Mortar Warrior

SuperJoe · Commander **Joined**: 03 Sep 2009

Cost: 650
Prerequisite: Barracks, Field Radar
Role: Long range support
Strengths: Long range, heavy armor, no need to deploy to fire
Weaknesses: Extremely slow, trouble dealing with mobile targets

Mortar Warriors are probably the most disciplined and combat ready out of all the Forgotten infantry. They provide long range support for the Forgotten. While they are not as damaging and their range is not as long as GDI and Nod artillery, mortar warriors benefit from not having to deploy to fire. Since the massive weapon they carry slows them down, they wear heavy armor to increase their survival out in the field. The armor also prevents them from being crushed by vehicles. The mortars cannot be fired on targets that are too close to the unit, and they can have problems dealing with mobile targets. Due to the heavy armor and weapon, mortar warriors are extremely slow units, and rely on APCs to get in and out of battles.

SuperJoe · Commander **Joined**: 03 Sep 2009

I've never been really happy of how this unit looks, it doesn't really look like a Forgotten infantry. And shooting the mortar while carrying it makes it look more like a grenade launcher. Been thinking of replacing it with a more realistic mortar infantry. Here are a few quick test frames for the replacement idea.

While standing still he would put the mortar on the ground next to him. He could have a pretty cool and long firing anim, taking the shell out of his backpack, placing it in, then taking cover. Not sure how smooth the transition from standing still to moving would look, since the mortar would move from the ground into his hands immediately. Could use the running frames for crawling frames too, and give him "taking cover" frames when he is attacked. Otherwise it would look pretty stupid if he just happily stood still next to his mortar when he was fired upon.

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Morpher · General **Joined**: 28 Jan 2005

Looks great if you're willing to do the work.

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Atomic_Noodles · Defense Minister **Joined**: 05 Oct 2011

SuperJoe wrote:

I've never been really happy of how this unit looks, it doesn't really look like a Forgotten infantry. And shooting the mortar while carrying it makes it look more like a grenade launcher. Been thinking of replacing it with a more realistic mortar infantry. Here are a few quick test frames for the replacement idea.

While standing still he would put the mortar on the ground next to him. He could have a pretty cool and long firing anim, taking the shell out of his backpack, placing it in, then taking cover. Not sure how smooth the transition from standing still to moving would look, since the mortar would move from the ground into his hands immediately. Could use the running frames for crawling frames too, and give him "taking cover" frames when he is attacked. Otherwise it would look pretty stupid if he just happily stood still next to his mortar when he was fired upon.

You could go with how they did the Grenadier (Mortar Infantry) Infantry in Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds.

When idle or not moving they would be crouched in whichever direction they are facing with the Mortar mounted and set up on the ground. But when they walked they would either be lugging it around on their arms or the mortar is folded up on their back as a sort of back pack.

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~ Excelsior ~

SuperJoe · Commander **Joined**: 03 Sep 2009

Here's a test firing anim for one direction. The GIF palette conversion makes the arm look bit off, the border colors don't change that much in the real SHP.

And yeah having them crouched when not moving is probably the best idea, makes sense for them to be taking cover at all times. Also removes the need to create any sort of crawling frames for them. Having crawling frames with a long firing anim can create some problems. If the unit is attacked during the firing anim it gets cancelled and the unit has to start the firing sequence all over.

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Atomic_Noodles · Defense Minister **Joined**: 05 Oct 2011

If TS has Crawls=No then you should be okay.

Keep on it. Your infantry are the closest when trying to match the style of TS's Infantry.

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~ Excelsior ~

SuperJoe · Commander **Joined**: 03 Sep 2009

Here's a standing version of the firing anim. Think this looks alot more natural than the crouching one.

Found out something interesting, you can prevent an infantry unit from firing when he goes prone. Give the unit entry in art.ini FireProne=-1 and make the FireProne in the unit sequence same as Prone (for the default E1Sequence give FireProne=86,1,6). Now when the unit gets attacked it takes cover but can't fire until he gets up again. Then he will continue attacking whatever he was firing at before going down.

I plan to use this on the Mortar Warrior. Keep him firing from standing position, and when he gets attacked he goes prone, taking cover, unable to fire the mortar. It actually serves as a minor gameplay mechanic as you could disrupt enemy mortar warriors by firing at them.

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