Planetside 2 screenshot of the new NSO sniper rifle SR-200

[Update]: The massive Escalation update has now arrived alongside Fleet Carriers, Outfit improvements, and a whole bunch of other changes.

A little while ago Planetside 2 added Nanite System Operatives - player-controlled robotic mercenaries whose task is to balance out the factions. While certainly a neat idea, the one big downside is that NSO classes can only use neutral weapons and vehicles, which makes for a bit of a samey experience after a while.

In order to correct this, as well as introduce even more fun things to mess around with, the latest Planetside 2 update has now added a bunch of new toys for the NSO faction. First and foremost, we have a brand new class - the Defector. It's essentially a grenade launcher wielding variant of the MAX unit with far more mobility than usual, though it pays for this boon with noticeably reduced damage resistance. So if you decide to pilot one, make sure to mind your positioning or you're going to be in for a one-way trip to the respawn area!

Planetside 2 screenshot of the NSO MAX - The Defector

Unsurprisingly, the grenade launcher wielding Defector looks permanently angry

Speaking of which, there is another reason you might want to be careful about where you stand - the new NSO SR-200 sniper rifle. On the surface it is a traditional bolt-action sniper, though it is a lot more versatile than usual given its fast reload speed and attachment variety. Not a weapon for everyone, but if you enjoy being an absolute nuisance, it's probably worth checking out.

The final, and definitely fastest new addition, is the Javelin vehicle. It uses Vanu technology to hover above the ground and bypass difficult terrain which makes it perfect for sneaky tactics, especially since it can carry one additional passenger. While it doesn't have any weaponry on its own, it has access to a variety of defensive tools which should ensure you get to your destination with the least possible amount of bullet holes.

You can read a little bit more about these three new NSO toys, as well as check out the full patch notes, over at the official website.