Trigger flares

[TKMR]

I've built a night mission (was initially a day mission, but I realized I couldn't really see the flare during the day) with the new flare trigger. I have it all set up properly, but I am realizing that the flare only lasts for around 10 seconds.

 

How would one go about changing this value to something a little more realistic, so that after my infantry "fires a flare" I can spot it on my approach to support them. As it stands, they fire the flare, and I can't even spot it before it goes out, amongst the fire and tracers in the background.

[Speed_2]

I donno, but the way I would try to do that mission would be to make them pop a smoke bomb instead of a signal flare. Smoke bombs are the WP (white phosphorous) thingies.

[TKMR]

Illumination bombs? I thought about doing that, but it didn't make much sense to me for infantry to be carrying them... After all they are 'bombs'. XD

 

I wanted to use actual smoke (like a AN-M8 smoke grenade kind of thing), but there isn't a trigger for that.

[MrReynolds]

Maybe set up concentric trigger zones.

Each time you fly closer to the infantry it triggers another flare.

 

I've just created a night mission and had the infantry firing "illumination mortars". Not realistic but they sure as hell work!!!

 

Maybe you could also trigger a su-25 flying in, to mark the target? Guided by a fac on the ground. You don't need to have the AI firing the bombs......set up a trigger so that once the 25 has flown by, illumination bombs could fire off 1 every 2 mins????

 

***edit*** - just actually read the original post and the illumination idea was of course cr**!!!

I also haven't used the WP explosion. will look into that one too!

Edited August 29, 2009 by MrReynolds

[Speed_2]

 

I wanted to use actual smoke (like a AN-M8 smoke grenade kind of thing), but there isn't a trigger for that.

 

Yes, there is. Again, like I just said, why not try out the "Explode WP Marker" trigger. That's supposed to be a smoke bomb. I have not tried out this trigger for myself yet, though. Did you mis-read my post and think I said "illumination" instead of actually saying "smoke"?

Edited August 29, 2009 by Speed_2

[TKMR]

Maybe set up concentric trigger zones.

Each time you fly closer to the infantry it triggers another flare.

 

Good idea.

 

Yes, there is. Again, like I just said, why not try out the "Explode WP Marker" trigger. That's supposed to be a smoke bomb. I have not tried out this trigger for myself yet, though. Did you mis-read my post and think I said "illumination" instead of actually saying "smoke"?

 

I actually never noticed that new trigger. XD.

 

That's actually exactly what I was looking for in the first place. Thanks.

 

Now just have to make it a day mission again.

 

For future knowledge, is there any way to make the signal flares stay up longer, other than using Mr.Reynolds idea?

[Speed_2]

Good idea.

For future knowledge, is there any way to make the signal flares stay up longer, other than using Mr.Reynolds idea?

 

I doubt it, maybe the option exists in some data file, but would that data file be transfered in the .miz file? Probably not...

[nemises]

an easier solution (I think) than having concentric zones is to setup a single zone, have it set a Flag, then use "time since flag" actions, to shoot a flare every x amount of seconds..

 

I've used this in a test mission, and it works pretty well, though I agree, I would be nice to get a bit more life outta them flares...

I usually launch to 300 feet, and set a trigger action to shoot one every 15 seconds for about 5 or 6 times (new trigger for each, "time since flag")

[MrReynolds]

Another "cheat" I do to draw the pilots attention to the general area is to set an explosion followed by a message of ...."we've just had a near miss...did you see it?"

(hell yeah :P)