Hi, I'm ZhanLong. Relatively new to the Forum, but I've been playing CM for quite a while.
Now, after playing a variety of roles on both sides, I got a few ideas for new Specialists for the Marines that should help making the round-by-round operations on the Almayer a bit smoother, or spice the gameplay up a bit and wanted to hear your thoughts on them.
Hangar Officer/Flight Deck Officer (HO or FDO)
After noticing that the Logistics and Requisitions are usually busy sending supplies planetside, and the Engineers (MTs and CE) never seem to appear in the Hangar, the Hangar Officer would take over their task of maintaining the Dropships. They would reload weapon systems, haul upgrades to the ships, pull cargo and wounded away from the Landing Area, and overall assist the POs in their operations, all to make sure that the Dropships can get back into the air as quickly as possible. It also gives the POs less pressure to get their Ships ready before briefing, since the Loaders aren't really fast, and hauling and installing of upgrades and ammo is quite time-consuming. Apart from that a Hangar Officer could be tasked by a PO to operate the Medevac system, so they can stay in the cockpit, or man the machine gun if the Landing Zone is hot.
Long story short, a Hangar Officer is a hybrid of PO and MT, if not as specialized as the two, whose area of work is the Hangar, and they would serve as the POs extra pair of hands, so to speak.
As gear, I'd say the same as POs, just with the helmet and vest in bright signal colours, like orange or yellow, as well as a Tool Pouch.
Radio Operator/Radio Marine (RO or RM)
The Radio Operator's task is simple: Letting his Squad use their Radios. If the Comms are down, the Radio Operator allows their Squad to still use their radios within a certain radius. To make things extra difficult, he could also serve as the direct line to Command and the Dropships. Meaning that, if he dies, the SL won't be able to recieve news or orders anymore or call in Air Support, unless they manage to retrieve the Radioman's Backpack. If comms are up, however, the Radio Operator's task is simply to serve as a backup in case things go south.
Marine Chaplain (MC)
More of an RP position than one with actual gameplay purposes, the Chaplain serves as the Almayer's morale support. They maintain the crew's spiritual and mental health, while also holding eulogies for the fallen. Should they join the battle, the Chaplain would serve as a basic Marine, but also have the ability to motivate his comrades. "Motivating" in this case could be a mechanic similar to the Xeno Drones' Pheromones, giving a small buff to their teammates, like a higher pain threshold, or keeping them conscious for longer.
Being also a bit of a Counselor for the Marines, he can voice concerns on behalf of the lower ranks to their superiors.
Chemical Marine (name pending)
The Chemical Marine is, just as the name suggests, a Chemical Warfare Specialist. They would have access to Gas Grenades, Acid Bombs, Foam Grenades, and other Chemical Compounds that either damage hostiles, hinder their senses, or impede their movement. In addition, the Chemical Marine would have a Gas Mask that protects them from the detrimental effects of their own weapons, and whatever airborne chemicals the Xenos might throw at them, but doesn't impede their sight.
Main reason for the Chemical Marine would be for Marines to pick Gas Masks that otherwise go unused most, if not all of the time. It could also serve to make Chemical Weapons available for Mortar Crews and Grenadiers.
And thoughts? Any further ideas?