Gray Pasque
Ostrakon Agency
Gallente Federation
0
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Posted - 2014.04.03 01:55:00 -
[1] - Quote
It seems now post 1.8 that many people think assault dropsuits need some more attention, and I agree. I do not feel that assault dropsuits are greatly disadvantaged, but I am finding my preference for them harder and harder to defend given the performance and abilities other dropsuits present. So here is my offering.
GÇ£Front Towards EnemyGÇ¥
The above words are found in upraised lettering on the Claymore Antipersonnel Mine, and it has become something of an iconic slogan in the US Military. Most people use it like GÇ£lead me to the fightGÇ¥ or GÇ£DonGÇÖt back away.GÇ¥ Always though, it is said with aggression. I would like to see a more literal take on GÇ£Front Towards EnemyGÇ¥ added to the assault dropsuitGÇÖs offerings. And I believe that it would help focus the assaultGÇÖs role in a similar way that a GÇ£Front Towards EnemyGÇ¥ attitude shapes combat in the real world.
The short version: each rank in the assault dropsuit skill reduces all direct damage taken by a small fraction if the shots originate from in front of the player. No other changes, assaults keep their current stats, weapon CPU/PG reductions, and racial benefits too. For the sake of this particular post lets say the hard numbers are a 2% reduction in direct damage taken per skill level, and that this damage reduction applies only to shots hitting the player from within a 60 degree wide arc centered on the playerGÇÖs crosshairs. This reduction in damage taken would apply before projectile type/shield/armor vulnerabilities are processed to eliminate any bias for shield or armor focused fittings.
The long version: In the real world your posture and how you present your body to the enemy enormously affect your survivability. Your armor is worthless if the shot that hits you fails to hit your body armor. If you have armor, it pays to square up your shoulders and present your front to the enemy, because now more of your vital parts are hidden behind the plate. But another consequence of having armor is that you are now safer taking an aggressive posture towards the enemy, orientated directly at the source of the threat, than you are facing anywhere else. Front Towards Enemy. I believe something similar to the protection modern real world armor gives could be successfully adapted to assault dropsuits, and that this added protection would encourage more aggressive behavior of those players who use the suits and help give the suits a more distinct role compared to other dropsuits.
As far as I know, currently damage taken seems to be applied equally regardless of the angle that it hit the player from. This proposed reduction in damage depending on its angle of origin would be a new mechanic, unique to assault dropsuits. And it would be subtle. At 2% reduction per skill level means the most protection someone could gain would be 10%, not much. A shot that would normally do 50 damage would now do 45, and only if fired from in front of the player. But it would be enough to change the behavior of the mindful player. Assaulters would now be more survivable on the attack, when they are being aggressive, keeping their front to the enemy. ItGÇÖs this change in behavior that this proposal encourages that I think most important. It might be enough to give assault dropsuits a distinct role to play, as opposed to their current situation where most suits can do everything an assault can do just as well or better. Also, it would cause a minimum of disruption to the balance of the game. Those attacking an assault dropsuit would not find any increased resistance from the sides or the rear, and even those attacking from the front would only need an extra two or three shots.
Again, I do not think assault dropsuits are greatly disadvantaged, but they are lacking in any thing or ability that would allow the dedicated assault player to excel in a way that no other dropsuit can do. Presently, everything an assault player can do some other suit can do better. This is only a small change I propose, but I think it might be just the thing assault players need to stand on their own as equals in the crowd. For those who reply to this post I ask you to play with the numbers in your head. What percent per skill level would you like to see implemented? What arc of protection? How would this change affect your game if implemented? Thanks for your thoughts.
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