Forums » Suggestions
weapon groups
In my opinion the current system for setting/using weapon groups is a little awkward. I think it would be better if each weapon group could have settings for each of primary/secondary/tertiary weapons. That way, one could change any of primary, secondary and tertiary weapons by changing a single group.
This would allow someone to have more than just 3 configurations for their primary weapon, for example, which might be desirable on a mac with only a single mouse button.
Another situation that would be simplified is the ability to switch secondary or tertiary weapon groups with groups 1 or 2 instead of having to have binds for groups 1-7.
Most players would only need to use 1-3 weapon groups, instead of the current 7 as it stands.
This would allow someone to have more than just 3 configurations for their primary weapon, for example, which might be desirable on a mac with only a single mouse button.
Another situation that would be simplified is the ability to switch secondary or tertiary weapon groups with groups 1 or 2 instead of having to have binds for groups 1-7.
Most players would only need to use 1-3 weapon groups, instead of the current 7 as it stands.
I think you misunderstand the concept. You can have an infinite number of weapon groups. The numbers 1 thru 7 are to "choose" between multiple weapons located in the same category.
1 & 2 let you choose between 2 different weapons assigned to your primary fire key
3, 4 & 5 let you choose between 3 different weapons assigned to your secondary fire key
6 & 7 let you choose between 2 different weapons assigned to your tertiary fire key.
1 & 2 let you choose between 2 different weapons assigned to your primary fire key
3, 4 & 5 let you choose between 3 different weapons assigned to your secondary fire key
6 & 7 let you choose between 2 different weapons assigned to your tertiary fire key.
I think he's wanting to be able to specify each group as "primary", "secondary", or "tertiariy", rathar than having them pre-set.
This way you could set up a hornet with 4 different weapons and fire them all individually with your primary fire.
This way you could set up a hornet with 4 different weapons and fire them all individually with your primary fire.
Spellcast: yes, that's my idea. Maybe it would make more sense if I gave some examples.
Lets say for example you are using a Rag missle boat (3 Gemini, 2 Swarms), and you want to be able to fire each missle battery independantly to conserve your ammo.
With the current setup you might do something like:
1: first gemini
2: second gemini
3: third gemini
4: first swarm
5: second swarm
This works just fine in terms of each weapon being independant, but is a little awkward because one of the geminis is on the secondary fire instead of primary fire, and you have 5 groups to switch between (more keys to fumble with). Of course, you could use the swarms on primary instead, but maybe you want it the other way... whatever.
If you could assign all 3 primary, secondary, tertiary to each weapon group it could be set up like this:
1: primary - first gemini
secondary - first swarm
2: primary -second gemini
secondary - second swarm
3: primary - third gemini
secondary - everything (for kicks)
You could optionally set special groupings for tertiary as well.
My point is that this system is more flexible than the existing system, and arguably easier to use. I don't think the devs should change this currently, as there are other more important things for them to work on, but I think it would be worth while addressing at some point in the future.
Lets say for example you are using a Rag missle boat (3 Gemini, 2 Swarms), and you want to be able to fire each missle battery independantly to conserve your ammo.
With the current setup you might do something like:
1: first gemini
2: second gemini
3: third gemini
4: first swarm
5: second swarm
This works just fine in terms of each weapon being independant, but is a little awkward because one of the geminis is on the secondary fire instead of primary fire, and you have 5 groups to switch between (more keys to fumble with). Of course, you could use the swarms on primary instead, but maybe you want it the other way... whatever.
If you could assign all 3 primary, secondary, tertiary to each weapon group it could be set up like this:
1: primary - first gemini
secondary - first swarm
2: primary -second gemini
secondary - second swarm
3: primary - third gemini
secondary - everything (for kicks)
You could optionally set special groupings for tertiary as well.
My point is that this system is more flexible than the existing system, and arguably easier to use. I don't think the devs should change this currently, as there are other more important things for them to work on, but I think it would be worth while addressing at some point in the future.
I had an idea a while ago, I think it's still back there, where I broke it up into weapon "modes" instead of groups. Instead of binding each weapon to a button I thought it would be better the have the numbers notate a full configuration.
So suppose I have a Rag with 1 AGT (Lport1), 1 gemini(Sport1), 2railguns (Sport2 and 3), and swarms (Lport 2).
Mode 1:
L-Port 1 = Primary
S-port 1 and L-port 2 = Secondary
S ports 3 and 2 = tertiary.
Mode 2: accessed by pressing the "2" key.
S ports 2 and 3 = primary
S-port1 and L-port2 = secondary
L-port 1 = tertiary.
This way, Mode 1 gives you close range capability, with the AGT and seekers on hand to get anyone who gets too close. While Mode 2 gives you support capability by giving you seekers and railguns to pick people off.
When you need to switch you swap between the two, but unlike the current system, it makes it a lot easier to quickly switch between modes.
The same goes for the hornet. If you have a 2x rail 2x gauss hornet and they're really close to you, you want to shoot with your gauss. You can't do that as well if you're railguns are in primary (and giving you no indication of where your autoaim is.) And vice-versa.
It could also be applied to the "ammo conservation" strategy just as easily.
So suppose I have a Rag with 1 AGT (Lport1), 1 gemini(Sport1), 2railguns (Sport2 and 3), and swarms (Lport 2).
Mode 1:
L-Port 1 = Primary
S-port 1 and L-port 2 = Secondary
S ports 3 and 2 = tertiary.
Mode 2: accessed by pressing the "2" key.
S ports 2 and 3 = primary
S-port1 and L-port2 = secondary
L-port 1 = tertiary.
This way, Mode 1 gives you close range capability, with the AGT and seekers on hand to get anyone who gets too close. While Mode 2 gives you support capability by giving you seekers and railguns to pick people off.
When you need to switch you swap between the two, but unlike the current system, it makes it a lot easier to quickly switch between modes.
The same goes for the hornet. If you have a 2x rail 2x gauss hornet and they're really close to you, you want to shoot with your gauss. You can't do that as well if you're railguns are in primary (and giving you no indication of where your autoaim is.) And vice-versa.
It could also be applied to the "ammo conservation" strategy just as easily.
Yeah, that's pretty much exactly what I was saying. Sorry about reposting it. The forum search function leaves a bit to be desired, but oh well. Anyway, seems like it should be a pretty easy feature to implement. Mostly just an interface thing, but like I said, bigger fish to fry atm.
Just fyi, the default n00b configuration does not allow you to change weapons in mid-flight. Keys 1-0 are by default bound to talk to the mission computer.