I know there are a million threads on this already but I just want to add my thoughts to the chorus...
In general, Armored Kill is a quality DLC offering. Beautiful visuals, new vehicles, and a much needed expansion of the Rush game mode. That's what really excited me as a console player... BF3 Rush seems a little weak compared to BC2's.
Well, to my great disappointment, the AC-130 kills the new maps. It makes sense in Conquest -- we fight for the flag point that controls the Gunship, drawing action to the center of the MASSIVE map, and then the winner gets the air advantage for a few moments and the ability to cover a wide area with air spawning. Fine. Works.
In Rush, it breaks the game. Firstly, it's just too much firepower. Absolutely devastating. Couple that with the ability to paradrop and the idea of "holding the line" is completely gone. Not just over-powered -- It's ruins the game. Within seconds of the Gunship's spawn the enemy is floating in behind your base while a good number of your team is waiting to respawn after being blown to bits by the gunship's cannons. Not only are they bypassing your defense, but it can be almost uncontested if the AC-130 gunners are quick enough...
Sure, it can be shot down relatively easily but that too is expensive. Engineers with Stingers aren't using RPG's or Jav's for the tanks.
It really ruins the flow of the game.
I know the spawn time is going to be increased but honestly I'd rather see the AC-130 totally removed from Rush. At first glance the maps seem like they would play wonderful without the Gunship.
Good idea. Good execution. But it doesn't work.