eaglec, I think it would be better if we outright replace gore with your headbutt. Charge/Gore/Headbutt are quite redundant (works the same, get out there and +attack). Gloop too, sort of goes into headbutt's territory.
Believe it or not, I actually think much like you (concerning this, anywho <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->). I started this from the original definitions of the alien classes, as you have nicely outlined (small disagreement with fade, but I can let that slide). I know my fade-has-two-blinks is weak, but that is not the point of this. Meta REALLY fits the role of the onos, the Tank. Of all abilities available to the aliens right now, Meta is the only one which allows the soaking of damage without touching the alien's mobility. Fade already is allowed to take damage in the fact that its superb mobility allows it to heal at a hive and come back for more.
At this point, Id say onos should be charge, headbutt (named gore), primal scream, and meta. By third hive, onos should be nigh invincible (nearly). This is assuming charge is to stay wussy-like. Headbutt, scream, meta, charge if it is to be good.
Would headbut be useful against structures at only 90 damage or would it be an antipersonel weapon? Should metabolise be hive 3? I think metabolize should be hive 2 and scream hive 3 as scream has an area effect of increasing the effectiveness of all aliens in range.
Headbutt will need its numbers adjusted. Chance of disarm-ment will need lowering and blast damage will probably need to be applied to it. Better yet, blast damage should be applied to charge. So hopefully, even at first hive the onos would have a great anti-personel and a great anti-struture weapon.
Concerning the scream and meta, Ive always thought scream is underused because its at 3rd hive. But yea, I think its better if meta is 2nd and scream at 3rd.
Assuming the numbers are adjusted well, Id think we have the ideal onos. It is plain strong at a low hive count, and becomes much tank-ier when given the other hives (hive armor + meta)
The problem with the fade is, its already got all it needs to fit its role with swipe, acid rocket, and blink of some sort. The only problem I had with your definition of it is that I used to think of it also as an assault unit. One fade may need to go hit and run, but a few (2 or more...anything more than one) should hold its own. Thats not to say the current implementation is weak, far from it. But now I am at a loss for what to fill the last slot with (first three weapons being swipe, blink, rocket)
Yes, adjustments will be required. Blast damage? Do you mean knockback?
As for fade I'd leave acid as hive 3 but make it much deadlier than it is now. Increasing its damage but not its splash area.
So as a hive 2 if meta was taken.... what would be a gurrilla type weapon? How about a blind attack. If the target was successfully struck while facing the fade the effect would be somewhat <i>similar </i>to a flashbang. It could be an acid spray or we could even have the fade flash brightly as it distributes a biologicaly generated flash of light. Very slow rate of fire using about 50% of the addrenaline and blinding marines for a few seconds. They can still move and shoot though so at least they get a chance to fight
blast damage is 2x damage against buildings. I might have the wrong term here, but you get the point now.
I faintly remember there being no flashbangs allowed in some faq somewhere. So that rules that out.
Since some people have said that they lub the adren from meta for the fade, would it be good to split meta into two different abilities? adren-meta for 2nd hive fade ability, and heal-meta for 2nd hive onos. Better yet, it might make more sense that the onos get the superman-meta, from the beta test version of NS 2.0 (converts damage taken to energy, or perhaps just negate damage). Too bad they werent able to fix that :/
Comments
Believe it or not, I actually think much like you (concerning this, anywho <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->). I started this from the original definitions of the alien classes, as you have nicely outlined (small disagreement with fade, but I can let that slide). I know my fade-has-two-blinks is weak, but that is not the point of this. Meta REALLY fits the role of the onos, the Tank. Of all abilities available to the aliens right now, Meta is the only one which allows the soaking of damage without touching the alien's mobility. Fade already is allowed to take damage in the fact that its superb mobility allows it to heal at a hive and come back for more.
At this point, Id say onos should be charge, headbutt (named gore), primal scream, and meta. By third hive, onos should be nigh invincible (nearly). This is assuming charge is to stay wussy-like. Headbutt, scream, meta, charge if it is to be good.
Would headbut be useful against structures at only 90 damage or would it be an antipersonel weapon?
Should metabolise be hive 3? I think metabolize should be hive 2 and scream hive 3 as scream has an area effect of increasing the effectiveness of all aliens in range.
Concerning the scream and meta, Ive always thought scream is underused because its at 3rd hive. But yea, I think its better if meta is 2nd and scream at 3rd.
Assuming the numbers are adjusted well, Id think we have the ideal onos. It is plain strong at a low hive count, and becomes much tank-ier when given the other hives (hive armor + meta)
The problem with the fade is, its already got all it needs to fit its role with swipe, acid rocket, and blink of some sort. The only problem I had with your definition of it is that I used to think of it also as an assault unit. One fade may need to go hit and run, but a few (2 or more...anything more than one) should hold its own. Thats not to say the current implementation is weak, far from it. But now I am at a loss for what to fill the last slot with (first three weapons being swipe, blink, rocket)
As for fade I'd leave acid as hive 3 but make it much deadlier than it is now. Increasing its damage but not its splash area.
So as a hive 2 if meta was taken.... what would be a gurrilla type weapon? How about a blind attack. If the target was successfully struck while facing the fade the effect would be somewhat <i>similar </i>to a flashbang. It could be an acid spray or we could even have the fade flash brightly as it distributes a biologicaly generated flash of light. Very slow rate of fire using about 50% of the addrenaline and blinding marines for a few seconds. They can still move and shoot though so at least they get a chance to fight
I faintly remember there being no flashbangs allowed in some faq somewhere. So that rules that out.
Since some people have said that they lub the adren from meta for the fade, would it be good to split meta into two different abilities? adren-meta for 2nd hive fade ability, and heal-meta for 2nd hive onos. Better yet, it might make more sense that the onos get the superman-meta, from the beta test version of NS 2.0 (converts damage taken to energy, or perhaps just negate damage). Too bad they werent able to fix that :/
i dunno...2 hive fade ability still up for grabs