Battlefield: Bad Company 2

[Lounge]

Newbies start off way too naked in this game.

Like for example: Medics don't start with the healing pack or the defib... What the fuck is that? Newbies now not only know not how to play, but can't even HEAL people as a medic.

Yes. Shitty weapon, no healing, no rezzing. I've yet to level medic past I think the second LMG/heals/defib. The only class that's mostly functional out of the box is the engie, and mostly because repair is the least important thing they do most maps.

I think its fairly balanced given how stupid fast it is to accrue points with heals and rezzes.  Its probably the easiest class in the entire game to level.

I completely disagree with you on shitty weapon as well.  I think the LMG's are some of the easiest weapons in the game to get kills with.  You just cant run and gun like the other classes as a medic.  Maybe you are doing it wrong?

[taolurker]

Was just playing for a while on and off, but still really think it's me not knowing maps and also still adjusting the graphics and options slightly. Too many mortars and explosions I am dying to, then being sniped.

The empty servers do allow you to get points just destroying mcom stations, but honestly other than playing for a few minutes to look at the maps I haven't been trying heavy population servers because it's many quick deaths.

[WayAbvPar]

To avoid explosion/mortar death and being sniped, NEVER stop moving unless you are behind something very solid. Even ducking behind plants won't do you any good if someone saw you go in 

[kildorn]

Newbies start off way too naked in this game.

Like for example: Medics don't start with the healing pack or the defib... What the fuck is that? Newbies now not only know not how to play, but can't even HEAL people as a medic.

Yes. Shitty weapon, no healing, no rezzing. I've yet to level medic past I think the second LMG/heals/defib. The only class that's mostly functional out of the box is the engie, and mostly because repair is the least important thing they do most maps.

I think its fairly balanced given how stupid fast it is to accrue points with heals and rezzes.  Its probably the easiest class in the entire game to level.

I completely disagree with you on shitty weapon as well.  I think the LMG's are some of the easiest weapons in the game to get kills with.  You just cant run and gun like the other classes as a medic.  Maybe you are doing it wrong?

My complaint with LMGs is that the muzzle flash completely screws aim on follow up shots. It's possible if I lower the graphics details this will go away, but generally first bullet = hit, second bullet = OHGODWHERE DID MY TARGET GO

With an AR, I can happily snipe the night away, however.

That said, what you quoted was me talking about starter weapons. The beginning LMG is no M60.

[harmonicker]

I'm not sure how to do it, but this is what I have for Bat Country:

1579307081,903d021f-1732-4d4b-80c2-2075dda58d4c,Bat Country [Dallas\, TX/Ranked/FF]

Perfect!  I added it after the semicolon of the previous favorite, added an additional semicolon after, and it was good to go.  Thanks, no more full server refresh! 

[fuser]

Just a FYI the server billing has lapsed and as so Bat Country is dead. Sorry for anyone who played and enjoyed it, the management tools from DICE/EA is a mess resulting in the usage of streaming clients (ie a process running on your desktop pc) to just provide basic tools. No improvements were made in stability as the server population shows when Punkbuster was turned back on.

Everyone who donated was refunded their contributions.

[Engels]

Thanks for giving it a shot man. So sad that they have just about everything right, but then drop the ball in what seems to me to be fairly established tech.

[Nightblade]

Newbies start off way too naked in this game.

Like for example: Medics don't start with the healing pack or the defib... What the fuck is that? Newbies now not only know not how to play, but can't even HEAL people as a medic.

Yes. Shitty weapon, no healing, no rezzing. I've yet to level medic past I think the second LMG/heals/defib. The only class that's mostly functional out of the box is the engie, and mostly because repair is the least important thing they do most maps.

I think its fairly balanced given how stupid fast it is to accrue points with heals and rezzes.  Its probably the easiest class in the entire game to level.

I completely disagree with you on shitty weapon as well.  I think the LMG's are some of the easiest weapons in the game to get kills with.  You just cant run and gun like the other classes as a medic.  Maybe you are doing it wrong?

My complaint with LMGs is that the muzzle flash completely screws aim on follow up shots. It's possible if I lower the graphics details this will go away, but generally first bullet = hit, second bullet = OHGODWHERE DID MY TARGET GO

With an AR, I can happily snipe the night away, however.

That said, what you quoted was me talking about starter weapons. The beginning LMG is no M60.

Who needs aim when you have an M60? Just point at an Mcom, hold down the mouse button and people go away. Forever.

[taolurker]

Ya, thanks for the attempt. Was still the only server that I saw with auto-balance teams, and one I could connect to often, there just usually wasn't anyone on the server when I tried.

I still spend half the time I want to actually play searching for a server (and therefore playing less frequently). Bad server setup, server browser and UI for multi-player makes the MP server hunt more frustration than it's worth.

[Nightblade]

Ya, thanks for the attempt. Was still the only server that I saw with auto-balance teams, and one I could connect to often, there just usually wasn't anyone on the server when I tried.

I still spend half the time I want to actually play searching for a server (and therefore playing less frequently). Bad server setup, server browser and UI for multi-player makes the MP server hunt more frustration than it's worth.

Agreed, this game is in dire need of a patch. Soon. Would be nice if we had run toggle, and iron sights toggle too; but one thing at a time.

[fuser]

Here's a list of server side stuff STILL needed that wasn't addressed in the month post launch

• Server stability (bat country crashed daily)
• Fixes to punkbuster (something is still wrong that the server never populates with it on)
• punkbuster screen captures(for admins to report cheaters)
• Switch maps/modes via the rotation list
• rcon (support of in game admin commands)
• ban list  (only effective way is to punkbuster ban at the moment)
• reserved slots (that work)
• auto balance
• spectator mode (for admins to find cheaters)

Server R9 is suppose to fix quite a bit but its a way out.

[Astorax]

Here's a list of server side stuff STILL needed that wasn't addressed in the month post launch

• Server stability (bat country crashed daily)
• Fixes to punkbuster (something is still wrong that the server never populates with it on)
• punkbuster screen captures(for admins to report cheaters)
• Switch maps/modes via the rotation list
• rcon (support of in game admin commands)
• ban list  (only effective way is to punkbuster ban at the moment)
• reserved slots (that work)
• auto balance
• spectator mode (for admins to find cheaters)

Server R9 is suppose to fix quite a bit but its a way out.

Haven't seen many issues with server stability on the servers I've hopped around to since playing.

having said that, I still can't save any favorite servers, either from inside the map or outside in the server list.  THAT SHIT IS WHACK YO.

Also, being able to see via the server browser whether a server is set to "hardcore" mode, has minimap enabled and/or has crosshairs enabled would be a big plus.  As it is right now, I hop into a server and hop right back out if they aren't configured how I like to play...which can be frustrating.

[WayAbvPar]

Switch maps/modes via the rotation list

The goon server does this somehow- they mix in a conquest round after every 2 Rush maps or something. It is a good change of pace.

Game needs a balance patch desperately-


That is fucking INSANE. M60, 40MM and M2CG all need nerfing, and some of the other peashooters could use some love. Knife animation is bullshit too- basically once it is initiated it is a kill, no matter how many times the knifer is shot on his way in. I need to get a screenshot of shooting someone right in the face a millisecond before I die. Clownshoes.

[caladein]

Man, I am clearly gimping myself running around with my beloved PKM and MP-443 combo instead of an M60 and 1911.  (And using the T88 Sniper as Recon... but that's because I'm terrible.)

That said, still having a lot of fun although I haven't really been in the mood for it lately.

[Malakili]

Yeah, the m60 is nuts currently.  I am surprised to see the knife so high.  I mean, I would've expected it to be after the most used primary weapons and before pistols, maybe somewhere in the 5-10 range, but number 2 indicates to me that there is something very wrong with how the knife is being used.

[WayAbvPar]

(And using the T88 Sniper as Recon

I have been trying to get bronze stars with all the weapons, and this one is killing me. I fucking HATE the scope setup, and it does dick for damage even with magnums. Only hope is to find someone running straight at me or sitting still for a headshot.

The shotguns are hard for me too...I need to experiment with the slugs and start sniping with them.

[Strazos]

Sniping with the Neo2000 and slugs is AMAZING. And you mostly avoid that pesky muzzle flash.

Note: This was done on a HC server...I can't deal with the amount of lead I have to hit with to make kills in normal mode.

[Slayerik]

Sniping with the Neo2000 and slugs is AMAZING. And you mostly avoid that pesky muzzle flash.

Note: This was done on a HC server...I can't deal with the amount of lead I have to hit with to make kills in normal mode.

I was on your team last night for a bit, my tag is "DrDogpound"

Look me up sometime.

[taolurker]

New Server build released today:

All Battlefield: Bad Company 2 dedicated servers have been updated to version R9, which supposedly includes a functioning autobalance system:

    * admin.say command implemented

          o the output currently looks a bit funky on the game client, like so:
            Player: [Server]: but with the next game client it will look like:
            Server:

    * admin.yell to squad has changed (you need to specify both team and squad)
    * squad numbering has changed - the "no squad" squad has ID 0, and real squads are 1 and up.
    * Autobalance improved, it shuffles people both during and between rounds now, and does a better job. Note: There is currently no way to turn it off
    * mapList* commands reworked
    * banList* commands reworked
    * listPlayers command added
    * admin.listPlayers command reworked (GUID, kills, deaths, ping and score added)
    * Players have non-PB GUIDs now (these are distinct from PB GUIDs)
    * onChat event reworked

          o now it specifies target player subset as well
          o shows text before profanity filtering
          o client-originated chat messages starting with "/" make it to the server, and broadcast via onChat, but are not broadcast to other game clients
          o use "/!" if you want to be able to send commands to your homemade rcon tools without showing the commands to other players

    * player.onAuthenticated added (it's triggered when a player receives GUID)
    * player.onSquadChange, player.onTeamChange implemented
    * Couple of crash fixes
    * Support for server-side "region" setting (not yet used by the game client)
    * Ranked ON forces game-password OFF
    * Ranked and PunkBuster settings can only be changed during server startup
    * A server is marked as "hardcore" either when Friendly Fire is enabled, or when all the typical hardcore settings (hardcore killcam minimap etc) have been flipped
    * exposed number of rounds per maps in maplist.txt, and via the remote admin commands

[Azazel]

I found you can add favourites by using the server filter - simply refresh the whole server list. Then in the search/filter, type in the name of the server you want, and then you (should) be able to add it to favs from there. It's a bit fucked, but the workaround seems to work.

Also Fuser - thanks for trying with the server. There were rarely any f13 people on when I jumped on (and usually you bastards got off the server right after I got on) but it was a bit of fun while it lasted.

[Azazel]

Game needs a balance patch desperately-

That is fucking INSANE. M60, 40MM and M2CG all need nerfing, and some of the other peashooters could use some love. Knife animation is bullshit too- basically once it is initiated it is a kill, no matter how many times the knifer is shot on his way in. I need to get a screenshot of shooting someone right in the face a millisecond before I die. Clownshoes.

I really wish game designers would balance this shit with some kind of real-world damage approximations, based on, you know, the fucking rounds coming out of the gun. Vary the accuracy slightly, and we don't have reliability as a factor. Allow weapons that use scopes to have them and give them their proper mag capacities (M14 uses 7.62, is railed, and has a 20-round mag, not 10). The fucking SCAR-L which is a joke in the game uses 7.62, just like the M14 and M60. In game it's lumped in with the 9mm and so forth SMGs, which is just outright silly, especially when they could have used the SCAR-S which fires 5.56 rounds instead.

I think without having a few "best" guns, which is what we have now (and always seem to get) you'd find people using more of a variety, since in gameplay they'd be a much of a muchness. I guess people would gravitate towards the heavier rounds like 7.62, and away from 9mm SMGs, but in a kill-based game, that's totally to be expected.

[climbjtree]

Couple of nitpicks.

M14 uses 7.62, is railed, and has a 20-round mag, not 10). The fucking SCAR-L which is a joke in the game uses 7.62, just like the M14 and M60. In game it's lumped in with the 9mm and so forth SMGs, which is just outright silly, especially when they could have used the SCAR-S which fires 5.56 rounds instead.

Most of the military's M14's have not yet been upgraded to a stock with picatinny rails and 10 round magazines to exist for them. For what it's worth, I'd rather them replace the M14 with the M21 and give it a fixed optic rather than one you can swap around. And I think you mean SCAR-H for the 7.62mm variant and the SCAR-L for the 5.56 variant.

Like I said, nitpicks, but I'm a nerd about this stuff.

[Azazel]

Whoops, yes you are right on the SCAR. I was thinking Long and Short rather then Heavy and Light. It should really be an Assault weapon in the game though, considering the EGLM, and of course the fact that it's not actually a SMG by any stroke of the imagination.

On the M14, I was referring to the one depicted in the game, which is railed, and their description (and the ingame model) depict it with a 20-round magazine. It's basically in the style of a Mk14 Mod 0 rather than a standard wooden-stock M14.

I'm not sure why they went for the A2 instead of the A4. I'm guessing that it's more "iconic" what with things like Predator.

[Kageru]

The server browser is really, really awful. It takes ages to do anything and is really a pain to use... I can't even sort or limit by ping? Adding a server to favourites takes a couple of minutes? If this is cloud computing in action then I fear for the future.

The single-player is very short and feels like you've done it many times before. Meanwhile "realistic" war game seems to mean you can't tell friends from enemies, generally can't see enemies because they're green clad figures camped in green bushes. The unlock system guaranteeing that the person hiding in the bushes has better weapons than you.

It has certainly helped me appreciate TF2 more. Oh well, maybe it will grow on me. But I'm beginning to think close quarters combat like counterstrike or TF2 just gives better gameplay than open field battles.

[Engels]

I think that folks that expect a higher degree of realism in military FPS games are barking up the wrong tree. Sure, its fun to see actual real weapons graphics, but lets face it, in reality, a shot from anything higher than a .22 to anything other than a limb is going to deck a person and start the respawn timer. For the sake of variety of game play and 'character progression', weapons have wildly differing effects and I'm very comfortable with that. That some medic can hip shoot an M60, however, is a bit beyond the pale and entirely immersion breaking.

So for me, that's the key: keep it 'realistic' enough to keep the immersion vivid while at the same time keep it fun and interesting enough to have players coming back for more.

Because, lets face it, full realism, without HUD indicators of friend or foe, realistic ammunition amounts and medically accurate bullet effects would make this unplayable except to the srsly demented military geek. See Arma for 'realistic military sim' or alternately.

[WayAbvPar]

I would love to see the server come back when the rest of the issues are solved. I really liked playing where everyone could find each other, and where I could tailor the play experience to what I liked best. And where I could teamkill with impunity when it was called for  

Too many servers play with FF off. It was like that in MW too (never played 2, of course), and I hated it. It takes any semblance of realism and a lot of the skill out of the game when you can just spam heavy weaponry around willy nilly with no consequences.

[Azazel]

I think that folks that expect a higher degree of realism in military FPS games are barking up the wrong tree. Sure, its fun to see actual real weapons graphics, but lets face it, in reality, a shot from anything higher than a .22 to anything other than a limb is going to deck a person and start the respawn timer. For the sake of variety of game play and 'character progression', weapons have wildly differing effects and I'm very comfortable with that. That some medic can hip shoot an M60, however, is a bit beyond the pale and entirely immersion breaking.

Yeah yeah I get all that. I'm just saying that I wish they balanced the weapons so that like is closer to like. That's all. I'd be happy with that.

[WayAbvPar]

Got my first double kill with the M95 over the weekend. I can't believe I didn't get a screenshot! Very cool.

[Engels]

I got 2 double kills in one setting on an HC server. Team mates have a bad tendency to bunch up around a corner, and you can two shot them with the higher powered ones. I did it with the GOL sniper rifle, but I'm sure its possible with the M24 too.

[Malakili]

This game is sorely in need of a balance patch, there is almost no diversity in weapons at this point.  I've been going shotgun + c4 as assult and blowing the crap out everything in sight because I can't take the game seriously at all anymore.

[Strazos]

I force myself to use a variety of weapons, mostly as assault.

Also, I would KILL for a proper browser (or at least the ability to see PING on the browser), and a balancing of some of the weapons...people who lead an attack on a single soldier with a CG or 40mm nade piss me off badly.

Then again, I like to think I play with some actual skill or style when I actually use the 40mm shotgun attachment, or use a variety of guns and headshot people with single shots or bursts, rather than spray-and-pray.

[snowwy]

Seems like the PB-option on the server browser is "inverted". If you click the box, you get servers NOT running PB and.....well, I bet you know what happens if you don't check that box 

[Engels]

Also, I would KILL for a proper browser (or at least the ability to see PING on the browser),

If you're running Windows 7, that bug is 'fixed' by making sure Steam runs as Administrator and then the BF2 client does as well. You can either do it every time by right clicking on the steam client and doing a 'Run as Administrator' or going to the properties of the executable and on the compatibility tab, selecting Run as Administrator there too.

[Surlyboi]

I've gotten multiple double kills with both the M95 and the M24. It is indeed easy when people line up. Especially on rush maps like Laguna Presa and Isla Inocentes. I've unlocked almost every weapon at this point but the medic ones. I still pretty much suck as anything other than recon on most maps, but it's cool.

[Strazos]

I'm only any good at recon when I'm using slug shotguns.