As it si now the commander role only takes up space imo. Perhaps even remove it or replace it with a special "forward observer" role that specialises in calling in off map artillery but is on the map actively spotting instead of sitting back at some radio being bored.
I agree with you, the only boring thing about being commander is ''we have to wait on the radio''. To solve that problem i did what you said a few times at op. aberdeen. I spawned as scout infantry than took the commander vehicle and drove to the front line, while i was waiting ( commander abilities to reload ) i spotted targets for the 105mm light howitzer and finally i managed to get some fun.
it is cool because:
- you don't have to fire commander artillery blindly you can find your own targets with your binoculars.
- you can support your team with supplies better
- for repair support : you can see which tank is damaged and which is not.
- for ammo support : you can see which tank is fighting and which one is just camping.
- but the most important, you don't have to just wait on the radio you can do other things while waiting.
- spotting targets for artillery
- marking enemies on the map
- dropping supplies
I think only one change needed, let us free to use commander abilities on the frontline just like bf2 but as a forward observer. We can use nco kits which have binoculars for spotting, smg and smoke grenades for self defence.
Balance:
Well it's not overpowered at op. aberdeen because commander artillery is weak, however it can be overpowered for other maps with powerful commander artillery strikes which can destroy even tanks easily. My suggestion is adding warning and delay to artillery strikes like company of heroes, eg. first smoke shells should dropped to mark the area than artillery strike should start after 10 seconds delay so opponent players can understand they have been marked and run away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWKSOwWI_qg