, either by your suit type or name, if I don't already just know your name from the kill board.

This is a terrible idea, especially if you are a well known player.

Works well enough for the Spies in TF2 though. Would be absolutely glorious equipment to have if we ever get larger matches, e.g. 64vs64.

The problem is that it would only work once. Because the next time I see you I'm going to know who you are, either by your suit type or name, if I don't already just know your name from the kill board.

This is a terrible idea, especially if you are a well known player.

Needs to be some counter other than active scanner if implemented, or heavies without an equipment slot would be free WP (as if they aren't already)

Hey guys, I would like to ask for you're own opinions on cloak operation if you can right now is a very opportune and prime time to bring your thoughts up and a refresher on how the cloaking device should work in Dust 514.

Hey guys, I would like to ask for you're own opinions on cloak operation if you can right now is a very opportune and prime time to bring your thoughts up and a refresher on how the cloaking device should work in Dust 514.

Cloaks should probably use an equipment slot

Instead, the cloak would provide an active camouflage effect; actively changing the users' dropsuit color based on the surrounding area (what color ground they're standing on, etc) and attempting to break up their silhouette with up to 25% actual transparency (similar to menu transparency in many video games. Example: Skyrim). The amount of transparency could possibly start at 15%, then being affected by trained skills, with a maximum of 25% for Prototype gear. STD gear would look more like 5%, and ADV around 10% transparency (theoretical numbers. Actual numbers will likely change after use in the field to balance effectiveness vs. OP complaints).

Operation based solely on duration would limit the cloak to somewhere between 45 seconds, with skills capping out duration at 60 seconds for Prototype gear. Standard and advanced gear would be considerably less- STD at 10 seconds base, used for single sniper shots or quick getaways, ADV at 25 seconds base, for more advanced scouting/flanking tactics. I don't prefer operation limitations based SOLELY on duration, however. I suggest a tandem duration/charge system, where the cloaking device operates on a fixed amount of "CP," or Charge Points. The cloak consumes CP at a set rate while not moving, reaching zero CP and thus decloaking at the end of the proposed duration. Moving, however, would increase the CP consumption by 25%, reduced to 10% by skills, at 3% penalty reduction per level. I would also add a HEAVY movement penalty of -90% to transparency while moving, for a meager 2.5% actual transparency if a person moves while cloaked (actual movement over ground, not turning to track targets or swap weapons, etc). Skills could soften the penalty to -65%, for an actual transparency of 8.75%, using a 5% penalty reduction per skill level. Additionally, the physical camouflage, i.e. Adaptive Color matching camouflage, would not adjust for new colors until the user stops moving for 3 seconds. This will lessen computation load on the game and servers, as well as help avoid the "easy mode" stigma, provide counter-tactical opportunities and maintain a balance. The Cloaking Unit will recharge at 1/3 of the unit's depletion rate, meaning that a unit with 60 seconds available use, once fully depleted, will take 180 seconds to fully recharge (3 minutes.) Skills can shorten this recharge time by 20%, or 36 seconds, being a 4% reduction in recharge rate per level.

My idea uses 5 skills for the cloaking device; Cloak Operation, Cloak Capacitor, Cloak Regulation, Cloak Energy Management and Cloak Proficiency. Cloak Operation allows access to and operation of dropsuit cloaking devices, and reduces movement penalties to transparency by 5% per level. Cloak Capacitor increases the duration of cloak operation by 3 seconds per level. Cloak Regulation reduces the movement penalty for consumption of CP by 3% per level. Cloak Energy Management reduces the recharge rate of the Cloaking Unit by 4% per level, for a total of 36 seconds at level 5. Cloak Proficiency would provide bonuses to physical transparency of 2% per level (base is 15%, maximum possible then being 25%). Cloak Operation Level 3 unlocks access to Cloak Capacitor and Cloak Regulation, while Cloak Operation level 5 unlocks access to Cloak Proficiency.

CPU and PG costs would need to be steep, so as to further limit the available fittings and thus limit the possible abuse and OP possibilities of the Cloaking unit. A player should have to choose between stealth and strength, which means limiting the amount of armor/shield modules a player can use in conjunction with the cloak. The only way to do that, being that they'll use separate slots, is to make the cloak wildly expensive to fit. I was thinking something in the realm of 96 CPU and 18 PG for Prototype units. I would go as high as 108 CPU and 24 PG, but I'll leave that to the Devs.

Scout suit only. 20 second cloak. Scanable with active scanner. 30 second cool down. Doesn't make you invisible just harder to see. Shooting instantly decloaks. Being shot at makes you more visible but being shot alot breaks cloak. I see it as a cloak good for moving around not killing. have it reduce first shot damage by 60%. what I don't want is a bunch of cloaked breach shotgun and damage mods running around.

Just one thing cloaks should not be limited to one class. It can be more effective with one then the other but it should never be restricted for only one class.

I like how it is done in EVE. Any ship/suit can use a cloaking unit, but only those meant for it can move well while using one. Also, no ripple, full cloak, although I guess people can't accept that and want only the shimmer , which I can usually see and shoot from across the map in most games with it.

So this means a Scout should be able, or special Black ops Scout, should be able to move around like normal with a full cloak. It would also means weapons and stuff do not work at all while cloaked. The person has to come out of cloak before they can use their weapons.

I like the idea of any unit using this, but only the Scouts using it to its full ability. Maybe an 80-90% movement penalty to non-scouts. A Scout could use it to cloak up if they think someone spots them, and then slowly creep away. It would also allow Heavies to cloak up in a defensive position, and decloak only when they see people enter the area, not knowing it has a hidden defender

As I said, this can do just nicely. But of course, variety in the types of cloaks available would help. Maybe the Amarr prefer optical invisibility like their god. The Caldari and Gallente might favor color-changing camo, while the Minmatar utilize infiltrator stuff that I pointed out earlier. Who knows? Could add some flavor to the races.

Sounds possible. But is the introduction of the Charge Points (CP) really necessary? If it helps, maybe it's better to allow suit types to determine penalties and duration instead. That way, cloaking won't be something that all suits benefit equally. Scouts should benefit more than any other suit. The scouts are primarily for recon, infiltration, and disruption after all. Eve Online ships like the Nemesis already have special perks for being Covert Ops ships (no penalty for speed, no penalty for targeting delay, can warp while cloaked, etc.).

As long as there are no SP sinks, I'm alright with this.

Cloaking equipment should have an inherent bonus when fitted on Scouts if you want them to be CPU/PG heavy. But it shouldn't be on just any scout. Specialized scout dropsuits such as a Covert Ops Scout Suit or Infiltrator Scout Suit (if CCP ever gets around to implementing them soon) would probably be the only ones to benefit from this. This will mean that only the most dedicated scouts would be able to make the most of the cloak.

Hey guys, I would like to ask for you're own opinions on cloak operation if you can right now is a very opportune and prime time to bring your thoughts up and a refresher on how the cloaking device should work in Dust 514.

if anything cloaks should be used like this http://youtu.be/dlkAVKsEj80

I think this is a good compromise, make it directional, make it immobilize you, make it something you have to channel.

This should be acceptable even with the simple minded base of AR514 who can't fathom the idea of competition, as this would make the cloak leaning towards a more defensive role than an offensive role.

Another option, is to have it be 360 degree cloaking, but it removes your vision as well, you essentially get a gray screen until you release it. The reason why it effects your vision is because the same wavelengths that pass around you to prevent the enemy from seeing you also means that those wavelengths aren't hitting the enemy either, making you blind.

I don't think the immobilization is a good idea, then essentially it would be Sniper heaven because only Snipers and the occasional Nova-masters would be using it.

The loss of vision doesn't seem that viable because stray bullets would make the cloak utterly useless, not to mention there's no reason the cloak should be a full cloak.

I still stand that the transparency should be adjusted depending on movements to something like: 80% transparency stationary, 60% walking/jogging, 40% sprinting.

Hey guys, I would like to ask for you're own opinions on cloak operation if you can right now is a very opportune and prime time to bring your thoughts up and a refresher on how the cloaking device should work in Dust 514.