The usefulness of medkits?

[Assknight]

I've only played RWR for the past 3 hours but I've already begun to doubt the usefulness of medkits.

I understand that everyone carries one because they're the cheapest item so you don't want them to be too powerful but in my 3 hours of play I've encountered only one NPC with a vest and zero players (On a invasion server)

I was try to think up ways to make Medkits useful without upsetting the game's balance (something I have no right to judge with so little playtime) but I could only come up with two ideas:

-Every time a solider is hit by a lethal shot he has a 5% (or lower) of becoming wounded instead of dying.
I understand that this might upset the flow of the game greatly so I'm even unsure of it myself.

-A new vest type item. I was thinking it could be relatively cheap (5-10 RP) and have a 50% chance of letting a bullet only wounding instead of killing.
If 1 out of 10 NPC's spawned with this I feel that medkits would much more valuable.

I honestly don't care if these particular ideas are implemented, I only want medkits to become actually useful in single player/invasion.

[Reno Story]

I myself agree with this.

As of now, Medkits are the most worthless item I know of. People die too easily for them to be of any use, and when there IS a person you can heal, he is normally in the middle of a firefight, meaning you couldn't get to him, or in my case, I'm always wounded when no one is around to save me, so it just wastes my time.

Why bother with medkits if they don't really serve to do nothing more than drain your RP?

[ComJak]

Medikits server a bigger purpose when playing with other players. Also, it can be useful in AI hands when you are rich enough to buy vests. They are definitely the most "worthless" but still have worth if you know what i mean.

[Reno Story]

Originally posted by ComJak:

Medikits server a bigger purpose when playing with other players. Also, it can be useful in AI hands when you are rich enough to buy vests. They are definitely the most "worthless" but still have worth if you know what i mean.

True, but still.. A lot of the times that I got taken down with a vest on, it was often when I had no one to help me. I don't buy vest unless I'm leading a very important raid or going solo, because vests are expensive and you need to save RP for things like paratroopers. A good paradrop during a raid can easily turn the tide of the battle, after all.

If you buy vest all the time, sure, it probably would happen more often, but in my experience, it is a rare thing.

Let's not forget all the times we see men get killed the moment they are revived, too.

[ComJak]

AI generally spawn with medikits a lot. So unless you're off doing your own thing and dying far from friendlies, they will generally help you. If I'm fighting on the front lines, I can pretty much always guarantee at least a few AI will try to revive me. I definitely DO know of times when I get reved and killed :P I do that to AI too. It's kind of wrong from a moral standpoint but meh haha.

[Assknight]

Originally posted by ComJak:

AI generally spawn with medikits a lot. So unless you're off doing your own thing and dying far from friendlies, they will generally help you. If I'm fighting on the front lines, I can pretty much always guarantee at least a few AI will try to revive me. I definitely DO know of times when I get reved and killed :P I do that to AI too. It's kind of wrong from a moral standpoint but meh haha.

I consider that a problem, since you so rarely ever need a medkit you normally have time to find one lying around or simply wait for a AI to revive someone instead of wasting a equipment slot carrying one around.
There's very little reason for a player to carry one in single-player/invasion.

[deGothia]

As it's pretty cheap and don't take up much space in your backpack, you might be able to carry one there.

If you're playing alone vs AI or on an invasion server(going on solo ops), then it's not very useful.
But when playing with a lot of human players on invasion server, it's pretty appreciated if you have one for a downed friendly.

[Reno Story]

Originally posted by deGothia:

As it's pretty cheap and don't take up much space in your backpack, you might be able to carry one there.

If you're playing alone vs AI or on an invasion server(going on solo ops), then it's not very useful.
But when playing with a lot of human players on invasion server, it's pretty appreciated if you have one for a downed friendly.

PROVIDED he has a vest, that is.. And also is allowed to wear them.

What rank do you have to be to earn the right to buy vests again?

[ComJak]

Dont remember. also plenty of people on the servers use vests

[deGothia]

wow, I couldn't even find that out from the manual :P
But you should be able see how much exp you need to use it, and crossref it with the exp for a certain rank.

http://runningwithrifles.gamepedia.com/Manual#Ranks.2C_experience_and_Scoring

[Opt_0™]

Here's one: What if, when you die (with or without vest) you are immobile and "dead" with a small window in which someone can run up and "revive" you, or you can spawn again before that window runs out.

1 MedKit = 1 Revive.

And the Vest simply allows you the same oppertunity it does now. 2 extra hits +knockback before death. Basically Medkits are your chance to revive, like a more standard form of modern shooters. Plus it could be a better chance for low ranks to pick people up and earn some extra co-op XP.

But I see the counter argument: You could load up a pack with kits. But don't people load up packs with vests at this point any way? It would be the trade off. Poor aim, but you could run as a true "Medic" and be forced to take the time to pull out another medkit. And we all know how quick you can get shot right after being picked up. Okay, I like my own idea again. I'm sold.

[Reno Story]

Originally posted by Opt_0:

Here's one: What if, when you die (with or without vest) you are immobile and "dead" with a small window in which someone can run up and "revive" you, or you can spawn again before that window runs out.

1 MedKit = 1 Revive.

And the Vest simply allows you the same oppertunity it does now. 2 extra hits +knockback before death. Basically Medkits are your chance to revive, like a more standard form of modern shooters. Plus it could be a better chance for low ranks to pick people up and earn some extra co-op XP.

But I see the counter argument: You could load up a pack with kits. But don't people load up packs with vests at this point any way? It would be the trade off. Poor aim, but you could run as a true "Medic" and be forced to take the time to pull out another medkit. And we all know how quick you can get shot right after being picked up. Okay, I like my own idea again. I'm sold.

I had seen something like this in other games, and I like that idea. Nothing sucks more than a stray bullet taking you out in the middle of no where, costing you valuble RP. At least this way, you would have more chances to get back into the fray without losing your hard earned cash.

[Opt_0™]

It also allow for the chance for more direct co-op play. When you're new and just getting into a game, the medkit is usually one of the first things you can carry, and the easiest way to meetup with others. Nothing's better than people pickin each other up. And it sets good standard and expectations for co-op play to those just joining.

[Inspector Hector Women Respector]

look at battlefield 4 , or any game... a defibrilat would be more usefull (fight scenario): a friend just got killed,youve got an defig, you can revive him, just an idea (from the crowd, slow claps)

[lil_misfit]

I've only played the demo (getting the game soon!) but I like the way it is because it is different than other games. I hate the way the defibulator is in other games because in real combat that doesn't help a bullet to the head. The medical kit in this game (demo) it takes time like the medic is bandaging you and I like that. I even like that you die so fast!

[ComJak]

Yup, the medkit simulates things like mophine, epinephrine, and bandages. A defib would get your heart going again but not do much for the wounds themselves.