History Videogame / PlanetSide

* WeaponOfChoice: GatlingGood and MoreDakka for the Terran Republic, just classic gunpowder-based firearms. For the Vanu Sovereignty, it's all about [[EnergyWeapon Frickin' Laser Beams]] and {{Plasma Cannon}}s, and other energy weapons. For the New Conglomerate, it's {{Magnetic Weapon}}s and a focus on ShotgunsAreJustBetter that is more than strictly sane - shotgun pistols for the rank-and-file, triple-barrelled shotguns for their assault troops, ''nose-mounted shotgun cannons for their aircraft''...

* The '''Nanite Systems Operatives (NSO)''' are an army of remote-controlled MechaMooks introduced exclusively for ''Planetside 2'' on April 25, 2019, only playable by players with All-Access Memberships. Created by the [[MegaCorp Nanite Systems corporation]], Nanite Systems Operatives don't have a territory of their own. Instead, when an NSO player joins a continent, they are automatically assigned to the faction with the lowest population, [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience changing coloration to match]]. They can only use Nanite Systems weapons and vehicles (including a few exclusive to the [=NSOs=]), although they can take up gunner positions on empire-specific vehicles. They can join outfits, but they aren't tied to that outfit's faction, meaning they can end up fighting their ostensible comrades.

** Their signature heavy infantry weapon is the Jackhammer ([[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant no, not the]] [[RareGuns/{{Shotguns}} Pancor Jackhammer]]), a [[GatlingGood triple-barreled]] shotgun with a high semi-auto fire rate and even a rapid 3-round burst mode that can almost instantly kill infantry at point-blank. It is available in the second game as well, as the Empire Specific Weapon for the Heavy Assault class, with all the features of the first game's Jackhammer, although sadly, only mounting a single barrel.

** Both the NC and TR [=MAXes=] can fire a full barrage of rockets from twin ArmCannons. The New Conglomerate NCM3 Raven fires a full 5-missile volley in 6 seconds, and reloads in another 2, while the Terran Republic MR1 Fracture fires 10 unguided rockets in 7.5 seconds and takes 2.5 seconds to reload. Both of these numbers are for a single arm. On a single MAX. Many times, entire squads of maxes with a few engineers will take up a commanding position and rain down death on advancing Armor and any infantry unlucky enough to be standing in the way of the maelstorm of explosions heading towards them.

** The NC6 Gauss SAW, the starting light machine gun of the New Conglomerate qualifies. It starts out with recoil so high, it is nearly impossible to hit anything that isn't the ceiling. Once you put a foregrip and compensator on it to reduce recoil, you have a highly accurate highly damaging death machine.

* BigBadassBattleSequence: ''[=PS2=]'' not just makes this possible, but also nigh inevitable if there are enough players in the same server/continent. The game [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb54iuks3UM even broke]] a ''world record'' for having [[UpToEleven 1,158 people fighting across the same server all at once]].

* CoolHelmet: ''[=PS2=]'' is rife with cool helmets and {{Nice Hat}}s, such as the TR [[Franchise/StarWars stormtrooper-esque]] "Dreadnaught" helmet. TR helmets generally have red GlowingMechanicalEyes goggles or wide faceplates, [[GasMaskMooks gas masks]], and are built with a sleek but practical aesthetic. NC helmets have hard edges ([[OurWeaponsWillBeBoxyInTheFuture the NC do not believe in "the curve"]]) and generally appear more robotic, with many helmets lacking a faceplate. VS go off the deep end in terms of complexity, with sharply creased lines making many of their helmets look like they're wearing a crustacean for a hat. The most popular VS helmet, Avalon, also [[InTheHood incorporates a hood]]. The Player Studio marketplace allows players to design their own {{Cool Helmet}}s (and other cosmetics) and sell them for real money after they get artistic approval from the developers.

* HighlyConspicuousUniform: All the Empires are guilty of this. The Terran Republic has [[http://wiki.planetsidesyndicate.com/images/e/ec/TRRexoArmors2.jpg bright red and black uniforms]], the Vanu Sovereignty has [[http://wiki.planetsidesyndicate.com/index.php?title=Image:VS_Rexos.jpg shiny purple and green]] armor, and the New Conglomerate has [[http://wiki.planetsidesyndicate.com/images/5/54/NCRexoArmors.jpg neon yellow and blue]]. ''[=PlanetSide=] 2'' tones down the colors on the uniforms, but the red stripes and goggles of the TR, arctic camouflage of the NC, and cyan TronLines of the VS still stand out. This can be brought UpToEleven with the glowing hardlight or auraxium armors.

* ALighterShadeOfGrey: The New Conglomerate in the first game are definitely the "good" faction, with their bad traits being [[MildlyMilitary poor leadership]], which stands in contrast to the [[MachineWorship fanatical Vanu Sovereignty]] and the [[TheEmpire totalitarian Terran Republic]]. Averted in the second game, where the NC is backed by not-so-nice [[MegaCorp monolithic corporations]] and a variety of discontents, while simultaneously the Terran Republic was made "good", but the [[LostColony Auraxis remnants]] [[DrunkWithPower are clearly too used to martial law for their own good]], and the Vanu Sovereignty have [[SerialEscalation ramped up]] their [[MachineWorship crazy technology religion]] to the [[UpToEleven next level]].

* MachineWorship: The Vanu Sovereignty is composed of scientists and zealots that both study and effectively worship [[{{Precursors}} ancient Vanu]] technology. The second game cranks said worship UpToEleven.

** The core idea behind all AntiAir weapons which aren't guided missiles is to throw as many bullets as possible at the target and hope something hits. Skyguard equipped Lightnings feature a quad-barreled 40mm flak cannon, and AA MAX units typically carry two 20mm flak cannons on each arm. [[UpToEleven When coupled with the Terran MAX's fire rate increasing Lockdown ability...]]

* NiceHat: Terran players have access to a CommissarCap, while New Conglomerate players can get a kepi ([[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Confederacy's cap]]).

* SocializationBonus: ''Planet Side 2'' has support actions (healing, repairing, etc) providing bonus XP when done on players in your squad, and players in squads can respawn at the base closest to the leader and respawn in squad [[AwesomePersonnelCarrier Sunderers]], Galaxy transport aircraft, and [[GunshipRescue Valkryies]]. Squad Leaders get XP rewards for XP earned by their squad/platoon, and can eventually earn a free NiceHat through leadership. In ''Videogame/PlanetSide 1'', the only way to gain Command Rank was to lead squads; rewards included visual customization (shin guards and a radio backpack) and special abilities like the [[OrbitalBombardment Orbital Strike]].

* WeHaveReserves: Because of the respawning technology, commanders tend to order ([[MildlyMilitary or at least attempt to]]) the waves of unaffiliated players to throw themselves at base defenses. Taken UpToEleven during the Reserves - the reserve (free to play, low level) players were typically regarded as cannon fodder for the elite units.

* SupernaturalIsPurple: The Vanu Sovereignty, obsessed with the nearly magical qualities of Ancient Vanu tech, paint all their equipment in bright purple.

** The Sunderer (a.k.a. "[[FanNickname Sundie, Battle Bus, or Bangbus]]") vehicles, massive trucks bristling with guns, equipped with a rechargeable {{EMP}} blast, and capable of transporting heavy armor. They also have a horn that sounds like an eighteen-wheeler as they crash straight through your base's shielding.

** In the early days of ''[=PS1=]'', heavy vehicles were frighteningly effective at mowing down entire squads of infantry; this was especially popular in the Vanu Sovereignty's strafe-capable hover-tank, the Magrider, which earned it the FanNickname "Magmower". In ''[=PS2=]'', vehicles are not slowed down by running over infantry, so it's easy to plow through dozens of troopers and kill them all without even firing the main guns. In fact, this is even rewarded with a "Roadkill Bonus". The Sunderer is horrifyingly effective at running over ''vehicles''; a Sunderer moving at full throttle has enough inertia to send tanks flying in a head-on collision, and splatter Harassers across the terrain.

* UnexpectedlyRealisticGameplay: The opening paragraph in the review by Game Informer puts it best: "First-person shooter fans have played the role of the sole, galaxy-saving hero countless times before. [[WellThisIsNotThatTrope PlanetSide 2 is not that experience]]. On these chaotic battlefields, you are not a [[Franchise/{{Halo}} master chief]] or [[{{VideoGame/Destiny}} legendary guardian]] who can expect to have an unlosable war served up to you on a silver platter. Instead, you are a grunt among hundreds, and your job is to serve the war effort until you die (usually a matter of minutes), hopefully taking down a few members of the opposition with you."

''[=PlanetSide=]'' is an MMOFPS ([[{{MMORPG}} Massively Multiplayer Online]] FirstPersonShooter) developed by Sony Online Entertainment (now Daybreak Game Company) and released in 2003. It is likely the second true MMOFPS ever to be released, after ''VideoGame/WorldWarIIOnline'' (2001). The original ''Planetside'' [[DefunctOnlineVideoGames shut down its final server]] on July 1st, 2016 after 13 years, ending in a final party around 'Stonehedge' on Ishundar as meteors rained from the sky, while its sequel remains active.

* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: The New Conglomerate MAX can equip the "Aegis", a riot-shield shaped forcefield projected out of the right arm of the MAX. Totally invulnerable, but the MAX is unable to shoot while wielding it, and it doesn't cover the sides or rear. The NC Vanguard tank can activate an energy shield which makes them total invulnerable for up to 7 seconds. The Engineer's MANA Anti-infantry turret likewise has a small riot-shield forcefield to protect the user's upper body from frontal attacks, but it annoyingly lacks a shield to [[BoomHeadshot protect the head]].

* RealityEnsues: The opening paragraph in the review by Game Informer puts it best: "First-person shooter fans have played the role of the sole, galaxy-saving hero countless times before. [[WellThisIsNotThatTrope PlanetSide 2 is not that experience]]. On these chaotic battlefields, you are not a [[Franchise/{{Halo}} master chief]] or [[{{VideoGame/Destiny}} legendary guardian]] who can expect to have an unlosable war served up to you on a silver platter. Instead, you are a grunt among hundreds, and your job is to serve the war effort until you die (usually a matter of minutes), hopefully taking down a few members of the opposition with you."
** Yet another quote by Game Informer that exemplifies this trope: "Teamwork is essential to gaining control, which leaves you as a small cog in the relentless, bloody machine." Just like in an actual war, you're not there to be the star of your own story or achieve some sort of glory.
** The massive and lumbering Colossus tank might be virtually unstoppable if taken head-on in a duel. However, an opportunistic enemy who flanks, is fast, and/or has numbers will make short work of the Colossus. And don't even think about pulling a Colossus alone without support...
** Some of the most effective tactics and playstyles will be the least enjoyable to go against and are denounced as 'unfair' by much of the playerbase. Then again, most wars aren't won by fighting fair...
** Using HollywoodTactics will not end well.
** The first Planetside required resources in order for bases to function. Much like a real-life wars and battles, logistics were essential.
** For all their potential lethality against infantry and vehicles, MAXes also need support from your teammates or it will be overwhelmed and killed. Standing out in the open with a MAX also makes you a very easy target for infantry in cover.

* The '''Vanu Sovereignty (VS)'''is a [[MachineWorship cult]] of scientists and other intellectuals who embrace [[{{Precursor}} Vanu]] technology to a much greater extent than the other factions, hoping to eventually AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence as they believe the Vanu themselves did. [[EnergyWeapon Energy Weapons]] are their specialty, often with the unique ability to fire in standard or armor-piercing modes using the same ammo. Their vehicles are relatively fragile but have hover drives that allow them to strafe and scoot across bodies of water to attack from unexpected angles. [[http://web.archive.org/web/20060105170210/http://www.vanusovereignty.com/ Website]]

** The NC's GODSAW also has an alternate firemode that can deal damage to all vehicles and Bastion hardpoints.

** The Combat Medic returns as a class in the sequel, armed with a powerful assault rifle and able to revive dead soldiers and heal wounded ones, as well as project a healing aura around their bodies.

* HighlyConspicuousUniform: All the Empires are guilty of this. The Terran Republic has [[http://wiki.planetsidesyndicate.com/images/e/ec/TRRexoArmors2.jpg bright red and black uniforms]], the Vanu Sovereignty has [[http://wiki.planetsidesyndicate.com/index.php?title=Image:VS_Rexos.jpg shiny purple and green]] armor, and the New Conglomerate has [[http://wiki.planetsidesyndicate.com/images/5/54/NCRexoArmors.jpg neon yellow and blue]]. ''[=PlanetSide=] 2'' tones down the colors on the uniforms, but the red stripes and goggles of the TR, arctic camouflage of the NC, and cyan TronLines of the VS still stand out.

** Nanite Systems primary weaponry combines some of the best features of the three empire's weapons - they have 5 extra bullets per magazine (compared to the Terran Republic's ten), have a small cone-of-fire like New Conglomerate's {{Magnetic Weapon}}s, and has the tiny recoil typical of Vanu Sovereignty's plasma weaponry. When combined with NS weapons firing noises blending in with the ''enemy's'' NS weaponry, and NS weaponry unlocking across all characters when bought with [[BribingYourWayToVictory Station Cash]], they are often the best weaponry - only outclassed in very specific situations (usually extreme short or long range).

* MultiTrackDrifting: The Lightning in ''[=PS2=]'' can both drift and do sweet powerslides - The Rival chassis allows it to drift, while the Racer chassis allows it to do powerslides.

* RealityEnsues: The opening paragraph in the review by Game Informer puts it best: "First-person shooter fans have played the role of the sole, galaxy-saving hero countless times before. PlanetSide 2 is not that experience. On these chaotic battlefields, you are not a [[Franchise/{{Halo}} master chief]] or [[{{VideoGame/Destiny}} legendary guardian]] who can expect to have an unlosable war served up to you on a silver platter. Instead, you are a grunt among hundreds, and your job is to serve the war effort until you die (usually a matter of minutes), hopefully taking down a few members of the opposition with you."

* AbnormalAmmo: The Vanu Sovereignty favors plasma and laser-based weaponry, which are reloaded with batteries. In the case of their pump-action shotguns in the sequel, they are reloaded with what appears to be Energizer AA-batteries.
** Seasonal-themed weaponry shoot various ammunition types like water, candy corn, snowballs, flares, and more.
** The 'Endeavor' line of NS primary weapons are powered by photons.
** The NS-03 Thumper can be loaded with incendiary, mini-EMP, or cryogenic grenades that slow down players and their weapon fire rates.
** The Crossbows have access to smoke, recon, explosive, and incendiary bolts.
** The NS-30 Tranquility shoots concussive smart-slugs that slow down enemy infantry when hit.
** The NS-66 Punisher's Adaptive Class Underbarrel attachment allows it to fire grenades unique to the class it's being used on, providing buffs or debuffs accordingly. Infiltrators get EMP grenades that lack the shield-breaking ability. Light Assaults get Impulse grenades that launch enemies (or you!) away from the blast. Medics get Cleanse grenades that remove all current debuffs from allies and heals them for 300 health over 3 seconds. Engineers get Repair Grenades that increase the health of MAXes and vehicles by up to 500 health, and repairs them for 240 health over 5 seconds. The Heavy Assault gets Havoc grenades that stop all repairs against enemy vehicles and MAXes for 5 seconds.
** Havoc missiles on ESFs work the exact same way as the Havoc grenades, save for actually dealing damage (albeit less than other AA missiles).
** The TR's Arbalest assault rifle has an underbarrel grenade launcher that shoots incendiary grenades.
** The TR's Dragoon Battle Rifle can shoot explosive rounds.
** The VS' Maw, Canis, and Horizon all have access to Unstable Ammunition that increases the size of projectiles at a cost of headshot damage.
** The VS' Lacerta has Lashing Ammunition that reduces direct damage and muzzle velocity in exchange for small explosive damage.
** The VS' Lasher X2, which the Lashing Ammunition is based off of, shoots slow plasma orbs with explosive damage.
** The NC's Vanquisher assault rifle gets Disruptor ammunition that strips away some shield health and ability energy from enemies as well as increased damage against enemy deployables in exchange for less direct damage. Once upon a time it was able to take away ability energy from vehicles too...

!! "All units planetside, tropes targeted near your position:

** The NS-66 Punisher's Adaptive Class Underbarrel attachment allows it to fire grenades unique to the class it's being used on, providing buffs or debuffs accordingly. Infiltrators get EMP grenades that lack the shield-breaking ability. Light Assaults get Impulse grenades that launch enemies (or you!) away from the blast. Medics get Cleanse grenades that remove all current debuffs from allies and heals them for 300 health over 3 seconds. Engineers get Repair Grenades that increase the health of MAXes and vehicles by up to 500 health, and repairs them for 240 health over 5 seconds.

** The VS Maw, Canis,

!! This MMOFPS provides examples of:

** The Thumper grenade launcher, which uses a rotating cylinder drum, and can be loaded with a variety of grenade types (fragmentation, [[KillItWithFire plasma]], or [[{{EMP}} jammer]]).

* ZergRush: In the absence of organizational influences, throwing massive amounts of uncoordinated infantry at a target is a common strategy. It has a good chance of working if the defenders aren't dug in too deep, but if two opposing [[ZergRush Zerg Rushes]] collide, they will fight to a stalemate until one side gets their act together or gets bored.

* RealityEnsues: The opening paragraph in the review by Game Informer puts it best: "First-person shooter fans have played the role of the sole, galaxy-saving hero countless times before. PlanetSide 2 is not that experience. On these chaotic battlefields, you are not a master chief or legendary guardian who can expect to have an unlosable war served up to you on a silver platter. Instead, you are a grunt among hundreds, and your job is to serve the war effort until you die (usually a matter of minutes), hopefully taking down a few members of the opposition with you."

* RammingAlwaysWorks: Galaxy dropships are large enough that crashing a Galaxy into an ESF will crush the ESF while barely denting the Galaxy. This can also work against [[GoombaStomp unsuspecting small land vehicles]] like Harassers.
* RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver: The Terran Republic in ''[=PS1=]'' has black and red armor, and are controlled by an [[TheEmpire oppressive oligarchy]]. ''[=PS2=]'' drops most of the black paint in favor of gray (at least on the infantry) and makes the Republic an [[TheFederation actual Republic]], atleast [[DrunkWithPower at first]].

* {{Nerf}}: Expect the flavour of the month weapon/vehicle to be nerfed with the main Game Updates. Of note is the [[TankGoodness Magrider]] which lost a lot of its climbing and strafing effectiveness and [[DeathFromAbove Rocketpods]] which had the AOE and damage reduced and the entire platform turned into a FragileSpeedster.