DUST Search - Legion and the Future of Logistics Vehicles

DUST Fiend wrote:

Maken Tosch wrote:

I remember actually training up to use the Limbus in Dust back in closed beta when Replication was still the latest build. One of the things I realized back then is that there needs to be a proper targeting system implemented if we are to ever see logistics vehicles be practical in Legion.

Back then, you had to constantly look at your target in order to maintain the lock even after already locking on it. Even if a target-and-forget feature was later implemented, there was still a problem with managing remote reps on more than one target. The problem is compounded even more with dropships.

The solution that I recommend to CCP for Legion in regards to this remote repping as well as other things is to move the targeting mechanic away from the driver towards the turret operator.

It's more practical for the role and easier on the pilot if at least one turret on a logistics vehicle is dedicated towards being a remote repair turret. That turret would be controlled by the operator instead of the pilot so that the pilot can focus more on actually flying rather than worrying about maintaining repairs on a target. This can also be beneficial to logistics dropship pilots in particular as they can fit 2 turrets and thus have more repping power compared to a logistics LAV which only has one turret.

We could take this one step further by allowing the logistics LAV passenger (not the turret operator) the ability to manage things like either vehicle module activation or help the driver plot a course or maybe scan the area for potential threats so that the driver can focus more on driving. This should only be applicable to the logistics LAV so that it will have a unique role as a tank buddy while the logistics dropship has its own role as a multi-vehicle repper.

What do you think?

I definitely like the idea of logistics turrets, everything from remote reps to targeted scans. The only problem is that it would be kind of boring for the turret operator. At least as the pilot, you're doing all sorts of other stuff, so something that's a bit more boring like repairing an enemy vehicle is kind of fun. If you were a passenger in a turret, literally all you would be doing is aiming at a blue and holding down the trigger :/ It doesn't make for very engaging gameplay.

So, in theory I think it could be cool, I think in practice it might just not be fun enough to really be worthwhile.


Author	Thread Statistics \| Show CCP posts - 0 post(s)
Maken Tosch DUST University Ivy League 8439	Posted - 2014.05.08 21:26:00 - [1] - Quote I remember actually training up to use the Limbus in Dust back in closed beta when Replication was still the latest build. One of the things I realized back then is that there needs to be a proper targeting system implemented if we are to ever see logistics vehicles be practical in Legion. Back then, you had to constantly look at your target in order to maintain the lock even after already locking on it. Even if a target-and-forget feature was later implemented, there was still a problem with managing remote reps on more than one target. The problem is compounded even more with dropships. The solution that I recommend to CCP for Legion in regards to this remote repping as well as other things is to move the targeting mechanic away from the driver towards both the turret operator. It's more practical for the role and easier on the pilot if at least one turret on a logistics vehicle is dedicated towards being a remote repair turret. That turret would be controlled by the operator instead of the pilot so that the pilot can focus more on actually flying rather than worrying about maintaining repairs on a target. This can also be beneficial to logistics dropship pilots in particular as they can fit 2 turrets and thus have more repping power compared to a logistics LAV which only has one turret. We could take this one step further by allowing the logistics LAV passenger (not the turret operator) the ability to manage things like either vehicle module activation or help the driver plot a course or maybe scan the area for potential threats so that the driver can focus more on driving. This should only be applicable to the logistics LAV so that it will have a unique role as a tank buddy while the logistics dropship has its own role as a multi-vehicle repper. What do you think? On Twitter: @HilmarVeigar #greenlightlegion #dust514 players are waiting.
Maken Tosch DUST University Ivy League 8441	Posted - 2014.05.08 21:51:00 - [2] - Quote DUST Fiend wrote: Maken Tosch wrote: I remember actually training up to use the Limbus in Dust back in closed beta when Replication was still the latest build. One of the things I realized back then is that there needs to be a proper targeting system implemented if we are to ever see logistics vehicles be practical in Legion. Back then, you had to constantly look at your target in order to maintain the lock even after already locking on it. Even if a target-and-forget feature was later implemented, there was still a problem with managing remote reps on more than one target. The problem is compounded even more with dropships. The solution that I recommend to CCP for Legion in regards to this remote repping as well as other things is to move the targeting mechanic away from the driver towards the turret operator. It's more practical for the role and easier on the pilot if at least one turret on a logistics vehicle is dedicated towards being a remote repair turret. That turret would be controlled by the operator instead of the pilot so that the pilot can focus more on actually flying rather than worrying about maintaining repairs on a target. This can also be beneficial to logistics dropship pilots in particular as they can fit 2 turrets and thus have more repping power compared to a logistics LAV which only has one turret. We could take this one step further by allowing the logistics LAV passenger (not the turret operator) the ability to manage things like either vehicle module activation or help the driver plot a course or maybe scan the area for potential threats so that the driver can focus more on driving. This should only be applicable to the logistics LAV so that it will have a unique role as a tank buddy while the logistics dropship has its own role as a multi-vehicle repper. What do you think? I definitely like the idea of logistics turrets, everything from remote reps to targeted scans. The only problem is that it would be kind of boring for the turret operator. At least as the pilot, you're doing all sorts of other stuff, so something that's a bit more boring like repairing an enemy vehicle is kind of fun. If you were a passenger in a turret, literally all you would be doing is aiming at a blue and holding down the trigger :/ It doesn't make for very engaging gameplay. So, in theory I think it could be cool, I think in practice it might just not be fun enough to really be worthwhile. There is that. But one additional plus side in all this is that the turret operator can at least make quick decisions on the spot if he has to prioritize one or two vehicles over another one or two vehicles. In Eve Online, the Oneiros is a commonly used armor-based logistics ship that can lock up to at least 10 targets at once. However, the Oneiros can only fit 4 remote armor repair modules. In a PvE setting, the pilot will have no problem since NPC rats tend to target about no more than 2 friendly ships at once. But in an all-out PvP setting where everyone is under fire at once, the Oneiros pilot has to prioritize who gets the reps even if the fleet has another Oneiros on the field to help. Usually it's the fleet commander that takes priority followed by certain other ship classes so that the fleet can fight effectively. In a ground setting, that would likely be too much for an LAV and dropship pilot especially since vehicles in Legion will likely not move in any way at all like how ships in Eve move. Therefore the turret operator can help with that problem. On Twitter: @HilmarVeigar #greenlightlegion #dust514 players are waiting.
Maken Tosch DUST University Ivy League 8443	Posted - 2014.05.08 23:31:00 - [3] - Quote Fox Gaden wrote: If a passenger (co-pilot) helped to operate the support equipment the dropship can handle a lot more tasks. I like the idea of a logistics turret, but instead, lets make it a logistics station, with a full terminal, rather than a turret mounted on the side. Then the co-pilot could use belly mounted cameras to aim and lock the remote repair equipment, and interface with vehicles to resupply them with ammunition. Also give the co-pilot the ability to switch to top cameras and to look back as well as forward. Have counter measures such as flares that can be activated by either the Pilot of Co-Pilot depending on who is less busy. Mainly because the pilot may be too busy flying to watch for the incoming missiles and get the timing right. Hardeners, afterburners, and stuff like that should only be controlled by the pilot. That actually sounds much better than my idea. Much cooler in fact. I like it. Also, having a co-pilot be your extra eyes will definitely help a lot of dropship pilots especially for those ADS pilots. On Twitter: @HilmarVeigar #greenlightlegion #dust514 players are waiting.