Calling in Area Attack (Mortars/Arty) using the Marker system?

[Celestial1]

Currently, you have to call in all area attacks using the Radio's T menu, requiring you to aim directly at the target and call in the request until you get a proper marker.


It would be more convenient if there was a way to mark targets for mortar/artillery using the marker system (Mark target, aim towards target, set range and request attack).

There could perhaps still be a way to do it directly, but having this alternative would allow you to be more flexible from where you are calling the strike in (say, 1000m out, where you have a helicopter ready to insert you directly after the strike ends, or whatever the case may be).

[Artnez]

I agree.

Actually I have a very hard time with placing area attacks. It takes a lot of tries to get the attack request directly on the attack marker I place. There have been multiple instances of the commander accidentally allowing an area attack when I placed it in the wrong location.

I would prefer placing the area attack using the map by right click on the location I want and selecting area attack. Either way the area attack is going to get placed, why make it so painful to do so?

[Portable.Cougar]

damn

I agree with celest

i like having a set distance from target like the present spotting system. As calling in a jdam on the other teams main from yours would break the fun / challange factor of calling in area attack.

[00SoldierofFortune00]

Just change it back to the old system IMO or a hybrid, but make the final call via binocs so you have accurate spotting without the exploits that would happen with a mini-map marker system.

[Conman51]

agreed, some times you have to get really close to the target too before you can see it and get a accurate marker, i would rather call in a striker on its general location without needing to see it

[XxxGrANdmA]

I haven't personlly tried the new way of calling in area attacks myself but I've seen them go off from where they were supposed to go and also i remeber someone posting a screen of an area attack that went into the water instead of the enemy base.

[BloodBane611]

I've had no trouble with calling the area attacks using the radio. You can even call them outside visual range, as long as you have a straight open line between you and the target.

It's quite simple, just put a marker where you want to call the arty, look at the arty, use radio to call it in. If you really need precision use your GLTD to put the HUD marker down, then take out the radio and call the arty without moving your mouse.

Now, commanders should of course check where arty is going down, but it's not a complicated system we're talking about.

[Pariel]

I'm with Blood on this one.

After a quick explanation from my squad mates, I did it correctly the first time, and I haven't had trouble since.

I like this method a lot better -- it's not quite as simple as the old method, but it at least seems more realistic, and the pinpoint accuracy of the old system was definitely aggravating at times. Although, frankly, you can be just as accurate with this system and a teensy weensy bit of practice.

[dtacs]

It's quite simple, just put a marker where you want to call the arty, look at the arty, use radio to call it in. If you really need precision use your GLTD to put the HUD marker down, then take out the radio and call the arty without moving your mouse.

Now, commanders should of course check where arty is going down, but it's not a complicated system we're talking about.

The problem is that the mouse can differentiate easily, which can throw the thing off by 100m or so. Plus commanders have, multiple times, accepted mine when I do it accidentally, before I get the chance to tell him not to.

I agree with Celestials idea of the marker as it would be quicker, easier and more realistic to provide a map location of where you are asking for fire support.

[Sniperdog]

Couldn't this be easily abused?

[Celestial1]

[quote=""'[R-COM"]BloodBane611;1275514']I've had no trouble with calling the area attacks using the radio. You can even call them outside visual range, as long as you have a straight open line between you and the target.

It's quite simple, just put a marker where you want to call the arty, look at the arty, use radio to call it in. If you really need precision use your GLTD to put the HUD marker down, then take out the radio and call the arty without moving your mouse.

Now, commanders should of course check where arty is going down, but it's not a complicated system we're talking about.[/quote]

Honestly, I haven't had much trouble either; only one time on Jabal when the call absolutely refused to go within 50m of the area I was calling it in on. (A big deal when you're trying to maximize the chance of the area attack being effective).

I've probably mastered the radio system, but isn't it proper to call artillery/mortar targets based on map coordinates?

(JDAM would be inaccurate in this manner, though it doesn't need to be that accurate anyway, so it would be more desirable to get a direct LOS to the target in the case of a JDAM).

Also a benefit is the fact that you can call in the attack on flat ground that is obstructed by trivial objects (you can't call in the area attack properly if there is a fence in the way, or something, you know?)... Or even just making it easier to do so; if you're on flat ground, every pixel is another 25m at long distances...

[quote="Sniper_dog14""]Couldn't this be easily abused?[/quote]

In what way?

JDAMs would be a huge issue in regards to attacking enemy bases; however, most servers have a rule against doing so which would help prevent that sort of exploitation of the system.

If there's a way to only allow JDAMs to be called using the GLTD (has a specific button for "Area Attack" that works for JDAMs), and Arty/Mortars using the marker system (perhaps even allow them to be called with a direct LOS for flexibility, if so desired; JDAMs won't work with this), then only Arty/Mortars could be called with an indirect LOS.

If someone were to call in arty/mortars on a flag from 1000m away, it provides a bit more uncertainty to the battlefield. Good or bad? Well, the victims of the artillery could have been better off with a few foxholes or a building to hide in, so it would encourage defending forces to be more ready for those kinds of attacks. So, there is at least a way to defend yourself against it.

More often, area attacks may actually be wasted with this system; someone may call the area attack in on a fortified position they have no intel on, where the defending force simply sits and waits out the attack with their defenses. Or, they may call in the strike on somewhere that is no longer occupied, wasting the strike entirely.




There's ups and downs. Does one outweigh the other, though?

[drs79]

I understand why the area attack option with the radio was added, but since with the GLTD's you have the option of marking a target for Laser Guided Bombs, Missiles or Cannons, why not also add a area attack marker as well? The contact distance would have to be given like other targets, but it could give the SL (not including insurgent factions) the option of using the radio or binocs.

I will say that I like the sniper kit not having the option of calling in an area attack.

[dbzao]

It's not that simple, it uses a different system than the markers one.

We can consider putting it back into the GLTD comm rose, but the current system is not that hard tbh.

[drs79]

It's not that simple, it uses a different system than the markers one.

We can consider putting it back into the GLTD comm rose, but the current system is not that hard tbh.

You are right. I think we all have become complacent, but I am beginning to enjoy using the GLTD to mark the Contact Distance and then also placing the contact via the radio, and also using the radio as a standalone contraption in itself, it does come in handy especially when you are unable to look up with your bino's.

[Celestial1]

It's not that simple, it uses a different system than the markers one.

We can consider putting it back into the GLTD comm rose, but the current system is not that hard tbh.

Of course it's not that simple. As it is, without referring to any coding aspects whatsoever, you have a full Q commo rose when using radio. Fitting it in there and also making sure that it is usable and distinguished so that everyone knows where the area attack button is and doesn't hit it by accident is a problem enough.

And no, it's not that hard, and that's not the issue. Yeah, every now and then it might hiccup, but it's certainly still usable; the 'difficulty' isn't the issue either.

It's the concept in mind of being able to call in area attacks using grids to denote the target, even if you're not able to look directly at the target.

[00SoldierofFortune00]

It's not that simple, it uses a different system than the markers one.

We can consider putting it back into the GLTD comm rose, but the current system is not that hard tbh.

It's hard when you are at a long distance and you are taking heavy fire. It takes wayyyy too many tries to get it right.