PlanetSide 2/Classes
There are six classes in PlanetSide 2. Each class has a specific role and progression tree. All six can make use of the Squad Leader certification tree, which is discussed below.
All classes except the MAX have access to a melee attack with a dedicated close-quarters weapon (the TR Chain-blade, the NC Mag-Cutter, and the VS Force Blade; all appear to be identical) and that faction's pistol. The MAX only has two weapons, controlled with left and right click respectively, and uses the "MAX Punch" (a simple arm-swinging attack) in a melee.
Infiltrator
The Infiltrator class emphasizes sabotage, stealth, and precision shooting. Equipped with a sniper rifle to use at long distances, the Infiltrator is great for picking off stationary or distracted targets.
Players who choose the Infiltrator class also have access to a cloaking device which allows them to move semi-unseen across a battlefield. The cloak drains faster when moving, and leaves behind a distinct shimmer, which attentive players can shoot for an easy kill. Weapons are disabled while cloaked, and it takes a few seconds to activate and deactivate it.
The other tool Infiltrators use to aid their team is use of a motion tracking dart. Using this device, enemies around the dart can be tracked. It is not commonly used due to its rather short detection range, but it can still help when securing a point. The dart itself appears as a small orange dot, usually stuck to a wall and emitting a rather shrill noise.
Finally, Infiltrators can hack terminals and turrets. This causes them to flip sides and become usable by your team. Since a destroyed terminal or turret is of use to no one, it is obviously a better idea to hack them rather than destroy them. If necessary, Infiltrators can re-hack formerly friendly terminals and turrets, switching their sides yet again.
Light Assault
Light Assault players utilize a Carbine as their primary weapon, though the primary calling of the Light Assault class is the jetpack. The jetpack enables players to fly for a time, allowing for attacks from a perch. Light Assault players are encouraged to strike rapidly and from an unexpected position, such as from the top of a tower, and harass the opposing team.
Many Light Assault players also save the certification points up for remote explosives, which help considerably. Light Assaults often use their jetpack to attack a tank from above, slap a few remote explosives on it, and then jetpack away before blowing the tank up.
It is also possible to use the jump jets to survive otherwise lethal falls, such as from bailing out of an aircraft. The Light Assault may also use the jets to confuse and disorient opponents in a melee.
