This was actually brought up by another forum member a while back but I feel it didn’t get enough discussion.
I’d really like for there to be a way to tell what AA someone is using in the same way I can tell what weapon someone is using.
I really liked the idea that players would have small but visible lights all over their armor that would change color depending on their AA such as the Regen field causing green lights or the Hard light shield causing blue. I’m open to any other ideas of course.
Keep in mind that this will work whether they are spawn items or map pick-ups. This should also apply for equipment.
I fully support the idea that each AA, be it placed on map or available at spawn, should add a specific and reasonable visible clue to the player model to allow an observant player a fair chance to recognize and effectively encounter a player with an AA before he/she uses it.
Such visible clues could either be (like you suggested) different colors of the blinking armor lights or certain attachments like Jetpack provides it. The latter I would personally prefer though but you would likely need a combination of both.
Full Agreement, However…
They have to obvious enough for newbies to pick up on this feature. Lights are probably better than actual player models, as the lights will be more likely noticed.
Jetpack: Yellow
Promethean Vision: Orange
Thruster Pack: Purple
Regen Field: Green
Auto Turret: Red
Hardlight Shield: Blue
Active Camo: White