PlanetSide 2 Rolls Out New Empire-Specific AMRs And Spawn Changes On PTS

PlanetSide 2 continues to grow its arsenal of futuristic weaponry as it rolls out new anti-materiel rifles (AMRs) on the public test server. AMRs are long-range rifles specifically designed for use against structures, vehicles, and other heavily-armored targets. In the past, squads would roll out with at least one AMR on their team. Recent updates to armor resistances, however, have made them less effective and therefore less of a priority when gearing up.

Rogue Planet Games is looking to bring them back to the fore with new Empire-specific AMRs:

• “DAGR-81 (Terran Republic) - An infantryman's answer to long-range vehicle opposition, with a quick rechamber and large magazine for sustained fire.
• VX4-3 Slicer (Vanu Sovereignty) - This anti-materiel rifle delay-fires a plasma blade that rips through organic material on its way to striking heavily armored targets.
• LA60 Masthead (New Conglomerate) - A hard-hitting anti-materiel rifle that deploys a flak payload when dealing with aircraft.
• NE-36 Linecutter (Nanite Systems Operatives) - In addition to a balanced magazine, reload, and damage, this anti-materiel rifle can also prevent MAX units and infantry deployables from receiving repairs.”

The latest PTS build also introduces AMR kills to the Engineer’s directive line, improvements to the main navigation menu, options to turn off many HUD indicators, and mobility reductions to the NS-AM7 Archer weapon. The team is also testing changes to spawn mechanics which the team said will likely be temporary as they try out new spawn rules to improve performance and encourage more logistical gameplay.

“When we first launched Oshur, we reverted to some legacy spawn rules with a little less restriction than they had,” said the devs. “[…] With our investigation of the server performance issues ongoing, we'd like to revert back to the legacy ruleset, but with major reductions in the restrictions so that we don't end up in the situation we had with Oshur.”

“The outcome of these changes is that all of the valid hardspawns on the map will pop at the same time, instead of bringing them online based on the ideal combat zones we'd like to send you to,” they continued. “Vehicle spawn points will activate slightly faster. Ideally this would provide some information for us, and a more performant server for all of you while we continue our investigation.”

The latest PTS patch notes can be found on the PlanetSide 2 official site if you’re up for some light reading.