Squad Leader Archive
Thread: A possible Idea for added abilities.
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Maximus_Bane
Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:44 am
#1
Hi Squad Leaders,
First let me apologize if this idea has been suggested before. If not I hope it is one you might like.
As an ex Infantry Squad Leader I had many useful tools to do my job. Of course the Radio and Map were among my most useful.
SWG has comunication pretty well covered with the chat tabs. So a Radio would be more redundant than helpful.
However perhaps by incorporating a map into the equation would be more interesting to you folks.
Yes I know we have the over head map, and the terrain radar but what if you received a third map?
A tactical map.
This map would open like any UI window would and can give you more functions and information than the other two.
1.) waypoints can be added in this map. Say you have a new objective and you want to quickly tell your squad it's location. You open the map and select place waypoint- you then click onthe location where you want the Squad Leader waypoint ot be placed. Instantly your squad is updated to this location with a waypoint in their datapad. This waypoint would be a differnt color (perhaps green) than any other waypoint. A system message wouls inform them automatically so you wouldn't have to type the message.
2.) Information and tageting via the tactical radar. As a squadleader your job is more about leadership than combat. Yes you go into combat. Yes you can fight just like any other member of your squad but your true power comes from the ability to influence the outcome with inteligent and timely orders. (This satement is based on the real life job not the SWG one so plese don't take offense to it if it goes against your view)
Perhaps this tactical radar can give you the ability to select your target and examine him like your inventory does with objects in it. The info that you gather would have to be quicly laid out and important enough to allow you to make hte decision to set them as the prime target. Then you can set this individual as the group target if you see them as the greatest threat. all members of your squad would then get an onscreen indicator of the desired target.
I know that voice chat can do this job but experiece has shown to me that often time is wasted finding the target. That's why I though t a visual indicator would be helpful.
3.) Pathfinding ability. This skill is extremely usefull in the real world. To be usefull in the SWG realm may take a few tweak of the LOS rules.
You open your map and see a base or other objective you want ot take out. With the map you can plan your most advantageuos approach and click the update squad button and the whole squad will get a path similar to the "find" arrows that they get when they use the /find command.
4.) data link. Use your map to plan with other squadleaders for a large scale assualt. You can add other SL like you can add people to a private chat channel. For security purposes players will automatically be removed from your link 30 minutes after you log out.
This feature would give large scale operations greater ability to keep track of all their components.
5.) Fire support options. Squadleaders could usethe tactical map to call in for fire support. Select an Area you wish to supress. Request your mission and ordinance and select "fire mission" and shortly (30 seconds for fun factor) your target is on the receiving end of an artillery barrage. You could use Smoke to decrease visability so your commandos could close in on the targets with greater safety. Perhaps you could choose HE to soften up the turrets on enemy bases or AP to try and deal a little damage to your enemy to get them on there heals before you attack.
These are just a few ideas for the tactical map. It would of course be available to novice Squadleaders but would be limited in functionality until you advanced higher into your profession.
Again I hope it wasn't suggested a bazillion times before, and I hope some of you find the idea interesting enough to further discussion.
Loki_Ashaman
Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:55 am
#2
An idea similar to this has been bounced around alot, and was recently brought up to the Devs at Fan Fest this past weekend. By Darth's Debriefing, it sounds like the Devs are not sure how feasible this is. 
Darth_Sushi
Tue Jun 07, 2005 1:40 pm
#3
They agreed it would be cool idea, but they were unsure about committing to any design and development ofa UI to accomodate the enhanced functionality.
Loki_Ashaman wrote:
An idea similar to this has been bounced around alot, and was recently brought up to the Devs at Fan Fest this past weekend. By Darth's Debriefing, it sounds like the Devs are not sure how feasible this is.
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