More Mission Theater Thoughts

[Midnight]

First of all.. I am 100% in favor of the mission theater concept and can't wait until it gets here. In thinking about it for the past few days, I, like eskimo have come up with a few thoughts that may add even more options to AH game play.

1. SAR (Search and Rescue) has been disscussed many times before. In the MA, it always seems that the concept might be a waste of time. In the Mission Theater, however, being rescued rather than captured could be a big difference.

I am thinking that the introduction of SAR planes and vehicles could add a very useful element into the game.

2. Ground Vehicle play - I would venture a guess that less than 80% of most GVs get a 'succesful landing' just because of the time it would take to drive one all the way back to a friendly field after a battle, especially if the only friendly field to go back to is UP hill. In a theater that will emphasize getting home safely, will we see...

A. Less, if any GV action.
or
B. A restructuring of how GVs are awarded 'succesful landings' after combat.

[AKDejaVu]

I'm curious as to how GVs will play out in this arena in general.  The whole returning to base concept seems a bit silly in those regards.

Also, Killing GVs should be one of the major allied JABO roles (along with trains) and I don't know how many are going to want to sit there and be slaughtered.

AKDejaVu

[Hortlund]

Actually I think gv:s will be a later question. 1.11 will focus on 8th AF if I remember correctly. Gv:s in the mission theater will probably be a later issue. Which is fine by me, since the ground combat aspect of AH needs a major overhaul. I have no problem to wait for more gvs until ver 1.15 or something like that, if that is what it takes to get them right.

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by Midnight
1. SAR (Search and Rescue) has been disscussed many times before. In the MA, it always seems that the concept might be a waste of time. In the Mission Theater, however, being rescued rather than captured could be a big difference.

I am thinking that the introduction of SAR planes and vehicles could add a very useful element into the game.

.

I like it.

This has crossed my mind as well.  My squad has done a number of SAR missions in the MA.  We have one pilot  ditch in enemy territory, then we have a goon with escorts retrieve him.  They can be a lot of fun.  

I was thinking that a SAR mission could be the one unplanned, player-inspired mission for the MT.  Basically, when a player bails or ditches in the MT, he can request a SAR which automatically creates a SAR mission.  This would give players (who are waiting for the next mission to start) something to do.  So if my wingman and I get shot down early on in a mission (say I die and he bails and we have 20+ minutes till the next mission), I can go get him if we think we have time.  He would not be captured and I would get credit for a rescue.  Perhaps full credit if you bring him to a home base, and partial credit for bringing him into friendly territory (so you can catch the next mission).

eskimo

[Sabre]

SAR...most excellent idea.  Let's definitely add it to the list of potential MT missions.  As for ground vehicles, yes; the "succeful landing" issues is a concern.  My immediate thought is that we should add roving A/I controlled armor columns for JABO missions to attack, but allow them to spawn GV's for players.  Kind of like a task group, only one that moves on land.  It would have some automated AA.  Obvious details lacking, but you get the idea.

[Yeager]

Search and Rescue would most definately would be a major contributor to the mission based arena.  Ive always thought a Kingfisher would do nicely for water SAR and a simple willys jeep would make a great ground SAR.

As for GVs, yeah.  They will need a little different approach to retain any worthwhile validity in a mission based arena.  Bout the only time I use em anymore is for defense or highlylikey captures.

[Thrawn]

I've alway like the SAR idea, and I hope it finds it's place in the Mission Arena.


PS: What the heck is its acronym going be?  MA is taken.

[DarkHawk]

How about MTC
Mission Combat Theater

Just a suggestion

[LLv34_Camouflage]

SAR is a good idea.

How about AI controlled ground attacks, controllable by the CMs through a separate mission editor?  Just like in any boxed game and its mission editor...  This way players could take defensive GV missions (no RTB problem since you're at your base) and have plenty of jabo missions.
 
The trains, convoys and barges already introduced the AI ground element.  Could it be further developed into this kind of a system?

Camo

[MadBirdCZ]

Hmmm SAR you say? Hmm... Flying Boats!!!

[SFRT - Frenchy]

SAr missions look great but aren't SAr planes generally so slow that it would take for ever to rescue someone and not beinbg able to RTb in time?

[MadBirdCZ]

But wouldn't it be nice to escort JollyGreens in your armed to the teeth Skyrider in the alt of treetops and then buildt the defensive perimeter around the downed pilot with all the napalm, canons and rockets you are carrying?

eee sorry Im in a wrong forum

[Wotan]

wheres my Storch

[Zippatuh]

What about doing AI tank columns rolling when an amount of damage has been sustained by a target similar to FA2.  It would insure GV’s are a vital part of the theater but would also create opponent JABO missions to destroy the columns.  It could also create similar missions for GV’s to encounter the advancing columns.

Of course AI controlled Panzer’s and Ostwinds could be kind of scary .