Make MG gunner to be able to carry backpack

[mr_centipede 31]

Hello, I would like to suggest the above. But it would be even better if the AT riflemen can carry backpack too, but that may be to much trouble to fiddle with the engine because backpack resides in the secondary slot.

So, as a compromise, since MG gunners cannot carry AT weapons, why not make them carry backpack? Since the secondary slot is empty. I'm guess current backpack system have the same property as AT weapons, so thats why MG gunners cannot carry backpack.

So is it possible for MG gunners to carry backpack?

[helo 10]

Therefore BIS has included the Assistant Machinegunner with a backpack in the default class layout of OA. That dude has like all assistants useful stuff in his backback for his senior.

[twisted 128]

Therefore BIS has included the Assistant Machinegunner with a backpack in the default class layout of OA. That dude has like all assistants useful stuff in his backback for his senior.

ya, but we need a "machinegunner rearm at assitant" command or similar to make it remotely useful.

[rübe 127]

ya, but we need a "machinegunner rearm at assitant" command or similar to make it remotely useful.

Uhm, have you been already introduced to the radio interface? You can perfectly tell anyone to rearm at someones backpack. Radio 6-and something.. And if you're a grunt under an AI leader, he will actually tell you to rearm at backpacks from assistant units.

[Baron von Beer 0]

Yes, but an all AI squad doesn't. Be nice to just allow the AI to "Rearm" from a backpack being worn, the same as they do from one on the ground.

This way the MG gunner/AT gunner can run to his asst., take the ammo, and be back in the fight whether the squad is human or AI commanded.

[kremator 1065]

Actually a better way would be the assistant running to the MG and resupplying him!

[maddogx 13]

Actually a better way would be the assistant running to the MG and resupplying him!

As they say in Germany, "since when does the bone come to the dog?". :D

[polar bear 10]

If AI squads / AI commanders will rearm the AI's from a backpack on an assistant.. problem solved.

If they don't... that's a bug that badly needs fixing.

[PTV-Jobo 821]

I'm with Mr_Centipede on this one.

This is probably one of the only few things in ACE that I miss when playing without it. I've seen photos of M249 SAW Gunners carrying backpacks, and have spoken to someone in the military here in the US who told me about how he had to carry a heavy ruck with his M249. Also in the "The Modern Warrior’s Combat Load - Dismounted Operations in Afghanistan", it describes all the different roles and kinds of modern combat loads, which goes on to show what the Automatic Rifleman would carry in different circumstances. It described what they would carry on their backs in assault packs right in there.

So if they can and have been known to carry some sort of pack, why prohibit us from doing the same if we so wish? Unless someone can design a system kind of like ACE's ruck system to remove some of the restrictions with who can carry a pack or not sort of thing--which I doubt would happen. :( Hopefully BIS in time will look into it, but again....for me, I'm not holding my breath, heh.

Note: I'm far from knowledgeable in all things military, nor try to pass myself off as one, but just a guy who thinks the slots shouldn't be neutered like that. :p

[That guy 10]

but in real life carrying all 1200 rounds of ammo is heavy as fuck. something arma does not simulate at all. i mean, its POSSIBLE for me to carry my m4, saw,an assault pack and an at4 strapped on top in real life, but if i can avoid it i will. just too heavy

i would even argue that more weapons need the "no secondary slot" added to their configs. especially anti material rifles and bigger sniper rifles

[kireta21 13]

Adding backpack to MG gunner would allow him to carry 1200 7.62mm rounds which would weight ap. 48kg. Plus MG (PKM 7.5kg empty).

Also place in inventory don't simulate weight well. 2 5.56mm mags don't weight same as 100 rnd 7.62mm box.

As long as ArmA 2 don't support equipment weight, this could (and would) be expoited by human-players (and human-controlled AI)

Edited August 30, 2010 by boota

[CarlGustaffa 4]

-1 to added carrying capabilities for those with "heavy weapons". They already have this added capability but without the backpack. As already mentioned he can carry 6 x 200 rounds on his body. A normal SAW gunners "belt" (?) can only have 2 x 200 + 2 x 100 rounds = 600 rounds (half) pluss whatever is in the weapon. So without a backpack he is already capable of carrying more rounds than a typical SAW gunner would carry included what he'd have in his backpack.

If you desperately need more ammo than that, team up with someone to carry additional ammo. Usually MG ammo is shared among everyone in a squad. The game has dedicated assistant units for a reason, let's use them...

So without weight or proper slot system that supports different classes better, no thank you for added backpacks to these guys.

[Inkompetent 0]

but in real life carrying all 1200 rounds of ammo is heavy as fuck. something arma does not simulate at all. i mean, its POSSIBLE for me to carry my m4, saw,an assault pack and an at4 strapped on top in real life, but if i can avoid it i will. just too heavy

i would even argue that more weapons need the "no secondary slot" added to their configs. especially anti material rifles and bigger sniper rifles

This. It's just silly with people wanting to be one-man armies.

[Jelliz 10]

This. It's just silly with people wanting to be one-man armies.

Current system is good, it forces teamplay upon the would-be lonewolframbo's, and a fatigue system implemented would affect the AI in currently produced content(BIS missions, campaigns and user made missions)

From the Arrowhead FAQ:

* Will there be a simulation of weight for equipment? Will there be detrimental affects from carrying a large heavy weapon (MK16 with GL/TI scope, m240, m107 etc) AT launcher, and backpack with lots of gear/extra weapons inside? Currently there is no difference if one is carrying an m4 with 1 mag, or an m107 with 8 mags with a javelin launcher and missile (over 100lbs of gear)

This has been already considered, but it is something which may seriously influence the AI behaviour in the existing content, thus we regard this idea as a future possibility.

[PTV-Jobo 821]

I wouldn't mind if BIS worked on weight simulation at all, in fact I hope so. ACE's is ok, but there's too much blacking out, etc, heh.

[Evil_Echo 11]

I'm just the the guy who did the ACE2 ruck system and who was lucky enough to have to hump just a M60 ( along with my PRC-25 ) around a couple times in my real USArmy days...

Now way anyone IRL would want to haul around a MG and more than 2 belts of 7.62mm. Even the M249's lighter ammo would be a pain the moment you hit hilly terrain and I patrolled plenty of hills and mountains in my day.

ACE always was getting complaints from people who kept wanting to nerf the stamina system so they could do precisely what is being talked about here - carry more ammo without penalty. That's not realistic, MG's are team weapons and part of that team carries the bulk of the ammo.

[CarlGustaffa 4]

Not always ;) There was plenty of supporters for the stamina system to prevent just that, including yours truly :) I'll just add that a typical weapons squad contains of a squad leader, two machine gunners, two assistants, and two ammo bearers. Not only one additional guy per gun, but two (one for the tripod and/or spare barrel). In my engineer squad we had a machine gunner and assistant (only barrel replacement), ammo was carried by the rest of us.

Edited August 31, 2010 by CarlGustaffa

[Evil_Echo 11]

Agree CG - you were never a complainer about stamina and loads.

[mr_centipede 31]

I guess I can see everyone's point... I guess I was merely driven by the urge because they looked weird when everyone else has backpack on their backs... But if they model a stamina and fatigue system... Then why not... the player will see their MGunner run slower, get lagged behind more and shoot even less accurate.

As it is now, I guess the current system having someone carrying an MG also cannot carry a backpack with them is good enough