#Radioman / Drone Suggestions

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

keen helm
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With the upcoming changes to the radioman, I figured this would be a good time to voice a suggestion regarding the general intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR from here on out) aspect of the game. To put it plainly, I believe that the Radioman and Drones are extremely under utilized in the current state of the game and I'm pleased to see that the radioman is getting some much deserved love. I've seen Robert's implementation of the radio relays which I believe is a correct step forward in making the Radioman a useful member of any squad. However, I believe that the usage of the radio relays lacks practical application in the game.

For Horde mode, the radio relay is an incredible addition. The ability to designate five lanes, globally, as a "kill zone" for airstrikes to come in without the need of having a forward radioman is a godsend. For pandemic mode, it seems more of a novelty, as you are constantly pushing forward to eradicate the infection. Sure, you can always deconstruct a radio relay and move it forward to cover new ground that's needed. As the player however, we're already doing that with infantry, vehicles, and armed little birds. I would like to make it clear, I think the radio relay adds another layer of strategic support into the game and it is a fine addition, but the upcoming implementation is not what was expected and rather than scrapping the asset, perhaps it can be used for a different purpose.

I have a couple of suggestions that may solidify the Radioman's role as a support character, while also including an undervalued unit -

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Radioman
💠 Is still able to construct the relay point, however the relay point acts as a mobile spawn for infantry. Infantry and vehicles are already being spawned in via air drop. We see them free falling in and parachuting before touching down. With the usage of relays, instead of building a brand new barracks, the relay point allows the player to call in reinforcements from a forward deployed position. For balancing, maybe the unit costs more because they're being dropped in a "hot zone" or because it's a rapid deployment, they start with half the ammo they would normally have.
💠Airstrikes are still a core part of the radioman's abilities. Calling in Close Air Support while in a firefight or on hard targets should still be a part of the Radioman's core set. Another implementation would be targeted artillery strikes. This allows the radioman to serve as a Joint Tactical Air Controller and a Forward Observer.
💠Radiomen could have an ability to call in an emergency supply drop. The supply drop, similar to the mule, has a limited amount of ammo and healing that it can provide at a high cost. For balancing, maybe the ability costs more than it would to just run a mule to and from the frontlines or could provide less ammunition than a mule would. I feel this emphasizes the idea that the supply is an "emergency drop".

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💠As a side objective for radiomen, maybe we see the possibility of radio towers around the map that can be repaired. When civilians are re-implemented and if factions are returning (I've been out of the game for a bit and just picked it back up a couple of days ago, apologies if this has already been discussed!) these radio towers could be controlled by the factions. If the player is in good standing with the faction, the radio tower provides a fog of war update for around that tower. I see this as the faction simulating real time callouts to the CERC of the activities around these points. It could act as an early warning system for the player to assist the faction in defending their location or allowing them to fall. It gives a good reason to maintain diplomacy with the factions as well.
💠Equipment Link - Instead of locking the radioman to only having 5 relays up at once, maybe the radioman can form a "link" to 5 pieces of equipment. Drones, Artillery, and Vehicles could be linked to the radioman. What would that do?
Drones - Allows airstrikes to be called from the drone's position, rather than the radioman. (See further below for drone updates.)
Artillery - Allows for concentrated strike between all linked artillery pieces. Depending on the amount linked, increases the size of the targeting circle of the bombardment zone.
Vehicles - Increases line of sight and attack speed as the Radioman is giving live callouts to APC's and Tanks.

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Drone
To preface, I understand the drone is a scout unit and that's it's intended purpose. It's not really meant for a combat role besides support. However, it can be argued that even though the radioman has a gun, their role is for support as well. I have a couple of suggestions for the Drone, to make them a better player for the team.
💠Has an ability to laser designate a target. Maybe the laser designation increases the damage dealt by the airstrike. If linked to a radioman (as discussed above) can call in an airstrike in the drone's radius of vision.
💠3 different upgrades to a single slot could be used while outfitting a Scout Drone.
Laser Designator - Allows drone to call in airstrike if linked to a radioman.
Enhanced Camera - Larger LOS.
Hellfire Pod - Grants the scout drone 2-4 hellfire missiles (Similar to Little Bird rocket pod).

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It's been amazing to watch this game grow. I played back in legacy and thought the game was amazing. Seeing all of the work in the rebuild has been incredible to say the least and not an easy undertaking. I commend the team at Halcyon Winds for your patience and hard work!

echo orchid
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jk, gonna read it now XD

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i agree with most, however linking to a drone may just make people leave a single radio dude at base and send out the drones

keen helm
keen helm
# echo orchid i agree with most, however linking to a drone may just make people leave a singl...

I tossed around the idea of suggesting another building like a drone center or a drone operator unit, but it kind of defeats the purpose of the radioman acting as a JTAC. You're right though, most players would probably do that. I usually embed a radioman in my squads so I was looking at it from the angle of having drone support for vision and a radioman relaying strike coordinates from the drone to the CAS.

echo orchid
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one fix would be that the UAV would need to be within a certain range of the radio operator

keen helm
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That flashed for a moment, but I didn't want Robert to go through coding hell trying to make it happen xD granted, all of these suggestions, if implemented, would already do that. Maybe it has a range like the Cerberus artillery does or the infection towers

echo orchid
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if i remember my 9-lines from arma correctly you have to have a person on the ground have visual on the target for some airstrikes

cursive vale
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I cannot wait to do the SAS, SBS and the SRR in this game, lol

fringe ginkgo