A little update please

[old.ivan]

Well, im thinking to come out of retirement at some point during the next month <or 2>. But with a huge overload of work irl i have absolutely no time to read the news and patch updates re : PS. Could someone briefly sum up the events that took place after the first free month expired ... eg French invasion etc.
Ive also noticed that some more decent folk have stopped playing the game altogether, which is rather sad. So my second plea goes to PS old timers who have buggered off to better places : What games are you playing right now and how are they in comaprison to PS ?

I wont be as active as i used to be in the good ole days, but i will be around

 

[[PS]Nova]

Erm.

To sum up some of the things (the ones I can remember).

(the problem is I can't remember what state it was at when you would have left).

I know you won't know about the LLU - Lattice Logic Unit. It's a variant on a capture the flag style type of play which is currently in place on approximately half the bases on any continent - the inner half (away from warpgates) - rest of bases are still the normal timed hack. The way it works is this: You hack base, base spawns an LLU at a predetermined location dependent on type of base. You pick up LLU (MAX can't pick it up, you can't cloak while carrying it, you can't get in aircraft or drive a vehicle, but you can be a passenger in a vehicle which has its max speed reduced) and have to take it to a linked friendly base - when the LLU spawns it will tell you which one if there's more than one. You have to take it to the CC of this friendly base.

The hacked base can be resecured in two ways. Either by the standard means of sneaking/forcing your way into the CC of the hacked base and re-hacking it, which causes the LLU to simply vanish, or by killing the LLU carrier and guarding the spot which it fell at for the remainder of the 15 mins until it expires, when the hack will fail. Or, I would imagine, by hacking the destination base, but I'm not sure on that one. Therefore you really have to split your forces into three - a third to guard the hacked base, a third to escort the LLU carrier and a third to guard the destination base. But XP does seem to be increased for LLU caps, and they are fun to do.

Only other things I can really think of is new vehicles - we have currently two new common pool vehicles, the Liberator plane and the Skyguard buggy.

The Liberator is a three-person plane which is a bomber. You have the pilot who has access to a chaingun style gun, a bombardier who has access to the big bombs (but can only see straight down which can get a little disorienting I find ) and a tailgunner who has a big larger machine gun. Quite scarily good for carpet bombing a newly capped base when all the grunts are at the vehicle term (and quite annoying when it happens to you as there's nothing you can really do). I personally find the liberator very frustrating to pilot or gun because you are restricted fairly heavily - ie you must be level in order to be able to bomb, you can only tailgun down and backwards... but that's a personal opinion and you do see them around quite a lot so some people must like them!

The Skyguard is a 2-person open cockpit buggy (can drive in reinforced) with a flak cannon on the back - aimed for anti-air. There has been a lot of bitching about it because when they first brought it in, it was ub4h, then they nerfed it, but they nerfed it too far, so they've brought it back up a bit. It's a nice little thing except for the fact that imo it has paper armour, but then again it is a buggy It can be quite fun to run around in tho.

Hmm, what else. There are some base-specific bonuses implemented. Wall turrets fire if you have an Interlink facility on the island (was supposed to be if you have one linked but don't think it's working quite right). You can only buy advanced vehicles at a base with a Technology Plant linked to it (this one does unfortunately work) - this includes Reaver, Skyguard, Magrider/Vanguard/Prowler, Thresher/Marauder/Enforcer (and possibly Sunderer, we're not sure on this one). Bio Labs reduce respawn times when you respawn at them (was supposed to be when you have one linked to the base you're respawning at, but again don't think it works quite right yet). They are only just putting these in. Amp Station is supposed to increase SOI on linked bases, but not at all sure whether this is implemented or works. And ofc you can still only get a Galaxy at a Dropship Center.

There are new icons over the heads of Medics/Engineers/Hackers when they are holding the correct tool - ie when a medic or adv medic is holding a medical applicatior, there will be a little cross above their name - also adv medics that aren't in your squad show up on the minimap as glowing dots. Engineers get either a spanner icon (vehicle repair) or a body-armour and spanner icon for armour repairs (BANK). Anyone who gets their REK out gets a hacking icon above their heads - which looks like the REK but also strangely like a cup of tea according to some

There is now in place a vehicle queuing system whereby you get a vehicle from the terminal and if a lot of people are there it enters a queue - like it will tell you "You are 9 out of 15 in the queue", which will update every time someone gets their vehicle or buys one. It then teleports you into your vehicle cockpit when it's your turn - you can't physically buy a vehicle with the wrong armour on - and then drives you off the pad. When I say drives you off the pad, it auto-drives you (like it used to do up the ramp in the underground vehicle terminals) off the pad, and only gives you control when you're well clear - planes take off vertically and fly to a certain height before you get control. This caused a lot of bitching when it first went in because in a hot base, you couldn't get a plane because it would get shot down before you'd get control. I -THINK- they fixed it by saying you can't take damage while auto-driving because I've noticed that recently, but otherwise I don't know.

There have been various changes to various weaponry etc. The lasher got a big upgrade, then a nerf straight afterwards as all the JH users complained The JH has not been nerfed Lightnings got a 360 degree turret which is nice but somewhat confusing if you're not used to it. Vanu AA max got an upgrade with its drop in damage but no degredation over distance - TR Mini-chaingun had its COF reduced - VS Pulsar got an increase in damage and now the AP mode fires at same rate and uses same ammo as standard - VS AI max got damage increased vs infantry but damage decreased vs vehicles/maxes and clip size increased from 40 to 60 - thresher and marauder armour got balanced to the same as the enforcer, and the thresher's gun got upgraded.

Things we HAVEN'T got yet that we've been promised:
- Platoons (still)
- More vehicles (they mentioned the Lodestar originally which was the Deliverer of air vehicles)
- Vehicle repair/rearm pads (should be in soon)
- Base bonuses
- Outfit ownership of bases
- Force shields over courtyards so bases harder to take
- Backdoor only openable from inside
- Disposable shields for vehicles available from Amp Stations
- Enemy Density Warning for defenders in a friendly base
- Continent locks fixed and bonuses for same
- Level titles and medals (not stated what for exactly)
- Hacking system made more skill based

There is also a retail expansion pack including new weaponry and possibly vehicles, whole new underground areas and new CTF style play coming out in, I believe, October, although that may be US only and we may have to wait, I don't know.

Hope this helps, and if I've missed anything, apologies!

You're lucky I'm bored and have some time this afternoon

Think that's just about all I can think of! Please anyone else feel free to add more!

 

[Jupitus]

and I might have kicked you out - gimme a /tell if so

 

[Uncle Sick(tm)]

gifv Ivan back...

I need some throaty 'urrah's when the waves of brave NC conscripts rush forward to fight the evil Germa... Barneys!

 

[[PS]Nova]

Don't you mean when the brave wave of NC conscripts gets mowed down by a single magrider with no gunner?

 

[Uncle Sick(tm)]

Propaganda!!!

 

[[PS]Nova]

Truth

By the way, for those curious or otherwise interested, I finally got persuaded to post some pictures of me, so they are here but please be nice.

 

[Deady]

*Deady looks at his Vanguard sitting in his garage - although the Vanguard hasnt been in use for a few months now, Deady still polishes it everyday knowing that one day it will once again be out on the battlefield upholding the integrity of the New Congolmerate*

 

[[PS]Nova]

Originally posted by Deady
*Deady looks at his Vanguard sitting in his garage - although the Vanguard hasnt been in use for a few months now, Deady still polishes it everyday knowing that one day it will once again be out on the battlefield upholding the integrity of the New Congolmerate*

But... WHEN?

 

[Teh Krypt]

Originally posted by [PS]Nova
Truth

By the way, for those curious or otherwise interested, I finally got persuaded to post some pictures of me, so they are here but please be nice.

*Hugs Nova*

Ivan is just scared because I snipe his ass

(And own him with that lagghax.exe thingie..)

 

[Deady]

p.s nice pix

 

[Faeldawn]

Originally posted by Deady
*Deady looks at his Vanguard sitting in his garage - although the Vanguard hasnt been in use for a few months now, Deady still polishes it everyday knowing that one day it will once again be out on the battlefield upholding the integrity of the New Congolmerate*

When that day comes im gonna cert reaver, much safer up there if your on the prowl

Nice pix Nova

 

[[PS]Nova]

awww people so nice I feel all warm and fuzzy now, thank you everyone!

<hands out heart-shaped cookies to all and sundry>

(if you don't understand the cookie thing, read the wernerforum boards)

 

[Faeldawn]

Originally posted by [PS]Nova
awww people so nice I feel all warm and fuzzy now, thank you everyone!

<hands out heart-shaped cookies to all and sundry>

(if you don't understand the cookie thing, read the wernerforum boards)

Ingredients


1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
3 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly grease cookie sheets.
2 Mix together all of the ingredients, using just enough flour to make the dough so you can handle it, then mix in the rest of the flour just until not sticky.
3 Roll out dough to approximately 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out with cookie cutters and place on cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes.


mmmm...good cookies

 

[old.ivan]

Cheers for info Nova.
Am sad to see 'Dead' people in a veteran retirement home.

 

[[PS]Nova]

<hands Faeldawn a "I know how to make cookies!" cookie>

<hands Ivan a "OK you lost me there!" cookie>

And no probs for info, was bored and had time to type

Might have forgotten some stuff, but I think I got the major stuff.

 

[old.ivan]

Originally posted by Teh Krypt
*Ivan is just scared because I snipe his ass

You and what Army of 'Kryptie ghetto snipers' ?

 

[Garaen]

How's the stealthers nowa days? Last time i played a stealther i really enjoyed it, but changed to a jackhammer noob with ref armor Think i'll renew for a month and see how things are it's only a few euro's

 

[Stonebits]

Stealthers are fun.... if you can get to grips with em... which I cant yet.....

 

[[PS]Nova]

LOL stealthers.. my main is a stealther.

The main problem I have with stealthers is Darklight - and yes, you people asked, so you're going to get the whole rant again!

With a stealther what you do is simple. Put on your infil suit (remember to cloak!) and go out either hunting or scouting. Some people choose to be sneaky and get kills by moving up behind someone and opening up a whole can of whoopass on them at which point you USUALLY kill them before they can react, unless they have mates around. You can also hunt with a knife, but I've only ever gotten one kill with this and the guy was hacking at the time (but I did manage to dodge about 6 blasts with the JH at that time, not sure what happened there, but was well proud!). I've heard this type of infil called a killfiltrator.

Or you go for the hackfiltrator type - someone who's main role is sneaking into bases and towers and getting a hack on. This is what I tend to do as I'm shyte at killing people, and even if I'm up close and personal and shooting them before they know I'm there, nine times out of ten they'll somehow kill me anyhow! So in this case, you have to sneak up to the base or tower - always remember to crouch when you get even remotely near any enemies/deployables/anything really - get past all those nasty guarding enemies and manage not to get spotted while you hack.
If you're doing this you really should have adv. hack.

The main problem with both scenarios is DL. Now, I've heard people say "if you take something like a repeater, you can stay out of DL range and kill them and there's no way they can even see you". I personally have never managed this, altho I'm sure it's possible. The thing I find so so annoying is that no matter how skilled you are, no matter HOW many enemies you made it past, all it takes is ONE n00b flicking on DL at the wrong time, and bang, you're dead. If you have surge, you have a CHANCE to run away quick enough that they won't kill you, but you are very visible when running under surge, so odds are someone ELSE will kill you instead.

It's not ALL bad being an infil, I just think there should be some balance to DL, kind of like audio amp and silent run.

This is of course completely biased based on my experiences with being an infil. Oh, for the days back when it was first released, when only very rare people had gotten to BR6 and gotten DL. I managed to sneak past 30 NC (no exaggeration) to hack their control console twice in a row before they brought one DL-user up to the CC to guard it.