+1, tend to agree, and definitely spawning on CRUs makes far more sense than materializing at NCs. One thing I would add is that in this system, some of the CRUs would need to be placed such that it was between hard and impossible to blow them up with a HAV or Forge Gun. Otherwise one team could just blow up all the CRUs, and then even if one or two the other team breaks out of the redline to get a hack, they're still kittened without support.

Spawning on objecives is lame in every gameplay mechanic. In fact, I hate slawning c
from thin air in general, especially in front of enemies. It is very immersiveness-breaking in general.

I have always liked protected spawn buildings or bunkers that allow you to spawn, get your bearings, and push out, protected at least inside the building from your enemies.

Planetside 2's spawn buildings are a great example. Multiple exits, but they keep the focus on controlling the objective because otherwise the protection and spawn point changes over.

Now, the spawn buildings are a little bit large for DUST's purposes, so I would instead propose that the spawning mechanism for CRUs is this:

Instead of appearing randomly outside the CRU, you spawn INTO the CRU viewing the surroundings through third person, much like the bunkers in MAG worked. Then, you spawn outside by pressing X and viewing a certain direction. (Almost entirely copied from MAG.)

I actually really like this idea. +1

The other good part, is it could easily reduce or eliminate the need for an arbitrary spawn timer that is as long as it is (especially not one that is as long as it is). The only real reason we need a spawn timer is so that we can't just continuously respawn on an objective that's in the middle of being hacked. If we can't spawn there anyway, then it doesn't really matter, and the point is moot. Especially since CRUs don't flash when they're getting hacked, so even if you're losing one, you have no idea which one until it's too late. Further if we have to sit through a little animation when coming out the CRU, then there's really no need for a spawn timer, which is a super arbitrary and immersion breaking mechanic....

Why not remove all crus and objective spawning altogether and return the mccs to cruising across the battlefield? Realistically this would raise the value of proper tactical planning when using uplinks and allow for a breather for those that can capture both an objective and kill the team guarding it. The CRUs were not in the initial design and were added to provide a new place to spawn from but don't actually add any value to having them that the Uplinks don't already provide. This would remove 50wp from capturing an objective with a cru and allow people a chance to take a walk and enjoy the scenery or go for a ride. Mobile CRUs would then have some value as well and could maybe start generating WP for pilots. CRUs could be replaced by a shield generation station which when hacked would allow safe spawning within the shield via drop uplink. The shield would replenish shields so merc spawning into gunfire would have a sizable boost to their shields after taking damage and still allowing the shield generation station to be hacked.