Terrain details and grass...

[Bulldog72 10]

So I've played a few Arma2 missions now (before that only OA out in the deserts) and I have a question:

If I set the terrain details to anything higher than low I do indeed get nice grassy terrain all around me. All nicely done and stuff and easy on the eye for the most part...

However if I am prone in the high grass and aiming down the sight I usually cant see anything because the grass totally blocks my view.

And even on highest terrain detail setting the high grass wont go that far out to hide enemy units that are prone 300 or 400m away - out there they appear to me as if there would be no grass around them at all anyway no matter what terrain details I choose.

The only effects that I noticed if turning on the grass (besides the nice graphical environment I get - but hey, I am not a gardener in this game, lol) is a severe punishment for ME: loosing the aiming down the sight option. And FPS drop a little of course.

And my question is... why even turn it on at all? Do all you guys do it or not?

[L3TUC3 32]

I turn it off for the very reason you give. It only bothers you while not hiding any enemies far away. Mostly pointless eyecandy.

[KeyCat 131]

And even on highest terrain detail setting the high grass wont go that far out to hide enemy units that are prone 300 or 400m away - out there they appear to me as if there would be no grass around them at all anyway no matter what terrain details I choose.

True that the grass are not rendered out to infintiy but if you look closely on the enemies if they go prone in a grassy area you will see their bodies will "sink" down a bit into the grass and thus harder to spot. It's a way to simulate the effect of grass without the need of monster CPU's/GPU's and works for you as well (i.e you are more hidden to AI if prone in grassy areas).

And my question is... why even turn it on at all? Do all you guys do it or not?

Each to his own I guess.

Personally I can't play without grass enabled (I use TerrainDetail = Very High) and I guess it's all about immersion, also IRL high grass and other vegetation can force you to think a bit more when selecting your fireposition.

/KC

[walker 0]

Hi all

I prefer grass on.

Any advantage you get from turning grass off is IMHO cheating especially against the AI. And of course grass in front of your face is a totaly realistic simulation of the peekaboo behind the blankie effect.

Kind Regards walker

Edited July 20, 2010 by walker

[Bulldog72 10]

True that the grass are not rendered out to infintiy but if you look closely on the enemies if they go prone in a grassy area you will see their bodies will "sink" down a bit into the grass and thus harder to spot. It's a way to simulate the effect of grass without the need of monster CPU's/GPU's and works for you as well (i.e you are more hidden to AI if prone in grassy areas).

That's interesting... and raises the question how is an area defined to be "grassy"?

Is the grass there even if (for whatever reason) your GPU does not render it? Is this hardcoded in the map?

How does it affect multiplayer games? Certainly it could not be based on the terrain detail setting alone - wouldn't this give advantages/disadvantages to a player based on his terrain setting?

[trooper117 10]

I've been on a real patrol in long grass in West Africa when an enemy patrol was spotted.. when you take cover and go to ground you just can't switch 'long grass off' so you have a better view..lol!

If you can't see the enemy to fire back effectively, guess what you have to do?..

Yep, change position to somewhere where you can, or you have to have the balls to get your head and shoulders up or even kneel briefly to return fire then change position quickly again.. pretty similar to what you have to do in game really.. :)

[KeyCat 131]

That's interesting... and raises the question how is an area defined to be "grassy"?

Normally by the maker of the terrain/island.

Is the grass there even if (for whatever reason) your GPU does not render it? Is this hardcoded in the map?

Yes (do a search for "grasslayer" to learn more).

How does it affect multiplayer games? Certainly it could not be based on the terrain detail setting alone - wouldn't this give advantages/disadvantages to a player based on his terrain setting?

Terrain detail is forced by the server so in PvsP this is not an issue since all use the same settings and therefore is equally "handicapped" by grass obscuring your view, again thinking twice about selecting your fireposition may give you an advantage instead ;)

/KC

Edited July 20, 2010 by KeyCat

[cossack8559 10]

I leave grass on... if i spot enemies and have to hit the dirt i will take random shots in the general direction i saw the enemy hoping to suppress them while i move to a better location.

of course this can backfire and result in a hail of bullets in my face.

[andromedagalaxe 10]

you can mash the grass down by rolling around. depending on your and enemy's elevation, you can get a good view most of the time

[Dynamic Echo 10]

You could always try a mod like this one which reduces the scale of the grass so you can see. (I have to use this when running ArmA 2 on my laptop, as the performance increase can be significant).

[sparks50 0]

I just think the game looks absolutely horrible with the grass off. Its like being back in OFP again.

[froggyluv 2136]

I just think the game looks absolutely horrible with the grass off. Its like being back in OFP again.

Same here.

Do you guys remember the moon-like terrain in the later versions of OFP if you hiked up terrain settings? I heard that it was shelved because of MP problems but would be great to have that micro-terrain for us loyal SP'ers (hint) and let MP'ers choose their own setting which tends to be lower anyways.

[no use for a name 0]

I leave it on; adds more immersion and looks better.