==Further reaching effects of patch 1.2==
Trying to think a little deeper about the changes made to BF2 with the 1.2 patch I've since come up with several that are probably worthy of discussion.
1. Wake Island / Dalian Plant / Gulf of Oman
Pre-1.2 these maps could have already been argued to be slightly biased toward the side defending the island. One reason for this was the J-10 's being more advantageous than the US jets.
Post-1.2, the fact being in a transport chopper is considerably more dangerous coupled with the improved AA has meant that establishing a successful foothold on the island has become even more precarious. This is by far more noticeable with Wake Island where China at the start controls each of the island's flag points. The US team has to be really experienced to be able to obtain a foothold on the island before the flag count has become irrevocably bad.
So far I've haven't noticed much of an effect of the improved AA on the jets. Pro-pilots can still do very well and instead it's more the transport choppers that are suffering as a result. Granted there are ways around this for the transport chopper pilots, such as flying very high and away from the commonly used and most direct route to the island. But the majority of players haven't yet adjusted and it remains to be seen whether they ever will...
The other important factor is that now the carrier is no longer a sensible target for the Chinese jets, the jets are spending more time looking for the susceptible and packed transport choppers doing large circles round the island. The improved missiles means it's become even easier to take these out without the need for the traditional kamikaze.
So, the big question is will these maps prove to be even more imbalanced than they possibly were before?
2. Jets -
Coming back to previous point, I think I should reiterate that I don't think pro-pilots have been that affected by the improved AA. Instead, and I appreciate that this is rather controversial, I think we could have a situation which will prove to be even worse than before (remember you heard that here first
)! Jets are more likely to be left for the pros, as rookie or average pilots will now tend to prefer taking their chances on the ground. If the jets therefore are more commonly being used by pros, and they're not overly bothered by the improved AA, then what's the outcome?
Pros know where each AA emplacement is, they know the best flight paths to take and they use their cannons on teh AA to save their bombs for more lucrative targets. Jets are still > AA site. They have preemptive warnings of occupied sites through their radar, a feature which isn't reciprocated for the person manning the AA. In essence the AA is blind and, like I've experienced first hand several times, often dead before you even see the jet.
3. GL -
Well, what's all this about?? We have a hacky sack for grenade! It flops off walls, it doesn't bounce off the ground. In fact the only thing it seems to really bounce off is close-range vehicles. So, the noobtoob is alive and well, and possibly only its unpredictability will put people off using it at close range?
Other noticed nuances -
AT missiles flying through vehicles. I also had a GL projectile do the same.
AT reloading animation occuring twice.
AT firing twice in a row without reloading?!
Interested to hear your (mature) thoughts.
Cheers
1. Wake Island / Dalian Plant / Gulf of Oman
Pre-1.2 these maps could have already been argued to be slightly biased toward the side defending the island. One reason for this was the J-10 's being more advantageous than the US jets.
Post-1.2, the fact being in a transport chopper is considerably more dangerous coupled with the improved AA has meant that establishing a successful foothold on the island has become even more precarious. This is by far more noticeable with Wake Island where China at the start controls each of the island's flag points. The US team has to be really experienced to be able to obtain a foothold on the island before the flag count has become irrevocably bad.
So far I've haven't noticed much of an effect of the improved AA on the jets. Pro-pilots can still do very well and instead it's more the transport choppers that are suffering as a result. Granted there are ways around this for the transport chopper pilots, such as flying very high and away from the commonly used and most direct route to the island. But the majority of players haven't yet adjusted and it remains to be seen whether they ever will...
The other important factor is that now the carrier is no longer a sensible target for the Chinese jets, the jets are spending more time looking for the susceptible and packed transport choppers doing large circles round the island. The improved missiles means it's become even easier to take these out without the need for the traditional kamikaze.
So, the big question is will these maps prove to be even more imbalanced than they possibly were before?
2. Jets -
Coming back to previous point, I think I should reiterate that I don't think pro-pilots have been that affected by the improved AA. Instead, and I appreciate that this is rather controversial, I think we could have a situation which will prove to be even worse than before (remember you heard that here first
)! Jets are more likely to be left for the pros, as rookie or average pilots will now tend to prefer taking their chances on the ground. If the jets therefore are more commonly being used by pros, and they're not overly bothered by the improved AA, then what's the outcome? Pros know where each AA emplacement is, they know the best flight paths to take and they use their cannons on teh AA to save their bombs for more lucrative targets. Jets are still > AA site. They have preemptive warnings of occupied sites through their radar, a feature which isn't reciprocated for the person manning the AA. In essence the AA is blind and, like I've experienced first hand several times, often dead before you even see the jet.
3. GL -
Well, what's all this about?? We have a hacky sack for grenade! It flops off walls, it doesn't bounce off the ground. In fact the only thing it seems to really bounce off is close-range vehicles. So, the noobtoob is alive and well, and possibly only its unpredictability will put people off using it at close range?
Other noticed nuances -
AT missiles flying through vehicles. I also had a GL projectile do the same.
AT reloading animation occuring twice.
AT firing twice in a row without reloading?!
Interested to hear your (mature) thoughts.
Cheers
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