1.3

This post is going to be a short one as I've gotta run to work in 20 mins or so. Forgive me.

But first, thanks are in order for those who have stopped by and read my initial posting, and especially those who commented. The impetus to post here regularly has been reinforced. Now for the main topic, which has been at the center of a few discussions: The upcoming 1.3 patch.

The outcry over the planned BF2 1.3 patch within the competitive BF2 community has been centering around the changes being made to the squad system. The squad hop is a tactic used by every remotely successful BF2 team to date in every format, and so the competitve community is reacting with good reason; this single change will impact the way the game is played more than any other change made via patch to date. And this guy thinks it's an incredibly good thing. The flow of matchplay in 8v8 and 12v12 will be much more controlled, providing for an environment where key tactical planning will carry great rewards.

While most folks can't see past the fact that they'll no longer be able to choose any one of their teammates to spawn in on just seconds before the respawn, and then cry foul because it appears that gameplay will slow down, this is merely a kneejerk reaction. Further analysis will find that teams will have to adopt policies with more tactical direction and the role of the commander will be augmented; 'pushing' a squad leader far behind enemy lines will have to be planned more around a minute in advance rather than a few seconds. Large firefights and teams moving as more cohesive wholes will be seen in matchplay instead of entire teams popping up at random points on the map. It's a style of gameplay that has not been seen since :42 and frankly, I love it.

It seems that the 'squeaky wheel' pub community actually got something right for once, and I think we may actually see a small competitive revival for this game over the summer, instead of the decline that a lot of folks (including myself) have been anticipating. I seem to remember a lot of teams (regardless of competitive merit) drop this game mainly because of the squad hop tactic. We may see a good deal of those folks return, for better or worse.

The 1.3 patch, on the other hand, will be absolutely destructive to the 5v5 format. Currently the largest format out there in terms of the number of teams participating in it, the changes to the squad system in this case could end 5v5's run as an enjoyable if not viable mode of gameplay. And really, it's up to Teamwarfare to save it. They must show some impetus and support for this format in trying to bring in some custom maps tailored specifically to the format or they'll see their most popular competition (next to CS) die out, and in a big way.

I must run. Later tonight: 2142.