Melee dreams

[nexusno2000]

I'm not entirely satisfied with the way MELEE combat works in Amra. Melee is an important (albeit hugely unrealistic - but that's not an issue here) part of 40k. Soldiers regularly charge into close combat (or in the case of the IG - often get charge by...Tyranids and other evil things). In Amra melee is reserved for just a few units. That's not very 40kish.

Basic fix: more units should have the Assault trait.

I've experimented with giving my SL troopers the Assault trait + knife. Not only does it enable them to initiate melee, but they also try to defend again orky attackers. Not very effective, but at least they are using those bayonet as best they can, rather than just waiting to die.

Conversely I also tried giving my Flamers lasguns. That made them much more versatile - they can fire at range 2 to decent effect or get in close and nasty with those flamers.

Range 0-1 weapons: pistols are used in melee combat in 40k. It would be nice to see that in Arma as well. A range of 0-1 doesn't work ATM, but it would be nice if pistols A) fired at range 1 AND in melee. Only not applicable to a lot of units, but Militia w/pistol's and assault marines spring to mind. Does it make pistols overpowered? I don't think so; they are so marginal to begin with that it's a welcome boost.

More complex change: there should be an ASSAULT BUTTON (seems there was one in the Beta at some stage?), so you can decide whether to assault or not. Becomes more important if there are more melee units. With an assault button you can decide whether to just fire or to actually charge. It's not ESSENTIAL, but it would have been a nice addition.

Infantry in cover: ATM this is almost a joke. Most of the time my using use long-range firepower to good effect to rip apart Inf in buildings and trenches. Any assaults are more of an afterthought. I'd like to see assaults being more of a requirement to clear out urban/trench areas. From the beta I get the feeling that may have been the original idea.