Notes From A Frustrated Marine

Sirus · November 2002

<div class="IPBDescription">things not to do when ingame</div> im make this simple, for the most part ive decided to post something that hinder my ability to work efficiently as a marine. 1st, wp's are distracting especially when theres an alien and u can only see it for 1 sec interval (blue sentence that covers ur forward LOS, so u cant see something thats running towards you. 2nd, commanders need to know the actual terrain of a map to be proficient at being a good commander, like to know to place turrets along the walls instead of bunching them up in the middle, its frustrating when u have to jump over things to get ammo, jump back over, jump over something else to leave the area. make it simple commanders. put things along the walls, theres also the bonus of making it harder for aliens to hide behind things. and turrets have a larger LOS. also, learn how to move and strafe with ur teammates. im tired of people who stand right in front of you, or right next to the side of you, move over so they can retreat or dodge, i cant count how many times so moron has trapped me somewhere til i died cuz i couldnt move and he was too stupid to realize what was going on, And dont stand in front of someone while their shooting, duck that way u both can shoot, plus ull have some extra firepower that might be critical when being attacked , especially when u walk in front of them while their shooting, uve just wasted most of their ammo. i hope that people can learn to simply learn not to make these mistakes, ull find that knowing how to even move efficiently when in groups could be the difference of life and death, and is critical for teamwork. and one last thing! take advantage of what u have, sound is very important and it is a key thing to listen to when there are hostiles are around, and PAY attention to ur motion tracking, if theres a large circle and its stops right around the corner, it probably means its waiting to get u in the back!

R32 · November 2002

Paragraphs are nice.

Sirus · November 2002

what?! paragraghs? no one uses those anymore...at least not on the internet....at least i dont... <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='tounge.gif'>

Legionnaired · November 2002

You know what else is nice? Being able to read whatever the hell you say.

The enter key is your friend.

Sirus · November 2002

? seriously whats so confusing about something written in block format? honestly ? why is it so hard?

Evil_Timmy · November 2002

well you see when you write in blocks its really hard to separate your ideas from each other. one train of though intersects with another and you get thousands of dead ideas spread all over the train tracks of your consciousness, and little though reporters talking about the tradgegy. you know, that whole 9-11 thing was horrible but ten times the number of people die every day of starvation and nobody gives a crap about them. everyones so tired of seeing those give money commercials on tv that they just ignore them when they should be caring. speaking of food i could really use a bowl noodle about now. im really hungry. hong kong has the best bowl noodles in the world the lee kum kee brand they come with real meat and everything. not like those japanese brands that are all dry and taste like octopus pee if they do pee. those little dried chunks of meat arent really meat theyre like elephant snot or something. the discovery channel had a cool special elephants last night and it turns out they have a lot in common with human communities but humans dont have big ears like them. wed look really weird if we did because our ears would be dragging on the ground and i wouldnt look good with big grey ears. umm what was i talking about again?

...

Or, if you didn't pick up on my oh-so-subtle point, if separate ideas in the text are separated visually, they're easier to separate in your mind. Just put a paragraph in any part where you're shifting the perspective of your idea, or adding another step to it. Also, punctuation helps in separating smaller sections, and makes each part more distinct. And, of course, it's proper English.

Now, tell me that this isn't easier to read:
</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
I'll make this simple; these are a few things that hinder me as a Marine.

First, waypoints are annoying because they can block your line of sight and give an alien an easy kill.

Second, commanders need to know the terrain of a map to be effective. It's annoying to have to jump over a wall of turrets to get anything, and with bad turret factory placement, it gives the aliens another place to hide. Put support buildings against walls. This also gives turrets a better line of fire.

Also, learn how to move and strafe with your teammates. I'm tired of people who stand right in front of you, blocking all your shots and wasting all your ammo. Duck! This'll give your team extra firepower which may keep you alive and result in an alien kill. I can't count the number of times some moron has gotten in my way or pinned me against something and gotten us both killed.

I hope that people can simply learn not to make these mistakes, you'll find learning to move together can be the difference between life and death, and is critical for good teamwork.

And one last thing! Take advantage of what you have. If you see something move on motion tracking then stop, it's probably waiting in ambush. Also, use your ears, sound can alert you if hostiles are around.
</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>

Paladyne-TPF · November 2002

What he said. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='biggrin.gif'> It makes the post must more coherent and less time-consuming to read.

Getting back to the topic however, yes, some of those things are annoying. Some are even fatal. Most are really not that bad, however.

Don't gripe about waypoints. Even if you know the map, be glad your comm is giving them; most players don't seem to know the map, and waypoints help cut down on wandering rambos or confused n00bs just standing around.

Proper placement of buildings is somewhat important, but to be fair in a lot of hives your choice of placement is extremely limited. While it can be seriously problematic in a fight, it's often not that big a hassle to just jump over a turret forest, or duck around that arms lab and proto lab to get to the armory... at least in most cases. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'>

I agree; being aware of your teammates is a vital skill for staying alive and remaining effective. This applies to a lot of other situations as well; in many cases I've been evolving in a dark corner only to have some dumb skulk bring unwanted attention towards me by retreating and hiding in my same corner. Find yer own damn spot, guys! <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

Sound and motion sensors are invaluable. So many times I've heard the little "click click" of skulk claws dart around a corner and up a wall, so I know precisely where to aim when I round that corner. Motion sensors just make it so much easier it's silly. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'>

Typhon · November 2002

See, when you use paragraphs people can BLINK and not lose their place in the text forest.

The only one of your points i agree with is that waypoint markers should get transparent or something when you are close.

Commanders SHOULD have to know the map layout to be successful and dont remove dumb marines, they're the best tasting ones.

Mindmeldme · November 2002

I've had a number of marines actually HAPPY that I gave them waypoint because no one else did. most of the time I simply tell them over the mic where I want them to go, but if they need a wp I simply ask where they are so I can find them and give them one, I never have any problem distributing way points if needed. I do wish they went away a little more often though, or were...as said...transparent up close so they didn't block my Marines LOS.

Sigh...i swear, some of these marines don't seem to be getting any training any more...it's as if they just though some gear at them, call them marines, and ship them out. Bloody hell...marines thinking the armory is broken...

Lt_Warhound · November 2002

Have no clue what is in the first post. A solid block of text, I skip to the next post, its not worth the trouble to try and:

1) read the damn thing
2) break out the sentances
3) figure out the probably broken grammer, syntax and punctuation
4) actually resolve the text into something meaningful

Too much work expected from the reader, and odds are that if its in solidblockoftext form, its not worth the trouble.

Waypoints are a sign of a commander that might have his **obscenity** together. I'm always happier when the commander gives em, it means he might know what he is doing, and he might have a PLAN! Woo!

Sirus · November 2002

ok... ok.... next time i will break my sentences and thoughts into well formed paragraphs. it just makes it harder for me to write as fast as possible so that i can move on. but anyways, and btw evil timmy i could read/understand everything u posted w/o re-reading twice. although ns-octupus **obscenity** noodle bowls was quite odd =P.

Anyways, when i posted those things i mainly trying to post little things that bug me. dont mistake them as things im extremely worried about. and as a solution to the waypoint. i think the wp should go on ur overhead map, instead of in ur los and everything. maybe put an arrow towards the wp on the minimap, and then when ur close, show the whole circle.

And this forum </span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>1) read the damn thing
2) break out the sentances
3) figure out the probably broken grammer, syntax and punctuation
4) actually resolve the text into something meaningful
</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> is not english class. sorry lt.warhound but redundant to post that, because im not a moron, however most people u meet in game, or people u find on forums are. next time maybe ill outline, re-read correct it, use a thesauras (spelling probably wrong on that)... and yes lt.warhound, i do know what wps are and why theyre there, and i do realize that they are so that the marines can be organized and work cooperatively. so spare ur sarcasm. hell, half the time i dont need a wp, just tell me where to go and i can get there.

and if u find something wrong with my post, as in grammar or spelling or whatever u guys want to , u can sue me. ive been awake for 6 minutes so maybe thats why.

Sirus · November 2002

and btw evil timmy, the reason people are making a big deal about 9/11 is not really about the people, its more of the largest terrorist attack on american soil. although i completely agree about people not caring about everyone else in the world, people who are starving and living in streets. Worldvision is a good charity, u should adopt some children, its really not that much a month, and it feeds their whole family, and helps educate both the parents and children.

Narfwak · November 2002

Er? Don't give waypoints? Regardless of whatever Turkish hasheesh you happen to be bonging right now, even the strongest levels of intoxication are no excuse for that level of stupidity. Most of what you said in your nigh-illegible post is redundant considering what the obviously more learned and scholarly players before you have spoken; the rest is just either common sense or utter hogwash.

o & pargrfs dont help if u dont use prper english dumpoop.

Unknown · November 2002

FFS STOP TALKING ABOUT 11/9 EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIVES

Sirus · November 2002

theres the biggest flame, and i didnt say dont give wp's i said put wp's on the minimap. however i do ask commanders to not give me a wp, and i ask them to change it so its not in the way, but they dont, hence frustrated marine. and to 9/11 that was a comment towards eviltimmy, so thank you, but it really is of no concern to u, especially if u dont understand the context of what we're talking about.

but thx anyways jodabob and narfwak, nice try but try again. i never remember saying to never give wp's. i just said that theyre annoying and half the time i dont need them. and i didnt know pi-ss was worthy of an obscenity censorship. i wish people would stop replying to this post, it really has started to evolve from me suggesting little things that would make people work together easier and make things a little easier to play to someone critisizing my non-use of paragraphs and grammar, which frankly i dont care because this is a forum, and the fact that id rather spend like 30 secs writing something that 5 minutes. narfwak</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Er? Don't give waypoints? Regardless of whatever Turkish hasheesh you happen to be bonging right now, even the strongest levels of intoxication are no excuse for that level of stupidity. </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> u tell me if it is, cuz obviously im not on it. but it seems like u are because you seem to be mistaken about everything i posted. lets hope turkish hasheesh is a good excuse.

TheDamage · November 2002

Let me jump in for just a second: Jobabob 9/11 should be mentioned as long as our troops are still fighting the war on terrorism. Without constant reminder of the pain, shock, fear and helplessness of that day we will tend to revert back to pre-9/11 "out of sight out of mind" thinking.

Narfwak · November 2002

<i>Groan...</i>

This is a <i>computer game forum</i>, not a place to vent about politics. <b><u>PLEASE...</u></b>

Sirus · November 2002

this is off-topic but /me smacks narfwak . </span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Groan...

This is a computer game forum, not a place to vent about politics. PLEASE... </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> talk about pretentious

oh and BTW 9/11 isnt politics!!! and what are u talking about venting? have u no shame? i can believe u would just shrug it off like that.

Narfwak · November 2002

Er...

It's not you I object to, it's some of your ideas. Read around, and you will find I have agreed with you. Jeez...

And really, I don't want this to devolve into political bitching. This forum is intended for intelligent discussion of an excellent computer game. Don't ruin it.

Sirus · November 2002

Let's just let it be one of those unspoken things we dont talk about, but never forget agreed? I'd hate to think that hundreds of families aren't worth my sympathies.

Unknown · November 2002

lol, i just gotta reply whether its deleted or not. If theres one thing i LOVE about the american attitude towards 11/09 its this.

'Dont you feel that as more than a year has past its perhaps time to try and move on?'
'No of course not'
'Oh excuse me, i forgot that when american suffers a disaster theres an average mourning time of 5 years min'

Try to look outside one city, and perhaps to the coincidental 3000 civilian casualties in afghanistan..

Winkie · November 2002

I love the 9/11 attitude aswell.

Think of it this way, several people attacked america in the most public way possible they could imagine due to america's repeated bombing and oppression of them

OR

Several people, associated with extreme islam, most notably from oil rich countries which supply America with cheap oil and air bases, and are not considered sources of terrorism, except they are, and flaunt it, attacked america. America, using this as a drive to bomb the **obscenity** out of iraq, are now going to bomb the **obscenity** out of iraq, why? Iraq has oil, which is worth more to america when it's free

I'm sorry but "9/11 NEVAR FORGET" is an absolutely retarded phrase, if you stuck your head up from the mass of crap you're fed daily, all the propaganda, about how iraq is evil and all conquering,and actually LOOKED at the facts, you'd realise how wrong you are.

Narfwak · November 2002

I hold the same opinion as Jobabob, but that isn't relevant. What is relevant is getting this thread back on track.

Grr. Slanted walls. They look cool, give maps atmosphere, but also make turret factories sink through floors. I've seen this happen all the time on tanith. The most annoying part is that it "says" the building should be placeable, places it then deducts funds even though your structure is literally six feet under. Anyone have any good ideas/rants?

Winkie · November 2002

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Anyone have any good ideas/rants? </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>

Bug forum?

Narfwak · November 2002

I'm just trying to shift the topic away from 9/11, and this is titled "notes from a frustrated marine." Please, some else at least try.

Winkie · November 2002

Ok, i hate it when people disconnect when they start to lose.

I also hate it when someone joins the command module, spawns hmg + armour etc for themselves behind a corner or whatever, then logs out, ngh!

Unknown · November 2002

ok back on topic:

turret sinking and map problems = ARGHH!

The number of times I have SCREAMED on tanith trying to order my marines back to anywhere near the base!!
The only was to do it is to get them to build something :/

Im not sure how to do it without ruining balance, but its frustrating placing a 25 resource structure only to have it instantly destroyed because you have to wait till the marine is bloody well next to it before you can really build it. Not being able to queue up commands for buildings (without just wasted resources as they'll be destroyed)is very annoying in large battles, trying to be everyone at once is very very hard!

Sirus · November 2002

yah, thats why a surrender option needs to be implemented, i cant say i want to play when were getting creamed and the game wont end.

Narfwak · November 2002

Heh, surrender vote would be sooo funny. My favorite memories of CS are screaming "YOU WILL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!!" as I typed kill in the console if I was hopelessly alone. Although this has a lot of potential for abuse. Imagine this - all th aliens suddenly join marine, then vote them to surrender. And if anyone thinks it's just too lame to happen, you haven't seen how depraved a llama can be.

Instead, just try to get your entire team to go ready-room. Much less potential for abuse there.

Winkie · November 2002

Team balancing needs to be ON by default, this prevents such retardedness

*WinKye pats Flayra for having full team balancing

Notes From A Frustrated Marine

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