(sorry if this idea has already been thought of)
One of AH's most under utilized strat features is the mission planner. A mission requires leadership and planning, and there aren't that many squads or individuals who have what it takes to plan and lead a good mission. Anyone can furball, but missions require a more well rounded approach. I find myself changing countries when the mission planner goes empty for too long.
Here's an idea for a fourth virtual country for mission dweebs like me: This country would have no fields, just a maproom somewhere. Pilots for this country would be on call to fly missions for any of the other 3 countries. While sitting in the maproom they would have their own country channel. Mission planners in the other countries would have the option for their missions to be viewable by walk-on country pilots, so they could join and be temporarily switched to that country, just for that mission. After flying the mission and landing/ditching/dying, they would end up back in the walk-on maproom. No reset perks for walk-ons.
This is certainly a coding nightmare for HT, but IMHO it would enhance gameplay in the MA. Mission dweebs like me would get more chances to fly the kind of missions they like, and more importantly, mission organisers would have a known pool of potential participants. They could just check the roster and see how many walk-ons are waiting for missions. Right now, a lot of the missions posted end up scratched for lack of flyers, or take off under strength. With the 4th country, mission organisers could make their missions available for eager walk-ons. Also, when a country is massively outnumbered, as is often the case, they could pull in some extra help by making walk-on missions.
Some people have 'loyalty' issues, but not a potato like me. All countries are the same overall, and I would have no problem flying a mission for one country, then flying a counterstrike for the other. People who need to feel loyal can stick to their one country, and of course people who don't like missions could continue furballling. But a walk-on country would put the mission planner to good use.
ra
