Getting Back Into Actually Playing N.s

Sycophant · February 2004

<div class="IPBDescription">hey, it's been a while......</div> Okay, so I haven't actually <i>played</i> NS since, oh I don't know, v1.04 or so. Busy with work and all that jazz. It's too bad really, because I used to play a damn good Skulk. I'd usually get more kills by end-game than those who'd focus on being Fades and Lerks, and occasionally the gorgies would wait for <i>me</i> to go in and clear out a room before doing their structure regurgitation thing.

Life was good.

I'm reinstalling Half-Life now, and (trying) to download the latest NS (<i>gah! seems like everyone has that stupid "slow server unless you pay" system!</i>). I'm assuming v2.0 is what I should be getting?

So, at the risk of getting a lot of astonished dropped jaws, n00bness accusations, and a few rtfm's, what would you all consider the biggest and most significant changes with the past couple of versions?

I read something about a "combat" mode, which looks more like a typical FPS with some of that NS-sweetness rubbed in. I'm eagerly anticipating being able to try this one out, and just hope it is like I'm thinking it is. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />

New maps look dandy. Saw a boatload of screenshots, and was perusing the Mapping Forum (<i>I used to tinker around in there when I was working on ns_frostbite, which I ended up losing</i>)(<i>twice</i> <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' />).

And yes, I've read the version changelogs. What I'm asking is what <i>you</i> consider to be the most significant changes. What popular early strategies (ie: jp rush) have been crippled or all-out eliminated? What tweaks have noticably improved the gameplay?

And is there anything I should know before jumping back into the madness that was my obsession this time last year?

[edit] sure, this probably should have been posted in General Discussion, but that forum still frightens me. I know most of the off-topic regulars, so I'm reasonably sure I'll get a more coherent and mature response from this forum. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

twoflow · February 2004

Be sure to get version 3 (beta 3), not version 2. Most people have left v2 behind.

Really far too many changes from v1 to v3 to list, what with the revamped alien resources, removal of evolution hive dependency, commander mode revisions, hand grenasnore

BigMadSteve · February 2004

They are many, changes. The new minimap is actually useful now, onos can come on the first hive, lerks have a new flight system, buildings can't be too close anymore, kick **** grenade launcher model and anims, maps are more onos friendly in general, hand held grenades..

The list goes on...

It's V3.0 you are looking for.

Cold_NiTe · February 2004

I believe that you have to get Version 3 Beta 1, then get the patch for Version 3 Beta 3? Unless there is a full install for Beta 3.

Anyway there have been some amazing changes, among which is the new Lerk Flight System that seems to strike a chord with old school skulkers, at least the ones on the pubs that I talk with. So you might give the Lerk a go this time around? Anyway, all the Hitboxes have been fixed, basically meaning that when marines shoot at you, they don't have to aim at specific parts of you to actually hit. However, to balance this, Kharaa Hitpoints have been upped heavily. There is a bunch more, including new maps and old maps that have been remade. You are sure to get some fun out of it.

Enjoy!
- Cold-NiTe

Sycophant · February 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Cold-NiTe @ Feb 22 2004, 03:58 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Anyway there have been some amazing changes, among which is the new Lerk Flight System that seems to strike a chord with old school skulkers, at least the ones on the pubs that I talk with. So you might give the Lerk a go this time around?  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
Actually, Lerk was typically my second choice. I'd be Skulk until I could skulk no more, then I'd mix it up as a Lerk for a bit. After all, Lerk used to be just a Skulk with wings. ....well, mostly.

Fly-by decapitations was something I got pretty good at, but flying was a bit tricky to control sometimes. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' />

Cold_NiTe · February 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sycophant @ Feb 22 2004, 01:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> After all, Lerk used to be just a Skulk with wings. ....well, mostly.  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
It still is. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' />

Yeah and the new flight system should be even more beneficial to you. Just remember that looking down makes you increase speed and looking up slows you down. So remember to fly in a constant Sine Wave fo maximum effect. The point of this was to aid hit and runs done by lerks.

As well, the new Evolution for the Sensory Chamber; "Focus" should be pretty beneficial to you, as a lerk or a skulk. Because with focus, a skulk can kill a Vanilla Marine with 1 hit, and any other armor level marine besides a heavy with 2 hits. Lerks kill with 1 hit for Vanillas I think, but the other Armor Levels go higher than skulk because lerk bite does less damage.

Getting Back Into Actually Playing N.s

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