So I see that Commando (formerly Crusader and before that Command suits) and Pilot suits are being implemented.

Noticing the fit in the trailer I decided to pause the video and see what the load-out looked like and I have to say I'm not sure exactly what your goal is with these.

Prototype Commando Suits (Amarr Ak.0)

2 High Slots
1 Low Slot
Light (or Heavy) Weapon
Sidearm
Grenade
1 Equipment Slot

Now, assuming that all skills were at level 5 (and I'm pretty sure they were) reducing the numerics from the Complex Shield Extender and associated skills would put the values at:

248 Shields
250 Armor

Alright, so now that that is out of the way let's take a look at CPU and PG.

I have no idea how much a Basic CPU Upgrade gives but essentially, the numbers (including skill bonuses) were as follows:

58 PG/ 341 CPU

So, basically, we're shaving off 200 HP from Shields and Armor for an equipment slot.. Now, I can only assume that being a Heavy suit it will have similar speed ratios so let's just assume that they're getting a slight speed bonus to compensate.

My big question: Where - oh where - are the Squad Support Modules going to be placed, if at all? There were a number of Squad Support Modules on the database a while back which included (but surely not limited to) reducing the enemy weapon's ROF or preventing their shields from recharging.

So, CCP: Are Squad Support modules being implemented to buff team-mates and hex enemy combatants or is the Commando suit an entirely new thing? What are your intentions with this suit? What role does it play? Is it in fact the Commando/Crusader suit hinted at in previous dev blogs (which you have absolutely failed at providing more info on) or is this just a heavy with lower HP values and an Equipment slot?

Edit: It is absolutely imperative that you show us the concept for these designs before they're thrown into a trailer so that we, the community, can give our thoughts regarding these things. Otherwise you're just going to have more broken content that is underpowered/under utilized or overpowered/broken.

The Commando Suit was previously discussed during FanFest which in addition to those attending in person was also streamed via twitch and posted on youtube.

While I wholeheartedly agree that more of this information should be indexed somewhere within these forums it is not entirely accurate to say that the information was unavailable.

Also I believe you misunderstand, the Commander/Crusader suits and the Pilot suits are both their own frame types the Commando (as opposed to Commander) suit is a type of Heavy frame the two are not equivalent or interchangeable despite the similarity in naming conventions.

I hope that clears things up somewhat (and confusion like this is a classic example of why CCP needs to make EVE level efforts with their Dust side communications).

Cheers,
Cross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_LlH2c5dyA

1:33 shows the suit in the fitting window and I believe later on they show it (and the pilot suit) in the skill tree beside their associated suits. They also show the new armor plates but theres already a thread about that controversy.

Watch the video. Pilot is very clearly a Light Frame along side the Scout. It's like saying Pilot is to Scout as Logistics is to Assault.

As much as I want to believe that the Commander/Crusader still exists there was a bit in a previous dev blog that the Crusader -IS- the Commander suit, or at least is the new title for such as the design had been changed.

Hate to say it, but I think this is the bastard child of that concept.

Watch the video. Pilot is very clearly a Light Frame along side the Scout. It's like saying Pilot is to Scout as Logistics is to Assault.

As much as I want to believe that the Commander/Crusader still exists there was a bit in a previous dev blog that the Crusader -IS- the Commander suit, or at least is the new title for such as the design had been changed.

Hate to say it, but I think this is the bastard child of that concept.

Just looked through, and the pilot suit is nowhere on the video.

1:11, pause it immediately after the armor plates when it initially opens up the Skill Tree. If you pause it in time you'll see Gallente Light Frames splits into Gallente Pilot Dropsuits and Gallente Scout Dropsuits.

Commandos have TWO light slots. They told us at Fanfest.

Watch the video. Pilot is very clearly a Light Frame along side the Scout. It's like saying Pilot is to Scout as Logistics is to Assault.

As much as I want to believe that the Commander/Crusader still exists there was a bit in a previous dev blog that the Crusader -IS- the Commander suit, or at least is the new title for such as the design had been changed.

Hate to say it, but I think this is the bastard child of that concept.

Interesting enough. I was wondering when you'd chime in Kagehoshi.

Two lights definitely gives it a unique role - albeit a very bizarre one.

Even still, my question still stands - Where are the Crusader suits and incentive to -BE- a leader?

I edited my post to add stuff about the squad support roles, guess I didn't do it fast enough.
They mentioned AoE modules (like squad support modules) coming in the far future (17 months or more), so don't expect them anytime soon. I imagine the crusader/commander suits will be here when those modules are added in the game in the far future.

Oh great, yet another feature implemented that's going to be impossible to balance because it's meant to have content not yet available to it. Balanced for content that doesn't exist.

The commando is NOT the commander/crusader, so I'm not really sure what you mean by balancing a feature with missing content. AoE modules are not for the commando, commando is just a heavy with 2 light slots.