Turrets and mines

Lazarus · March 2002

just thinking, when someone builds a turret in some corner and then places mines around it wouldnt it be kind of to hard for the aliens to destroy the turret? I mean like an alien going to attack a turret and starts to rush at it and boom, its in zillion peices, and then some marine comes and puts down another mine. thats a bit lame isnt it?

Pi_Gi · March 2002

Yes it's lame, but it's a standard RTS defense strategy. It's a porcupine tactic. There's worse.

Fam · March 2002

Well said. Is it not the same as building a large defensive structure with a ring of smaller ones around it.

Pi Gi, as I see you are new, Id like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the NS community. Be sure to read the forum FAQ's and both ns.org and www.readyroom.org for other information if you havent already.

And pop into IRC once in a while, theres sure to be a warm welcome waiting for you.

Mart · March 2002

Your confusing a warm welcome with InterFect0r again...

Wurmspawn · March 2002

I'm sure fortifying turrets will become a typical defensive strategy, but it has its drawbacks.
All the layouts of maps we've seen so far have a high degree of connectability, so if one area becomes to difficult for the aliens to move through, they can use another. Hopefully some clever funnelling tactics will arise from this,
and also, the laying of mines will require active maintenance, and we've already been told that camping excessively on the marine side is a losing tactic.

It would be interesting to know if the mines laid last forever or disappear after a given time

Flayra · March 2002

The mines last forever.

Scythe · March 2002

I would like the mines to have a large splash damage radius. The effect ou this would be that if one mine in a closely packed minefield was set off, the entire minefield will explode. This would make it a smidgen easier for an alien to dodge between the mines because the marines would be carefull not to place them close together lest they all go off in order to kill only one alien.Onde dead alien and a huge boom is not as good as lots of dead aliens and a boom each time. Maby instead of a large splash damage radius there could be some sort of proximity sensors on the mines that detected if one of its neighbours exploded, cause a large splash damage radius might be a tad unfair for the aliens.

--Scythe--
the_only_scythe@yahoo.co.uk

ThrillKill1 · March 2002

Unfortunately, for all you mine layers, there will be insane alien users like me who will more then willingly throw myself upon an mine field to clear it away for the rest of the brood to walk through. If it helps the team win, I do it.

But...

"Posted by Flayra: The mines last forever."

If that means what I think it does, then I won't be able to do such things. Have I read that right or am I just too tired?

Moleculor · March 2002

You're just tired. What he means by that is they last till they get blown up.

Black_Wolf · March 2002

also, if they had a large splash damage and a chain reaction type effect this would prolly kill the turret anyway . . . plus theres always projectile shooting aliens and those that fly . . .

pielemuis · March 2002

Also I think the mines shouldn't do that much damage, like it takes 1 mine to kill a level 1, 2 for a level 2 and 3, 3 for a level 4 and maybe like 4 for the level 5, that way you can clear minefields by letting a level 5 run through it, and I don't think this gives the aliens a big advantage, cuz I think the mines won't be visible or will they? So that way they can only let the level 5 clear it up after they discovered the mine filed and thus maybe losing an alien who stepped on one.
Off-topic: Mart, when didn't I kiss a new person that joins #naturalselection or bake him a cake? <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Kassinger · March 2002

Hmmm, would you waste an expensive lvl 5 on a bunch of mines? Use bob. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

Let's see, lvl 1 can wallclimb past the mines, lvl 3 can fly over them, lvl 4 can 'blink' past them, lvl 5 can just run straight into them, and lvl 2 will be placing his own traps. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Psymasta · March 2002

Level 4 alien = Blinky? Hrm.

Mines, mines = big BOOM.

If mines were lain around a turret, if the mine exploded wouldn't the turret be damaged as well? & that means that bobs could be used to suicide a turret, blow up a mine, and blow up the turret as well. Providing he doesn't get shot to swiss cheese. Hmm...that sparks another question. How tough are turrets exactly? Will they fire in bursts or just rattle away?

Pi_Gi · March 2002

Even the best porcupine style defense has its drawbacks. Think starcraft, surrounding your bunkers loaded with marines with vulture mines isn't too smart. A fast enough unit will cause the mines to blow up on the bunker itself. Bad, bad, bad. And, the aliens do already have ways to avert hitting the mines.

In short, sorry to sound Confucian and all,
Even the mightiest of porcupines is defenseless when lying on his back. The key is to flip him.

Spyder_Monkey · March 2002

It won't matter much what type of land mines the humans have IMHO. Until they develop ceiling/wall mines, all hope is lost for them. >:|

DarkAssassin · March 2002

well, the mines and turrets are a great idea, in fact its more than great.. i mean, it should damage the turret too, but it would be called 'tactical advantage' don't ya think?

Moleculor · March 2002

The mines as I've heard them described can be placed on the floor and walls. Dunno about ceiling. The wall variety is a tripmine type, and the floor one is a landmine type.

At least I -think- that's how it works.

Spyder_Monkey · March 2002

That's going to take some re-strategizing on my part though.

Actually, if you are correct about the tripmine variety, then I don't see why the marines couldn't plant them on the ceiling, assuming they can reach it. Might be a good teamwork effort to make a totem pole structure to set them. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Moleculor · March 2002

I'm just not sure if it's the marines, or the commander who places them.

I'd prefer the marines.

Spyder_Monkey · March 2002

Maybe, like the turrets, it's a joint effort. Depending on the cost of the mine, it could be good both ways. If relatively inexpensive, marines should be able to have a little free will, but if somewhat costly, the commander should have final authority.

Jedisar · March 2002

I can see it now..

Commander: Okay, Private, take these little boxes up to that big pulsing thing and lay them down all around it then press this little yellow button. I Garentee it will be funny.
Private: Okay, Commander! (places the mines)

Commander: good, now run away and attack the other hives!

(Alien Respawns on Mine)
AlienPlayer: WTF!?!?
(aliens keep respawning and dying, amid shouts of "WTF!?!" until all mines are gone)

Talk about Mine Abuse <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Turrets and mines

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