I can command used to be a decent combat Lerk (team support, not just power-skulk). Now I'm a lame marine, fumbling skulk, and terrible high-level alien.
Every commander needs his non-ninja minions, and every gorge needs a 70-hp distraction to cover his escape. The game wouldn't be the same without us.
Meh. I've played in a middling cal-delta clan (when there was a delta), been bad, been good (currently quite bad after a couple years away). Being good at ns doesn't matter in life, and I wouldn't sweat it. I have the love of a boy far better than I deserve, 3 meals a day, the outdoors to run in, and plans for the future. Beyond that, who cares?
Kouji_SanSr. Hινε UÏкεεÏεг - EUPT DeputyThe NetherlandsJoin Date: 2003-05-13Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
I used to be a pretty good skulk back in the old days (leapkills, leap bite kills, leap parasite kills and such) And used to be a good builder and battle gorge
After 2.0 I haven't really played NS anymore, lets just say I suck at current NS from what I've seen myself do <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
i started when 2.0 was released with this stone age computer and only started to get good in pubs when i upgraded to 100fps about 2 and a half years ago. a short while after that tane invited me to join a clan
<!--quoteo(post=1620465:date=Apr 12 2007, 12:44 AM:name=SmoodCroozn)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SmoodCroozn @ Apr 12 2007, 12:44 AM) [snapback]1620465[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> You're confusing complaining with simple facts. Someone who is skilled will have more of an impact on a game than someone who is bad. This doesn't change whether I want it or not.
But from what I observe, if too many of the skilled players are on the same team, the game ends faster, without maturing to certain stages of the game. Then we have people that don't believe it is possible for a comeback, f4 pressers and the rage quitters. But if I liked this or not, would this change?
And what I observe from these forums is that many of the competitive players are pubescent brats. You whine in each thread, blindly assuming that the poster sucks at NS and then continue to try to annoy me with your "OMG WE TALK ABOUT YOU IN IRC" comments and of course, the lovely sigs. You downplay pub ns as some lower form of play, yet when you click refresh servers, that's all you see. If anything, I'd stay away from comp ns, because many of the people that are from there churn out as jerks.
Then there are the few players that pub and are very good. Yes, they do change the game in a way a comp ns player might do, but they have the eyes of the pubber and don't make foolish assumptions.
Again, you miss the point of my earlier post in that, WHY should we try comp NS? Why do you keep pointing at that when there are no servers for it, you have a severe lack of players and when it's pretty much dead? Look at the servers. Look at the forums. Look at CAL. Sure, maybe Europe ns is doing okay, but many of us are from other places. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Is it just my imagination or do you cut and paste the same crap into every forum topic?
Haze, yes I feel the same way at the moment too. Like many of us here time seems to be the mitigating factor. Many started with ample time to play NS, and this rapidly changes with age, work, kids etc...
However one thing all of us "crappy oldies" will have is an indepth knowledge into each map, strategies, quirks etc.. Ah well we still enjoy it.
it's kind of amazing that it isn't a widely accepted fact at this point: skill of this type is genetic and the amount of time played has very, very, very little correlation with improvement of skill
<!--quoteo(post=1621130:date=Apr 15 2007, 12:45 PM:name=ubermensch)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ubermensch @ Apr 15 2007, 12:45 PM) [snapback]1621130[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> it's kind of amazing that it isn't a widely accepted fact at this point: skill of this type is genetic and the amount of time played has very, very, very little correlation with improvement of skill <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm going to have to disagree with you there. When NS first came out, I pretty much played alien exclusively. I got very good with skulk and onos but with fade I was terrible because I was afraid to practice too much because of the bad cost/ease of dying balance. When CO was released I rushed fade in almost every match and eventually worked my way up anywhere from 10:1 to 100:1 kill:death ratios. Now when I play classic my fade is pretty decent, sometimes very good. My innate skill didn't change, I just got a crap load of practice.
As a side note: I got very good at marine in CO (almost always #1 or #2) but for some reason this skill didn't transfer into classic. I still suck at rine there.
<!--quoteo(post=1621133:date=Apr 15 2007, 01:55 PM:name=KainTSA)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KainTSA @ Apr 15 2007, 01:55 PM) [snapback]1621133[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->As a side note: I got very good at marine in CO (almost always #1 or #2) but for some reason this skill didn't transfer into classic. I still suck at rine there. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pretty easy to rockass in CO as a 'rine, since your not reliant on a Commander to keep you alive.
Regular NS, you don't go off alone. Unless your God on speed. And your still gonna die.
I don't think its Xmenu, as I do better without it.
But you're probably right about relying on the comm. I also follow orders 95% of the time, which means I'm usually building res nodes/base instead of fighting.
You should spectate better players and watch them, it helped me with learning how to bunny hop with aliens and jump further with marines. Especially in combat, watch what upgrades they get, and where they stand in which maps to avoid being killed.
hi, haze, let me join your sad old men club. I been playing since 1.01 and i suck. I wondered why sometimes. The answer is - I dont care. Getting better means hard work. I fire up NS to have fun, not to work.
I remember training with some guy. After about a week i could decently bunnyhop and hit stuff. It gave me a pleasant feeling. But was it a fun week? no way. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
ShockehIf a packet drops on the web and nobody's near to see it...Join Date: 2002-11-19Member: 9336NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
I have my 'on' days, and I have my 'off' days. When I'm on, I'd like to think I can be pretty damn good. The problem is, when I'm off, I'm looking at a negative K/D and wondering where I went wrong.
Haze, I hear you. Hell, I look at my forum sign up date and think 'Wow, I was 5 years younger then'.
Its simple, everyone suck at first but then by keeping playing, you get better. You will eventualy encounter other players that have been playing less then you so, to them, you rule !!!
By the way, since this thread started as "I'm old", by old you mean how old ? Teenagers (probably 90% of all forum members) tend to say your old starting at 30. I'm 43 and I do not consider myself old. I get along prety good with people of every ages and every origins.
When I started playing ? Just look at when I registered to this forum.
I'm a lot worse then I could be all things considered... Worse then I used to be... Does that count as sucking? I fit in that middle ground between pubbers and clanners. Most of the ex clanners do actually. You lose the edge after not taking it seriously any more for so long.
<!--quoteo(post=1623126:date=Apr 25 2007, 07:10 PM:name=Shockwave)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Shockwave @ Apr 25 2007, 07:10 PM) [snapback]1623126[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> I have my 'on' days, and I have my 'off' days. When I'm on, I'd like to think I can be pretty damn good. The problem is, when I'm off, I'm looking at a negative K/D and wondering where I went wrong. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
your consistency to perform well improves when you play in a consistent environment, in other words clanning
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Getting better means hard work. I fire up NS to have fun, not to work.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> its pretty much natural to humans to improve at something they enjoy doing, ns is no different
<!--quoteo(post=1623147:date=Apr 25 2007, 08:50 PM:name=Swiftspear)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swiftspear @ Apr 25 2007, 08:50 PM) [snapback]1623147[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I fit in that middle ground between pubbers and clanners. Most of the ex clanners do actually. You lose the edge after not taking it seriously any more for so long.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Most people don't, it only takes about 20 minutes to pick up a game back to a relatively close level to what you were before. But whatever I'm not gonna rain on your parade - you used to be cpl and <b>now</b> you're bad because you don't clan anymore.
<!--quoteo(post=1621130:date=Apr 15 2007, 01:45 PM:name=ubermensch)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ubermensch @ Apr 15 2007, 01:45 PM) [snapback]1621130[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> it's kind of amazing that it isn't a widely accepted fact at this point: skill of this type is genetic and the amount of time played has very, very, very little correlation with improvement of skill <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> You've got to be kidding us. Anyones motor skills (including hand/eye coordination) can be greatly improved upon by repetitive training - if you disagree talk with a reputable occupational therapist.
Believe it or not, Combat was what improved my aiming and maneuverability the most in all playing of NS. Haze just needs to break out of his rut by trying different methods and thinking outside of the box.
<!--quoteo(post=1623274:date=Apr 26 2007, 11:44 AM:name=SpaceJesus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SpaceJesus @ Apr 26 2007, 11:44 AM) [snapback]1623274[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Most people don't, it only takes about 20 minutes to pick up a game back to a relatively close level to what you were before. But whatever I'm not gonna rain on your parade - you used to be cpl and <b>now</b> you're bad because you don't clan anymore. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Nah. I mean it's not like "OMG, HOW DOES I BHOP AGAIN?", most of it's still there, just the edge is gone. That sliver thin difference between rushing into a room swiping 3 marines to death and getting LMGed down, and rushing into a room, swiping 3 marines to death and getting out with 100 HP left. Or that fraction of a second extra accuracy that causes the skulk to usually die before he bites you rather then you having to take the damage. Alot of the game feels different then it used to because it has been developmentally changed, and some of it is probably just an issue of not taking the time to properly learn the new stuff. More just using it occasionally without dedication to improving skill or really figuring out what is working and what isn't.
Then again, it's a game, what's wrong with playing for fun? You can't just play to win all the time for everything.
Depot vs ubermensch: Both of you are right... well, to some degree anyways. Anyone who works hard at something is capable of some amount of success, and NS is no exception. I'm not naturally skilled at games, but I've been better then most at certain things for short periods of time. That being said, there is definitely a genetic element. There are those of us among us who are just capable of ridiculously fast reaction times and incredibly precise twitch. It's not always easy to observe in the best NS players, so I'm going to use KZ as my example. Simply put, the best jumpers in that game are beyond human capability. They are capable of SUCH precise minuscule movement in the fingers and hands, and they have these disturbingly overactive nervous systems that allow incredibly perfection at a rate of abstract motion that is impossible to just train up to with tonnes of work. I've put alot of work into that game, and I'll probably put alot more, but I'll never be that good. Ever. So while I'm going to debunk that genetics are responsible for keeping certain players from reaching at least a level where they would be considered competitively capable, it's just fact, some players will be genetically predisposed to have the capability to reach the elite levels and be among the best. It's alot like basketball. You can work your ###### off, but some guys just aren't 7 feet tall.
Similarly, swiftspear, some of us will be genetically predisposed such that we have difficulty even reaching an average level of skill. Unfortunately, the game has changed such that it is no fun for us to play anymore, and our pleas for some way to make the game fun for us again just draw comments from the elite like "Just get better!".
<!--quoteo(post=1623463:date=Apr 27 2007, 12:53 PM:name=SkulkBait)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SkulkBait @ Apr 27 2007, 12:53 PM) [snapback]1623463[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Similarly, swiftspear, some of us will be genetically predisposed such that we have difficulty even reaching an average level of skill. Unfortunately, the game has changed such that it is no fun for us to play anymore, and our pleas for some way to make the game fun for us again just draw comments from the elite like "Just get better!". <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Nah. The average level of skill isn't that high. Anyone can at least get around where I am if they actually work on it, bar people who are actually physically disabled to the point where playing precisely isn't reasonable.
I've got you all beat. I've been playing since like a year before v1.0 and I'm STILL awful... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
Comments
THE SECOND ONE
Every commander needs his non-ninja minions, and every gorge needs a 70-hp distraction to cover his escape. The game wouldn't be the same without us.
edit: I've played since 1.04.
After 2.0 I haven't really played NS anymore, lets just say I suck at current NS from what I've seen myself do <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
i still suck though, but it doesnt bother me
You're confusing complaining with simple facts. Someone who is skilled will have more of an impact on a game than someone who is bad. This doesn't change whether I want it or not.
But from what I observe, if too many of the skilled players are on the same team, the game ends faster, without maturing to certain stages of the game. Then we have people that don't believe it is possible for a comeback, f4 pressers and the rage quitters. But if I liked this or not, would this change?
And what I observe from these forums is that many of the competitive players are pubescent brats. You whine in each thread, blindly assuming that the poster sucks at NS and then continue to try to annoy me with your "OMG WE TALK ABOUT YOU IN IRC" comments and of course, the lovely sigs. You downplay pub ns as some lower form of play, yet when you click refresh servers, that's all you see. If anything, I'd stay away from comp ns, because many of the people that are from there churn out as jerks.
Then there are the few players that pub and are very good. Yes, they do change the game in a way a comp ns player might do, but they have the eyes of the pubber and don't make foolish assumptions.
Again, you miss the point of my earlier post in that, WHY should we try comp NS? Why do you keep pointing at that when there are no servers for it, you have a severe lack of players and when it's pretty much dead? Look at the servers. Look at the forums. Look at CAL. Sure, maybe Europe ns is doing okay, but many of us are from other places.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Is it just my imagination or do you cut and paste the same crap into every forum topic?
Haze, yes I feel the same way at the moment too. Like many of us here time seems to be the mitigating factor. Many started with ample time to play NS, and this rapidly changes with age, work, kids etc...
However one thing all of us "crappy oldies" will have is an indepth knowledge into each map, strategies, quirks etc.. Ah well we still enjoy it.
it's kind of amazing that it isn't a widely accepted fact at this point: skill of this type is genetic and the amount of time played has very, very, very little correlation with improvement of skill
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm going to have to disagree with you there. When NS first came out, I pretty much played alien exclusively. I got very good with skulk and onos but with fade I was terrible because I was afraid to practice too much because of the bad cost/ease of dying balance. When CO was released I rushed fade in almost every match and eventually worked my way up anywhere from 10:1 to 100:1 kill:death ratios. Now when I play classic my fade is pretty decent, sometimes very good. My innate skill didn't change, I just got a crap load of practice.
As a side note: I got very good at marine in CO (almost always #1 or #2) but for some reason this skill didn't transfer into classic. I still suck at rine there.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pretty easy to rockass in CO as a 'rine, since your not reliant on a Commander to keep you alive.
Regular NS, you don't go off alone. Unless your God on speed. And your still gonna die.
But you're probably right about relying on the comm. I also follow orders 95% of the time, which means I'm usually building res nodes/base instead of fighting.
I like that.
I wondered why sometimes. The answer is - I dont care.
Getting better means hard work. I fire up NS to have fun, not to work.
I remember training with some guy. After about a week i could decently bunnyhop and hit stuff. It gave me a pleasant feeling. But was it a fun week? no way. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
Haze, I hear you. Hell, I look at my forum sign up date and think 'Wow, I was 5 years younger then'.
- Shockwave
By the way, since this thread started as "I'm old", by old you mean how old ? Teenagers (probably 90% of all forum members) tend to say your old starting at 30. I'm 43 and I do not consider myself old. I get along prety good with people of every ages and every origins.
When I started playing ? Just look at when I registered to this forum.
I have my 'on' days, and I have my 'off' days. When I'm on, I'd like to think I can be pretty damn good. The problem is, when I'm off, I'm looking at a negative K/D and wondering where I went wrong.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
your consistency to perform well improves when you play in a consistent environment, in other words clanning
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Getting better means hard work. I fire up NS to have fun, not to work.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
its pretty much natural to humans to improve at something they enjoy doing, ns is no different
Most people don't, it only takes about 20 minutes to pick up a game back to a relatively close level to what you were before. But whatever I'm not gonna rain on your parade - you used to be cpl and <b>now</b> you're bad because you don't clan anymore.
it's kind of amazing that it isn't a widely accepted fact at this point: skill of this type is genetic and the amount of time played has very, very, very little correlation with improvement of skill
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You've got to be kidding us. Anyones motor skills (including hand/eye coordination) can be greatly improved upon by repetitive training - if you disagree talk with a reputable occupational therapist.
Believe it or not, Combat was what improved my aiming and maneuverability the most in all playing of NS. Haze just needs to break out of his rut by trying different methods and thinking outside of the box.
Most people don't, it only takes about 20 minutes to pick up a game back to a relatively close level to what you were before. But whatever I'm not gonna rain on your parade - you used to be cpl and <b>now</b> you're bad because you don't clan anymore.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nah. I mean it's not like "OMG, HOW DOES I BHOP AGAIN?", most of it's still there, just the edge is gone. That sliver thin difference between rushing into a room swiping 3 marines to death and getting LMGed down, and rushing into a room, swiping 3 marines to death and getting out with 100 HP left. Or that fraction of a second extra accuracy that causes the skulk to usually die before he bites you rather then you having to take the damage. Alot of the game feels different then it used to because it has been developmentally changed, and some of it is probably just an issue of not taking the time to properly learn the new stuff. More just using it occasionally without dedication to improving skill or really figuring out what is working and what isn't.
Then again, it's a game, what's wrong with playing for fun? You can't just play to win all the time for everything.
Depot vs ubermensch: Both of you are right... well, to some degree anyways. Anyone who works hard at something is capable of some amount of success, and NS is no exception. I'm not naturally skilled at games, but I've been better then most at certain things for short periods of time. That being said, there is definitely a genetic element. There are those of us among us who are just capable of ridiculously fast reaction times and incredibly precise twitch. It's not always easy to observe in the best NS players, so I'm going to use KZ as my example. Simply put, the best jumpers in that game are beyond human capability. They are capable of SUCH precise minuscule movement in the fingers and hands, and they have these disturbingly overactive nervous systems that allow incredibly perfection at a rate of abstract motion that is impossible to just train up to with tonnes of work. I've put alot of work into that game, and I'll probably put alot more, but I'll never be that good. Ever. So while I'm going to debunk that genetics are responsible for keeping certain players from reaching at least a level where they would be considered competitively capable, it's just fact, some players will be genetically predisposed to have the capability to reach the elite levels and be among the best. It's alot like basketball. You can work your ###### off, but some guys just aren't 7 feet tall.
[edit] 5555 GET!
edited - my point stands fana
Similarly, swiftspear, some of us will be genetically predisposed such that we have difficulty even reaching an average level of skill. Unfortunately, the game has changed such that it is no fun for us to play anymore, and our pleas for some way to make the game fun for us again just draw comments from the elite like "Just get better!".
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nah. The average level of skill isn't that high. Anyone can at least get around where I am if they actually work on it, bar people who are actually physically disabled to the point where playing precisely isn't reasonable.