4Game

The majority of players consistently express their dissatisfaction at how arty currently operates in the game. So why are WG doing nothing? Well perhaps they simply don’t know what to do, so let’s give solutions instead of just whining.

Context as to why current concerns about artillery are legitimate: Currently when arty fires, you briefly see the shot’s trail. This gives some limited information to its general location. In mine and most player’s opinion; not enough. Realistically they don’t have to relocate after firing unless their team is failing in part of the map. There is no real fear. A ‘general’ idea of their location doesn’t present them with enough of a risk of being found or countered by opposing arty. This results in them redlining and often surviving to the end of the battle with little-to-no effort. One handed play should also be discouraged. So, in what could possibly be the simplest and least disruptive change to implement for the WG devs, I propose:

Proposal: To other arty only, arty shots should not only show a direction trail but also a small column of smoke rising from their exact last known location after firing. This will last for a set period of time depending on the vehicle’s tier. Furthermore, so that it will not feel like a complete nerf which is unfair on current arty players who genuinely try to be skilful (lol?), WG can help them counter this by introducing a new piece of equipment specially for arty that reduces either: size of smoke column (diameter, transparency) or the length of time smoke column lasts (kind of like an arty version of exhaust system). WG can perhaps also add a new crew skill for an artillery commander or modify the existing concealment skill’s effect when the crew is placed in artillery.

Effect: To most players, nothing will change. This is not a drastic nerf. However, the need to ping artillery player’s location will become more imperative than ever. Why? So your own artillery knows the general area to look in to spot those columns of smoke. And most importantly… As an artillery player… MOVE. OR. DIE.

Finding the enemy’s arty will for the first time become a designed responsibility of your own arty and I honestly think this will help existing arty players to have a greater sense of purpose. Your team relies on your specific advantage to locate and counter the enemy. Once countered, you will have earned the reward of now having free reign over the enemy and can continue firing exactly as you currently do.

This is balanced. This is fair. This doesn’t drastically disrupt. But most importantly, this balances an entire class by promoting tactical play by all players.

PING THAT ARTY.

Opinions?