SOFLAM Useful?

I've spent a lot of time with the SOFLAM (I have 220hr of playtime, 20hr of that was looking through a SOFLAM).

Un-coordinated SOFLAM use is only good for one thing (particularly when paired with Rao hacks) - forcing ace pilots to play more defensively.  You won't be getting any kills or kill assists against good pilots, you're only slowing down the farm.

Coordinated SOFLAM use with 2-3 other players on VOIP can be devastating, but that's an outlier scenario.

Problems with the SOFLAM:

• Unable to lock onto stealth helis (forcing any dedicated SOFLAM user to also use Rao.  This also effectively reduces the range of the SOFLAM in half and doubles its lockon time)
• Flares still defeat SOFLAM guided rockets.  Even with a SOFLAM lock infantry are reluctant to waste rockets if they think it'll just get eaten by a flare.
• Range is ultimately limited to a Venn diagram of sorts between you and the potential shooter.
• Players with an anti-vehicle mindset are more likely to select C5 or Lis's Rocket. Both of which are better vehicle killers.
  • The introduction of Lis's rocket was a massive indirect nerf to uncoordinated SOFLAM use. The pool of potential SOFLAM partners got cut in half overnight.
• Ineffective against ground targets, as it requires LoS for both you and the shooter.  LoS is easily broken, especially for faster vehicles.  Aggressive ground targets playing up close don't require the SOFLAM assist to hit.  Passive ground targets standing off can easily eat a rocket or two before retreating to heal up - infantry are reluctant to use rockets if the vehicle is likely to just buff out the damage 10seconds later.
• Useless versus jets.
• Return of 3D spotting is essentially a free lightweight, easier to use version of the SOFLAM
• SOFLAM sometimes refuses to spot players despite having a 90% view of the player model
• 6X feature is useless as it doesn't improve spotting range/precision.

Those problems add up to a pretty useless gadget outside of the two scenarios described above.

SOFLAM Tip:  In your settings adjust your 4x scope sensivity to the max.  This makes it way easier to track fast moving, near by targets.

For me it makes no sense that stealth helicopter can‘t be locked on when in stealth mode. It should be possible to provide lock as long as I actively track it with SOFLAM.

SOFLAM is great with a coordinated squad or team. Even if it just makes the drivers or pilots play more defensively it helps when taking flags.

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@ElliotLH wrote:

SOFLAM is great with a coordinated squad or team. Even if it just makes the drivers or pilots play more defensively it helps when taking flags.

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Ive made many pilots (obviously not good ones) feeak out and crash trying to get away from the lock, and condors switch flight modes and get off the objectives

Keep in mind i only play breakthrough

SOFLAM in general is good, but the game mechanics are crap

How can it not lock onto the stealth heli.  close the flaps on the heli and that makes is stealth from a line of sight piece of equipment?

terrible design, terrible game designers

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@Psubond wrote:

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@ElliotLH wrote:

SOFLAM is great with a coordinated squad or team. Even if it just makes the drivers or pilots play more defensively it helps when taking flags.

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Ive made many pilots (obviously not good ones) feeak out and crash trying to get away from the lock, and condors switch flight modes and get off the objectives

Keep in mind i only play breakthrough

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Reading that I strongly suspect you've done it to me @Psubond 😆 

In my experience, drivers and pilots hate extended lock and will bug out sooner or later when painted, especially if someone fires a rocket.

While it's not necessarily the most effective way to kill vehicles, it's useful for area denial and, as noted above, slowing down the really competent pilots. It also lights infantry up on the minimap. You can get a ton of assists using it.

SOFLAM also points you out on map with a red glint like scopes.