In most squads, you choose between a radio op or an engineer. The only 2 exceptions are the radio squad, and the engineer squad. All other squads follow the engi vs radioman rule.
Between the two, engineers are meta picks because if you want an arty strike, you’re better off using a radio squad. Not to mention, an engineer is far more flexible by default due to the ability to set rallies, fortifications and ammo.
This is also excluding the fact that unlike engineers, radiomen are excluded from any backpack-related builds, and at best, you can equip a second rifle.
By making the 2 classes share the ability to set down rallies, either choice will benefit the player and encourage build diversity by having radiomen being practical to use outside its dedicated squad.
Considering the current limitation of artillery strikes at the present moment, I don’t think this will become a problem.
I think this is not the point of a radioman, and based on the current mechanics this would lock all of the radiomans slots. Backpack, secondary weapon, so just simply no.
The radioman is sort of like a “Headquarters liaison” so it would make sense for him to have the ability to create a sort of “Platoon HQ” ie a rally point.
I agree. I also think radio operator squads should be 6-men and not 5 as they currently are, because, since the artillery nerf, they have become the weakest squad-type in-game. Also, someone else suggested that they get their own timer for artillery strikes independent of the team’s and be able to call a secondary strike even when the team is firing the main one. The reasoning being the radio operator squad would probably have dedicated artillery in the back set aside for them and their spotting.
I also think the pre-warning for artillery strikes should be reduced. I even made a video explaining it: - YouTube
Radiomen existing outside of radio squads is non-meta given their lengthy 4 minute cooldown on artillery strike.
So why not make radiomen and engineers, usually exclusive to one-another, have the ability to set down their own rallies as they both fulfill a niche support role in squad composition.
I have no idea what you mean. Radio Ops can’t have backpacks. They don’t have any real builds.
Engineers are far more useful by essentially being a Trooper with the ability to set down fortifications, and have access to backpacks.
If you want to go the “historic” route, then radio ops are just lowly grunts whose job is to carry and maintain the radio set on behalf of their superiors.
They’re not forward observers, either. That’s usually an officer’s job, and the radioman’s job is to give said officer the ability to communicate with the backlines.
Heck it makes more sense for them to be able to make rallies than engineers considering that “radioing for help” is essentially the essence of a rally point.
Again, outside the terrible “historical accuracy” comparisons, radio ops and engineers are utility choices in squad compositions. You’re effectively choosing between someone who can maybe call down artillery every 4 minutes, to someone who can build fortifications and be the conductor of the team’s lemming train without sacrificing the ability to use backpacks.