With the implementation of the “Supply Box” radio squads received with the Rzhev update, I have seen little to no deployment of them in many of my matches. They are significantly slower than just building an ammo crate and have no real benefit aside from being able to call in the ammo crate while a bombing run or other artillery is happening. They have ended up being completely unused which is why I think there are a lot of improvements that could be added to not only enhance the utility of it, but also add a unique mechanic that both the individual and team could benefit from. Let players customize the supply crate.
In a radio squad there could easily be a “Supply Crate” similar to a vehicle that would show a customization screen much like a soldier’s screen. In these slots players could add their own weapons that would be available within the crate during a battle.
The crate could have the following options in game:
3 slots for weapons
1 slot for a unique weapon (AT, Mortar, Flamethrower, etc.)
3 slots for grenades
4 uses for refilling medkits
1 use of refilling a toolkit
2 uses of refilling all ammunition
The squad’s crate can pull information from the allotted weapons and calculate for the appropriate BR. This would make sure stronger weapons are not smuggled into lower tiers while still allowing for players to customize their crate.
The slots a crate contains could easily be adjusted for balancing but I feel 3 slots for weapons would be sufficient for most. As for the unique weapon this would allow for some flavor and would give both the individual and the team some versatility.
The medkits and ammunition would be only given a few uses so as not to outperform ammo crates and medboxes.
Of course improving this crate would need to come with some other adjustments. The first would be increasing the crate’s cooldown from 30 seconds. Anywhere above 2 minutes would most likely be appropriate to prevent calling in many crates with multiple radio squads.
Another limitation would be making the maximum crates that can be deployed on the field be 2. This way the map won’t be littered with endless amounts of supply crates filled with weapons. When a player calls a new crate, the oldest one would be destroyed.
Another couple of changes would be how the crate appears in the game.
First off, the deployment. The plane that carries a crate should be given a mark similar to enemy planes and bombers. This would allow for counter-play and result in the crate sometimes not reaching the destination with interruption from enemy planes and AA emplacements.
A visible change to the box’s physical appearance would also be in order. This way players know for sure they’ve come across a “Supply Crate” and not a “Paratrooper’s Box” that’s empty. Each nation could get a visually different box so players are able to quickly identify what kind of box they found (friendly or foe).
When marking the crate it could get a unique symbol so that all allies can quickly ascertain the location of an available supply crate.
Once a crate has landed it could produce colored smoke for a period of time to more easily draw attention from both allies and enemies. It would also be a nice visual to have on the battlefield.
The use of the crate would not just be restricted to the player that called it in. Allied players would be able to access the crate and take what they need. Whenever an ally uses your supply box you would receive an amount of points to incentivize using the crate as a support item, and not just pumping up your own soldiers.
To prevent supply crates from just being a free weapon station for your team it would also be accessible to enemy soldiers. Both teams will get full access to the crate allowing for the stealing of supplies and enabling a level of counter-play. If a box is called too far back, allies won’t get as much use from the crate. If the box is called too far forward then you risk enemy combatants stealing your drop crate. Guerilla soldiers would be very effective in stealing crates or even setting ambushes around them, giving the new class more sabotage capabilities.
These changes would not only improve and increase the use of the supply drop call, it would also increase the rate that radio squads are used at all. I understand these are not minor changes and would probably take a considerable amount of work to add into the game. Everything here is just my thoughts on the matter but I feel if this was implemented it would have a great improvement to teamplay, individual customization, and make the game just a bit better.