Binoculars...Again

[tankninja1]

Probably one of the more controversial changes from way back in v1.0 but with all that changes to BLUFOR factions since then I think it is really worth talking about again.

Particularly some of the recent changes to AAS and Insurgency like the removal of BLUFOR mortars and the creation of retro maps where BLUFOR only get legacy equipment like Grozny and Bamyan. These maps in particular leave BLUFOR at a pretty significant disadvantage to the point where OPFOR factions more often then not are better equipped than BLUFOR forces.

Bringing back BLUFOR binoculars would help at least bring their infantry onto par with the OPFOR forces on the retro maps.

[Unarmed Civilian]

Project Reality is meant to be played as Project Reality, therefore, you must rely on your Squadleader to scan for distant enemies and help you acquire targets.

In Grozny the Russians have superior gear all around, T-72 beats the T-62 easily. Russian frag grenades explode on impact giving no chance of evasion, whereas the Militia's takes a few seconds to explode, allowing for a quick duck behind cover. Only the Militia's anti-tank grenade RKG-3 stands superior over any other Russian equipment.

I for one would like to see less* binoculars in irregular kits though.

*Less is NOT "none".

[Mats391]

I agree with you that we should remove binocs from unconventional factions.

[WeeGeez]

Definately Agreed

[tankninja1]

Project Reality is meant to be played as Project Reality, therefore, you must rely on your Squadleader to scan for distant enemies and help you acquire targets.

It's not all that realistic. For one thing in real life you can do things like share a pair of binoculars, for another it is a game and need to be balanced. The current kits that BLUFOR get are often inferior to unconventional kits barring the Iraqi Insurgents.

Infantry combat was at its best in 0.95 and has been going downhill ever since.

[QuickLoad]

It's not all that realistic. For one thing in real life you can do things like share a pair of binoculars, for another it is a game and need to be balanced. The current kits that BLUFOR get are often inferior to unconventional kits barring the Iraqi Insurgents.

Infantry combat was at its best in 0.95 and has been going downhill ever since.

Actually I sort of like how there are less kits with binoculars. The SL is supposed to always be scanning for targets while his members are covering him and looking at what he asks. It also gives oppurtunity for militia for example to send out hunter-killer teams consisting of marksmen/LAT or spotter/LAT which gives kits like spotter a good key usage.

[Unarmed Civilian]

People sometimes play the spotter just for the sake of being a lonewolf with scope...

[QuickLoad]

People sometimes play the spotter just for the sake of being a lonewolf with scope...

No different than people playing sniper for the sniper rifle, or marksman for the marksman rifle, or machinegunner for the machinegun and can lonewolf.

We try to give examples of what people do the majority of the time, not pick out every minor problem. because if we did, we would get nowhere

[tankninja1]

Actually I sort of like how there are less kits with binoculars. The SL is supposed to always be scanning for targets while his members are covering him and looking at what he asks. It also gives oppurtunity for militia for example to send out hunter-killer teams consisting of marksmen/LAT or spotter/LAT which gives kits like spotter a good key usage.

I think that lack of binoculars hurts situational awareness and speeds up infantry combat as people are more apt to just rush in faster.

It certainly feels like rounds are happening a lot faster than they were before even now after most of the maps have had ticket numbers increased to account for 100 people servers.

[Murphy]

I am thankful that the devs decided to weigh in on "Situational Awareness" as an aspect to balance. The fact that people cannot "see" enemies is more of an issue with the individual as spotting enemy players has always been fairly easy in the BF2 engine (even at 500+ meters players are a color/contrast that stands out in just about any environment).

Please keep things balanced as they are, or maybe lean more into the removal of binos. The regular infantry doesn't need binos it's just another crutch people have leaned on for too long.

[X-Alt]

I am thankful that the devs decided to weigh in on "Situational Awareness" as an aspect to balance. The fact that people cannot "see" enemies is more of an issue with the individual as spotting enemy players has always been fairly easy in the BF2 engine (even at 500+ meters players are a color/contrast that stands out in just about any environment).

Please keep things balanced as they are, or maybe lean more into the removal of binos. The regular infantry doesn't need binos it's just another crutch people have leaned on for too long.

It's been 5 years, 95% of players have never played conventional forces with binocs or incendiary grenades.

[tankninja1]

I am thankful that the devs decided to weigh in on "Situational Awareness" as an aspect to balance. The fact that people cannot "see" enemies is more of an issue with the individual as spotting enemy players has always been fairly easy in the BF2 engine (even at 500+ meters players are a color/contrast that stands out in just about any environment).

Please keep things balanced as they are, or maybe lean more into the removal of binos. The regular infantry doesn't need binos it's just another crutch people have leaned on for too long.

I find your lack of "faith" disturbing. Clearly you have never heard of these things known as "buildings" or "bushes" that people are known to use to hide at 0-500m. Not to mention uniforms of the various nations look more similar than ever. The only two nations that have particularly different looking camo are the Chinese and the IDF. I mean the Russians used to look pretty distinct with lighter green uniforms. Now they look more or less exactly like the NATO patterns with a dark green, though they are slightly different than USMC or Germany who are brown.

I think that binoculars should at least be available to all (modern) non-scoped kits.

[FFG]

I find your lack of "faith" disturbing. Clearly you have never heard of these things known as "buildings" or "bushes" that people are known to use to hide at 0-500m. Not to mention uniforms of the various nations look more similar than ever. The only two nations that have particularly different looking camo are the Chinese and the IDF. I mean the Russians used to look pretty distinct with lighter green uniforms. Now they look more or less exactly like the NATO patterns with a dark green, though they are slightly different than USMC or Germany who are brown.

I think that binoculars should at least be available to all (modern) non-scoped kits.

Its not that hard to see people 500m out, and check your map to see if they are friendly or not...

[tankninja1]

Its not that hard to see people 500m out, and check your map to see if they are friendly or not...

I disagree it is quite hard to see infantry at 500m and to be able to tell if they are friendly or not. I mean for one thing with the exception of some desert and winter maps you usually can't see more than 500m. But also because the enemies tend to be mixed in with friendlies and it helps a lot if you are trying to help another friendly squad if you can get an actual idea of what the enemy is doing rather than trying to ordain the difference between two slightly different shades of green are doing running in circles around a foxhole.

I really don't see why people are so obstinate to the idea. It can only benefit gameplay by giving people access to more optics, specifically if they don't already have it.

[Murphy]

If friendlies and enemies are mixed and reading a map isn't your "thing" how about closing the distance? The whole issue is you are TRYING to see enemies further than it is effective to engage. The concept of bushes and buildings is to close the 500m and bring the battle into a space in which heavy assets cannot simply dominate infantry. If you want big open engagements there are a handful of maps that offer optics to regular infantry, but not every map and faction is designed to accommodate long range firefights.

Everyone having binos hurts gameplay in many ways, to believe it ONLY benefits gameplay is flat out wrong. Sure it's easier for the individual to ID possible targets but again why are you shooting at someone that far away - he will likely just find cover and you end up giving your entire squads position away because you saw an enemy circling a trench with a friendly.