A question about aliens...

f3rret · May 2002

<div class="IPBDescription">Levels, classes and such things.</div>I'm a bit confused. I hear people talking about level 1, level 4, level whatever aliens. I also hear talk about "builder" aliens. How does the progression work?

Is it a class/level thing? Like one guy is a level 3 Builder, and another person is a level 2 Attacker?

--F3rret

Naughty_Brembo · May 2002

Since I just registered myself, I´m not all that wise to the ways of NS...however, since no-one else has had the time to answer yet I´ll give it a go. Someone will undoubtely correct me later...

To my knowledge, or what I guess:
There are at least 3 classes of aliens: Flyers, climbers and builders. They zip through the air, climb vertical walls with ease and build structures, respectively.

Add to that the levels, which I believe work within the classes to grant the alien in question better abilities, more power etc etc.

This summation could well be wildly inaccurate, and probably is.

I´ll take the chance to introduce myself on the GD forum as well: My name is Erik, I´m from Sweden and my gaming background is mainly with FPS. My RPG/RTS experience is limited, which is why I so look forward to that glorious day when NS is finally released. This mod will become something great, mark my words...

I look forward to fragging with you all!

Relic25 · May 2002

There are 5 levels of aliens. Currently, a player is free to 'morph' between the levels (providing the player has enough resources to do so), and each level is unique in its function and abilities. Some classes have ranged attacks, and some don't. At the moment, only the builder does not have a basic melee attack.

The level 1 is a smallish 'scout' class. This is currently the only class with the wall-climbing ability.

The level 2 is the builder. It's sturdier, but not meant for combat.

The level 3 is the flyer.

The level 4 is the 'warrior' class.

The level 5 is the walking seige engine. He is the biggest, absorbs the most damage, and (I assume) deals massive melee damage.

And yes, a player may 'purchase' upgrades or combinations of upgrades that are available to all alien classes. This gives players a huge number of possible combinations to explore.

All of this is subject to change in the future.

Vangor · May 2002

Wanted to know which exactly is the Bob? I mean level wise, I know what they are, but I believe level 4, correct? But relic is right on the classes, hopefully the screenshots gets updated to show some renders of aliens and the marine with the names and all sorts of other stuff, though I've seen quite a few pictures already.

Naughty_Brembo · May 2002

<img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
Like I said, wildly inaccurate!

Thanks Relic25, for clearing that up!

Slycaster · May 2002

Another small note, you always spawn as a level 1, then you can upgrade from there, the builder builds the upgrade chambers thus accessing upgrades for all the alien clases.

The_New_Akuma · May 2002

would this be the alien at lvl 4? since it looks very big, or do you get BIGGER??!?! <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'> <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

<a href="http://www.planethalflife.com/screenshot.asp?src=/images/screens/naturalselection_290502_1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.planethalflife.com/screens....2_1.jpg</a>

Gwahir · May 2002

as to the question about nicknames
1: bob
2: pudgy
3: seems to vary, I've seen batty a few times
4: blinky
5: tiny (remember Little John?)

f3rret · May 2002

Cool cool... thanks for the replies. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Now, I have a question about the Alien resource points...

As I understand it, you can gain resource point by harvesting at those spout-type thingies, or by killing other creatures, right?

What happens if I have enough points to upgrade to a level 5, then I get killed? Do I lose the points that I spent on getting up to level 5?

Also, what happens if just barely have enough points, then morph to level 5, and the team needs a builder? Can I morph back to a level 2, build stuff, then morph back to a level 5? Or do I lose some points for going back to a level 2?

One final question: Can I run around as a flyer, then morph to level 5 without respawning? Or do I have to die before I can come back as a level 5?

Thanks for your time!

--F3rret

Gencide · May 2002

I'm glad your asking the big questions, for I am too lazy to do so at this moment, but the alien's intrigue me the most, so I am happy that someone asked these type of questions. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

f3rret · May 2002

No problem, I'm here for ya! <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

Bored at work, actually...

--F3rret

DruBo · May 2002

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">would this be the alien at lvl 4? since it looks very big, or do you get BIGGER??!?!</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Yes. That is the level 4, which is basically marine-sized.

The level 5 looks like this:
<img src="http://www.readyroom.org/ns_models/lev5_pic2_8x6.jpg" border="0">

So yes, you do get bigger. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

The_New_Akuma · May 2002

Holy **** <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>

thats nice, i dont want to meet afew of them in a dark ally <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

Slycaster · May 2002

Ok, ferr3t, a few answers to your questions, but remember this is all subject to change and what ever im telling you could be bagged, shot, burned and never return again. Here goes..

1. You only get resources as the alien from the hives (*Clarification: And from killing Marines and building things - MonsE*), you get more resources per resource nozzle and your score, higher score, more resources. For the marines, its only the resource nodes, nothing else.

2. When you spend RP to upgrade, you lose them, forever, so if you upgrade to a level 5 and die, you lose X resources you spent on that, that makes you choose cautiosly.

3. Currently, devolving is in, so yes, you can de-evolve, however... if you spent a ton on a level 5, i would not devolve and waste those however much you spent on it.

4. Yep, you can evolve and devolve freely, and whenever you evolve you do not respawn or anything, you become a cacoon on the ground and break out after your done, it all stays inside the game.

Ok, remember all of this is subjet to change, so... heh don't take my word for it.

Vangor · May 2002

Aha, so level 1 is the bob (hadn't really looked at a text clarifying the bobs as level 1, so didn't know). I don't get the blinker alien, or what blinking is exactly. Would that be like seeing through walls?

coil · May 2002

short-range teleportation. He can blink through walls, tripmines, welds, doors, etc. He's nasty. (:

Gwahir · May 2002

aye that he is, not something you want to see when alone, or even when a couple marines are with you...

f3rret · May 2002

Coool.... thanks for the replies... that about answers most of the stuff I asked. Now, one more question:

When can I play? ;P

--F3rret

Bob_the_Alien · May 2002

"when its done"

Kheldar · May 2002

yeah thats teh officual release date."when its done" and dont think we know more than u...hmmmm flying will be teh funnist alien me tinks! hehehe fly over and drop spore bombs <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> hmmmm maybe u did know maybe u dont but there is a commander thing so 1 of the guys on the marine team can get to be a commander. he look above all the things and command the marines and give them weapons ammo etc... then he can allso build buildings like errr turrets <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> and he can set waypoints for the marines.this maybe is totaly unsable if u allready know it but it can be good to have. /Kheldar

SentrySteve · May 2002

I cant stress enough how much I hate that "when its done" release date. At least give the guy the time frame we all know!

I belive, and I am in no way an dev of NS or speak for the NS team, this is just my thoughts, that NS will be released late into next month or in mid july.

Flayra · June 2002

You may hate the "when it's done" release date, but I hate it when people get annoyed when we don't hit our release dates. It takes time to get this stuff right, and I'm not about to ship something that doesn't work properly or doesn't have a lot of depth. The "when it's done" release date gives us time to do this.

f3rret · June 2002

Oops, I got people mad... sorry, I was joking about asking for a release date. That's what the ;P was for.

I don't want this rushed in any way, shape, or form. Please. I bought World War II Online when it came out. It was like paying for a beta test. I was mad.

Let them take their time and get the game to a level that they're happy with. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> And I don't think more playtesters is the answer... it's not like they need to stress-test any servers or anything... so we should stop asking about that too. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

--F3rret

A question about aliens...

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