MAC drops medkits and ammo

ChrisJustinParr

Why not? It would be kind of cool to go with your squad in to battle and have to wait for a couple of macs to support you. It would also make them worth defending (for marines) and attacking (for aliens). Maybe let commander set MAC to follow a squad?

Gets rid of weird appearance of packs on the ground.

KuBaN

Something like this has been suggested recently. I'm in favor of the idea.

mobetta

I agree again. That would make it better.

PsiWarp

I am in favor as well. MAC as delivery and repair bot sounds sweet :)

Harimau

I don't think it would work too well with the cap of 1 or 2 MACs per chair idea.

Also, I'd hope that you'd increase the health and armour a bit, if they're going to be that important.

ChrisJustinParr

I should add that even if the MACs are vulnerable, so what? It encourages marines to (a) stick together in groups and (b) be cautious before pushing out.

Also this way we don't have to come up with some crazy squad-incentive scheme like XP-bonuses (which would be hard to implement/balance) or artificial things like 'morale'

EDIT: I know! Limit the MACs to one per squad leader and have the option for the MAC to follow the squad leader.

KuBaN

<!--quoteo(post=1839229:date=Mar 29 2011, 09:53 PM:name=Harimau)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Harimau @ Mar 29 2011, 09:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1839229"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't think it would work too well with the cap of 1 or 2 MACs per chair idea.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Even considering that this would make multiple comms considerably more valuable?

Harimau

The problem is that you'll have less or no MACs for your menial tasks.

Hybridclaw

<!--quoteo(post=1839238:date=Mar 30 2011, 12:54 AM:name=Harimau)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Harimau @ Mar 30 2011, 12:54 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1839238"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The problem is that you'll have less or no MACs for your menial tasks.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

They could just increase the number of MACs per chair or decrease the cost per MAC to compensate.

KuBaN

<!--quoteo(post=1839238:date=Mar 29 2011, 10:54 PM:name=Harimau)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Harimau @ Mar 29 2011, 10:54 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1839238"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The problem is that you'll have less or no MACs for your menial tasks.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Which makes you choose whether to devote your resources (time/attention/MACs) to attacking or building. Constraints are put on the Commander. Strategies Emerge.

Harimau

I suppose... :/ I'd want the MACs to be free and instant, or practically invincible then. Two per chair would be better, because then you could commit to zero to two squads at tier 1 and zero to two for menial tasks.

KuBaN

<!--quoteo(post=1839260:date=Mar 29 2011, 11:51 PM:name=Harimau)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Harimau @ Mar 29 2011, 11:51 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1839260"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I suppose... :/ I'd want the MACs to be free and instant, or practically invincible then. Two per chair would be better, because then you could commit to zero to two squads at tier 1 and zero to two for menial tasks.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Rely on Marines to defend MACs. Most Aliens have to get within Melee range, so this is fine.
1-2 MACs per Command Station (T1)
2-3 MACs per Command Facility (T2)
3-4 MACs per Command Center (T3)
This provides much greater incentive to cap Tech Points.

WarlockSyno

I can see a MAC with a flame thrower as support. I don't see it dropping support packs.

ScardyBob

You do know that this suggestion will lead to more tedious micromanagement?

Harimau

I worry that it will be too easy to take out a MAC, thus leaving a squad of marines without commander support. I would like them to be more durable, maybe quicker. I would like their construction to be free and instant, if you are going to make them not only precious but vulnerable.

Micromanagement yes... but medpacks and ammo packs could just be dropped instantly within a certain radius from the MAC, and thus reduce some of the tedium. That is, the MAC's location dictates the operating area for dropping medpacks and ammo.
Or, if you have the MAC selected (and you probably would), then if you know HoN/DotA/LoL/Warcraft3, it would be the same as spell range/radius.
Now, whether or not you describe the micromanagement of a unit's location and casting in battle as tedious is simply up to personal preference... but I mean, there's a whole genre of games dedicated to that.

Now, having said that, I think the idea itself is good, and has potential, but I don't necessarily advocate it. I could have it either way: the omnipresent medspam we have now, or the MAC-centric cast system.

ScardyBob

<!--quoteo(post=1839390:date=Mar 30 2011, 11:46 PM:name=Harimau)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Harimau @ Mar 30 2011, 11:46 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1839390"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I worry that it will be too easy to take out a MAC, thus leaving a squad of marines without commander support.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

This is why it would be tedious. You would have to babysit the MAC so that it wouldn't die and would be in range of the marines. I think a better idea is to have something similar to the medpack that is dropped with a radius of healing.