Changing the achievement 'White Feather'

[Saltsquatch]

Hey folks.

So while I was idly looking through the achievements, I noticed that one of them detailed 'White Feather' involved the accomplish 250 distance kill of an enemy combatant with the Army XM21.

Knowing history, this is probably in due reference to Carlos Hathcock. The man with a record of 93 confirmed kills throughout his tour in Vietnam, made famous further by the white feather he placed into his cap. He's brought much credit to the United States Marine Corps.

As it is in the game, however, the XM21 is unique only to the United States Army, not the USMC faction in the game. As a small nod to the head to not only the standing legend in the Marine Corps, but as well to one namely within the Army, I propose a couple things.

First, maybe make two different achievements for both the Army and the Marine Corps factions. Keeping 'White Feather' as the unique achievement to the USMC will surely give more credit to those able to 'make such a shot' given that, as it stands, Hue City is the only map we witness the USMC rolling out on. And imagine being sufficiently talented to nail a VC at 250m in that urban jungle.

For the US Army side of things, we have Adelbert Waldron III. His talent for marksmanship tallied an impressive 109 confirm kill record (something held proudly within US Armed Forces until it was broken by Chris Kyle years later) and the story of him nailing an enemy combatant whilst riding on a moving Navy Patrol Boat down a river in Vietnam (a shot made at 900 yards) make Waldron a very notable American character. Possibly having an achievement called 'Waldron IV?!' would be a funny quip to match the other humerous achievements AND give a nod to the Army legend himself.

Secondly, as it has been practice in other games prior (I think in some TripWire games, perhaps?), what if there could be some manner of an unlockable goodie for the player able to earn either achievement? A Marine Corps 8-point cap with a white feather tucked into the cap for the USMC achievement, and for the Army, perhaps a special uniform option detailing Waldron's company and the like? Something for the individual player to tote as a true testimony to their capabiltiies within the game.

Just food for thought for the devs. and the playerbase to have the opportunity to acknowledge the legends of the Vietnam conflict and potentially add interesting content to the game!

[$uicide_$ith]

I love this idea. I just don't wanna see a bunch of tools running around with white feather hats.

[Big Duke]

Springfield Armory made the M25 sniper rifle (another suped up M14) for SF and the SEALs and was nicknamed "white feather" in honor of Carlos Hathcock. Even though Hathcock was a Marine, it was named in tribute to one of the most prolific snipers of the 20th century. Maybe the devs used this as inspiration for the achievment. Conversely, the XM21 with it's variable power ART scope makes the achivement possible. Although the actual white feather for the Marine cover would be cool, too many players achievement farm and it would lose any significance because of it.

[Saltsquatch]

Originally posted by Rambo:

I love this idea. I just don't wanna see a bunch of tools running around with white feather hats.

Thinking back to it, I agree. It's something of an icon given who wore it and gave it notoriety.

Then, perhaps merely subtract the white feather, and merely make it a fancier Marine Corps 8 Point Cap of some sorts. Maybe with the Expert Marksman badge adorned in the front?


Either way, I am glad that my idea is one worthy of being entertained.