Is it sad that I am jealous of that game?

Lets see

- Large map
- Complex building environments
- The rocket launcher is a secondary
- LAA

Imagine that with the updated modeling and game play we have now

I would personally figure that a Gunship would be a Light aircraft, Fighter a medium, and Attacker a Heavy. Kinda fits how those are sized IRL, and means that you can make an educated guess as to what you're dealing with when looking at the icon on the radar. I still think it'd be nice to have a separate icon for VTOL assets, but one step at a time.

Link and even if they are nothing is set in stone yet. It would make sense for a gunship like vehicle to be a light aircraft so it can maneuver and stay on the infantry. where as a fighter should rule the open skies with lots of damage potential.

You wouldnt need completely new mechanics for the weapon systems on these.

LAA (1 person)
3 Fixed hardpoints (not moveable turrets)
1 x medium front mount that is a blaster
2 x small mounts that could either be dumbfire missles or lock on swarms (same damage potential)

The damage from these should not be able to one-shot a tank. The speed/maneuverability should make up for the damage difference.

VTOL Gunship (2 person)
3 slots - 1 turret and 2 x hardpoints
Introduce a weapon that is similar to the HMG for the turret with a little bit more of a range buff but more bullet spread (same damage)
2 x small mounts that have same options as LAA
1 x pilot who manages the 2 x small mounts
1 x gunner who manages the turret

Id be happy with a smaller close air support version of the drop ship that is actually meant to attack ground targets. I also wouldn't mind a drop ship that could take a bit more damage.

I would rather the Close air support be smaller so it can better maneuver in streets or so I can get to infantry under those huge rigs.

I would just like to know if this is in the plans for the next build or two (after Uprising) or if its just a rough sketch of things to come.

IE - should I focus on infantry right now and not worry about a pilot suit or should I go HAV/DS and level up the pilot suit so I will be ready when there are aerial vehicles available besides the sky taxi

Thats the thing though. I have zero interest in being a sky taxi driver even if it does have a small turret on the front of it. The DS would also do nothing for my learning curve as the mechanics would be different between a slow VTOL and a fixed wing fighter.

I'm right there with you. One of the main reasons I got into this game was so that I could specialize as a pilot, and I'd really like more information on what kind of options we'll have.

Wow, I come back to find four pages of solid discussion. Good to know my friend and I aren't the only people who want more out of piloting in this game. Here's a bump in the hopes more people get in on the conversation.

Also, looking back at my OP I was pondering the way I had the skills laid out and was wondering, if it could not go like this as an alternative:

Level 1 unlocks the skills for Dropships and Attackships since they would both essentially fall under small VTOL craft.

Level 2 nothing

Level 3 Fighters and Fighter Bombers. Fixed winged aircraft. Both craft not necessarily specialised so the fighter can be a generalist in all air to air, while the FIghter Bomber can be a generalist in well... bombing. Higher tiers which would be unlocked from higher levels in the skill would be more specialised like the higher level Caldari Fighter would be more efficient at using air to air missiles, with such things as reduced lock on times or better tracking.

Level 4 would unlock nothing as well

Level 5 would unlock what I originally referred to as Heavy Aircraft. The reason I don't want to elaborate too much is that there are in fact a variety of things that could fall into this category. An example would be something that I would call a Mobile Command Outpost. This craft would only be of use in much larger battles and may even go as far as to be unlocked with a Piloting Proficiency Skill or whatever the equivalent would be referred to as. It would be smaller than a MCC, but able to manouevre around the battle at high altitude. On board would be a CRU with a bay capable of holding I would estimate four people before it was full. It could be equipped with logistics gear to repair other aircraft as well as flak to defend itself from other Aircraft. I ponder whether or not it should have anything air-to-ground for the sake of balance though. At best I would say one weapon of that sort, probably under control of a secondary person in the craft. Like I said though this would be for the much larger battles in the future.

The motivation behind my questioning the skill system is for the sake of balance. There could be other potential solutions. If you guys have any I'd like to hear them.

With the reveal of the new concept art, particularly the ones showing fighters and what looked to be a LAA I'm more excited moving forward in this game. Let's keep this conversation going even after Uprising hits. Hopefully the Devs are reading.