Objects on the map | Territories and seizing territories PlanetSide 2 Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Consoles
All in all, the most important objects on the map are the consoles, or terminals - if you prefer. A matter of terminology. These are the special panels that, depending on their kind, perform different functions. And so, there are infantry panels that allow you to change your character class, your weapon or to replenish ammo, but also there are the ones for land vehicles and aircraft. The latter are for calling in specific vehicles, into the battlefield, for special points that will be discussed later on. The final type of consoles are only in Warpgate and they allow you to change continents, but also to gain access to the special VR Training zone, where you can test all of the weapons and vehicles available in the game.
Generators
An important issue to raise are the generators, which you can run into on some continents. They are always located in big bases, rarely in the ones of the negligible strategic meaning. Their role is to create energy shields in the key regions which, depending on the type either prevent you from driving vehicles through them, or prevent any enemy units from entering. To force such a barrier down, you need to find its source, i.e. generators, that are most usually to be found somewhere at the side, not necessarily nearby. Of course, this would make no sense if it was located right next to the shield itself, because there would be no way to gain access to it otherwise. For this reason, you need to search for it somewhere in the nearby buildings, which you can usually access from many sides. To destroy the generator, you need to stand next to it and hold down the E key for a specific duration. After a while, it will enter the auto-destruction mode and explode after 2 minutes, while claiming the lives of the soldiers within the blast radius (both friends and foes!). The stopping of the auto-destruction mode is similar - also by holding down the appropriate key. If you want to restore the machine, you need to use the engineer's skills who will, in a standard way, use his tools to fix the generator. An unique matter is the device named SCU, which can be encountered in three special bases, i.e. at the Amp Station, Bio Lab and the Tech Plant. It is protected with a special energy shield, because it allows the defenders' units to respawn.. For that reason, destroying this machine is an important element for the attackers. To gain access to this one, you first need to deal with the barrier, and there are two ways in which this can be done. In Bio Lab, you need to destroy the generator, which is located somewhere in the complex. At the Amp Station and the Tech Plant it will disappear automatically, after a half of the time, necessary to seize the entire area, elapses. So, as a matter of fact, this method is connected with seizing checkpoints.
Gravity elevators
They often are located in many places - either in pairs or by themselves - the beam of lights perform the role of gravity elevators, i.e. a swift means of transport. They allow you to mount high buildings and get to high levels quickly , and also to get down just as safely, to the ground level. The yellow ones give you lift and the purple ones bring you back down. In the case in which you, by accident, fall out of the beam of light, you do not need to worry. The developers made provisions for such situations also.
Trampolines
The exploration of the sprawling bases is facilitated by special trampolines, i.e. special round platforms with energy pulsating, in the form of clouds, above them. They come in two versions, faction-bound and neutral. The former come in specific colors (depending on which faction the ara belongs to) and they only can be used by the players of the specific factions. The latter ones can be used indiscriminately, by all players - they glow white.
Teleports
To travel between the key locations at the base, you can use teleports. They can only be used by the members of the faction that holds the territory, where they are located. Therefore their faction colors - red, blue and purple. Usually, the area around them is protected with indestructible barriers, thanks to which the soldiers are not that much exposed to dying a quick death, after they appear in the new location. Sometimes, however, such a barrier is missing.
Ammo towers
Literally, in all bases - both the big and the small ones - you can notice the tall towers with the ammo symbol above them. They allow all the ground vehicles to replenish supplies. If you drive up to the tower, on any vehicle, the regeneration process will start. It is the longer the more ammo you have lost.
Ammo landing pads
The bigger bases that are located at certain heights, have special landing pads for aircraft, which replenish ammo, just like the towers. You do not need to land on them to replenish ammo,, the only thing that you need to do is hover above them, or nearby.
Turrets
Most of the bases in PlanetSide 2 have been equipped with all sorts of turrets, used for defense against opponents. They can be operated by single soldiers and, in case they are destroyed, they can be repaired by the engineer. They come in three versions, i.e. anti-personnel, anti-tank and anti-aircraft. Each one is used for fighting another type of units, and they differ not only in the name but also in looks.
Vehicle platforms
In some areas, there also are vast platforms, at which there is a vehicle panel. This allows you to call in land vehicles which, after being bought, appear on the abovementioned platforms immediately. It is worth noting, as a word of warning, that under no circumstances should you stand on these, because you will be squashed with tons of metal, if somebody purchases a vehicle.