BF2: This game still fun?

[edlavallee]

Maybe I'm just old, but for me, Desert Combat and BF2 flying is just too fast (the jets, not the helos).

I loved the jets in BFDC. Compared to the jets in BF-V and now in BF2, the jets in BFDC appeared to me to have better "feel" to them. Maybe its more arcade-y, but flying them was fun.

I hear your comment about too fast, as long as you are referring to how quickly you might go from one side of the map to the other... On the right map (Gazala, El Alamein, etc.) you had enough room to dogfight properly. However, the other good WWII maps like Market Garden just didn't seem to have enough airspace. Its the smaller maps that made the jets feel too fast.

[Sky]

No, I'm not just talking map size. Though I agree there were certainly tight maps in 1942, like Kursk and Kharkov. I always liked flying Market Garden because you had to worry about the Deutsch AAA on one side, but there were so many tasty armor targets to bomb. It was a great skill flying map, like Gazala could be. El Alamein was great for dogfighting, but not much call for skilled flying due to the landscape.

[Akkori]

Well hooray for 2142 and no jets! I know it's beta and all that, but so far do they seem to have a good balance between AA power and helo armor? Are there any man-portable AA weapons?

[edlavallee]

No, I'm not just talking map size. Though I agree there were certainly tight maps in 1942, like Kursk and Kharkov. I always liked flying Market Garden because you had to worry about the Deutsch AAA on one side, but there were so many tasty armor targets to bomb. It was a great skill flying map, like Gazala could be. El Alamein was great for dogfighting, but not much call for skilled flying due to the landscape.

Gazala was a great skilled pilot map with plenty of terrain to weave within, but for sheer kill fest I preferred El Alamein or the infrequent CTF No Fly Zone. Open air dogfights take a different kind of skill.

Heh, Deutch AAA. I knew what you meant but my mind went somewhere else initially... Ve haf vays of insuring you.

[Miasma]

Well hooray for 2142 and no jets! I know it's beta and all that, but so far do they seem to have a good balance between AA power and helo armor? Are there any man-portable AA weapons?

Well it is beta but DICE has already release a huge amount of info and movies about the game, especially the units.  The wiki is pretty good.  I think the beta NDA is targeted more at how playing it feels and stability type issues.

[Sky]

Open air dogfights take a different kind of skill.

Yup. Another cool thing about Gazala was the sheer amount of airpower you could put up. We used to crash a stuka and 109 as germans to nab the secondary british aircraft (bomber+ 2x spit) and have 4 fighters, one light bomber and one heavy bomber in the air. That also et up 6 or 16 players (we usually played 32 player competetively), but it could really put the hurt on the enemy long enough to nab a lot of bases and run down tickets. Especially if the 2 109's focus on harassing the brit base.

Ah, I miss 1942 at times.

[Zetleft]

Since we are talking all the Battlefield games here I thought I'd link this here.  EA has signed a deal to make in game advertising in some of their titles and the first is......Battlefield 2142.  Wow fuck you EA and fuck this new game.  Like we needed more reasons to hate them. 

Enjoy your ads for xxxtreme mountain dew while you fly your chopper/jet thingy. 

[Trippy]

Since we are talking all the Battlefield games here I thought I'd link this here.  EA has signed a deal to make in game advertising in some of their titles and the first is......Battlefield 2142.  Wow fuck you EA and fuck this new game.  Like we needed more reasons to hate them. 

Enjoy your ads for xxxtreme mountain dew while you fly your chopper/jet thingy. 

Psst. Over here.

[Zetleft]

Ah, thanks.  Too damn many subforums to keep track of     

[climbjtree]

Hopefully no one has mentioned this so far, but a new mod was recently finished for BF2. It's called Point of Existence. (http://www.pointofexistence.com)

They released a version of it for BFV, so some of you may be familiar with it - I haven't played that one. In its current release, it features the Ukranians duking it out with the Germans after the Ukrainians did some conquesting of their own. The Ukranians use Cold War era weaponry with a few newer pieces, while the German selection revolves around variants of the H&K G36. It also boasts a bit more realism. One example of that realism: tanks are armored differently if different locations and the angle at which a round impacts the tank's armor determines penetration value.

I play it almost exclusively.

Also, it's got a smoother feel to it and seems like it requires less of a beast of a machine to run it, or at least that's the case with my computer.

[Hanzii]

Well hooray for 2142 and no jets! I know it's beta and all that, but so far do they seem to have a good balance between AA power and helo armor? Are there any man-portable AA weapons?

No, but it's easy to bring down choppers with vehicles and static AA.

I play BF 2142 exclusively and like it a lot. It's very different to BF1942 or BF2 and the Titan maps add corridor infantry fighting to the mix. The balance seem good, but the sides are very similar. The new unlock system is cool and forces non-catasses to specialize in a role. It's a fun addition to BF2 (like Vietnam was to 1942, but better) but even more artificial and arcady - don't expect it to make sense from a modern arms point of view. (no guided missiles and titans are a retarded concept)
It's fun.
I have lots of stability issues, but that might be my computer or hopefully just because it's beta. Loadtimes are still really really long, but the online game browser is improved (but buggy). Wlil buy on release.

[stray]

I'm liking it too, but those load times are killing me. All performance related issues are killing me. BF2 was bad enough. I probably won't be buying it until I get a new machine.

[Miasma]

I don't think I'm going to buy it.  There are many reasons but it was the online ad nonsense that broke the camel's back.  I am looking forward to Quake Wars being a better battlefield, hopefully.

[Merusk]

The new unlock system is cool and forces non-catasses to specialize in a role.

These statements are in conflict.  In no way, shape or form should anything that's casual-restrictive be "cool".  Hooray for not allowing me to do more than putz in one role? No thx.. this and the ads kill the game before I even start to get tempted.

[Akkori]

I thought the ads would be an easy fix by modders? What about the crazy-simple possibility that a sturdy Hosts file will filter it out on individual machines?
I hear people complaining the airships are too easy to fly, but I think thats great, since it means a wider variety of players will fly, and maybe that menas fewer people clustered around the damn airstrips spamming the "enter" key to be the next one to get to fly around in an overpowered machine.... I dont much like jets or helocopters in BF2, in case you didn't notice, hehe. They ruin the fun for a lot of people I think. More than they make the game fun for, anyway.

[Azazel]

These statements are in conflict.  In no way, shape or form should anything that's casual-restrictive be "cool".  Hooray for not allowing me to do more than putz in one role? No thx.. this and the ads kill the game before I even start to get tempted.

I totally agree with you. The combination ofthe catassery in BF2 and the fact that it's still a sloppily-programmed, unfinished POS with a shitful server browser has killed the game for me.

The fact that BF2172 looks like it's more of the same is no surprise and will likely cause me not to buy it. I might d/l the demo and check it out, but I fear it's just the same mistakes yet again.

[Sky]

I'll also jump on that unlock comment. Garbage. I don't mind having unlocks, it's just the ungodly amount of catass built in. I've gotten a couple new awards in BF2 lately (2 armor and I've been playing medic, so two of those). I looked through the list to find out why I only have a handful of awards and medals (maybe a half dozen) out of all listed...the prevalence of 100h+ medals is just silly.

But on unlocks...I've been playing the same profile for a year and I've played a total of 35 hours or so (plus about 3 hours into a new profile because it'll be about four months!!! until I get another unlock with gruntzilla). To me, it's a jump in and play for a half hour type of game, and unfortunately, given time to browse servers (which is actually better now that I'm playing vanilla BF2 and there are four great servers in the list always) and connect, plus the loading times, if I play an hour that's maybe 2 or 3 rounds. I've unlocked TWO weapons, and I don't like either (the assault G3 and the support PKM). The assault unlock takes away the reason I play assault (the grenade launcher), and I just get butchered as support (about 1:2).

Just got my best single round score I can remember, 86! I don't whore for points, so that's pretty good for me. Did it playing the opening of Karkand as medic supporting a squad and then as engineer when everyone was over the river fighting for the last few bases, nobody was grabbing the USMC tank (that's where I got the two tank awards).

I guess I'll just have to have a profile for every class? For fuck's sake.

[WayAbvPar]

I don't like either (the assault G3 and the support PKM)

If you are in love with the grenade launcher, the G3 isn't your bag. However, it is probably the most lethal weapon in the game when in the right hands. It does shitloads of damage; I get kills with 2 bursts (2-3 rounds each) pretty much every time- it is extremely accurate. The only downside to it (I consider the lack of grenade launcher a plus, since I am far more accurate throwing grenades the old fashioned way) is the 20 round clip. If it was 30 rounds, it might be overpowered.

The PKM is pretty crappy. It is an upgrade to the MEC/Chinese support MG, but not to the M249 (IMHO). About the only time it is really useful is for shooting choppers and non-armored vehicles; it does a ton of damage and its horrible accuracy isn't as noticeable on the larger targets. The MG36 (the next available support gun) is far, far superior.

[Sky]

Is the medic gun more damaging then the default assault gun? Seemed that way to me, I was taking down people much faster. I may have been on a hot streak, too, so it's hard to say. Do you have to unlock in order? Say, the G3 so I can unlock the flashbang? The smoke grenade is nice, but flashbang would be better for me, I'd think.

Anyway, WAAY too much time between unlocks for casual players. When they *cough* reduced *cough* the requirements, I was given my first two unlocks instantly, and I haven't had one since. I don't even know what I'd unlock. The sniper rifle seems nice (the one that can penetrate cockpits), but I don't snipe much, too boring. Maybe the engineer shotgun because the USMC version seems so much slower than the MEC version *blam blam blam* which reminds me a bit of the NC jackhammer in Planetside.

Been trying to get away from Assault for a while. Doing medic because it's pretty handy in a squad and engineer when I can get a vehicle, or just for flavor (practicing guarding the backdoor on Karkand, for instance). Specops looks fun, but I get pasted playing that quite a bit, don't have it down at all. Antitank just seems limited to me, I duck and hide and wait for armor to move on :) I should use support on chopper/transport maps like Dragon, I forget how they maul unarmored vehicles (used to use that class in Desert Combat to deny chopperwhores).

edit: From my BF2S stats page:

Score: 1,620 of 2,500. At your historical rate, you should earn 880 in 235 days (or 17:47:16 straight).

And I'm a goddamned Corporal.  235 days for my next unlock my fucking balls.

[WayAbvPar]

The historical rate includes the entire time since release; it is based on you playing at your normal rate. If you A) play more, and B) play more efficiently (point whore a bit) you can get it done A LOT sooner. I would say I could earn 880 points in 4 or 5 nights (maybe 20 hours of play time total)- that is a very conservative estimate. Have a round or 2 like your 86 and it will come a hell of a lot faster.

If you can stay up late enough, Furiously and I can take you on a point-earning adventure. The key is to get a squad of with support and medics and cap lots of flags. I played for the first time in a couple of weeks over the weekend and had a blast. Was a bit rusty though- K/D ratio was pretty close to even.

Also-

Score: 30,882 of 50,000. At your historical rate, you should earn 19,118 in 254 days (or 235:32:48 straight).

I guess I play a bit more often  :-D

[Miasma]

Is the medic gun more damaging then the default assault gun? Seemed that way to me, I was taking down people much faster. I may have been on a hot streak, too, so it's hard to say. Do you have to unlock in order? Say, the G3 so I can unlock the flashbang? The smoke grenade is nice, but flashbang would be better for me, I'd think.

Yeah, lots of people swear by the medic gun, it's pretty nice.  Has a scope and everything.  I usually play support and I always use the PKM, I like it a lot.  The accuracy got a big boost with patch 1.2 I think.

I am pretty sure you only get flashbangs if you buy the special forces expansion.  It also gives you around four immediate unlocks so that you can pick the SF guns if you want them, but you don't have to.  Yes, it's a blatant ploy by EA to try and get you to buy the expansion.

Edit: Also a really good way to try out the other unlocks is to pick up dead player's kits.  If you pick up the kit of someone who has all the unlocks you can use them too.  There are also a couple of mods that let you use all the unlocks in single player mode.

[Furiously]

The SF unlocks were the best. I didn't like the original sniper rifle unlock as the crosshairs were too big and the zoom wasnt that big.  The SF one was great - tiny crosshair, big zoom.

The medic gun unlock from SF was also very very nice.  put it in single shot mode and 4 clicks makes a dead enemy.

[rk47]

Solution to people who doesn't want to buy SF Expansion pack but wants new unlocks.
Just play a few hours of SF in your local LAN Cafe, but make sure you're playing on ranked server online.
Log back on SF again the next day, and you'll get free unlocks. I did that with mine  :mrgreen: Loved the G36E, the only unlocks I don't have are the Engineers 2 guns since I don't play them.

[Sky]

Heh. Local LAN cafe. You're a regular comedian.

Have a round or 2 like your 86 and it will come a hell of a lot faster.

I looked it up, it was 82. A total anomaly, I normally score 16-26 in a round. Funny part is I'm usually in the lead for flag caps or assists. I'm really not that good at the way you're "supposed" to play the game. I don't whore it, I play it like a tactical wargame. Doesn't bother me beyond not getting unlocks at an acceptable pace.

[Miasma]

If what rk47 said works it sounds like you could give your login to someone with SF, have them play a round of warlord and get the unlocks.

[WayAbvPar]

Change your password, send it to me, and I will get you to the next unlock level in about a week  :-D

[Miasma]

I guess patch 1.4 also added infantry only servers.  You can just spawn medic/support and get lots of points by spamming out bags and doing revives.  Or lobbing grenades all over the place.

[WayAbvPar]

1.4? Is there a new patch? Crikey! When did that happen? I JUST PLAYED MONDAY NIGHT, for God's sake.

Edit- those sneaky bastards! Patch notes-

1.4 Patch – New content

    * New level: Road to Jalalabad (Conquest 16-32-64, Singleplayer, Co-op)
    * New Server Option: No Vehicles mode


1.4 Patch – Fix List
Front End:

    * Front end - Fix server browser issues with updating info
    * Front End - Multiplayer & Co-op - Players on server list can include Bots instead of human players
    * Multiplayer Internet Server maps size filter not working
    * Fixed an issue in the front end where pressing tab twice in the IP window would cause the cursor to skip to wrong box

Game Server:

    * Increased server stability
    * All levels - Co-op - Crash after reviving player without a kit- 1st attempt Server - Linux 32 Dedicated - Server crashes when trying to rotate maps in Special Forces Co-op Mode (fixed on SUSE only. Still present in Red Hat and Fedora)
    * Adjust the minimum number of players to start the round.The new values for 16, 32 and 64 players are 6, 6 and 8 respectively.
    * Re-enable unlocks on unranked servers
    * Ranked server forces unlocks i.e. have to have unlocks selected.
    * Coop - Local Server - If Server Host is kicked and banned although they do not actually get kicked, no other players may join the server after that point.
    * Fixed a dedicated server crash which was occurring when the user held "CTRL" and "SHIFT" while selecting a map
    * Fixed a crash which would occur when c4 was placed on a flag pole and the server rotated maps
    * Vehicle drop crash related bug (missing icon)
    * Co-Op bot console commands do not function on local servers.

Client / Gameplay:

    * Red/Blue nametag bug –Fix to the issue where players would show up with the wrong color name tag
    * Introduced a delay from proning to standing to help reduce exploiting
    * Adjusted C4 to make throwing more difficult
    * Fixed the issue where a red distance marker appears on the ground
    * Fixed the issue that caused players arms to become invisible after switching weapons when using throwable items
    * Made adjustments to reduce the damage taken by vehicles when driving
    * Adjusted the tire material on the muscle car to reduce the issue with this vehicle taking too much damage.
    * Commander options no longer available whilst dead.
    * Fixed the issue with a spawn point showing up as selected when a player has spawned in during preview round
    * Fixed the issue that would cause infantry players to be revived with no kit.
    * Fixed several rare graphics crashes.
    * Fixed issue with players crashing while clicking "Join Game" in the front end
    * Car-Drop: Made adjustments to the car drop feature to prevent players from exploiting into buildings.
    * Discovered and repaired an issue tied to projectiles which would sometimes allow tanks to fire two shells, support to fire multiple rounds, and other issues (all maps).
    * Fixed bug where after 2 rounds on the same map, the top player stars are awarded to the wrong people in the menu
    * Transport Helicopters – Increased the armor of all transport helicopters

C4 throwing adjustment is long overdue. Car Drop- not familiar with that exploit, but if they still allow drops on arty to destroy the gun, they need to be beaten to death with an ergonomic keyboard.

Yay for new map!

Goddamn it. A new BF2 patch and new build. I need to hit the lottery so I have enough time and money to play all my games. Stupid capitalism.

[Sky]

    * Introduced a delay from proning to standing to help reduce exploiting

I wish they'd do the tougher thing and take out the code exploit that allows dolphin diving, rather than punish all players. Going prone is the valid tactic in this game, you just punished every good player, assholes. Maybe there isn't a delay proning to crouch? I tend to use the crouch key to leave prone, since it's easier to hit.

[edlavallee]

A better thing to do would be to tie jumping to the fatigue meter so that you can only jump a few times instead of bunnyhop ftw. I do so hate the dolphin dive (new term for me!) tactic as well.

[WayAbvPar]

There are VERY few bunnyhoppers who get by me these days. I have learned to wait for them to land, fire, then wait for them to land again. They die in a hurry 99% of the time.

[Furiously]

A better thing to do would be to tie jumping to the fatigue meter so that you can only jump a few times instead of bunnyhop ftw. I do so hate the dolphin dive (new term for me!) tactic as well.

I like the dolphin divers. A quick grenade to the crotch takes the wind right outta their sails. (You can't shoot while you are jumping, so they can't hurt you.)

[Sky]

They bug me, but not as much as being penalized for standing up. I've also learned how to cope with them for the most part.

[Akkori]

The new map is cool... but I wish people would actually tuen off vehicles! Just for kicks, hehe. Also, why dont any servers use Co-Op mode? It seems to be pretty dang cool to me!

[WayAbvPar]

Yeah, the new map would be A LOT of fun without vehicles. All kinds of fun alleys and places to snipe.