Tool Proposal - Flare Gun - Reposted from General Discussion

[thefonztm@gmail.com 86]

Reposted from General Discussion because I am a tard. :D

OT - http://dayzmod.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=27415

So, I was thinking about how there is no long range in game communication. I've heard that radios may be coming, but I expect those will be uber rare if/when they get added. Direct chat is the only in game option, but a lot of people will shoot you well before you can get that close just to be safe. It could be that both survivors would be friendly, but neither wants to expose them self to being shot to find out. So, how then can survivors communicate their intentions without closing into direct chat range? My idea was a flare gun. After giving it more thought, I think it would be a good addition to day z for a couple reasons beyond just communication. So, here is my idea.

FYI: I'm just because I'm saying survivor to describe players doesn't mean I don't mean bandits. Everyone is a survivor. It's all about how you choose to survive.

Note: Some of these idea can be accomplished with normal flares, but using the flare gun would be generally more useful and effective, especially at longer ranges.

Tool - Flare Gun.

Description: Fires a flare up into the air, or perhaps whatever direction the survivor is looking. Activated from tool belt, or knowing Rocket, takes place of the pistol. Uses road flares for ammunition, or possibly flare gun rounds that can be converted to/from road flares.

Rarity: On par with watch/compass.

Loudness: Makarov-ish. But also with noise from the flare itself along flight path. Definitely a unique, easily identifiable sound would be nice. Something like "pop and sizzle."

Flares: Parachute flares or not? Parachutes would be nice, particularly at night. But would it be too good? Also, implementation might be difficult unless ArmA already has something similar.

Uses:

A different kind of light source at night (top down light).

Distract zed. Fire a flare down a road. Flare attracts any zed near its flight path to the final resting place of the flare.

A form of long range communication. Survivors can fire flares into the air to announce their presence to other survivors.

From a communication standpoint, its gives the user a level of protection since it can be used well outside Direct Chat range. Perhaps best of all, it is completely vague about its meaning.

If someone fires a flare, it could be a gesture of good will, they might be friendly. Or maybe they are just trying to lure you out in the open for a clear shot. Do you respond with a flare of your own? Do you hide/run? Do they even know you are here (they could be firing just to check for any responses)?

Say you fired the first flare and you get a response. All those situations I just mentioned apply to you too. Plus you took a risk, maybe there is no response, but someone is there waiting for your loot.

In summary, the flare gun would provide a new light source at night, a new way to distract zed, and a way for survivors to communicate beyond Direct Chat range.

EDIT Additionally in regards to parachute flares.

I figure making a simple flare round would be relatively easy given that it would be similar to the grenade launcher rounds in game. A parachute round would be harder from scratch. particularly if you don't want the parachute behavior to kick in on low angle shots. I see three ways to do it.

Selectable Mode: Regular/Parachute, would work like how weapons switch between semi/burst/full. Definitely easiest.

Firing Angle: Shots fire above a, say, 60 degree angle will fall as parachute flares. Below that angle, no parachute behavior. Probably hardest to implement.

Two flare gun ammo types: Regular ammo, no parachute, convertible between road flares and flare gun ammo. Parachute ammo, much less common, but much more useful at night! Sort of a tier below NVGs. Possibly best for game play.

IMO, two ammo types. Make para flares special.

[Deviant (DayZ) 43]

Flares would be wicked, especially against NVG wielder's ;)

I think parachute flares + regular flares would be good. Launched flares would just work like regular ones, perhaps not last as long, so they stay on the ground.

[KnT47r 51]

I like this idea

+1 from me :D

[cureforyou@gmail.com 0]

I think its a good idea. Even better if we could get multiple types and colors of flares.

[thecrackmuffin 22]

I love this idea, there are no real cons besides the possibility of flare gun spawn in cherno making the coast light up like christmas, but that would be hilarious/fun. I could totally see my group and I stalking through the woods, pausing because of movement (and a lack of NVGs) and firing a flare up in the air for illumination. Also, the different colored flares idea would be beautiful, seeing as we could split up into fire teams and shoot up a green or blue flare in the event of trouble appearing.

[thefonztm@gmail.com 86]

I'd say lets just worry about this w/o talking about colors just yet. Sure its possible, hell probably easy to do. I can even see good reason like using colors to send different messages. But why discuss it when the gun itself is merely a suggestion? Lets iron out the kinks in the main idea before we get into the extra stuff.

[flam3 3]

Love the idea of a flare gun, would definitley make it more atmospheric during the night especially having the light from the flare glowing from above.

+1

[thefonztm@gmail.com 86]

Flares would be wicked' date=' especially against NVG wielder's ;)

I think parachute flares + regular flares would be good. Launched flares would just work like regular ones, perhaps not last as long, so they stay on the ground.

[/quote']

It would be great to flare blind NVGers. Getting hunted by NVGs? Level the field, pop a flare and render those NVGs useless for a few precious seconds.

I really think that parachute flares could make the game much more fun and popular to play at night. Night time servers are generally devoid of life, or only used to gather easy loot. That's sad because playing at night is friggin awesome. I think the parachute flares could be well balanced too. They would throw a very bright white light. That means you would get that harsh black/white lightin,g like from lightning. That would also intensify shadows, making things that are obscured from the light more well hidden.

[Jenkss 0]

Best suggestion I've read on these forums yet.

+1 from me

I hope this gets in. Would be very cool. Incredibly useful/versitile. Would fit into the game world well. All those boat houses along the coast would realistically have flares/flare gun. Military barracks would be expected to also. Or maybe they could spawn versions of the flares for the M203.

Please add flare guns Rocket

[TomWilson 3]

+1 ... Make it so when you hit your friend with it, it sticks... he is a glowing sizzlen' Zed target... It's not murder :D

[uglyboy 1]

Or maybe they could spawn versions of the flares for the M203.

There are already flares for the M203 ingame.

[SepticTank 1]

+1000 from me. Especially if it is coded to use the parachute; this would make night-time egress from a hostile zone so much more easy.

I never really understood, why my pc (player character,) had to "baseball throw"....anything..... for that matter, tin cans, grenades, flares, smoke grenades, etc. I literally have to stop, wind up, and then throw an item. It's kinda stupid honestly. We weren't taught that in the Marine Corps.

[Daemon587 0]

This would be amazing. The inventory system could handle it like any other side arm and it would give you a more quick and accurate way to counter NVG users. The parachute flare idea is nice too, pop a flare over a small town or farm area to light it all up for a minute. +1 from me :)

[thefonztm@gmail.com 86]

Bumping.

Also, its kinda funny that I've encountered a ridiculos ammount of 203 flares since posting this, no launcher yet though. Still think commonish flare gun would be a solid addition to dayz.

[KWilt 157]

Don't really see a use for it. There already is one, but if you guys want to waste your inventory space lugging around a flare gun that does nothing offensively, go ahead.

[Dalton (DayZ) 5]

Flare gun would be sexy, Get to go all Viggo Mortensen on someone with a flare gun like in The Road

[BossFi 90]

Something is needed to light up a big area in pitch black and a flare gun would be just right as long as it stays in the sky for a few mins.

I could have done with this when I needed to find an animal in pitch black. Very helpful for us guys without NVG's!

[Dalton (DayZ) 5]

Flare Gun FTW

[L0G!N (DayZ) 149]

If there are multiple colors of flares then yes please, hopefully the community will decide on some color coding:

- Red, stay out. (or not, your call)

- Green, Save. (or not, your call)

- Blue, request help/emergency (your call, go for it or not)

I have tried using my flashlight to signal SoS in morse, when I broke my legs, to no avail... :(

[JoeySTM 4]

The flare gun should definitely be damaging too or if you could light people/zombies on fire. It would be hilarious to sneak up behind someone and shoot them with a flare. Then again maybe I'm just a sadist...

[Quagmire (DayZ) 119]

Already exists in the game. That is all.

[Dalton (DayZ) 5]

Already exists in the game. That is all.

I have never come across one Edited July 13, 2012 by Dalton