Also I realize that the bf2 engine provides modders with very little flexebility which renders many wanted features either impossible to implement, or it creates more work than it is worth the effort.
NOTE: I would also like to add that this is not really an original idea by me, but rather a spin-off thing inspired by the Chain of Command: Unified Artillery AddOn for Operation Flashpoint.
So, right now the artillery fire mission is very simplistic and not very realistc, is a simpel matter of Point-Request-Granted-BOOM!
In my oppinion this is very simplistic and therefore not very rewarding due to the lack of complexity (others may disagree), that's why I suggest adding a forward observer class to the mod which will have the abillity to call in a more dynamic artillery strike which could be specified to the target at hand, I.E. snipers hiding on a ridge could be taken with a light barrage of mortars saving ammuition, enemy armor can be targeted with heavier cannons or airstrikes, on nightmaps (if introduced to PR) enemy positions could be illuminated with flares revealing their exact position, then targeted with a leathal barrage and so on.
Forward Observer
Features:
Lightly armed, possibly with something like an SMG or just a pistol.
Field Dressing.
Binoculars.
Fire Mission Interface PDA. <-----The important bit.
Purpose:
To call in more flexible artillery strikes in a (sort of) more realistic manner enabling more complexity to the game which again gives the feeling of success, reward and enhances the FUN factor.
How to use:
The forward observers most important tools would be his brain, binoculars and the Fire Mission Interface PDA which I have created a sketch of illustrating what it should contain.
Bear in mind this is just a sketch made by a talentless guy (me) so I'm pretty sure that if something like this were to be added to the mod, the dev's would more than likely make a more attractive one.
As you can see, here the forward observer has a lot more options to customize his artillery strike for the a specific situation giving him the abillity to avoid unnecessary over use and collateral damage.
Usefull?
As of right now where considering that the main game mode PR uses is AASv2 where the gameplay is erratic and fast paced a basic answer would probably be: No not really.
However, let's imagine that we are quite a few versions ahead like say... v1.0 or possible even PR on another platform where a scenario mode is introduced and gameplay has a reduced pace, maybe then this could be an interesting feature.
Scenario:
Okay so how could this be used under ideal conditions with good players?
Let's imagine us a scenario that takes place at night where we have a friendly squad pinned by snipers in a vally behind very little cover and moving would result in certain death for the squad.
What do they do?
The SL would radio the commander and brief him on the current situation and request imidiate backup, however all other squads have their hands completely full and are not avilable to support at the moment, so the commander decides to order a forward observer to within visual range of the pinned squad and briefs him on the current situation.
Forward observer arrives shortly to within 150 meters south west of the squad and gets visual on them, all he knows from what the commander has briefed him is that squad is taking enemy sniper fire from the north top of the valley.
The forward observer scans the terrain from what little he can see and decides that he has a pretty good idea where the snipers are located.
Now he must decide what to do, he has a variety of choices, he could order a smoke barrage for the friendly squad to slip away in, but decides to seek out the sniper poisitions and take them out.
So now he picks up his PDA interface and chooses
Type: Mortar.
Rounds: 2.
Angle: Indirect (which would be locked for mortars since they only fire at high angle)
Projectile: White Flare.
Fuze: Airburst I guess or whatever is default for flares
Then he scrolls in on the map featured in his interface and selects a grid coordinate which is somewhere above the enemy snipers and requests the fire mission.
Commander grants request on fire mission, then the forward observer calls for it to take effect.
Mortars fire for effect, forward observer takes out his binos and observes suspected position.
Flare arrive and lights up the ground... VISUAL!
Okay so now knows exactly where the are, then he must select the correct coordinate and make a new fire mission with lethal rounds, arty fire again and kills sniper, blue guys saved.
FO feels proud of his accomplishment.
Now I want to hear your oppinions on such a system for PR ( bearing in mind that it's NOT very likely to be implemented anytime soon or even at all)
PS: Forgive me for shitty grammar and spelling.
I would like the SLX(?) configs from OFP to work in BF2... AI dragging wounded soldiers to safe zones and patching them up. It was so amazing and immersive. Though BF2 AI is a far cry from OFP's.
