I've long advocated the implementation of something that didn't make you go a petless Robotics Mastermind, except you made it better.
I like it.
It should be a PEAT (Praetorian EAT), unlocked when you get someone to 20 in Praetoria.
You could give 2 of the branches you suggest to Resistance and 2 to Loyalists, although that somewhat defeats what you've tried to do here.
Check out the Repeat Offenders network of SGs! You'll be glad you did.
Greetings all, long time lurker here.
While playing through the content of Pretoria, particularly against the Resistance I would often sigh as the NPCs pulled out cooler weapons and abilities then we had yes I am talking about laser weapons. I mean they not only get a rifle, but dual pistols and an assault canon.
So similar to others I went and made a petless robotics/traps mm just for the laser rifle. Not the greatest but does satisfy a bit the desire for the pew pew syndrome. However it did get me thinking about how a laser rifle could be implemented into the game and I think that it should not just be a powerset but a new archetype. With a new archetype so much more can be done and it can be implemented much better.
Now I have not been as diligent as some of you and dont have complete power listings. I also realize that balancing could be a nightmare but these are just ideas. Since some of you on the boards have outlined a complete laser rifle set perhaps that could be drawn on to round out the sets.
So here are my thoughts
Create a military/solider type archetype. Model it after VEATS so you get some attacks, some buffs/debuffs and some protection/defense. Some powers and abilities will be shared between different branches but may come at different levels and will be at different strengths.
From levels 1-12 everyone shares the same powers and the same abilities. These abilities would be your basic laser rifle shots, a couple single target shots, ae shot, aim etc. The secondary would consist of the some immobilizes and a few token melee attacks. At level 12 that all changes. Why level 12? Because I hate waiting 20 plus levels just to play the type of character I want. Why up to level 12 and not right at the start well everyone has to go through basic training. So at level 12 you are presented with four choices.
1 Soldier
This would be your typical grunt, the guy you send in to get the job done, draw fire and do the dirty work. The theme for the Soldier would be a tanker. The primary would still be the laser rifle with a logical progression of attacks. The secondary would introduce body armor, personal shields, military training for status protection and some other military like powers. In order to keep things balanced the damage done would still be on the tanker level but the secondary would be scaled to a tanker.
2 Officer
For those that are familiar with W40K, this branch would be based on a Commissar (but without execution of those you command). His primary role is to be in the front lines encouraging his comrades. The theme for the Officer would be a scraper/defender. The primary weapons would be to dual wield a laser pistol and an energy sword. The attacks would be just pistol, just sword and then of course a combination of the two. The secondary would have some personal buffs (body armor, status protection) but as well as several buffs either for the team or individual players. The dmg and protection and buffs would be scaled to that of a scrapper. I am thinking the buffs would be single target with perhaps some toggles similar to the leadership pool or something new.
3 Heavy Support
This is your ae, demolitions expert the guy you call when you want a lot of mobs dead. The theme for the Heavy Support would be a corruptor. Their primary would be have a weapon similar to the assault canon the Resistance uses with some single target attacks but then a heavy focus on ae. The secondary I am thinking would be a mesh of Trick Arrow and Traps. Perhaps different grenades with different debuffs or able to change debuff effects on a mortar like swap ammo for dual pistols. Also in the secondary would be personal protection but with properly adjusted values.
4- Sniper
Yes the sniper single target expert the guy that focuses on taking out the important target. The theme for the Sniper is a Stalker/Controller. Now I realize that this would be the hardest branch to balance, but when thinking how to come up with a sniper it seemed the most logical pairing. The primary for the sniper would be focused on high single target damage. Instead of providing just one sniper shot, I was thinking of giving them three, they cannot be interrupted, but have 20-40 second timers, they cannot be changed. As an added perk, each shot has a chance to fire off an ae placate, since a good sniper would not be noticed.
Now the secondary is a bit tricky, along with the usual body armor and status protection (but controller values) there would be stealth and some of the powers would focus on control, the others enhancing the offense. So some things like caltrops, ae web grenade, perhaps a crippling shot that slows/immobilizes a foe. The offense assistance would come in the form of drones (similar to targeting drone) but you can only have one active at time but each one does something different, either enhancing accuracy, dmg, placate, control or whatever.
So that is the general idea. Like I said not really fleshed out but I think it could be something that would work in the game.
Now, how would this fit into the lore of CoX. Well there are several easy ways. They could be the Praetorian Vanguard or if the moon base gets implemented they could be part of that. If the devs want to be really creative they could be part of special force designed to function in the Shadow Shard which of course would have to be opened to villains and revamped.
So those are my crazy ideas. I dont think it would be that hard to implement as several of the animations can be taken from elsewhere, some of the powers can also be taken from other areas. However I do realize that getting the balance right would be a nightmare and that I didnt outline key powers/inherent abilities etc...
Anyways thanks for reading my ramblings.
"Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big old storm right in the eye and says, Give me your best shot. I can take it."