One of the addictive aspects of the BF2142 ranking system is that each time you level up, you gain access to a new tool in a specific role for carrying out your missions.

I respect what First Strike is aiming for in terms of the unlock system, but here's an idea that will call in even more folks. Instead of "unlocks", go for "upgrades". Like unlocks, they're selected in the customization spring, but only a few of them are actually items. You can only enable one upgrade and one item at a time.

For items, the Trooper's Smoke Grenades, the Heavy Trooper's Shield Generator, the Medic's Defibrillator, the Support's Proton Grenades, and the Officer's Deployed Repeating Blaster are items that are enabled by default. If you get an unlockable item and wish to use it, you must substitute it for that default item.

A few examples for items and upgrades:

Tibanna Gas Modification (Trooper Assault Rifle, Heavy Trooper Repeating Rifle, Medic Carbine, Support Rifle; upgrade): Unlock this for one of the four kits, not all at once. When enabled, the firepower on your weapon increases, at an expense of increased recoil and increased overheat (when applicable). Good for getting off a few great shots, but spray-and-pray will not be as effective.

Power Cell Boost (Sidearm weapon (pistol) for each class, including the officer's DL-44, upgrade): Again, unlock for a particular kit. The Power Cell upgrade doubles the amount of ammo available for the pistol weapon. Good if you're caught in a firefight where your main weapon is ineffective (Rocket launcher against infantry, or Long-range rifle against close-in infantry).

Lethal Injection (Medic item): Veterans of Galactic Conquest remember the Lethal Injection, the medic's melee instant kill weapon; it was often considered worthy of note to score or be the victim of a lethal injection kill. Same lethal effect as defibrillator, except that the shot goes off instantly; if you're close enough, aim, and fire, there's no firing delay, it's a dead enemy. Can't use the injection to revive folks though.

Arakyd CS-5M Stun Mine (Support item): A dangerous munition, the CS-5G, when detonated remotely, creates a severe frequency-modulating sound wave in a decent-sized area, overwhelming the human sensory system and distorts the victim's sight and sound senses for about 15 seconds (use the concussion wave stuff with explosions, but deafening and blurred vision lasts for about 15 seconds).

Merr-Sonn PLX-2S (Officer item): An emplacement cousin of the PLX-2M Portable Missile System, the PLX-2S makes up for it's immobile nature with improved homing software; the system can lock on to any mechanized signature, be it grounded or airborne. The fast-turning rockets it fires are difficult for even starfighters to dodge, but the kinetic warhead makes it less effective against infantry. Like the Deployed Repeating Blaster, the PLX-2S requires a nearby generator to assure uninterrupted ammo supplies, carrying only 3 rockets on its own.

What do you guys think? Other ideas for items and upgrades?

GC Veteran (0.14-R6) "General Jafar"