More passive upgrades

Gorge Costanza

I think a fairly easy way to introduce more variety, and more Commander choice, would be to introduce more passive upgrades within the tech tree.

For example...for aliens
- Sharpened Skulk teeth: does a little more damage vs marines
- Reinforced Skulk teeth: does more damage vs structures
- Stronger Skulk legs: increase run speed slightly
- Springy Skulk legs: increase Leap distance
- Thick belly: skulk/gorge takes less damage from mines
- Healthier Gorge spray: heals more HP
- Deadlier Lerk gas: does more damage to marines
- Asbestos skin: reduces damage from flamethrowers
- Extra energy: more energy for Gorge or Lerk or whoever

They'd basically boil down to a new button which has a cost and changes a config value, so they wouldn't take the kind of programming time that a new feature would.

Rover

This seems overly complicated. It would also mean an information overload for players or not clear enough to see which upgrades your team has.

Gorge Costanza

<!--quoteo(post=1922501:date=Apr 6 2012, 08:08 AM:name=Rover)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rover @ Apr 6 2012, 08:08 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1922501"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->This seems overly complicated. It would also mean an information overload for players or not clear enough to see which upgrades your team has.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think a list of current upgrades / available tech could easily be listed below the scoreboard when one presses tab.

internetexplorer

Why can't they be active upgrades instead? Just take each one and add on a relevant "...when you do X" - it's better for replayability and skill-indexing.

Gorge Costanza

<!--quoteo(post=1922595:date=Apr 6 2012, 01:04 PM:name=internetexplorer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (internetexplorer @ Apr 6 2012, 01:04 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1922595"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Why can't they be active upgrades instead? Just take each one and add on a relevant "...when you do X" - it's better for replayability and skill-indexing.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

What would some examples be?

I primarily used the word 'passive' to distinguish them from abilities (leap, blink, goo wall) that would require significant time to integrate into the game.