Alien Commander Attribute Research: A.C.A.R.

Jimyd · May 2009

<div class="IPBDescription">The only reasonable and logical concept.</div>Lets say the slider has these values for the base slider. Where X represents the current value for that attribute.

|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
OR
|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|X|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|

**************************************************

Now we have these attributes.

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|X|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Armor*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|X|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|X|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|

**************************************************

Now take both of these modifiers, that can be upgraded to a MAX of LEVEL 10.

(Research Level)

For every Y LEVEL this is upgraded to, it increases how many points can be put into an attribute. So at LEVEL 5 Armor, you can put up to 5 points into Armor and no more.

(Trait Level)

For every Z LEVEL this is upgraded to, it increases how many "FREE" points can be put into an attribute before negative values are applied to another selected attribute.

**************************************************

So let me paint a picture on how this would work:

Step 0 = Default Values.

(Research Level)-LEVEL 0
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 0

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|X|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Armor*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|X|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|X|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|

--------------------------------------------------

Step 1 =

(Research Level)-LEVEL 5
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 0

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|X|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Armor*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|X|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|X|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|

--------------------------------------------------

Step 2 =

(Research Level)-LEVEL 5
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 3

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|X|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Armor*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|X|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|X|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|

--------------------------------------------------

Step 3 =

(Research Level)-LEVEL 5
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 3

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|X|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Armor*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|X|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|X|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|

--------------------------------------------------

Step 4 =

(Research Level)-LEVEL 9
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 3

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|X|+9|+10|
*Armor*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|X|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|X|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|

--------------------------------------------------

Step 5 =

(Research Level)-LEVEL 9
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 7

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|X|+9|+10|
*Armor*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|X|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|X|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|

**************************************************

Here are some extreme examples:

(Research Level)-LEVEL 10
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 10

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|X|
*Armor*
|X|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|X|

--------------------------------------------------

(Research Level)-LEVEL 5
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 10

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|X|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Armor*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|X|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|X|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|

--------------------------------------------------

(Research Level)-LEVEL 5
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 0

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|X|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Armor*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|X|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|X|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|

**************************************************

Here is an example that doesn't work.

(Research Level)-LEVEL 10
(Trait Level)-LEVEL 5

*Attack Damage*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|X|
*Armor*
|-11?|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|+6|+7|+8|+9|+10|
*Movement Speed*
|-10|-9|-8|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3|-2|-1|0|+1|+2|+3|+4|+5|X can't go here.|+7|+8|+9|+10|

**************************************************

Am I ingenious or what?

Jimyd · May 2009

By the way, how come I don't see a toolbar to color text anymore, when making or editing posts?

pSyk0mAn · May 2009

You really seemed to put some effort into this, but to be really honest, it is way too long and confusing to go through it.
Paint a fancy picture similar to the one in the twitter for your suggestion and more ppl might be willing to read through and take you seriously.

PaladinDude · May 2009

I have to say agan that I disagree with the proposed attribute research system, I would instead favour a Dead Space circuits approach, as I outlined in a post on the twitter thread <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=105038&st=960&p=1706933&#entry1706933" target="_blank">here</a>

Bacillus · May 2009

I'm not sure I understand this one. Why are both armor and movement speed negative in step 1? Doesn't -5 in one compensate the +5 in dmg?

Why is this system the best solution? I'd like to see some arguments since you've put time to think this through and get those illustrations there.

Jimyd · May 2009

Okay I fixed the issue on step one and changed the X color to RED so it is easier to follow.

Basically everytime you change the scale positively in the A.C.A.R. menu by 1 point, you have to apply 1 point negatively to one of the other attributes.

You would only be able to apply changes when all negative points are added to make the positive/negative attribute equation nuetral, otherwhise the ACCEPT changes button would be greyed out. Obviously you could click the CANCEL button to to exit out of the A.C.A.R. menu, and undo any pre-upgrade changes. (And of course, when you remove a positive attribute point, you get to remove a negative attribute point as well.)

*QUOTE*
(Trait Level)

For every Z LEVEL this is upgraded to, it increases how many "FREE" points can be put into an attribute before negative values are applied to another selected attribute.
*END*

-So this means it is important to research the Trait Level, so you don't have to put negative points into another attribute.
-You can have at the max of 20 positive attribute points, and a max of 10 negative attribute points respectivily.
(Assuming Research Level and Trait Level is at Level 10)
-If you have the Trait Level high enough, you can have all 3 attributes with positive values.

I hope that clears things up. (If you request it, I'll color the other number values so they are easier to read.)

(BTW, I still can't use the "Toggle Side Panel" button, nor do I see a toolbar for bolding and formatting options. Who do I contact for help with that?)

ozbirdboy · May 2009

I don't like the negative 1 point, if aliens are evolving/improving wouldn't this mean they are just getting better and not worse?

As for you not being able to use the side panel/formatting - it's a known bug. There's been a lot of problems with the forums lately, just ignore it.

Jimyd · May 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kalopsia @ May 17 2009, 06:05 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1707094"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't like the negative 1 point, if aliens are evolving/improving wouldn't this mean they are just getting better and not worse?

As for you not being able to use the side panel/formatting - it's a known bug. There's been a lot of problems with the forums lately, just ignore it.</div>

Thank you for pointing out it is a bug with the forums and not just me.

And as for you first point:

Yes if the aliens were to have...

-Research Level 10
-Trait Level 10

... then the Alien Commander can upgrade one attribute to the max (Level 10), without any negative attribute points. Think of this as selective weapon and armor upgrades for the Aliens, similar to what the Marines can do. However, the Marines are limited in that the Marine Commander can't modify their "attribute buffs" at will, unlike the Aliens.

*ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS*
Each differnt class of Alien can have the upgrades either be balanced by:
-Resource Cost
-Individual %percentage of how much each attribute point buffs them. (Skulk sees greater gains in Movement Speed than an Onos would.)

That is if that is needed to be done, and it is up to the NS2 DEV Team to balance out the exact numbers on what each individual value represents in regards to the points on the slider.

Alien Commander Attribute Research: A.C.A.R.

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