Steel Beasts Pro Discussion Thread

[Ssnake]

Oh, and I'd like to express my thanks to Asid as well, looks like he's been very active and supporting in this thread. Of course anyone of you is welcome at SteelBeasts.com as well.

I saw it mentioned once, but I think it deserves to be mentioned again: The Steel Beasts Wiki. Scroll down for the "Vehicle information" section to dive right into a treasure trove of online documentation about most vehicles, especially those that are underrepresented in the tutorials.

[undercovergeek]

Your being too kind Asid. Actual day probably went to Yassy for 12 kills! Outstripped everyone else.

I was last man standing, but that's easy when you're hiding. Seriously though - really, really good fun.

In my defence I had been spending all my time practicing gunnery in the Challenger II and even though the lads gave me the basics of targeting for the Leo - my short term memory kicked in full swing and I rapidly forgot...so I think I blew a lot of holes in the ground!

At one point I requested reloading - Nefaro as Platoon Commander said ok. A few minutes later I told him I was done, to which he replied "Cover me whilst I do the same"...so I did, then I realised I was covering him with my Coax...at some point I had interrupted my reloading and it had stopped - so I had no HE or SABOT loaded. Luckily, it was a lull and he was in no danger. I did fess up as soon as a realised - that's the kind of guy I am!

I'm faffing around on the battlefield at the minute...being told contact east and me looking at the map and thinking "Where the hell am I?"...confusion on reloading, not understanding limited ammo (it's not like BF4 where you can pick up an ammo pack and be restocked), no "waypoint" markers when you're told to go somewhere - you have to check the map for the ref point.

But even given all that, I'm having great fun with it.

Asid has been superbly patient and Nefaro and Yskonyn have great to battle with. Organised co-op is definitely a huge amount of fun.

Thank you.

well done sir - sounds like a lot of fun was had

[JudgeDredd]

I'm faffing around on the battlefield at the minute...being told contact east and me looking at the map and thinking "Where the hell am I?"

Right-click the map screen and select "center on my position", then zoom in or out until the confusion fades. :)

Oh - I know - but once I've found me, I'm then trying to recall who shouted what was where! Then I see red stuff and I'm thinking "Where are they to me" lol

I think the problem is I'm pretty slow  :D

[Yskonyn]

It's getting better, but I am still having trouble with gauging my position and bearing to a target on a regular basis.
Part of the thing I don't like in this, is that rather than a rotating compass with the tank symbol always pointing in the direction the camera is facing, the tank symbol actually turns to reflect it's heading in relation to North on the map (always up). (In the black bar, lower right of the screen)
The 'ouside-in' approach is more confusing to me than 'inside-out' presentation.

So you will have to quickly correlate the 'yellow dot' which shows the position of the camera in relation to your vehicle (and to North on the map for that matter).
While its easy enough to see where the camera is looking in relation to cardinal positions on the compass (or map), translating that to a relative position as seen from the vehicle demands some brainpower.
But practise makes perfect, I presume. :)

I though we did well!
It so annoyed me for minutes after the mission was over that I sat there without ammo at 'moment supreme'...
After sustaining 4 frontal hits by that platoon of T-80s, still being operational, having popped smoke and repositioning to take my own shots, it was pretty frustrating to find out I only had 2 shells left to shoot...
The T-80s tried to flank in the mean time and once they came around the village they made short work of my Leo by blasting another 2 shells in my back leftside.

It was thrilling, fun and frustrating all at the same time! :)

[JudgeDredd]

Oh I also forgot to mention my other screw up!!

When we had got near the objective and the Russians started shitting T-80's from the North, I saw one and was very proud of myself...lining it up and then I saw a wee ball of light arcing through the air towards me...BAM! First hit...so I lined him up, lased and fired...only to hear the pathetic rat-tat-tat of my coax and some tiny wee glowing balls heading towards the T-80!! I hit it, to be fair, but apart from maybe scaring the commander, it was pretty useless!

I had been shooting at infantry not 2 minutes previously.

Having realised I was in coax mode - I popped smoke (this may have been later - I can't remember now), reversed a bit and to the left and switched to main gun and then I  noticed another glowing ball heading from the T-80...BAM! Second hit! I was then able to take him out, though I think I hit him a second time even though I had destroyed him.

By this time a T-80 had come round the side and I had no answer.

Great fun.

[JudgeDredd]

...Part of the thing I don't like in this, is that rather than a rotating compass with the tank symbol always pointing in the direction the camera is facing, the tank symbol actually turns to reflect it's heading in relation to North on the map (always up). (In the black bar, lower right of the screen)
The 'ouside-in' approach is more confusing to me than 'inside-out' presentation.
...

I think that's the current problem I have with orientation...the fact that the tank image is always facing the way the tank is facing. I think I'll get on with it - I just have to realise that when someone calls out north or east or whatever that I've not to think of it in terms of where my tank is pointing....just think of it as north being straight up and east being to the right.

[Yskonyn]

...Part of the thing I don't like in this, is that rather than a rotating compass with the tank symbol always pointing in the direction the camera is facing, the tank symbol actually turns to reflect it's heading in relation to North on the map (always up). (In the black bar, lower right of the screen)
The 'ouside-in' approach is more confusing to me than 'inside-out' presentation.
...

I think that's the current problem I have with orientation...the fact that the tank image is always facing the way the tank is facing. I think I'll get on with it - I just have to realise that when someone calls out north or east or whatever that I've not to think of it in terms of where my tank is pointing....just think of it as north being straight up and east being to the right.

Only when looking in F5 on the map that is. Not when sitting in your Cmdr View F7. :)

[undercovergeek]

does the AI have that ARMA III style 'never miss' ability or is it a fair fight?

[JudgeDredd]

I'm lost in ALL views. I'm just not quick enough to work out my position and facing and then apply the call to the enemy position!

Only 2 games in, so I'll get better

[JudgeDredd]

No there are "misses"...but more hits that don't destroy than misses in truth (I think).

ARMA III is tougher because those sniper hits are against a soldier and often result in maiming and/or death. I don't feel as vulnerable in a tank on the SB battlefield as I do as a foot soldier in ARMA III

[Yskonyn]

What SB does very well is model armor and ballistics.
So wether you score a crippling hit is dependent on three things; armor thickness, shell type and range.

The AI does miss at times, though, so it's not a cyborg aim you see often in ArmA.
But even if it hits you, there might be a chance you're still in the fight! Take my example above; I got hit by 4(!) T-80 shells, but they hit me right at my front hull where the armor is thickest and they took their shots from a pretty long distance. So I was able to sustain 4 hits without even minor damage, just a few dents.

[jomni]

No there are "misses"...but more hits that don't destroy than misses in truth (I think).

ARMA III is tougher because those sniper hits are against a soldier and often result in maiming and/or death. I don't feel as vulnerable in a tank on the SB battlefield as I do as a foot soldier in ARMA III

Actually you should be more worried of the foot soldiers than tanks. Their missiles can get really nasty.

Really need to play more with you guys. But my location is the biggest hurdle. Your prime time is my bed time.

[JudgeDredd]

No there are "misses"...but more hits that don't destroy than misses in truth (I think).

ARMA III is tougher because those sniper hits are against a soldier and often result in maiming and/or death. I don't feel as vulnerable in a tank on the SB battlefield as I do as a foot soldier in ARMA III

Actually you should be more worried of the foot soldiers than tanks. Their missiles can get really nasty.

This - but not because they are sniper elites...more that the buggers sneak up, pop up and let loose!

[Nefaro]

No there are "misses"...but more hits that don't destroy than misses in truth (I think).

ARMA III is tougher because those sniper hits are against a soldier and often result in maiming and/or death. I don't feel as vulnerable in a tank on the SB battlefield as I do as a foot soldier in ARMA III

Actually you should be more worried of the foot soldiers than tanks. Their missiles can get really nasty.

Really need to play more with you guys. But my location is the biggest hurdle. Your prime time is my bed time.

Yeah.  Most anything from the side or rear, really.  Those damn infantry can be very difficult to spot so when they pop their heads up with an RPG on your flank, it can be a nasty surprise.  Even if it only immobilizes or damages you.

But the AIs aim isn't always perfect.  It's often capable though so it's a good idea to keep your front turret & hull towards the enemy.

[Asid]

Your being too kind Asid. Actual day probably went to Yassy for 12 kills! Outstripped everyone else.

You held your own JD under great pressure

I saw it mentioned once, but I think it deserves to be mentioned again: The Steel Beasts Wiki. Scroll down for the "Vehicle information" section to dive right into a treasure trove of online documentation about most vehicles, especially those that are underrepresented in the tutorials.

Excellent resource. Lots of important information that is straight to the point. I have linked to it in the first post.

Oh - I know - but once I've found me, I'm then trying to recall who shouted what was where! Then I see red stuff and I'm thinking "Where are they to me" lol

I think the problem is I'm pretty slow  :D

Orientation is a problem for everybody when they first start. Use the "F5" map view often to orient the enemy, yourself and your friendly's. It does get easier.  The use iof "call signs" greatly aids orientation. O0

It's getting better, but I am still having trouble with gauging my position and bearing to a target on a regular basis.
Part of the thing I don't like in this, is that rather than a rotating compass with the tank symbol always pointing in the direction the camera is facing, the tank symbol actually turns to reflect it's heading in relation to North on the map (always up). (In the black bar, lower right of the screen)
The 'ouside-in' approach is more confusing to me than 'inside-out' presentation.

You do get used to it. When you see the tank symbol in the bottom right hand corner it gives you important information. North is always up so you can tell at a glance which way you are facing. The icon also shows you the turret and which direction it is facing. Your camera view is also represented.

The Map "F5" always points north so you can easily relay information to everyone. For example you have spotted an enemy tank to the south of your position on the map. You can simply say "Enemy tank south of my position (1 alpha etc)". You can give a quick 4 digit grid reference or an 8 digit for accuracy by clicking on the target and looking at the right hand info box "location" in the map view. You can give an estimate of the distance as the large squares are 1000m apart.

It does get easier but at the early stages it can seem overwhelming as you are trying to juggle many things at once.

does the AI have that ARMA III style 'never miss' ability or is it a fair fight?

The enemy can and does miss. In single player the "difficulty" setting adjusts the enemy.

Actually you should be more worried of the foot soldiers than tanks. Their missiles can get really nasty.

Very nasty indeed

Really need to play more with you guys. But my location is the biggest hurdle. Your prime time is my bed time.

Let us know what suits you... you never know :)

Spatial awareness is very important in Steel Beasts. The player feels part of the 3D environment. You have to be aware of the terrain and its uses.

You are all invited regardless of skill level. I will start some basic training. Any assistance is very welcome.

Regards