Merc Idea: Robots, Drones and Cross Class Input

(Verticules) #1

My attempt at knocking out Comunity and Dev interests in robots, drones, cross-class.

Merc: Alpha (4L-F4)/ Omega (0M-G4)

Background: When merc hiring rates slowed down, private military companies (PMCs) involved in London operations scrambled for a method to keep their foot holds in the city. Big business gladly answered the call with new breakthroughs in robotics/AI.
Using a mass produced bomb defusal droid with weaponization subroutines, PMCs will have less reliance on finding the crazys and idiots willing to work in London.
This new operation specialist droid (Alpha) was able to be paired with an equally effective surveillance drone (Omega). Omega, following Alpha’s commands, provides overwatch for Alpha’s operations.
Trial contracts signed, Alpha and Omega have been shipped to London for field-testing. Shining test results are expected.

Health: 110

Speed: 400

Class: Operations Expert/ Recon

Combat Range: Close

Abilities:
-Objective Expert:
DEFUSE: 3sec
PLANT: 4sec
-Omega:
PASSIVE ( when active ability is off c/d): Omega marks enemy turrets, mines, etc within X meters of Alpha’s location for Alpha.
ACTIVE: Omega marks enemy mercs within X meters of target location for friendlies for Y seconds.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

  • I don’t see a visible drone having balance in this game. I think vocal call outs from the drone would be fun and give a nice alternative for feeling it’s presence.
  • I figure alpha would use turtle arms and pheonix legs, but I’m not an artist able to visualize more.
  • I feel med packs wouldn’t heal him. It would be fun if he could be repared by teammates.
(neverplayseriou) #2

A cross class? O,o

That sounds like a terrible idea imo.

Defeats the purpose of any normal class.

(gg2ez) #3

@sensitiveJellyfish Think of regular classes as “full classes”, they can perform their job at full efficiency and maximum potency.

Think of cross classes as " half classes", they can perform 2 jobs, but each with only half the potency of their equivalent “full classes”.

Regular classes are like: 4=4
Cross classes are like: 4/2+4/2=4

If anything, cross classes will only add diversity into DB.

(Samniss_Arandeen) #4

[quote=“gg2ez;84216”]@sensitiveJellyfish Think of regular classes as “full classes”, they can perform their job at full efficiency and maximum potency.

Think of cross classes as " half classes", they can perform 2 jobs, but each with only half the potency of their equivalent “full classes”.

Regular classes are like: 4=4
Cross classes are like: 4/2+4/2=4

If anything, cross classes will only add diversity into DB.[/quote]
It depends on what the classes are, and the nature of their interaction. Objective Specialist would cross over well with Recon. Medic and Fire Support are the peanut butter and chocolate of classes. Anyone can be an Assault, just add (moar/bigger) guns and an offensive direct-combat Ability. I highly doubt, for example, Fire Support and Engineer would work well as a cross-class the way Fire Support and Recon arguably already do.

(Verticules) #5

@sensitiveJellyfish Devs are already talking about it.

@Samniss_Arandeen I agree, I don’t think every mash-up will work for cross-class. And devs will have to be careful to not end up settling with, for example, a fire support with a defibrillator.

(Samniss_Arandeen) #6

They’d also have to be careful to avoid gimping classes or removing their unique elements for the sake of combining them. The Assault still needs a direct-combat aid. Recon Mercs benefit from enemy spotting. Etcetera.

Or, on the flip side, making them so overpowered that there’s no reason to have a full-Medic and a full-Firesupport when you can just have the cross-class and leave another player slot open.

Come to think about it, Stoker is an example of a cross-class. He’s “officially” Fire Support with his Ammo Station, but he combines direct-combat and AoE attack with his Molotovs, making him part Assault.

(Verticules) #7

Bump. I have added much more to my post after a 12hr car ride brainstorm. I hope to get feedback and more ideas. @Samniss_Arandeen @magnoliaToucan