All SW: Battlefront players Please Read!

[The_Divided]

After playing battle front all weekend, I must say that any reservations that I had about the game have been completely wiped away. Don't get me wrong, I can totally see why people don't like it (after playing my first few online games with GP I hated it too), but after spending a weekend with some of the fine AGErs of this forum I started to see the potential greatness of Battlefront.

I have seen many people complain about what Lucas Arts or Pandemic didn't put into the game. These types of complaints are NOT the purpose of this post. Instead, I want to open communcation up for way that we (as game players) can highten the online experiance, and increase the quality of the combat. I will propose a couple ideas, and hope to here any and all feedback.

If there was ever a game on the XBOX to remind me of Ender's Game, then Battlefront is it. This brings me to my first point. One thing that I think any large scale battle needs is a commander. This may seem trival, but a single player could prone in some corner of the battlefield and press the "back" button to view the map. From there, a team would have a certralization of orders to be made and followed. Having someone with a global view of the battlefield will allow strategies to be formed and decisions to be made that will benifit the team as a whole. (There were a couple of occasion where I was stuck in a duel with other players, only to find that once the duel of over we lost all be one control point). Sometimes it might be better to sacrifice a single control point now for the benifit of saving the other three. Commanders could also be help determine what types of units are needed and where they should spawn. I feel that battles could turn with the use of commanders. I also feel that people who are a bit overwhelmed by the size of the battlefield (and don't know what to do) would get more enjoyment out of game by following the orders of more experiance players.

The second thing is understanding the maps. I have seen people talking about this before. After play this weekend I totally understand why. My friend has the PC version of this game. I will be more than happy to take screenshotes of each map and label the command points. I don't know if there is anyway to post them on this forum, but I'm hoping that someone could help me out. These maps would not only serve as command post locators, but also as a way to create strategies on how to navigate each map.

Lastly, I want to mention the need for specialists. These are pilots, snipers, sweepers, tank busters, and anything else that I forgot to mention. Just like being a command is a skill of its own. I great team will have a balance of people that have a varity of skill. These don't have to be formal established positions, but it would help everyone else to know what you what your biggest strength is. This would also help determine which units you should focus on learning inside and out. I know this seems limiting, but maybe we could get in a rotation of learning different positions (or even developing new ones).

In closing, I feel that Battlefront is more than a game; it's a sport. Being such, it requires a little organization to keep up the game play. I'm sure some of you might feel that this is too much commitment for a game that will only last until Halo 2 or GR2. To that, I say these games will require the same organization to true be effective. Why not start now?

I also think that this forum will be a good place to center some clans around. Maybe even set up some competitions with the other gaming sites?

Sorry for the length of this post. Let me know what you think.

Divided

[The Empty Way]

I've not been able to play the game as much as I had hoped since getting it, but I do dig it (accepting that certain issues exist and may or may not be fixed). The depth when approached with a more serious, organized effort as you've described is the factor I think that is the attainable true blast the game holds in store for us. On its surface, it is a blast for so many reasons of course, but indeed there is much more to it.

Being one who enjoys a variety of gaming and sometimes I can betime handicapped (sound familiar to anyone else here? lol), it might take a while for me (and/or some of us)to go up the learning curve. Just some more sheer time in this game for all of us will illuminate more and more the variable tacticsto deploy that will give the experience an intensity beyond our current enjoyment.

It is fun to just jump into, but the depth is there to be had for an even more rewarding experience.It will happen. :smt004

[Porphyria Plan]

I always like more depth, cooperation, and strategy.

It would be interesting to see how a "commander" would be put into SW:BF and how it would play out. So many times I wished someone, anyone would be able to give direction to the team. They would have to know each team member though and the strengths and weaknesses but if a way to indicate "specialists" was made that was easy then this could make that task a lot easier.

The specialistswill require everyone to learn or be reminded (maybe through forums?) of what each of our most used classes are. For example I typically pilot, Rocket L/mines, or spawn hop (combination of pilot or jetpack classes that move around the map capturing undefended or lightly defended command centers). But I can play any class with at least some skill. Most people don't know that I play that way and when I try to explain in game it gets hectic too quick for a coordinated effort. What really stomps the other team is when a few of use who have played together for a while get on the same team. Everyone quickly gets in their "roles" and the map is taken before the other team knows it.


I don't know if there is anyway to post them on this forum, but I'm hoping that someone could help me out.

It can be done. We have a thread around here somewhere that has RB63 maps. If you have the SS you can host it at www.photobucket.com (http://www.photobucket.com) for free and post up here.

There maybe be an issue with hardcore vs. casual gamers as Empty may have eluded to. Some people just don't want that kind of gameplay. Then there becomes an issue with teams becoming lopsided in regards to skill and no fun for the casual/uncoordinated guys.

I don't want to sound pessimistic. Just would like to see some of your ideas happen and I am trying to figure out the hurdles ahead of time.

[Sharky]

The Divided,

I definitly would like to get some PC scren shots of the maps. I was planning on hand drawing them tonight, but if you could do that, it would save me a lot of time. Send them to afrench2@nc.rr.com once you get them and I will post them in here. We can edit them to show named spawn locations and points of interest to help us with coordination.

Porph, I will start collecting pictures of all the seperates factions/classes and make a little tutorial showing each fighters stregths/weaknesses. You want to help me with that? If you find some good pictures, send them to my email.





Thanks for the offer!

Sharky

[Porphyria Plan]

You want to help me with that? If you find some good pictures, send them to my email.

You know I would.

[The_Divided]

This is what I was talking about. As for casual players, I'm not saying that we shouldn't have a pickup match every once in a while. I just think that it would be a real shame for this game to go down the tubes, because no stated what many of us are thinking. If the people who really see the potential of this game put together a "survival guide" of sorts, we could have a standard for everyone that is interest in stragic, tachtical, gameplay. Based on the banwidth requirements, it is not as though we need are large group of people to max out a server.

Sharky, I will screen capture each of the PC maps tonight. We can then divide them up and lable them.

[Sharky]

Sharky, I will screen capture each of the PC maps tonight. We can then divide them up and lable them.

Sounds like a plan.

[MetalSiren]

I dont like to give orders, so I will be the "Take it up the ass man" (Guess that doesnt sound so good, but ohh well).

As long as I get to kill people.,...... its alright.



:goatlove1

:)

[Sharky]

Anyone that wants to, please list the faction names ( ie. Rebels) / class names (ie. Jet Trooper) / weapons they have (primary/secondary). This will help speed up this process a lot.

Also, start listing the stregths and weaknesses of each soldier that you have found. Once we get all the info in here, me and Porph will start organizing it to put in a Stretegy Guide for all of us to use..... along with the maps Divided will be working on.

[Vampire 33]

I will test my playing strengths out tonight. I know I tend to jump between a pilot, a sniper, and a wookie quite often. When one is needed, I become a vanguard or it's equivalent, to help blow up the vehicles. I will post more tomorrow on my findings.

[Anonymous]

My own little suggestion would simply be that the FC (Field Commander) might want to take on the Pilot class. Reason being, they could seat themselves comfortably in an AT-AT or one of those walking tanks on the Clone War levels and be afforded a command post that they would be able to continuously repair, simply by being seated in it. Even if it's sitting in the passenger's seat (or cargo area in the larger vehicles), they'd have a positive effect on the vehicle and not have to worry about getting sniped every minute or two.

[Anonymous]

I will be the Bean to someone's Ender.

[Anonymous]

Great stuff Divided!

Now, not wanting to toot my own horn or nothing, but I have found myself to be one hell of a starfighter pilot! :smt003



I think in some of the maps (DUne Sea and Cloud CIty) air superioroty is key! We need to get more pilots in the sky working in co-ordination with the ground forces.

[The_Divided]

My own little suggestion would simply be that the FC (Field Commander) might want to take on the Pilot class. Reason being, they could seat themselves comfortably in an AT-AT or one of those walking tanks on the Clone War levels and be afforded a command post that they would be able to continuously repair, simply by being seated in it. Even if it's sitting in the passenger's seat (or cargo area in the larger vehicles), they'd have a positive effect on the vehicle and not have to worry about getting sniped every minute or two.

I was also thinking that a FC could be scout for the recon droid and orbital strike! Does anyone know if ammo droid will refill scout with another recond droid?

[Anonymous]

I am all for this. I like different units for the different teams. Super droid for CIS, pilot for rebels, sniper for any, jet troopers for clones and empire. I make a decent wookie to.



John

Hairybubblegum



Edit Yes it refills all ammo. I once got 52 kills with just laying my scout next to a ammo droid and sending it to masses of troops and killing them in 3's and 4s.

[Porphyria Plan]

Got all the classes and just need to move on to equipment and then strengths and weaknesses.

[Anonymous]

I was also thinking that a FC could be scout for the recon droid and orbital strike! Does anyone know if ammo droid will refill scout with another recond droid?



Yes, they do.

[The_Divided]

I was also thinking that a FC could be scout for the recon droid and orbital strike! Does anyone know if ammo droid will refill scout with another recond droid?



Yes, they do.



Rockin'!

[Sharky]

Divided, can you get your buddy to take screen shots of the different factions too? You know, the screen where it shows all five different soldiers before you spawn in.

[Anonymous]

Another thing I've noticed is that people don't take advantage of the air transport ships that the Republic has. Pilots should get troops packed in them and then fly them to the front lines or drop them off in the rear to take over unguarded spawn points.



Instead, people try and use them to combat faster and more maneuvarable starcraft and only succeed in wasting this valuable resource!

[Dean O]

Another thing I've noticed is that people don't take
advantage of the air transport ships that the Republic has.
Pilots should get troops packed in them and then fly them to the front
lines or drop them off in the rear to take over unguarded spawn points.



Instead,
people try and use them to combat faster and more maneuvarable
starcraft and only succeed in wasting this valuable resource!

Amen to that. I tried to get a few to join up with me in a Gunship the
other day but honestly we didn't ahve enough inthe room to really take
advantage of it. On the spire it would be awesome to take off
with two full loads and go take the spire first off at the same time
grab every droid vehicle on the map while having the remianing troops
pick off the spawns. Of course someone still has to bring up the AT TE.



Oh and on the commmander idea. It's possible that thecommander doesn't
even need to spawn to do this job. You can still commmunicate when in
the spawn selection screen and still see everyone on the map,
etc. However good this idea seems though, the downside to it all
are the problems built into the game. You either have your server
set up
as auto select teams or player select. With auto select there is no way
to lock the teams together. You hop into the room and the game is in
play almost immediately, and you can't tell who is on your team until
you check the player list. If you took the time to check all that
out and select the commander before spawning then you could be down a
few spawn points before your team ever gets on the map. If you
have a player select server you have the same issues as above with the
added problem of how do you pick teams before you get into the map and
insure that they aren't lop-sided. Without a lobby I think it will make
organizing to this degree a real problem. Hopefully a patch of
update will fix this though. It would be nice to get a good AGE team
toegther, locks the teams, then let the GP in on the other team and
decimate them.:smt002

[The_Divided]

Divided, can you get your buddy to take screen shots of the different factions too? You know, the screen where it shows all five different soldiers before you spawn in.

No Problem. As easy as 1,2,3.

[The_Divided]

It would be nice to get a good AGE team toegther, locks the teams, then let the GP in on the other team and decimate them.:smt002


Amen to THAT!!

[soul embrace]

i can hook up my xbox to my PC and take pictures of the maps, vehicles, the classes and whatever else that need to be done.

i could also write the discription of the vehicles if needed be. i will work on some of it tonight for us.

[Circ]

Here's IGN's look at the various factions, which has pics of the various units...



CIS - http://xbox.ign.com/articles/518/518276p1.html

Rebels - http://xbox.ign.com/articles/506/506844p1.html

Republic - http://xbox.ign.com/articles/534/534793p1.html

Empire - http://xbox.ign.com/articles/543/543551p1.html

[ZenReaper]

Of course someone still has to bring up the AT TE.



That would be me. :smt003

I'll bring my magic bead car seat cover. :smt002

[Sharky]

Circ, it looks like some stuff has changed since that info was posted (April2004).
For example, the Rebel Spy is not in the game anymore. We can definitly
use those links as a reference though. I thought it would be nice to do
our own though. Our first AGE Strategy Guide.... ahhhhh, Im getting all
teary eyed. :smt022


With everyone helping out, we can have this thing written up pretty quick.

[soul embrace]

hey sharky

i sent you pictures of all the characters and the bespin: Platform map
through yousendit.com. let me know if you get it and let me know if any
picts needs to be redone.

[Sharky]

Yep, got them. Make sure when you take snapshots of the maps, to do so
when they are in theirr default setting....meaning before any vehichles
have been moved, spawn area have been taken, etc. When they are in
their initial state when you first log in.



You may want to create your own server with just one slot. That way people wont get in vehichles and move around.



Also, make sure the pictures are clean. Some of them are aliased a little (streched horizontal lines)



Thanks for the help!

[Sharky]

Soull, if you are up to it, you can write the specs on the vehicles. I dont think anyone was doing that yet.

Porph is writing up the soldiers info.

[The_Divided]

Sharky, I just sent you jpegs of each map and of each charater. I only took one screen cap of each unit. So the look of the unit may be different depending on the specific map. Let me know of anything else that needs to be done.:smt100 One thing I thought would be cool is if we could customize the maps for specifiec purposes (ie Best Sniper points, Best shuttle routes with primary and alternate LZs, and the list goes on). That would make this startegy guide more like a field manual.

Divided

[Sharky]

Sharky, I just sent you jpegs of each map
and of each charater. I only took one screen cap of each unit. So
the look of the unit may be different depending on the specific map.
Let me know of anything else that needs to be done.:smt100 One
thing I thought would be cool is if we could customize the maps for
specifiec purposes (ie Best Sniper points, Best shuttle routes with
primary and alternate LZs, and the list goes on). That would make this
startegy guide more like a field manual.

Divided



got them. Thanks!. They came out very sharp...must be the PC's highr resolution. All we need now

Soul, Im gonna use the ones Divided sent, they seem to be a lot clearer.



Divided, for now I say we just come up with names for the spawn
spots...since the game is so new, it is still evolviong. It may play
completly different in a week than it is now. Once everyone masters the
controls/features, there's no tell how this game is gonna play out.

[Anonymous]

I have a few things to say. Auto aim IMO is a little overpowering with the main attack units. Anything that has rapid fire will lock on and move with the target. Units like super droid and most of the non-specialized troopers can make fast and easy kills with little to no effort. To the same effect not having team damage on makes throwing grenades and shooting missles just a pot luck with little to no worry about hurting your teammates. I think those two factors subtract something from the strategy we are talking about and make it more of a slug fest then selectively eliminated the enemy.





John



HairyBubblegum

[The Empty Way]

I think as the game becomes more familiar to regular players, we will wind up playing with friendly fire off and auto aim off more often, if not regularly soon enough. These features are heavily used now mainly to orient ourselves with the game and visual appearances of enemy targets, etc. But as one who will run a dedicated server as frequently as I can, I just want to run what works for the most people through each stage of familiarity with the game.


This is an entirely different type of Xbox Live and will take a little getting used to. But we do need to develop a consensus in the next couple of weeks or so for what players will most enjoy settings-wise on a server.

1. Auto Aim?
2. Friendly Fire?
3. Bots?



As a player, one thing I have picked up on strategy-wiseis the use of the The Force.The Force is very strongin this game and should not be underestimated... **Darth Vador's breating sound here** :smt080

[Anonymous]

I feel no bots, friendly fire on and auto aim off are the way to go. I agree do what everyone feels is right.



John



HairyBubblegum

[Anonymous]

Sharky,

I really like the SW:B maps you've posted in the Tactics forum.

Would it be possible to add the CP names (as they appear on the respawn screen). As I think this would help co-ordinate attack and defence for players who are ready for direction, but not waiting torespawn.

[Sharky]

WeeG - That is my next step. I just wanted to get those up first to start helping people learn the maps. When I get home tonight I will start naming them.

HairyBubbleGum - on my server, I like running no bots, no autoaim, and no friendly fire. The reason I enjoy no friendly fire is because I like it how you can be hit by missle, blown 50 feet in the air, and get back up. Adds a little to the fun factor for me.

[ZenReaper]

I prefer No FF. The action can get pretty hectic at times. If you're running a vehicle or heavy artillery trooper you might accidentally nail one of your teammates while targeting an opponent.

[Anonymous]

I prefer No FF. The action can get pretty hectic at times. If you're running a vehicle or heavy artillery trooper you might accidentally nail one of your teammates while targeting an opponent.



I like FF on, it makes it more like a real galactic war you have to check your fire and possibly not make that shot for fear of nailing a team mate. Most use the vehicles with little regard for who or what that tiny sillouette is, they just fire and sloppy AT-STs lead to losses IMO. Vehicles especially need to be used properly to transport or break through heavily covered areas, not to jack up kills without being killed yourself. I'm refereing to public or un-organized games, the game I played last night with you guys was the best example of vehicle use I have seen. I dunno who was using the Xwing on Tatoine but talk about cover. Nice job who ever it was.



On the note about auto selecting teams and such, you could set it up so say half choose good guys and half choose bad for the night and when the maps change your sure to have even teams, a commander on both sides and less confusion-not only that but your forced to try out all factions and soldiers. There are too many maps where Droidekas become the droid of choice simply because of the sheilds, while they are a vital part of the army, they aren't the only part. Usually the same guys who jump in AT-STs for the duration of a match are the droidekas and the teams get uneven quick. I can take out a Droideka pretty easily but 5 Droidekas is just too over whelming, worse 5 in one hallway? Your ground chuck for sure unless you have a hero with you and even then...



If you a baddy, empire or CIS, goodies are rebels and Clones. I personally swap sides as I see the need, if too many rebels on Hoth I go Empire, etc. but pre-stating who is going to be bad or good would eliminate alot of confusion, and the commander idea is great. I'm almost surprised they didn't include a role like that.



Another idea is to turn names off, while it's nice to know who your killing (or being killed by) they too easliy give away a commanders or snipers hiding spot. May add another level of risk to the game, you really need to be covered and organized to venture out to take that spawn if you can't see the rat sniping you from above.



Just some thoughts,



Gord

[Porphyria Plan]

Just an update to make sure we don't have two people doing the same thing.

I have got all the class names, equipment, amount of ammo, and included special features like the droidekas roll manuver and howClone pilots can charge up their On Bolt Caster.

Sadly, I forget clip size/battery sizewhich I will get tonight. Doh! #-o

I've been wondering about turning the names off. Might be neat.

[Sharky]

Well I just got a call from our Laurel, MD office. They need me tofly up today and put out some fires, so I won't be able to mess with any of this until Saturday. I'll check the boards if I have some time....more than likely not.

Porph -I will get all your stuff you have been typing up when I get back. Please send it to my afrench2@nc.rr.com email. Feel free to keep organizing this guide how you see fit, you are in charge and have the final say on what to include/exclude. Once I get back I will start putting all the info you have typed up in html format.

The Divided - can you take those maps you sent me and start adding names to the spawn points? I was going to do it, but I will be out of town the rest of the week.


See you guys when I get back....it's going to be painful not being able to play SW:BF for 4 days straight. Farrrrg!