Command Helicopters

Post by **Bob_Marley** » 2007-01-21 18:15

While the "God cam" for the commander is hardcoded, I think we need to find ways of discouraging its use. And I have an idea of how to achieve this.

On certain maps, could you add an unarmed helicopter that could only carry two people and be used only by the commander and pilot? This would allow the commander a much better over view of the battlefield, while not taking away from the carrying capacity of the teams transport helis.

Idealy, the comanders position should allow him to use weapons, so he can use his binoculars to observe the action and enemy movements. Or it could have a tank style zoom for the second seat.

I suggest this because it allows the commander to have his overview of the battlefield without the unrealistic "God cam", use his binocs and be relativly close to the action, but without the disadvantage of being caught on the ground while observeing his map or some such.

Personally I often command the action from the passenger seat of an LB, But I always feel bad because I'm taking away from the number of people the pilot can insert and its limited because the pilot still has to ferry troops back and fourth and so is often activly avioding the action and hot LZs.

While its not suitable for all maps (For example it wouldnt be a good idea for the MEC on Muttrah) I think it could be of substatial benefit to the commanders and add another dimension to thier role.

Thunder · Post by **Thunder** » 2007-01-21 18:22

how about he controls the battle from a trailer or the commmander is a pick up kit with only a pistol, as i see loads of commanders running round rather than commanding the battle.

as for the god cam where ever it spawns in the sky is there a way to put a layer of cloud that floats just under it, limiting his view

Downtown_two · Post by **Downtown_two** » 2007-01-21 18:31

Commander is a sitting duck on a Helo. If he is low enough to observe the enemy he sure as hell is low enough to get shot out the sky. If he is high enough to avoid enemy fire he's not gonna see sh*t.

=NAA=Spaztik_Ferret · Post by **=NAA=Spaztik_Ferret** » 2007-01-21 18:51

The "God Cam" you speak of is really just a representation of combined intelligence (maps), lol, and positions where his own forces are. any real world battlefield commander would have both of these, so I see no reason to change it. Now, in reality a commander may not know exactly where each of his troops are but he would know where his squads are through radio transmission. Now if you are talking about the ability to zoom in and see enemies on the battlefield, then yeah that needs to be fixed. In real world scenarios there are ways commanders can get this information though, whether it be through scout/ snipers, UAV's, satellite imagery, high altitude photography, or human intel.

Blackhawk 5 · Post by **Blackhawk 5** » 2007-01-21 19:02

During missions, commanders sit their *** in front of sattelite monitors at base. What you may be thinking of is things like survielence blackhawks, which carry equipment and able to survey the scenery below, and relay it back to the commander.

dhimmi · Post by **dhimmi** » 2007-01-21 20:09

It's better for points if the commander is up close to the SL's as it is better for troops to stay near the SL's.
That is the advantage I see to having a light obs helo tasked to the commander so he can stay up with the battle but not be a sitting duck all the time.
A lil bird on a fast pass can let the commander see the area and it's rather hard to shoot down a full speed lil bird.
Now in reality, some noob would hover while the commander was in the map and getthem both killed but it's a cool idea anyway.

robbo · Post by **robbo** » 2007-01-21 20:10

Yeah i like this idea, Like on BlackHawk Down

Viper5 · Post by **Viper5** » 2007-01-21 20:17

Honestly, the commander zoom really isnt unrealistic. These days between UAVs, Satellites, Blue Force Tracker, Surveillance Planes, etc. its pretty realistic, especially since this is in the near future where presumably new technology has been developed.

WNxKenwayy · Post by **WNxKenwayy** » 2007-01-21 21:05

'[R-PUB wrote:Viper5']Honestly, the commander zoom really isnt unrealistic. These days between UAVs, Satellites, Blue Force Tracker, Surveillance Planes, etc. its pretty realistic, especially since this is in the near future where presumably new technology has been developed.

Well for US and brit forces yes...but the rest of them...Balance in favor of realism is something I agree with and all, but just saying

dunkellic · Post by **dunkellic** » 2007-01-21 22:40

WNxKenwayy wrote:Well for US and brit forces yes...but the rest of them...Balance in favor of realism is something I agree with and all, but just saying

well, china could destroy your uva/satellite

Post by **eggman** » 2007-01-21 23:28

Commander is changing in upcoming releases and he'll need to be on the ground not in a helo as his primary tasks will need him closer to the troops.

More info after v0.5 is released and we validate a couple of the concepts, but the plan is to introduce a completely overhauled commander role as part of v0.6.

Post by **Mongolian_dude** » 2007-01-21 23:51

Surely on Maps like Mutrah the command chopper is effectively available(not that it will definately used in that way).
Simply used the BH as a Command ship. Pre-emptive planning(Use Teamspeak, X-fire?) can mean that you get a commander and a command ship Pilot set up. Now with the added seat to the BH makes this even more possible. With the implementation and addaption of new and old Helicopters, who knows what will change in v.5?

Atm, a pilot, commander and a pair of SOFLAMs will have to do.

...mongol...

Post by **77SiCaRiO77** » 2007-01-22 00:54

'[R-PUB wrote:dunkellic']well, china could destroy your uva/satellite

or hack it

IAJTHOMAS · Post by **IAJTHOMAS** » 2007-01-22 01:23

You wouldn't get me on a BH on Muttrah unless it was over the carrier or miles in the air. Either way i might as well be hidden somewhere on the carrier/on land.

Darkpowder · Post by **Darkpowder** » 2007-01-22 15:01

fundamentally disagree with the point made, though the god-cam can be over the top sometimes, with a good commander they wont be talking constantly in your ear as SL telling you where the enemy is as there is so much else they need to be doing. Unless of course the SL's are complete amateurs.

Commanders in vehicles, its the worst aspect of vanilla, commanders are cannon fodder in any copter. They should stay, in the words of ol Pipo deluxe, way away from the action smoking cigars and pouring over maps.

I can see the point made, though