Northern Strike FAQ

[StealthClobber]

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4290/bf2142nslogo1lw.jpg

The First 5 Questions and Answers are from the Planet Battlefield FAQ. The rest are from me.
http://planetbattlefield.gamespy.com/fullstory.php?id=109760

Northern Strike Distribution
Hey there, I noticed that some people are wondering how exactly Northern Strike will be shipped? So I just wanted to let you know that Northern Strike will be available through EA Link, and packaged with the Deluxe Edition of BF2142.

Unlocks for People Who Have Reached General
Question 1, Im already at General so i have no more unlocks to claim, so will I automatically get all the unlocks like we did in bf2 exp. - No, you have to earn the unlocks through the awards. Get to playing soldier!

Question 2, Will the unlocks work in vanilla BF2142 like in bf2. - Yes



Why don't you guys fix 2142 before releasing a booster pack?
We are trying to with an upcoming patch, I don't have details on the exact date or what's specifically getting fixed. But I will share as soon as i have the info. As i said before, patch efforts are separate from development and are ongoing.

Price?
$10
EA Link Concerns
Some of you expressed concerns/suspicions/tales of woe about ealink. I raised this concern here and I have been assured that ea link has gone through several iterations and improvements since the BF2 packs and that they are continuing to improve and streamline the service.

Hopefully this information has been helpful for you guys! Like I said, I'll try to keep you posted on whats happening as much as I am able.

On a side note: We're working on some things here for the 2142 community that i'm pretty excited about as well.

That should clear a few things up.

EDIT: Im going to add questions when they arise.

Why are you even releasing this, this is crap I'm never ever gonna buy this I quit 2142 blah blah blah...
Go cry. I have a name for these guys. Northern Emo's.

Goliath???
The EU has created a mobile fortress that can carry several passengers and neutralize infantry resistance in urban areas with deadly efficiency. It's slow moving but the Goliath can withstand everything except anti-vehicle attacks from the enemy, thanks to its regenerating armor.

When you're in the vehicle you are totally safe from enemy gunfire. As driver, you have a scatter-cannon for short-range use against soldiers and a high-technology anti-vehicle projectile launcher, which homes in on targets with a magnetic signature. There are also two grenadier positions and two 360° machine gun posts. Basically what this means is, the driver can left-click to use a shotgun, and right click to shoot Motion Mines from the Goliath

You can also use the Goliath as a mobile spawnpoint and it heals and rearms nearby friendly forces within its supply radius.

http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/totalbf2142/vehicles/goliath_thumb.jpg
http://battlefield.totalgamingnetwork.com/bfpage.php?do=bf2142_northernstrike

Type 36 Hachimoto???
The PAC has opted for a light, hovering attack vehicle, created for lightning strikes against enemy vehicles and troops. This speed comes at a cost: The Hachimoto's armor can only withstand small arms or machinegun fire, and both pilot and passenger are exposed.

Although the driver has limited weaponry, in the gunner position you have a powerful, fast-firing 360° rotational grenade launcher and a remotely guided anti-vehicle missile.
http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/totalbf2142/vehicles/hachimoto_thumb.jpg
http://www.totalbf2142.com/page.php?do=nsvehicles

What's this I hear about unlocks?
The Northern Strike Booster Pack will introduce ten new unlocks to the top of every existing unlock tree. Go here to see them.http://battlefield.totalgamingnetwork.com/bfpage.php?do=bf2142_northernstrike

Will I be able to field upgrade to these unlocks?
If you have a tree maxed out, yes, you will be able to field upgrade to the NS unlock above that, even if you don't have the booster pack. (The NS unlocks will come to vanilla 2142 the same way the SF unlocks came to vanilla BF2, through a patch.)

What are the new maps, if any?
There are 3 new maps in NS.

- Bridge at Remagen (Big bridge in the middle, playable in Assault Lines and Titan )

- Port Bavaria (Featuring a completely snowed out area with 3 Titan Docking Bays, playable in Assault Lines and Titan)

- Liberation of Leipzig (Dark Urban City Map set in Northeastern Germany, featuring Assault Lines gamemode only, 16 32 & 64 player versions available)

Wait wait wait, Assault Lines?
EU has to cap all the flags before attacking the PAC base, but when the EU do attack the PAC base, a lone PAC squad could sneak out and cap one the flags closest to EU base just to piss them off and give PAC time to get the flags back. :rolleyes: But you didn't hear that from me...

Why are they using buildings from Vanilla? ITS A BOOSTER PACK!
I think you answered your own question.

That artic camo sucks. It's the same camo from vanilla with a bit of white splashed on!
Well, are you gonna expect the army to give you a WHOLE NEW UNIFORM to fight the enemy a couple hundred miles away?

How fast does the Hachimoto thing fire?
As far as I saw from the video, 1 shot every half second.

I've never bought a BF2 Booster pack, or now a BF2142 Booster pack, is it required for online, or are the packs only for fun in single player??

1. It is not required to play vanilla 2142, and if you do buy this pack you will have the best experience online you can get.

I'd say that the 2142 booster pack is a better way to start out a booster pack adventure. I think we all know what I mean when I say Tiger HAP and Eurofighter!

Do you buy it and DL off the internet or is it in stores (because someone said 10$, seems cheap for a game on shelf at local store)
1.The old BF2 BP's were only 10 bucks and had about the same amount of content in them, so we're expecting this to be 10.

2. It is available through EA Link and the Deluxe Edition of BF2142

Does the Hachimoto have seat belts?
No.

So I want to know how many rounds come withs the SMG clip expansion unlock!
SMG clip expansion:
EU SMG: 26(base) to 35(expansion) rounds
PAC SMG: 30(base) to 40(expansion) rounds

[Whiteplague]

sticky?

[RDST]

Yup, this needs to be sticky'd. Also could add some more Q&A.

[Corkum]

No Wake?! :(

[RDST]

Give up the Wake Island already. Maps look like same high quality (albeit a little bland) as in the current game.

[ak1knight]

Unlocks for People Who Have Reached General
Question 1, Im already at General so i have no more unlocks to claim, so will I automatically get all the unlocks like we did in bf2 exp.
Question 2, Will the unlocks work in vanilla BF2142 like in bf2.

As far as I know right now the answers are yes and yes. I will let you know if this changes at all.



in producer interview it says that you get the unlocks from the new badge/medals w/e

[StealthClobber]

Fixed.

[ak1knight]

Fixed.

Thanx

[RYKUU]

this nEEDs to be stickied

[jsr]

Why are you even releasing this, this is crap I'm never ever gonna buy this I quit 2142 blah blah blah...
Go cry. I have a name for these guys. Northern Emo's.


:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[Rouglead]

Northern Strike Distribution
Hey there, I noticed that some people are wondering how exactly Northern Strike will be shipped? So I just wanted to let you know that Northern Strike will be available exclusively through EA Link.

Already has been said, you will have to get it from ea downloader


Unlocks for People Who Have Reached General
Question 1, Im already at General so i have no more unlocks to claim, so will I automatically get all the unlocks like we did in bf2 exp.

Also been said, yes

Question 2, Will the unlocks work in vanilla BF2142 like in bf2.

ya, again been said

If the case is you have already reached General, then here is the solution. The booster is adding 10 new awards. Earning this specific awards will give you an unlock credit to get these unlocks. Anyone that hasn't reached general can use this credit on a Vanilla 2142 unlock or an NS unlock. Yes, the NS unlocks will work in vanilla BF2142.

Why don't you guys fix 2142 before releasing a booster pack?
We are trying to with an upcoming patch, I don't have details on the exact date or what's specifically getting fixed. But I will share as soon as i have the info. As i said before, patch efforts are separate from development and are ongoing.


No, the game is fixed enough already explain one thing that is in desperate need to be fixed

Price?
As to price point, the pricing should be comparable to that for the BF2 Boosters.

$10


oh and i got this info 2 weeks ago on iga

[^Scott^]

oh and i got this info 2 weeks ago on iga

It was leaked on the 17th and made official on the 19th. Not sure how you would have gotten any of that info unless you have some inside source with dice / ea.

Found this on PBF.

Thank you for citing the source instead of just copying. :D

[Rouglead]

no, it was on iga 2 weeks ago go look it up iga

[IHateYou]

no, it was on iga 2 weeks ago go look it up iga

a google search of iga brings up the Independent Grocer's Alliance. Is this where you got your info? Or can you not be bothered to post links to your info?

[Vreki]

This is great, but you should include a direct link the source: http://planetbattlefield.gamespy.com/fullstory.php?id=109760

It also includes links to the sources for all the statements.

[Aegis001]

If you DL stuff of the link isnt it non returnable if it doesnt work!

If that some n00b **** right there then just slap me :D

[Talus]

Hmm...maybe I just haven't read enough info on the BP but I can't answer this one for myself:

Can you also use unlock points that you've saved up from vanilla to unlock NS unlocks or can NS unlocks ONLY be unlocked using the new NS awards?

[Aegis001]

Nope, ALL unlocks are fair game for ALL weapons, so you can pick whatever you dam well please

[Rick Astley]

Hmm...maybe I just haven't read enough info on the BP but I can't answer this one for myself:

Can you also use unlock points that you've saved up from vanilla to unlock NS unlocks or can NS unlocks ONLY be unlocked using the new NS awards?
I think there is no info for that. But i think you can only unlock NS unlocks with the NS awards. Seems pretty fair to me.

[Vreki]

Hmm...maybe I just haven't read enough info on the BP but I can't answer this one for myself:

Can you also use unlock points that you've saved up from vanilla to unlock NS unlocks or can NS unlocks ONLY be unlocked using the new NS awards?

No info on that as far as I know (Or "Reply Hazy" if you prefer that ;) ) .

I think that the badges are simply a new way to get standard unlock points, which means that "old" point can be used to purchase the new unlocks.

Why? Because otherwise we could have a situation where people have converted a number of the badges to old unlocks, and then later in the game realize that they are now permanently unable to unlock the last NS unlocks.

You could say that it would be their own fault, but I still think DICE would want to make it foolproof. Imagine the angry threads we will see otherwise :D

[Talus]

If I can get a concrete answer, I'll post back here.

Until then, I'm hoarding my unused unlock points :D I have 5 saved up right now and maybe I'll have a couple more by March.

I would love to be able to unlock the engie top 2, player ability, and squad leader unlocks right away.

[Whiteplague]

hey we got you Sticky'd :)


and yes once again you CAN use NS unlock credits to unlock VANILLA equipment and YES you CAN use VANILLA unlock credits to unlock NS equipment ok are we all straight on this now?

[Vreki]

hey we got you Sticky'd :)


and yes once again you CAN use NS unlock credits to unlock VANILLA equipment and YES you CAN use VANILLA unlock credits to unlock NS equipment ok are we all straight on this now?

If you don't mind, I would like to see you source on the last part?

[l2edl2azor]

Why are you even releasing this, this is crap I'm never ever gonna buy this I quit 2142 blah blah blah...
Go cry. I have a name for these guys. Northern Emo's.

Northern Emo's :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Nice post BTW. Thanks ;)

[ThePuppy]

Why are you even releasing this, this is crap I'm never ever gonna buy this I quit 2142 blah blah blah...
Go cry. I have a name for these guys. Northern Emo's.

HAHAHA you made my day ty for the infromation

[mjrstiffie]

I'd like to know when the beta will start and how one can get into it. Hope it's not an exclusive for paid subscribers of a certain community.

[StealthClobber]

I'd like to know when the beta will start and how one can get into it. Hope it's not an exclusive for paid subscribers of a certain community.

That I do not know yet, we'll have to wait and see. AFAIK, I heard it was a closed beta, so GL getting in.

[Fakkamajakka]

I would like to see some further elaboration on how the server community is not going to be divided up again like in BF2.

The booster pack producer said this about dividing the community...

"Last but not least we strived to incorporate the booster pack with the original game. Rather than having booster pack players gather on one server and original game players on another we wanted to allow booster pack owners to enjoy certain parts of the new content while playing the core game."

Which sounds like they are allowing NS owners to use (some or all) NS unlocks on (some or all) default maps. So I can only assume that they are thinking..."The BF2 servers were fragmented into 'people who wanted to use the new vehicles' vs. 'people who didn't want to use the new vehicles?'"

I think they missed the mark big time on that one.

For the booster packs for BF2 (Armored Fury / Euro Force) the big draw wasn't the new vehicles. It was new ranked maps. Sure, the little bird copter and the Warthog were cool and all, but at least for me and the people I played with, the main reason for getting the packs were the new ranked maps. We were bored with the default maps and strategies and needed new playing fields to conquer.

Sure, we could have loaded up mods to play or unranked maps, but we were hopelessly sucked into the whole "ranked" thing. If we weren't getting points towards new ranks and new unlocks, then we were wasting time.

So since only BP people could play the BP maps, the servers split up into AF server / EF server / normal servers. Very very few servers mixed them up, because who wants to be playing on a server and get kicked because you don't have the right map? It's really annoying, especially if you're in a good squad.

I think Dice is being disingenuous here. I believe that they know this, and they know that the community is going to get fragmented again, but this time they're hoping (gambling) that the vast majority of users are going to get the BP and so the majority of servers will be able to run mixed maps and a small amount of servers will stick to default maps.

Like I said before, they could make all the maps playable to everyone, people with the BP could use the new weapons and vehicles, people without it can't, and if people complain about not being able to use all the toys, then they can simply fork over the cash and get the BP. This would stop the fragmentation of the servers. The only possible drawback to this is one team has a lot of BP people and thus only one team has access to the cooler toys and thus one team has a distinct advantage over the other. However, I really don't see this happening all that much.

It's all bean counting, I'm sure. They know more of the suckers will pay for more maps and less of the suckers will pay for new weapons. So in the end they get more money but we get a fragmented server base.

They could have scored a lot of points with me if they had gone the other way. I hope that their gamble pays off for everyone.

[Whiteplague]

hey we got you Sticky'd :)


and yes once again you CAN use NS unlock credits to unlock VANILLA equipment and YES you CAN use VANILLA unlock credits to unlock NS equipment ok are we all straight on this now?

Let me clarify that last part You will be able to unlock NS weapons with VANILLA credits ONLY if you buy the booster pack

[StealthClobber]

Wrong WP, remember the awards?

[mjrstiffie]

That I do not know yet, we'll have to wait and see. AFAIK, I heard it was a closed beta, so GL getting in.

I read that it was Closed too, but on http://battlefield.ea.com/battlefield/bf/BF2142_News_011807.aspx at the bottom just below the picture posted it says "Watch this space for information on how to join the beta" I've been watching :)

[Kraxis]

[Wait wait wait, Assault Lines?
Basically, its Conquest, but you can only take the flag that is in front of your own, to intensify battles, and prevent taking the base before the battle even gets started. *cough*Cerbere Landing*cough*

Actually it has never been stated that Assault Line will feature one flag at a time, only that you need to capture all the other flags before you can capture the base (last flag it seems). So the base is uncapable until all the flags are taken.

That is different from Supply Line and might be the reason for the differnt name.

[Vreki]

Let me clarify that last part You will be able to unlock NS weapons with VANILLA credits ONLY if you buy the booster pack

That wasn't the part that was unclear. It was the part about vanilla credits used to unlock NS unlocks

What is your source for that please? And by that I mean a direct link to a EA/DICE man saying that.

If you are thinking of this (http://www.battlefield.ea.com/battlefield/bf/BF2142_News_011907_2.aspx):

5) There are ten new unlocks and also increased persistence in the booster pack. Could you give us some hints on what the new unlocks might be, and also how the increased persistence will work?

Rather than earning new unlocks by climbing through the ranks, the booster pack will add 10 new badges which when received will award the player with one unlock credit each. This unlock credit can be used to unlock a standard unlock item or, if you're on top of the unlock branch, a Northern Strike unlock. The Northern Strike unlocks will be available through Field Upgrade for all users who maxed out one or more unlock trees, but only players entitled to Northern Strike can unlock them permanently. A lot of energy has been put into making the unlocks a fun and challenging experience both for the ones carrying them and for the ones not.

It states that unlocks in NS are earned through badges, which gives an unlock credit. It does not state that NS unlocks only can be unlocked through NS credits, or that they can be unlocked by vanilla credits.


(I know this is almost a duplicate of my post in the "save unused" thread, but different people keep stating this without naming sources)

[IHateYou]

So will Assault Lines be an option for all maps, or just the 3 new ones?

[StealthClobber]

Probably all maps.

[nutcrackr]

Shoots a motion mine? Now that would be trippy. Wonder what the rate of fire is, would be hard for vehicles to take it down with motion mines and regen armor. The thing could lay mines, run away heal up and come back for more.

[StealthClobber]

Running away is hard in a Goliath, that thing moves pretty slowly.

[CraZyBryaN]

I've never bought a BF2 Booster pack, or now a BF2142 Booster pack, is it required for online, or are the packs only for fun in single player??

Do you buy it and DL off the internet or is it in stores (because someone said 10$, seems cheap for a game on shelf at local store)

Thanks for help sry I'm a noob :rolleyes:

[StealthClobber]

1/23/07 - 11:26 PM - UPDATED!

I added in your questions Ronaldinho.10, they seemed something that a "noob" would ask, but don't worry. All questions are just questions, it's perfectly alright to ask them. I even think that was that old TV sex counselers motto!

[Kibax]

Good thread, sorted out a few things for me.

[Corbine]

I've got a few questions here that you may not be able to answer just yet, but I still feel like throwing them out there. :)

1. Assuming the Goliath has weak spots, and that it's an armored APC, would its weak spots be in the same area as a normal APC?

2. Will fixes and modifications by DiCE be coupled with the release of this Booster Pack?

3. Does the Hachimoto have seat belts?

[StealthClobber]

What do you mean by fixes and modifications being coupled? A patch? The 1.2 patch (omg just like SF) will be released along with this pack if that's what you mean.

I can answer one of those right now. ;)

[JerKinXx]

When will this be out?

[The_Eliminator]

When will this be out?

I think they said March.

[Kasei]

The dude that leaked the unlocks is going to get screamed at by CS :o

[Rick Astley]

The dude that leaked the unlocks is going to get screamed at by CS :o
What? Which dude? Did he post the unlocks here?

[FireSoul667]

That new clark shotgun

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGg

[StealthClobber]

I'm going to remove the unlocks, I got invited to the testing, if they see them there they are gonna flip at me too.

[DirrtiestSanchez]

I'm going to remove the unlocks, I got invited to the testing, if they see them there they are gonna flip at me too.

I do not see the reason why you would take them down.

You did not take the original screenies and all you were doing was adding them to the sticky.

The cat's out of the bag as far as the unlocks go and like you said in your post, since it has already been leaked (not by you) that you might as well post them.

[StealthClobber]

I do not see the reason why you would take them down.

You did not take the original screenies and all you were doing was adding them to the sticky.

The cat's out of the bag as far as the unlocks go and like you said in your post, since it has already been leaked (not by you) that you might as well post them.

Cause of the new sticky above mine saying there is no beta discussion here. :rolleyes:

[Rick Astley]

What does the Speeder fire? Does the driver also have access to weapons, like AT possibilities?

[Talus]

Guys...don't ask specific questions that only beta testers would know...

And beta testers (or anybody with leaked info)...don't answer them ;)

[MouseNo4]

Why not Talus? I have been invited, but i havent received an NDA yet, so i can say what i like - as long as it complies with the rules of this forum, yes?

[Rick Astley]

Is it so bad to ask what the Speeder fires? The unlocks being leaked is quite bad, it was the big surprise. But everyone knows what the Speeder is now and asking what the thing fires isn't so bad and can't affect anyone that's asking himself to buy it or not by it.

[Kibax]

If any testers release any information they will be punished, end of.

[Rick Astley]

If any testers release any information they will be punished, end of.
Yes, we know........because of the NDA:rolleyes:

[StealthClobber]

Well I'm downloading NS and patch 1.2 right now, so I can release the info because I have no idea. Believe me, I haven't looked on the beta forums either. Only for necesseties to get me going.

I believe it has 2 mounted machine guns on the side, and there is a grenade/missle launcher on the back, which you guessed it, fires grenades or missles. Now this is not breaking the NDA, because I don't know what it does, apart from that, and that it hovers!

[Svartberg]

Well I'm downloading NS and patch 1.2 right now ...

Of course you do ;)

[Talus]

Why not Talus? I have been invited, but i havent received an NDA yet, so i can say what i like - as long as it complies with the rules of this forum, yes?

Because it seems that these silly beta testers really have NO idea what they have agreed to and they will probably answer your questions and get themselves into trouble without realizing.

If we want to continue to have THIS KIND OF ACCESS to our favourite game franchise, we need to respect their right to keep information private until details are finalized and ready for release.

Besides, if you're in the beta now, then you'll find all of the answers you need and can discuss them ad nauseum on the beta forums.

[MouseNo4]

Yeah, from your mouth to god's ears.

I am not one to break rules of any kind. Sure i have bent rules to fit the situation, but i never actually break them - so i wont be breaking no nda.

So i can say whatever i want to anyone i like, as long as it dont break no rules. Since i have received no nda yet, anything i know already i can repeat to anyone. Except of course, in a post on forums such as this where its against the rules already stipulated in a sticky.

Talus, who said i had questions about the booster pack or the beta? Anything i wanna know i will just find out for myself.

The point, is whether i will be able to repeat the information i find out or not.

[A5ko]

Because it seems that these silly beta testers really have NO idea what they have agreed to and they will probably answer your questions and get themselves into trouble without realizing.

If we want to continue to have THIS KIND OF ACCESS to our favourite game franchise, we need to respect their right to keep information private until details are finalized and ready for release.

Besides, if you're in the beta now, then you'll find all of the answers you need and can discuss them ad nauseum on the beta forums.

Translated - Please don't talk about it, otherwise EA/DICE will refuse to post on our forums anymore.

Those of us that are NOT in the beta have to be content with shutting up and waiting for a release before we can have our say. The problem is, as soon as its released EA/DICE will refuse to support it by ignoring the things that are addressed.

Just thought as a customer, i'd have some sort of say on where i'd like the game to go but apparently not. Can i ask who signed the NDA on my behalf pelase?

[MouseNo4]

Good point there. Suffice to say, that tbf2142 love EA/DICE. If the two parties were man and woman, they would marry.

I have yet to hear a single word from these guys in the negative towards them.

[shadypepe]

oooh no wake ? i like wake ! why are there so many dirty, dusty maps in bf 2142 ??? i like wake or gulf of oman.

[[NRN]tommygunner311]

alright now i am not sure if this has been answered yet but.......
i have not seen anything around on when the booster pack is gonna be released? any have anything? like what month at least? :)

[StealthClobber]

Early March.

[Shellsh0cker]

Early March.

The first, actually.

[StealthClobber]

It's able to download on the first, playable on the 7th. (Correct me if im wrong there, I don't play 2142 anymore, when NS comes out I will, I don't keep up with the news)

[darwinsGate]

Shouldn't a FAQ include details about the unlocks? If you follow the link to the NS unlocks you will see only a general description and no details. For example the Engy's SMG clip expansion - it only says it gives you more shots per clip but not how many. How many does the regular clip hold and how many does the expansion hold?

Thanks

[McDutchy]

SMG clip expantion:
EU SMG: 26(base) to 35(expansion) rounds
PAC SMG: 30(base) to 40(expansion) rounds

[darwinsGate]

Thank mcduchy. On first blush... it rocks. lots of staying power. no longer empty it on one guy and have nothing left for the next.

[Talus]

Although I have to get out of the habit of reloading after every kill now ;)

[StealthClobber]

A little bit late for an update (hey that rizzhymed) but I did. I looked at this FAQ after a while and decided hey some of that info is wrong, so it's fixed now.

(Correct me if im wrong there, I don't play 2142 anymore, when NS comes out I will, I don't keep up with the news)

And I STILL haven't bought NS! ;)

[PeteDude]

I have a question. If I re-install BF2142 do I need to backup my Northern Strike?

[sansk77]

Yeah, i think you should. because EA changed so u can't redownload the booster pack after 6 month or something like that.

btw if you want to know how click here (http://www.totalgamingnetwork.com/main/showthread.php?t=38507).