Armor Customization ideas

Armor customizibility is an essential backbone of Tribes gameplay. For me, it is one of four major features in Tribes that first got/keeps me interested in Tribes. The choice it gave users between support/assault/defense/attacking classes was truly unique and different from any other game I had played. Sure, other games that predated it had similar systems but none of them were quite as streamlined or had the depth of Tribes' system.

When Tribes 2 came out, I was severely disappointed by the lack of change in this system. At first, I wished Dynamix had added more armors to T2, but then I realized that none were really needed. Rarely do people use a medium unless its forced upon them via artificial gameplay rules like only med/light can pilot vehicles. In fact, the more I thought about it I realized that Tribes really only needs 2 armor classes, heavy and light.

But if more armors are pointless, and extra packs would be esoteric how could the features be added without vastly changing play balance?

Here's my idea...
There should be a sub-armor set available to all armors that adds functionality complementary to individual play/personal styles. For example, a heavy would be able to equip weapons, a pack etc, and an armor subset. This system would allow players to get a increased sense of individuality. Each armor subset would have a slightly different appearance both to the player who uses it (for example via GUI (graphical interfaces) and hud setups), and to other players (eg via small armor model modifications). The armor subset would give small advantages to certain armor statistics, or contain new features that couldnt really be balancecd as a pack or a weapon (ala grappling hook). The number of different armor subsets would ideally be around 5. Enough to add some variety without overwhelming a newbie. Here are a few of the retarded ideas I had. I know some of them would be expensive/impossible to add, but this is just my personal dream so dont pinch me :D

The "Spiderman" subset:
Special advantage: Use of grappling hook/tow rope
Disadvantage: -25% to all ammo capacity
User interface theme: Blue/White "Ice"
AI voice type example (this is purely icing-but I think it would be cool if your armor talked to you on occasion like knight rider, and each subset would have a different voice): Refined/Sleek (think James bond)
In game music type: Symphonic Rock (think The Verve, Bittersweet Symphony)
Cosmetic model change: A bulky wristband would be added to the forearm of the model (think megaman)

The grunt/high explosives subset: (note, this would be the default subset since its kind of blah)
Special advantage: +50% to all ammo capacity (remove the ammo pack, ugh-its rarely used anyway) +2 mine max +3 grenade max
Disadvantage: None
User interface theme: Red/Yellow Fire
AI voice type: Deep/Strong (think R. Lee Ermey)
Music type: Classic Rock (think welcome to the jungle)
Cosmetic armor change: utility belt

The "ripper" subset
Special advantage: Chaingun fire rate increased ~15% (so the dmg is in line with T1's chain, assuming the chain is balanced like T2's). All other weapon fire rates increased by 10%. All weapon switch speeds increased 50-75%
Disadvantage: None needed, the increase in ammo consumption would help offset the overall dmg increases
User Interface theme: Black/Blue Imperial
AI voice type: Deep/Dark (think James Earl Jones)
Music Type: Dark/Techno (think Rob D, Clubbed to Death)
Cosmetic armor change: A shining sheathed sword

The commander subset
Special advantage: Offhand targetting laser (luci's idea) and special infrared targetting computer
Disadvantage: None
User interface theme: Blue/Green Tactical
AI voice type: Smart/Deliberate (think Patrick Stewart)
Music Type: Intense/Deliberate (think X-Com victory screen music)
Cosmetic armor change: Something over the eye (like those IBM monitor glasses)

The rocket skate subset
Special advantage: Slightly increased player weight on downslopes of hills to slightly increase player accelleration/top speed
Disadvantage: Player friction while standing still would not quite be 100% (think hover boots in Zeld The Ocarina of Time)
User interface theme: Black/White extreme
AI voice type: Psycho (think martyr in Dark Reign 1 or vultures in SC)
Music type: Punk
Cosmetic armor change: Well....rocket skates

Thats it! I'm done babbling. Now for some pizza....

The "Acme" Subset...

But yeah, cool idea.

*idea*

make it so that you can adjust the size of the armor. put it on a percent ratio, so when it's at like 25%, it's considered light, 50% is med and 75% is heavy. anything above or below and everything in between is customizable. zing.

That sounds promising... although I have found some uses for the medium armor: mostly what I call 'Medium Tank', wich means the 4 weapons that use ammo and a shield pack. Then I just walk to the enemy base with the shield on and CGing and nadeing my butt off... but this could be transformed to a light subset. This idea is very nice, hope it won't be scrapped in a hurry... :hrm:

This Idea I like, very much. Heres my take...


I am not gonna go into medium because they obviously are aware of this problem and are fixing it , but Heavy/Light Should be very customizable. I know people like whats normal, and people like familiarity. I personally get tired of the same crap over and over, and Honestly if we get another Light/Medium/Heavy im gonna be like THEY HAD YEARS TO THINK OF SOMETHING. I mean YES, it does in fact prove useful in all different ways possible...or does it? How do we know untill we try. It only gives you everything you need on the most simplistic T1 level. Wich was great, but dosnt mean it cant improve. Some sort of in depth customization would be awsome for armor. Not To where its non user freindly but where it gives people a sense of being "themselves" and just not another BLOOD EAGLE, or DIAMOND SWORD. I dunno it may be off the wall, but Maybe Player Designed Decals that could be worked into the engine to be server Side if possible. That would be awsome being able to have your name written across your armor, and look just alittle bit different then other people. But thats just an idea.

I don't like this. This would require more forced teamplay than in t2.

I don't like this. This would require more forced teamplay than in t2.

Forced teamplay? My intention was exactly the opposite....more options for the individual would allow for more individual gameplay, no? Please explain.

This from the guy who is bashing mods in the other thread? :huh:

Light, Med, Heavy, never change that in base. It IS base.

Also, Tribes is about teamplay, so wtf are you talking about "forced teamplay." Just cuz most of us can be cowboys doesn't mean we should. The game is still about capping the flag as a team, not about your own personal score. If you're looking for individual gameplay, there are a thousand other FPS's out there for you to own.

This from the guy who is bashing mods in the other thread? :huh:

Light, Med, Heavy, never change that in base. It IS base.

Also, Tribes is about teamplay, so wtf are you talking about "forced teamplay." Just cuz most of us can be cowboys doesn't mean we should. The game is still about capping the flag as a team, not about your own personal score. If you're looking for individual gameplay, there are a thousand other FPS's out there for you to own.

The Light, med and heavy would stay the same (in my idea post) but you can change the proportions of the light to medium, medium to heavy. It would make the armor proportions different, and change the # of weapons you can carry. EX: 75% is a standard heavy. Lets say you moved that little bar up to around 85%. Serious heavy shit right there. Good ONLY for base D. But YOU choose what percentage you want your capability/mobility to be at. I just think that'd be so damn cool.

This from the guy who is bashing mods in the other thread? :huh:

Light, Med, Heavy, never change that in base. It IS base.

Also, Tribes is about teamplay, so wtf are you talking about "forced teamplay." Just cuz most of us can be cowboys doesn't mean we should. The game is still about capping the flag as a team, not about your own personal score. If you're looking for individual gameplay, there are a thousand other FPS's out there for you to own.

I was bashing mods? I must have been knocked unconscious and missed that part...

Forced teamplay? My intention was exactly the opposite....more options for the individual would allow for more individual gameplay, no? Please explain.

If you have someone in one of these armors, his versatility as a player is going to be very restricted. Since the player's role is more specific, he's not going to be able to make as much of a difference by himself. IE you'll need armor A to counter armor B but it won't stand a chance against armor C (which is of course weak against B), and so on.

If you have someone in one of these armors, his versatility as a player is going to be very restricted. Since the player's role is more specific, he's not going to be able to make as much of a difference by himself. IE you'll need armor A to counter armor B but it won't stand a chance against armor C (which is of course weak against B), and so on.

Hmm...so by that description, energy packs, sheild packs, hev/med/light armor etc all cause forced teamplay? I dont think that is the case.

This from the guy who is bashing mods in the other thread? :huh:

Light, Med, Heavy, never change that in base. It IS base.

Also, Tribes is about teamplay, so wtf are you talking about "forced teamplay." Just cuz most of us can be cowboys doesn't mean we should. The game is still about capping the flag as a team, not about your own personal score. If you're looking for individual gameplay, there are a thousand other FPS's out there for you to own.

Yep, I am a t1 cowboy. I change teams so that I don't lose points for suiciding. :rolleyes:

It is simply my opinion that you should not be forced to work together to accomplish anything.

I will refer to this (http://www.tribalwar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206137) thread.

Umm... isn't this just backpacks feature renamed?

Hmm...so by that description, energy packs, sheild packs, hev/med/light armor etc all cause forced teamplay? I dont think that is the case.

Not really. A light can serve many of the same purposes as a heavy and packs are never necessary in any role.

It is simply my opinion that you should not be forced to work together to accomplish anything.

I will refer to this (http://www.tribalwar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206137) thread.

So in theory, you think that in tribes one man should be able to do everything necessary to win a match. Because if he can't, then he is being forced to work with someone else (actively or passively, willfully or not, he is still working with them by having them do some job) to accomplish something. Therefore anything above 1v1 play is "forced teamplay." I repeat what I said before, Tribes is about teamplay, if you want to do it on your own go play UT2K3.

So in theory, you think that in tribes one man should be able to do everything necessary to win a match. Because if he can't, then he is being forced to work with someone else (actively or passively, willfully or not, he is still working with them by having them do some job) to accomplish something. Therefore anything above 1v1 play is "forced teamplay." I repeat what I said before, Tribes is about teamplay, if you want to do it on your own go play UT2K3.

Tribes is not solely about teamplay. I loved t1 but, according to you, t1 doesn't embody what tribes is about (not teamwork). For the last time, I said it should not be necessary, not that it should not help. Obviously if a team expects to be successful in competition they must have very good coordination.

I'm sorry that you fail to comprehend.

I'm also sick of hearing all this "Tribes is about <insert something here>" bullshit. You could make a game centered around one aspect of tribes and it be nothing like either t1 or t2 (or any of its mods for that matter).

Umm... isn't this just backpacks feature renamed?
Yeah essentially it is :shrug:. But the feature set is different than packs, and the implementation is different.

Yeah essentially it is :shrug:. But the feature set is different than packs, and the implementation is different.

I see no gameplay difference if you compare your idea to just having 2 backpacks (obviously i am ignoring the HUD and voice chances.. and i bet you can guess why).