Combat Late Join

Savant

<div class="IPBDescription">make it less fruitless</div> I noticed that if you join a combat game late, even if only a minute or two, that you really can't get into the swing of things because you are too weak compared to the other players.

Perhaps what could be done is that a person joining is given a level equivalent to that of the LOWEST team member on that team. So if joe-alien is the lowest with level 2.2 then a person who joins at that point would have that same level. (they would not get any kills or death credits though - just the level credit so they can get upgrades)

To pevent AFKs from impacting this, the levels of those who have NOT had a kill or a death would not count in the above.

In this way a person can join a combat game in progress and know that they won't have to suffer though a pointless game because they are too weak to do any damage. (it could be made into a switch that is server defined) By using the credit of the person with the LOWEST score you assure that late joiners won't be overpowered, but that they at least get a little something.

Regards,

Savant

saberx

I do agree that joining a game of Combat very late makes things more difficult on the player, but not so difficult that it requires to make the changes you suggest.

If you're having trouble killing Marines as an Alien, try finding a decent hiding spot in an area that attracts a lot of fighting, and simply collect the experience until you gain some levels.

As a Marine, just travel with others.

Savant

I think you're missing the point though. Combat was designed to be fast and furious and SHORT. Games aren't supposed to last the 30-40 minutes that they last now. (this is being addresed) My suggestion would allow for the quick and easy integration of new players into the game, without throwing off balance.

If this was classic I could see your point, but in combat you will never catch up to those above you since you will always be behind. That makes for a pretty boring game until the next round.

Regards,

Savant

RuBy

I think you're on to something here. Maybe we can try it in the next beta and see if it works!

Verthandi

In theory, three lowest-ranking players on either team could reconnect, and rejoin their team, and they would have experience equal to the fourth lowest-ranking player.
Pure exploitability.

<u>Example:</u>
5v5 game

Marine side: Players A - E. Each at level 1 to level 5 respectively.

A, B, and C reconnect and rejoin, and they're all at Level 4 now (according to Player D's level).

Align

Right now you keep your level&upgrades even if you reconnect anyway, so that shouldn't be a problem.
[Unless you join the other team, then you start at l1 as is to be expected- No, you can't "be marine, join aliens, join marines" to reset your levels either.]

Verthandi

Not since Beta3. You start from scratch after leaving the team; no excuses, no exception, no mercy.

Savant

I didn't realise that rejoin had been removed. Perhaps what is better would be to deal with the abuse issue that was present instead of just removing all ability to rejoin. As mentioned in another thread, a simple 30 second spawn wait would be enough of a deterrant to many who would abuse it.

Regards,

Savant

MMZ_Torak

When I join Combat late I tend to play a support role. I go gorge and heal the hive/combatants or get a welder/scanner sweep and stay near the back. While I think something to help late joiners is a good thing, it has to be as exploit-proof as possible, otherwise combat will go right down the crapper.