Ok, I’ve asked this question a few times while playing as Operative and gotten a similar answer each time, but I thought it’d be cool to throw it out there for all to discuss:
Why not let Operative use a pistol while he’s hacking with a PDA? What if it’s a Rank 5 Ability that allows an Operative to hold a pistol in his right hand? It could be a Akimbo ability Rank 5.
I think it’d be fun to be able to defend as an Operative and Hack at the same time! 
Discuss
Voted ‘No. It would be too overpowered’ because there wasn’t just a ‘No’ option.
If the hack tool is out, the class is most likely performing it’s objective or using one of it’s skills. It works the exact same way as every other class.
[QUOTE=*goo;376282]Voted ‘No. It would be too overpowered’ because there wasn’t just a ‘No’ option.
If the hack tool is out, the class is most likely performing it’s objective or using one of it’s skills. It works the exact same way as every other class.[/QUOTE]Not really. Only Engineer is unable to defend. Soldier cannot defend while planting, but its a shorter duration of time. Operative can move around while hacking. I thought long and hard on this one, and voted Yes. As long as its a Rank 5 ability. I think it’d add another dimension to the Operative, and make it more worthwhile to play for some who believe because he has no buffs, he is too weak to play.
There are some issues. If you nail it down to a pistol then there’ll be problems with the different body types. Heaviessimply don’t care pistols. It should be ‘secondary weapon’ but then you get operatives defending themselves with assault rifles. In any case it should be compensated with much longer hacking time. Another constraint would have to be that it’s an ability.
I like the idea.
The engineer can somewhat defend himself with a well-placed turret, by the way.
[QUOTE=tokamak;376284]There are some issues. If you nail it down to a pistol then there’ll be problems with the different body types. Heaviessimply don’t care pistols. It should be ‘secondary weapon’ but then you get operatives defending themselves with assault rifles. In any case it should be compensated with much longer hacking time. Another constraint would have to be that it’s an ability.[/QUOTE]I think you automatically pull out a pistol regardless of Body Type and weapon load-out, a little silenced pistol that does small amounts of damage. Comes custom with the ability and is a weapon that’s only available for this purpose.
I’d go one step further and offer two ability, one a Rank 4 that allows you to hold a knife while holding the Hack. You can’t purchase the Kimbo ability without first purchasing the Knife similar to how Turrets work. Akimbo ability replaces the Knife attack.
[QUOTE=Ix LP xI;376286]I like the idea.
The engineer can somewhat defend himself with a well-placed turret, by the way.[/QUOTE]
As can an Operative (to a degree) with some well place Caltrops. None of these things can be done during objective completion though. Team game. You complete the objective whilst the team defends you.
Soldier can’t fire whilst planting, Engineer can’t fire whilst repairing/de-hacking, Medic can’t fire whilst reviving, Operative can’t fire whilst hacking. All of them can stop what they’re doing to engage the enemy.
I voted no, too OP. tokamak made the point that I occurred to me and it would be way to powerful if a heavy with a CARB-9 secondary could just mow down enemies while hacking. Even worse with 2 or 3 hacking at the same time.
What they need to do is make it so that I instantly stop hacking and whip out my currently equipped weapon when I tap the fire button.
-JJ
I vote no as well. Not because it’s too OP but because this is a team game & a Op should have his team defend him whilst he does his hacking. Having the Op able to defend himself during hacking encourages more lone-wolfing.
[QUOTE=wolfnemesis75;376287]I think you automatically pull out a pistol regardless of Body Type and weapon load-out, a little silenced pistol that does small amounts of damage. Comes custom with the ability and is a weapon that’s only available for this purpose.
[/QUOTE]
Then you’re taking away the heavy’s advantage.
No, any good operative will know to throw down caltrops as an early warning system to stop hacking and ready your gun or sticky.
Nope.
You either know when to disengage from the hack to engage the enemy or you dont and you get destroyed. As someone already mentioned you have caltrops, and you have auto-spotting and radar on top of that. It seriously couldnt be easier.
All of them can stop what they’re doing to engage the enemy.
Exactly.
[QUOTE=tokamak;376304]Then you’re taking away the heavy’s advantage.[/QUOTE]I meant, the pistol is specifically when hacking with the ability regardless of what Primary or Secondary you have, a pistol comes out for you to use: Heavy essentially would get a third gun in this way similar to the knife being a hidden third weapon.
It’s still a bigger advantage for the light as it’s firepower is already (supposed to be) low.
Operatives are helpless while hacking because it’s meant to promote teamplay. Your teammates are supposed to watch your back. Change this, and operatives can hack completely on their own, no need for teammates. Just good aim.
I voted against. There are too many maps where that would give a completely unfair advantage to the team playing offense.
-Throbblefoot
Operative should be able to activate a hack anywhere as long as there is a hack box on the objective imo. That’s the only buff they need imo.