Automated Reconasance Machine (ARM)

PerfectDeath

<div class="IPBDescription">Just a neat idea.</div>Alright, after reading into the idea about the MASC I thought about giving the commander some other uses for his new ability to manually control automated units.

The ARM is a small machine that levitates through magnetic sci-fi power. The ARM's main purpose is to scout either alone or ahead of Frontiersmen. So its cheap, weak, but it can detect alien structures and reveal hidden aliens.
The ARM only adds Line of Sight (LOS) to the commander though.

This makes the ARM a great counter against the aliens evolving cloaking and can keep an eye on the alien's progress.

I came up with 3 extra upgrades that can be added on to specialize the ARM's abilities.

- The first upgrade is an advanced sensor system: This upgrades increases the LOS of the ARM and might even be able to see though walls (X-Ray) also a ping ability is added that is free but on a timer. This special ARM ping gives the detected aliens position straight to the marines.

- The second upgrade is an auto-gun: This upgrade makes the ARM a weak burst fire attack. This upgrade means that the ARM is not going to go solo since it won't be able to kill on its own, so it should support marines with fire support and detection.

- The third upgrade is a cloaking system: This locks down the ARM making it cloaked. The ARM's LOS is reduced by 50% and cannot move, great to keep tabs on alien movement at key locations (new hives, double res, etc).

I don't think all of these should be available right away, especially he cloaking upgrade, maybe after building certain structures and upgrades you can get these extra upgrades for the ARM.

Also, one thing that came to mind is that if the commander drops ammo or med-packs within a certain radius around the ARM, the commander gets a 1 res discount!

xmaine

I think the observatory's ping is good enough as a scouting mechanic.

And cloak should only be alien exclusive.

So no.

ryknow69

<!--quoteo(post=1731693:date=Oct 11 2009, 12:27 AM:name=xmaine)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xmaine @ Oct 11 2009, 12:27 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1731693"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think the observatory's ping is good enough as a scouting mechanic.

And cloak should only be alien exclusive.

So no.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
agree

Tekoppen

Why don't you make it yourself when the tools get released?

Feels like the team doesn't need any more to work with.

PerfectDeath

Don't worry, once I get my management degree done with I'll be learning 3D modeling and Lua scripting so I can contribute more than this.

The main reason I brought this up was as a means to provide marines with ping but make it something aliens can attack or avoid.

Would the idea be better if the ARM had no cloak detection? Or would marines just use a suicidal Rambo player to do the same task?

xmaine

<!--quoteo(post=1731910:date=Oct 13 2009, 01:19 AM:name=PerfectDeath)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PerfectDeath @ Oct 13 2009, 01:19 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1731910"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Don't worry, once I get my management degree done with I'll be learning 3D modeling and Lua scripting so I can contribute more than this.

The main reason I brought this up was as a means to provide marines with ping but make it something aliens can attack or avoid.

Would the idea be better if the ARM had no cloak detection? Or would marines just use a suicidal Rambo player to do the same task?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
rambos are amazing

ryknow69

Rambos can be quite useful at times, like while 99% of the marines storm this hive, that 01% is off at the other, making a PG.