MEA Break Up

[fleet dagger]

?

[frail swan]

?

[viscid minnow]

?

[mild kayak]

?

[frail swan]

great suggestion

[gilded stirrup]

Huh

[median pendant]

No I made a detailed suggestion about breaking up the MEA into three factions;

• Arab League

• Iranian Army

• Iranian Revolutionary Guard

But a bot deleted my suggestion and said "No Spam"

I made 1 suggestion a while ago about turning the MEA into the Iranian Army... so that's probably why the bot deleted it

[gilded stirrup]

the bot knew it was a bad idea

[gilded stirrup]

Seriously I don't see the benefits

Def has a chance of becoming redundant with many similar factions

[twilit dirge]

If the game added irgc and iran army first before Bundaswhere, or even Russian naval infantry. I will uninstall the game

[gilded stirrup]

TF does Russian naval infantry have

Just one new heli and tank?

We dont need 3 russia factions

[twilit dirge]

Bt-3f apc, Ka-29, Pts-4M, or even bmp-3m, and m Nona-SVK. But it would be on other topic

[gilded stirrup]

I don't see what that would even do

Less unique than the vdv

[twilit dirge]

To be fair, it's not really that unique i just wanted to see the PTS-4M and Ka-29 in the game

[gilded stirrup]

Point is I don't get the appeal of 3 Russian factions (tho I guess I'm not a Russian nationalist who wants like 50 Russian factions in the game)

[twilit dirge]

I don't think you need to get political or nationalistic to want more from the game. I don't have to be a US patriot to want the Osprey for the US Marines just like in the old Saaremaa PR, or the Ka-27 in Beirut PR. In the end, we're all just consumers of a fan-service game.

[gilded stirrup]

Point is I don't want faction bloat where we have factions that play exactly the same that only have minute differences.

That's like my biggest issue with super mod for example where they have like 5 Russian and 5 Ukrainian factions (and my issue with this whole suggestion)

I don't want that in squad.

[twilit dirge]

All the conventional factions do feel the same only the unconventional ones stand out. They need new map, a real one like they make masirah, and saarema back in PR

[gilded stirrup]

The guns, sights, and emplacements help a faction feel different

Point is

What did you have in mind for each of the factions @median pendant

[twilit dirge]

In terms of individual gear like rifles, of course there are differences. But when it comes to having different playstyles even at the squad level, conventional factions are pretty much the same. What make it difference are armour set

[gilded stirrup]

I guess but still we don't need another Russia faction

[twilit dirge]

Ok, but we still need ka-27

[halcyon zenith]

I mean why break up the MEA? If anything why not expand the subfactions of the MEA, giving different nations that make up the MEA their own subfaction

[gilded stirrup]

Maybe just give it to Russias amphibious unit

[gilded stirrup]

We don't need another AK-74M wielding, EMR clad faction in game

[iron vine]

tbh they basically are in the game already

[twilit dirge]

They can use ak-103 and ak-105..

[rigid mesa]

A bit late but historically they’ve been broke as hell. Lots of wood stocked AKS-74s and the like until after the Russo-Ukraine War started. Iirc they also stuck with the classic 90s/2000s camos and moved onto EMR much later than everyone else. While they probably wouldn’t be too dissimilar in terms of playstyle to the preexisting Russian factions infantry-wise, they would be aesthetically rather different.

[gilded stirrup]

Wow they sound garbage

[rigid mesa]

I mean… yeah. They have been historically pretty successful though

And they have an interesting enough vehicle roster

Mainly the fact that they were stuck with PT-76s for way longer than everyone else

[gilded stirrup]

They sound like they'd get dogged on

[rigid mesa]

Tbf aren’t there already a good few factions where that’s the case?

I do believe they primarily use BMP-3s so that could give them a boost

[gilded stirrup]

We don't need a 3rd Russia faction

Like we don't need a 3rd China faction.

Reminds me of the one person in the 83 discord server begging that the devs add the Soviet Border guards as a faction a few years ago

Or the person in the Subreddit asking for fucking Estonia to be added that got a couple hundred up votes

Point is I'm tired of redundant factions being suggested. I dont see why there needs to be 3 factions that would have slight differences to them but look and play the exact same.

I don't care if they have 1 or 2 weird looking vehicles

I do not care if they use wooden ak-74s

They'd be RGF but with very slight differences

At the very least the VDV gets stuff to call its own

At the very least just have the Naval assault unit in RGF just be the Marines

[drowsy furnace]

Or crazy idea, you dont and make their amphibious unit a sub faction of russia and give them shit like T-80BVs, Ka-27s, BMP-3s and so on

It really doesnt affect you at all if there is Russian Naval Infantry in the game

Making them a unit is honestly idiotic when you have shit like PLAAGF

[twilit dirge]

In the Soviet era or in today’s war? Because they’re honestly one of the most underrated forces right now literally carrying two of the most successful fronts in current 'times', 'seen' mostly using BTR-82ATs, AK-105s, and the new AK-12K. Sadly, we probably won’t see them in Squad, since they’re a bit too modern for the game’s timeline

[rigid mesa]

In the years before the current conflict. I rather vividly remember them using both antiquated camos and small arms as recently as like 2020

[gilded stirrup]

I think at the most the Amphibious assault unit for the RGF should be overhauled to their Naval infantry

[drowsy furnace]

It should be yes, meaning it would be like a sub faction of Russian factions like VDV

[gilded stirrup]

But that'd imply it'd have more units though

[drowsy furnace]

So? They dont take up a lot of file space

All of this doesnt affect you as a player at all

Making something out of nothing

[gilded stirrup]

Aight

[gilded stirrup]

I guess you have a point but I wouldnt hyped for this faction at all

[hybrid whale]

They cannot have more units without heavily overlapping with RGF. They can replace the RGF amphibious assault unit, but besides this any other faction would be redundant, as they have mostly the same vehicles.

[drowsy furnace]

So what if there is overlap?

[hybrid whale]

Whats the purpose of two battlegroups which are either very similar, or one being straight up better?

[drowsy furnace]

New vics that could be added to RNI: T-80BV, BMP-3F, BT-3F, 9P149 Shturm-S, Ka-29TB, Ka-27

New weapons:

• Modernized AKM with Zentico (Pushco) parts
• AK-74M with Zenitco (Pushco) parts
• for both new PA 1-4x variable optic
• AK-74 and AKS-74 with plum furniture, new optics for it EKP-1S-03, PK-A and not so new 1P29 and GP-30 instead of GP-25
• SVDS with a bipod
• Mix of RGO and RGD grenades
• New smoke grenade GRD
• RPG-22
• RPG-30

[hybrid whale]

So basically RGF with better vehicles and infantry equipment.

[drowsy furnace]

See this is why i fucking hate the faction units

[drowsy furnace]

But pretty much yes

You could limit them to amphibious, air assault, light inf and mechanized units only

[hybrid whale]

Sure, but whats the point of picking regular RGF or even VDV then? Their units would become pretty much obsolete.

[drowsy furnace]

Like i said this is the issue of faction units

You could have these factions locked to specific regions really

Or to layers

Like idk amohibious invasion layer you can only pick RNI

Invasion on Yeho you can pick between VDV and RGF

[hybrid whale]

The problem is not the faction system per se, but having multiple subfactions of the same armed forces. For USMC this kind of makes sense because they and US army are redundant IRL, but VDV and RNI, or PLA and PLAAGF should be the same faction, with no overlapping battlegroups.

So RGF could be like: Air assault (VDV), amphibious assault (RNI), Armored, Mechanized (RGF), motorized (RNI), Light Inf (VDV)

[drowsy furnace]

If it was up to me, I would have more maps in general and no faction units at all

Just factions locked to maps

[hybrid whale]

This is also an option.

[drowsy furnace]

So they also feel unique just because they are not available on every map

And up 4 versions of each mode, for example on AAS, AAS Large 9 caps with first 2 precapped, AAS Standard 7 caps with first caps precapped, AAS Small 5 caps and AAS Infantry 3-4 caps

[twilit dirge]

My first mention for russian naval infantry was meant to be an ironical statement. Turned out it became serious now

[twilit dirge]

But.. rgf are not even the same branch as vdv.. the current structure is good enough.. only plaagf that is problematic

[rigid mesa]

I would not have the after-market improved AKs (mainly because I think those would be a better fit for a “2022-onward” Russian faction)

I would also limit optics to more antiquated models

I also don’t remember them using 7.62x39 AKs before recently. They were poor but I don’t think they’re that poor.

[drowsy furnace]

Antiques models? Kobra sight is freaking old, 1P29 aswell and so is PK-A

Only one relatively new optic would be PA 1-4x

[rigid mesa]

I think of them only the 1p29 was adopted in significant numbers by the Soviet/Russian Army, no?

[drowsy furnace]

And that is from 2017

[drowsy furnace]

Contracted soldiers are able to buy optics

[rigid mesa]

Fair

[drowsy furnace]

Just so we are clear im not saying their primary optic would be PA 1-4x it would be exclusive to SLs since they are senior roles

[rigid mesa]

I feel like optics in general should be exclusive to roles

[gilded stirrup]

Regardless, @median pendant what was your plans for each of these factions?

[median pendant]

So what I was thinking was to have Three distinct factions

all Conventional

"Arab League"

Small Arms
General-purpose Machine Guns:

• MG3
• M60E6
  Light Machine Guns:
• M249
  Designated Marksman Rifles:
• M110
• H&K SPG1
  Battle Rifles:
• H&K G3
  Assault Rifles:
• AUG A2/A3
  Submachine Guns:
• H&K MP5
  Pistols:
• SIG Sauer P226
  Knives:
• G3 Bayonet
  Grenades:
• M67 Fragmentation Grenade
• M18 Smoke Grenade
  Grenade Launchers:
• M203
  Rocket Launchers:
• RPG-7
• RPG-32
• M72 LAW
• AT4

Implacements
Heavy Machine Guns:

• M2
  Automatic Grenade Launchers
• AGS-30
  Mortars
• M29
  ATGM’s
• BGM-71 TOW

Vehicles
Main Battle Tanks:

• M1A2S
• M60A3
  Mobile Gun Systems:
• AML-90
  Infantry Fighting Vehicles:
• M2A2
  Armored Personnel Carriers:
• M113
  Mobile Artillery/Mortar Vehicles:
• AML-60
  Infantry Mobility Vehicles:
• Humvee
  Logistic Vehicles:
• FMTV
  Air Strike Aircraft:
• F-15S
  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles:
• CAIG Wing Loong II
  Transport Helicopters:
• UH-60L
  Boats:
• RHIB

The Arab League is a fictionalized faction based on the real life Arab League. They are a Western back but independent faction. Taking inspiration from primarily Morocco's, Tunisia's, and Saudi Arabia's military equipment.

[median pendant]

The Iranian Army and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard have old/modified Soviet & British cold war era equipment. The Iranian Army being more focused on unique armor while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is more tailored towards infantry gameplay.

[gilded stirrup]

I like the ideas of the AUGs being their main thing but the rest comes off as another US faction

I think some more Jordanian equipment would help it feel more unique

[hybrid whale]

Iran and Republican Guard should basically use the equipment they have now, only the vehicles should be changed against more western ones.

Your idea for the Arab League is also decent, but I think it uses too many existing assets. It seems like a wasted opportunity to me to not introduce new weapons to the game.

[gilded stirrup]

I think the IRGC should use AK-103s and what not

[stray warren]

The MEA should've been and should be Iran, plain and simple. My dislike of fictional factions cannot be understated. It just seems wildly inconsistent to have an emphasis on authenticity, portray so many other nations as factions, and then randomly decide that one of the few REDFOR/anti-west nations that exist today is made into a random fictional force.

"iT wAs A tHrOwBaCk To ThE MeC fRoM Bf2 aNd Pr!!!11"

I don't care; I really don't. I think it was dumb back then and it's dumb now.

I even made this to show how the creation and addition of an actual Iran faction would differ from the existing MEA had/if OWI decided to have the two coexist.

[median pendant]

You did a good job, but some of that equipment is too new to be within the 2010 - 2020 time frame

[median pendant]

Iranian Army

Small Arms
General-purpose Machine Guns:

• MGA3
• PKT
  Light Machine Guns:
• RPK
  Designated Marksman Rifles:
• SVD
  Battle Rifles:
• G3A4
• G3A6
  Assault Rifles:
• KLT
  Submachine Guns:
• MPT9
  Pistols:
• PC-9 Zoaf
  Knives:
• G3 Bayonet
  Grenades:
• F1 Grenade
• M18 Smoke Grenade
  Grenade Launchers:
• M79
  Rocket Launchers:
• RPG-7
• RPG-29
  Mines:
• TM62
• SZ-1

Implacements
Heavy Machine Guns:

• MGD 12.7
  Automatic Grenade Launchers:
• Kaveh-30
  Mortars:
• Podnos 82mm
  ATGM’s:
• Toophan

Vehicles
Main Battle Tanks:

• T-72S
• Mobarez
  Mobile Gun Systems:
• Sayyad ATGM
• Sayyad 77
• Tosan 90
  Infantry Fighting Vehicles:
• Heidar-6
• Heidar-7
• Tosan 30
  Mobile Anti-Air Vehicles:
• Sedad BTR-60PB ZU-23-2
  Armored Personnel Carriers:
• BTR-50
  Infantry Mobility Vehicles:
• Safir Jeep
• Safir Jeep PKT
• Safir Jeep MGD 12.7
  Logistic Vehicles:
• Neynava
  Air Strike Aircraft:
• SU-25 Grach
  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles:
• Pchela-1T
  Helicopters:
• Bell 214A/214C
  Boats:
• RHIB
• RHIB PKT
• RHIB MGD 12.7

The Iranian Army being much more focused on Vehicles.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps

Small Arms
General-purpose Machine Guns:

• MGA3
• PKT
  Light Machine Guns:
• RPK
  Sniper Rifles:
• AM-50
  Designated Marksman Rifles:
• SVD
  Battle Rifles:
• H&K G3A4
• H&K G3A6
  Assault Rifles:
• KLT
• AK-133
  Submachine Guns:
• MPT9
  Pistols:
• FN Hi-Power
  Knives:
• G3 Bayonet
  Grenades:
• F1 Grenade
• M18 Smoke Grenade
  Grenade Launchers:
• GP-25
• M79
  Rocket Launchers:
• RPG-7
• RPG-29
• M47 Dragoon
  Mines:
• TM62
• SZ-1

Implacements
Heavy Machine Guns:

• MGD 12.7
  Automatic Grenade Launchers:
• Kaveh-30
  Mortars:
• Podnos 82mm
  ATGM’s:
• M40
• Toophan

Vehicles
Main Battle Tanks:

• T-72S
• T-72Z
  Mobile Gun Systems:
• Safir Jeep 107
• Safir Jeep ATGM
• Safir Jeep M40
  Infantry Fighting Vehicles:
• BMP-1
• BMP-2
  Mobile Anti-Air Vehicles:
• Sedad (BTR-60PB ZU-23-2)
  Armored Personnel Carriers:
• BTR-50
  Infantry Mobility Vehicles:
• Safir Jeep
• Toofan (MRAP)
• Toofan (MRAP) PKT
• Toofan (MRAP) MGD 12.7
  Logistic Vehicles:
• Neynava
  Air Strike Aircraft:
• SU-25 Grach
  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles:
• Pchela-1T
  Helicopters:
• Mi-8/17
  Boats:
• RHIB
• RHIB PKT
• RHIB MGD 12.7

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard being more focused on Infantry.

Sorry for the wall of text ~

[median pendant]

So all the three factions that I propose will still have the G3 Battle Rifles, that were distinct of the MEA.

[gilded stirrup]

I'm gonna be honest here, I like the MEA

Even with a lot of the stuff presented here I don't really think breaking it up to make a bunch of similar playing factions is all that good of an idea

Cause then wed end up with a bunch of derivative factions

[rigid mesa]

Don’t the Iranians make significant use of Chinese M16 copies

[median pendant]

Not significant in the 2010 - 2020

[rigid mesa]

I see

[median pendant]

Also, I'll like to say that I don't mind fictional factions as long as they're based on real associations or alliance; like Arab League, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, European Union, Alliance of Sahel States, or East African Federation

[gilded stirrup]

No Karrar?

[gilded stirrup]

Except for European nations for some reason

[median pendant]

That Tank is either too few in number compared to the other tanks, or is too new

or both

Places like Iran, North Korea, and Russia make these "new equipment" but turn out to be so impractical or fake

[gilded stirrup]

You thats what the Heidar 6 is right?

Right?

[median pendant]

no

[gilded stirrup]

They havent made more than a couple of them

[median pendant]

It's a BMP-1 Turret on top of a BTR-60

[gilded stirrup]

Yes and the Karrar is a (relatively) upgraded T-72

[median pendant]

okay I'm on the wiki

less than 100 Karrar

Acquired in 2021

[gilded stirrup]

I think thats fair to give to the IRGC

[median pendant]

people yell all the time that it needs to be in the 2010 - 2020 time line ~

[gilded stirrup]

Thats true, though theres some things that should be allowed to slide like the Sprut and what not

[median pendant]

I think the Sprut was addopted in 2018 - 2019

but like only 12 of them were in service

It's weird

[gilded stirrup]

Look I think its a fair suggestion to prevent a hypothgetical IRGC and an Iranian Army faction from feeling the same

[median pendant]

okay, I'm open to suggestions

however, I'm trying to give the Iranian Army unique vehicles

and I'm trying to give the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps more unique small arms

I'm sure a lot of the equipment IRL isn't exclusive to one or the other... but that's just how I'm trying to make the two differ

Like I'll take the M40 away from the Army and just leave it for the IRGC

[gilded stirrup]

Okay so I think the army should have the M40

But I def think the IRGC should have the M47 Dragoon

And minus the G3s

They should also have Irans coppy of the P226

[median pendant]

The army does

[gilded stirrup]

Why?

[median pendant]

It says on the wiki that it's adopted by the army and police... not the IRGC

[gilded stirrup]

I see

[median pendant]

PC-9 Zoaf

[median pendant]

I don't even know what that is

[gilded stirrup]

So the M47 Dragoon was essentially the US's infantry portable ATGM before the Javelin

But it was Wire guided

[median pendant]

I already have the Toophan for both factions

[gilded stirrup]

Okay?

And this isnt an emplacement in this games traditional sense

Its essentially an emplacement that can be placed down anywhere

[median pendant]

actually

that'd be really cool

like a HAT kit that has that

[gilded stirrup]

Exactly

[rigid mesa]

Maybe instead of the RPK either the army or IRGC could rock an RPD?

Wait, does Iran use the RPD? I know atleast one middle eastern country seems to like them and I remember it being Iran but I could be wrong

[gilded stirrup]

Yeah

[halcyon zenith]

I think we can go 1 step more Dumb

[median pendant]

...but we already did

[stray warren]

Thanks.

My intent was to differ as much as possible from the MEA as whenever Iran is brought up all I ever hear is "wE hAvE ThE mEa!!1" or "tHe MeA iS iRaN!!!1".

I wanted to illustrate that both the MEA and an Iranian faction could exist in the game. That meant adding weapons and vehicles that aren't used in large numbers, but as we know OWI plays it fast and loose as to what is and isn't acceptible in this regard.

[gilded stirrup]

https://www.rxddit.com/r/joinsquad/comments/1ls2jgc/say_hello_to_mea_or_iran/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Damn okay then

[stray warren]

Just got done making a comment there. Love to see it, I really hope it's real and coming to the game and not just SDK shenanigans.

[hybrid whale]

Could be real, could be some remnants from early MEA concepts. Like the woodland uniform variant.

[gilded stirrup]

I hope it aint itd be a shame to see the faction go

[median pendant]

The only thing I'll miss is the BRDM-2 & MT-LB with the UB-32 rockets

Everything else is replaceable

...I'll miss the BMP-1 with stabilization and the RWS on the T-62... but yeah everything else is replaceable

[stray warren]

You like the fictional shit?

[hybrid whale]

It wont be gone, only renamed. It does not really fit the official description of MEA anyway. I would rather make it Iran, and add a proper MEA later.

[gilded stirrup]

Yeah and I'm tired of pretending that it's bad

[languid bloom]

epic

[gilded stirrup]

It's not cause it means their probably gonna go after the insurgents next and fill the game with like 5 insurgent factions that play the same

[median pendant]

okay no need to go crazy

[gilded stirrup]

They're definitely next at the very least and I don't know how to feel about it

[median pendant]

They just renamed them to the Middle Eastern Insurgents

[rigid mesa]

I can’t wait for African and Southeast Asian insurgents

[drowsy furnace]

There should be multiple INS/IMF type factions for each region

[gilded stirrup]

I'm fine with that

I'm talking multiple ME insurgents

That some people have been requesting

[drowsy furnace]

Since MEI is locked to middle eastern maps why not add more minor Insurgents factions that fit the theme of the maps

Like on Sanxian, south east asian insurgent faction would be a nice fit for it

[gilded stirrup]

I ain't against that

[median pendant]

NOT saying that their should be an MEI/IMF faction for every region... but lets say For Example the Middle Eastern Insurgents can be played on maps located in North Africa, Middle East, and Central Asia... Irregular Militia Forces can be played in Western Europe and Eastern Europe... African War Lord Forces can be played on West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa maps... Southeast Rebel Forces can be played on maps located in South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania... Latin American Private Army can be played on Central America, Caribbean, and South America maps... and that basically covers all possible locations

[drowsy furnace]

No we going full PR, 2 versions of middle eastern insurgents ones based on syrian and iraq insurgents and other based on taliban

For middle eastern militia type you have many groups that can be used as reference

Then for maps set in Africa we get african rebels

[median pendant]

Who doesn't want to play as an African War Lord?

[gilded stirrup]

That's what I'm against

[median pendant]

You just need 5 fictional unconventional factions in the game, to cover most map biomes in a convincing way

7 or possibly 9 fictional unconventional factions if you want to include PMC's

[gilded stirrup]

I mean it should be a cartel instead of a private army for latin america but yeah

I like this idea cause it doesnt create two ME insurgents that both play in the Middle east

[drowsy furnace]

Against what?

[gilded stirrup]

Having two ME insurgents factions

that both serve the same funtion

[drowsy furnace]

They dont, they server to be map restricted and have bette immersion

You can alter the roles a bit too

It doesnt affect you as a player at all

Its just a different look that fits the region

Like having USMC with desert and woodland camo

[median pendant]

Different cammo/clothing/skins is definitely feasible as you point out... but I'm not sure having different loadouts for factions/units based on the map is... I'm not 100% against this idea, but I'm not excited about it either

[gilded stirrup]

Exactly

Its faction bloat

Like the stupid PLAAGF

[median pendant]

Yeah that fictional faction needs to go

It doesn't exist

[drowsy furnace]

Its not a bloat if they are region/map exclusive

Its for the more authentic look

Issue with PLAAGF is the fact that they take all the worst parts of PLANMC and give them the “good” camo and still let both sub factions available to the same maps

[gilded stirrup]

Okay? I dont really see how having Al Queada or ISIS as seprate factions would help the game

If owi could find a way to make it so that the insurgents simply look different on some maps that fine

But we dont need a whole seprate faction

[hybrid whale]

This is not an issue when they are biome locked.

[median pendant]

Can you clarify?

Like I think one MEI faction that covers maps located in North Africa, Middle East, and Central Asia (with different skins/cammo based on the map) is fine.

If you're talking about having three MEI; one for North Africa, another one for the Middle East, and another one for Central Asia (all with different kit's and vehicles)... I think that's unnecessary

[median pendant]

unless if you're talking about this?

[gilded stirrup]

Im fine with it being a skin yeah

Like Dongie said with Marines having different models for desert and woodland maps

[median pendant]

like the Middle Eastern Insurgents, Irregular Militia Forces, the suggested African War Lord Forces, Latin American Private Army, and Southeast Rebel Force all fill a similar role... but will have different kits and equipment and try to have different play styles

[drowsy furnace]

Again you as a player do not get affected by it at all, that being a separate faction or sub faction of middle eastern insurgents since its locked to region/map

Thats not faction bloat

Faction bloat is making every new faction available to every map

And i never said add ISIS or AQ

They can be inspired by them but not name dropped

Instead of looking at it as a new faction you can look at it as a minor faction or sub faction that is tied to a map/region

[barren timber]

ppl really be replace this bloat this when all we want is some damn aesthetics smh

I hope MEA didn't get replaced and that the screen shot is just the old woodland textures

theres nothing wrong with having afghanistan inspired insurgents and iraqi / syrian insurgents as you could change up the weapons as much as you want and give them a certain vibe. For example for the iraqi insurgents you can have older weapons like the STG and DP27 or whatever while for the taliban inspired ones you could give them the classic afghani robe with chicoms and give them older western ww2 stuff like lee enfields.

[jolly basin]

MEA should be replaced, atm that faction is basically Iranian army-lite, a true MEA faction should be an amalgamation of several different Arab armies

[barren timber]

Not in the way it is rn

Uniform is all wrong

[jolly basin]

Atm MEA is an odd amalgamation, but most of their equipment are similar to that of the Iranian army, the devs should just turn the current MEA into Iran and then develop a proper MEA faction not limited to Iranian/Iraqi equipment

[barren timber]

u dont see the vision mec was the same shit in pr and it was glorious

[jolly basin]

MEC had far more modern vehicles compared to the MEA, to me the MEA should at least reflect a combined Arab army rather than being a confused spiritual successor faction to the MEC

[gilded stirrup]

I guess

[stray warren]

So, I am curious, why do you want fictional content in a game that strives for and emphasizes authenticity?

In a world where essentially every game developer is shying away from portraying real-world content (everything from weapons models, weapon names, vehicle models, vehicle names, faction names, country names, among other things) Offworld is the sole developer that is making a game like Squad that isn't scrubbing everything.

I am extremely grateful for OWI doing this as military history, militaria, and geopolitics are my bread and butter. Games that I grew up with and absolutely adored (Battlefield and Call of Duty) have effectively sanitized their current iterations of these authenticity aspects.

I also feel like I need to note; authenticity=/=realism.

[hybrid whale]

When you go to the Wikipedia equipment list and take the most modern / SF equipment of Iraq, Egypt and perhaps the gulf states you get a very unique faction with stuff that would not fit any other real faction.

[hybrid whale]

Because 90% of real life factions are boring or not worth adding. Especially in the middle east everyone uses the same equipment that is already used by multiple other ingame factions, so it makes no sense to add them. Creating a fictional alliance with unique and more high tech equipment, which is not standard issue IRL, results in a much more interesting faction.

We already have a fictional WW3 game setting where all ingame alliances do a free for all for no reason, so having multiple smaller powers form an alliance in this situations is not unauthentic at all.

[hybrid whale]

This is the MEA ingame description:

"The MEA is a military organisation formed out of the need to coordinate resources and defense policy between a number of aligned nations in the region. Their use of well-trained indigenous personnel and stockpiles of foreign armament means that they are well adapted to fighting against the most technologically advanced of opponents"

So basically an alliance of arab states of that region, for example Egypt or Iraq, but build around imported and more modern weapon systems they have access to IRL. Ingame it could look like this:

Example Egypt MEA Motorized Battlegroup:

Vehicles:
MBT: M1A1
Wheeled APC: BMR-600 .50cal or MG3
ATGM Vehicle: FOX Swingfire
Utility: HMMVW
Scout Car: Commando Scout

Small Arms:
Egypt currently uses various Czech weapons for its SF, but many of them are candidates to replace standard issue weapons. For its alliance battlegroup egypt issued this equipmet ahead of time:

Rifle: CZ-805 5.56mm & CZ-807 7.62mm (candidates for next service rifle)
MMG: M60
SMG: CZ Scorpion EVO 3
Pistol: CZ75 (Service Pistol)
LAT: AT4
HAT: Carl Gustav

Example Jordanian MEA Armored Battlegroup:

Vehicles:

MBT Leclerc
Wheeled TD: B1 Centauro
IFV: Marder 1A3
Recon Tank: Scorpion
APC: YPR-765

Infantry Weapons:

Rifle: G36C
LMG: HK-21E
MMG: M240
SMG: UMP-9
Pistol: Caracal

Example Iraqi MEA Combined Arms Battlegroup:

Vehicles:

MBT: T-90S
Tracked IFV: BMP-3
Wheeled IFV: BTR-4
MRAP: M1117 (open top)

Infantry Weapons:

Rifle: K2C carbine
Pistol: Tariq
SMG: FB Glauberyt
MGs: MG3 and M249

[jolly basin]

Definitely, you've elaborated on what I have been thinking of quite well. The MEA being a combined faction consisting of multiple nations' militaries allows for lots of unique weapons and vehicles to be used, heck they can even have a dozen battlegroups based on the different militaries. Their potential is theoretically limitless wrt diversity of equipment

[barren timber]

that is true... MEA did kinda suck in squad. They really do need some BULK in their models, beards, eyewear, etc for them to look epic like their mec predecessors. New body armor more variety in their kit, etc. They really did need an overhaul akin to the IMF one.

[gilded stirrup]

Yes I like fictional factions as it allows for more creativty and flexibilty for a faction

[gilded stirrup]

Regardless Im liking the ideas some other people are presenting here

[rigid mesa]

I would recommend also keeping the G3s as options. They’re used pretty widely by middle eastern militaries still iirc.

[gilded stirrup]

I guess but if the current MEA is gonna become Iran, then Iran will be the G3 faction

[rigid mesa]

Maybe just have them be a choice for rifleman or grenadier and maybe a DMR based on a G3 while Iran gets them in more wide usage

[gilded stirrup]

That's probably the best option

[drowsy furnace]

While i like the stuff you suggested id still like it more to have real nations as conventional forces

[hybrid whale]

Re-adding MEA would only be worth it to get weapons and vehicle which are not used by any potential real faction into the game.

If we can get real faction with this stuff, MEA is not needed.

[gilded stirrup]

Honestly besides vehicles the main infantry weapons the Saudis and UAE use aren't all that interesting, just more M4s and AKs (and even then Saudi vehicles are all just US ones so that's why it's mostly UAE and Jordanian vehicles on there)

[acoustic current]

I LOVE the MEA

Yeah their weapons are mid but such a cool and unique faction

[barren timber]

PR is actually adding Iran so Iran and MEA wouldn’t be that weird to have in the same game lol

Just give MEA more Arab representation

Like Jordan uae etc

[drowsy furnace]

What???

[gilded stirrup]

The Saudis also use those guns

Iran also uses the ak-103

Its funny that both Iran and Saudi arabia essentially keep adopting the same rifles

Yes

[drowsy furnace]

Yeah i know what PR is, i didnt know they are adding Iran

[drowsy furnace]

In PR?

You just confused me because he was talking about PR adding Iran not Squad, Squad for a while had the KLS for MEA

There is already stuff that players found in SDK with MEA being changed to use the Iran emblem and flag on uniforms and vehicles and new camo

Yeah thats it

Its from UE5 SDK

[barren timber]

Indeed

[median pendant]

All I basically did was combine the most used and common weapons between Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia to make a fictionalized Armed Forces for the Arab League

[gilded stirrup]

Oh my god he's gone

[acoustic current]

rip to the MEA?

[halcyon zenith]

Cant wait for Cambodia

[valid hollow]

Rip MEA

[valid hollow]

Yes

[stray warren]

Can I please get a confirmation? The anticipation is killing me!

[drowsy furnace]

Its in UE5 SDK MEA was changes to be Iran

[valid hollow]

Squad keeps on getting worse 😭

[drowsy furnace]

K

Literally the same faction just a different name

[valid hollow]

Dif camo

[drowsy furnace]

Wow

[valid hollow]

And prob removal of the MEA icon

The new camo looks bad

[drowsy furnace]

K

It really doesnt but what ever you say

[gilded stirrup]

I do agree with that

Iran is not the best when it comes to camos lol

There's always way too vibrant

[barren timber]

It’s just a lazy way to make Iran smh. Completely fictional uniforms with the only thing being right is the camouflage. On top of that they would be missing all the crazy Iranian copies

[drowsy furnace]

k

[median pendant]

Do you really think that they're just going to stop with a namae change and camo re-textures?

Just because they didn't drop everything you want to see with the changes at one time, doesn't mean that they aren't working on changes for them in the future

[stray warren]

I downloaded the Public Testing version of the Squad SDK (UE5) there is no additional reference to Iran. No names, no flags, no vehicles, no tags, nothing.

The only thing was what u/CC_ACV posted on Reddit.

Just found out there is someplace else people are seeing things...

[median pendant]

Welll

I just hope they give Iran some of those British Cold War vehicles

and those BTR-60's with weird turrets

[gilded stirrup]

Hopefully we get an FV101

Would essentially be a more protected SPG techie

But they're probably gonna have to get rid of the T-62

[jolly basin]

itll be a good opportunity to add in more command assets like shahed drones and the like for other factions, but i doubt thatll ever happen

[median pendant]

idk if they used those back in 2016~

[gilded stirrup]

Yeah the Shahed is a fairly new drone

[jolly basin]

i was under the impression that theyre willing to use newer assets, but if its staying true to the timeframe then most likely it wont work

[valid hollow]

RIP

best faction

Hopefully they don’t fuck up Ukraine

And make it pre 2022

[gilded stirrup]

Judging by the Images of the SLs Ukraine seems to be pre invasion

MM14 and Mk6 helmets

AK mags visible on the Plate Carriers

[valid hollow]

Yeah

That’s why I am looking forward to seeing Kozaks and BTR-4s instead of Bradleys n Shit

M113s and Humvees would be alright but pls no Western weapons

(Humvees make sense with Dshk)

[gilded stirrup]

Hoping its all mostly domestic Ukrainian Gear

[valid hollow]

Yup

[rigid mesa]

I thought they got the Mk 6s after the conflict started

[rigid mesa]

Personally I wouldn't mind a Bradley in like a mechanized unit

It's definitely one of the more iconic vehicles of the war and if they have Humvees which really made themselves known in Ukrainian service from the conflict they may as well have a Bradley atleast somewhere

[gilded stirrup]

They had them post 2014

[valid hollow]

Nah

BMP-1s, BMP-1TS, BMP-2s, BTR-4E, BTR-80 should be the stuff they get

and leave BTR-3 for Future Airborne faction Like with the VDV or Marines (sub factions)

[stray warren]

Russian Naval Infantry to go alongside the VDV and RGF.

[valid hollow]

Nah

[rigid mesa]

They could primarily get those and have a Bradley for a single unit

[rigid mesa]

I think a proper Donbabwe militia faction armed with a mixture of Russian and positively ancient surplus would be better imo

Or maybe the TDF as a counterpart to them

That would be fun

DP-27 with red dot sight

[jolly basin]

a wagner/russian sponsored pmc would also be interesting, could have a mix of poverty tier equipment, guccied out weapons and heavy armor

[rigid mesa]

I thought Wagner was rocking pretty tricked out stuff until 2022 and that’s when they began arming people with anything they could get

Personally I think for Ruskie poors should be split into the Naval Infantry as an impoverished conventional faction and Donbass rebels as insurgents

[gilded stirrup]

https://discord.com/channels/91294111071469568/1340142701366083718