New life form
Domining
Join Date: 2007-09-27 Member: 62452Members
Join Date: 2007-09-27 Member: 62452Members
How about an egg-layer life-form? It'd be more fun than having the gorges do ALL of the building work on the team.
Here is my life-form idea:
A flying tube thingy which propels itself by sucking air in through the front opening and accelerating it out of the back by rapid muscle convulsions. - An air worm essentially.
Abilities:
Even though this is a builder class, its still meant for early-mid offense. Its primary attack is different from all other lifeforms in the sense that it has to 'ram' its opponents with its bony protrusions on its head. The faster the worm goes, the more ramming damage it will deal. You fly this worm by simply holding forward, you can't side strafe, but you gain lots of speed fast.
Ab1: Lay egg - The worm will fall to the ground and excrete an egg after a small period, skulks can spawn from this egg. Only one egg per worm at a time.
Ab2: Cocoon - You egg and regenerate health until you are at 100% health&armor. Defenseless while you do this.
Ab3: Leech - This ability allows the worm to leech 5 points of damage/sec from all marines in range of the worm using this ability and heal 3 points/sec from every marine hurt.
Ab4: Teleport any life form to your position for 5 seconds if they use a hive/movement chamber.
Edit:
Maybe make the second ability Jet Propulsion. The worm would secrete a highly reactive substance from the inner lining of its tube. This would let the worm accelerate to top speed near instantly but receive some damage from the heat & pressure. This would let the worm survive losing all of its momentum by flying into a marine.
This thing is meant to look like a flying PVC pipe, except meaner looking.
Here is my life-form idea:
A flying tube thingy which propels itself by sucking air in through the front opening and accelerating it out of the back by rapid muscle convulsions. - An air worm essentially.
Abilities:
Even though this is a builder class, its still meant for early-mid offense. Its primary attack is different from all other lifeforms in the sense that it has to 'ram' its opponents with its bony protrusions on its head. The faster the worm goes, the more ramming damage it will deal. You fly this worm by simply holding forward, you can't side strafe, but you gain lots of speed fast.
Ab1: Lay egg - The worm will fall to the ground and excrete an egg after a small period, skulks can spawn from this egg. Only one egg per worm at a time.
Ab2: Cocoon - You egg and regenerate health until you are at 100% health&armor. Defenseless while you do this.
Ab3: Leech - This ability allows the worm to leech 5 points of damage/sec from all marines in range of the worm using this ability and heal 3 points/sec from every marine hurt.
Ab4: Teleport any life form to your position for 5 seconds if they use a hive/movement chamber.
Edit:
Maybe make the second ability Jet Propulsion. The worm would secrete a highly reactive substance from the inner lining of its tube. This would let the worm accelerate to top speed near instantly but receive some damage from the heat & pressure. This would let the worm survive losing all of its momentum by flying into a marine.
This thing is meant to look like a flying PVC pipe, except meaner looking.
Comments
Jokes aside; I don't think this is it. Too.... weird.
Good one.
We have fades that propel themselves by teleporting and have sickles for hands, hostile space cows even, but a flying worm is too weird for you?
it would be nice to see the classes changed ever-so-slightly (evolution at work) but really I have spent hours and hours trying to think up another type of alien and come up short, always... why? because they are pretty much perfect so far!
all the posts about creating new abilities or classes to take advantage of physics or source are just silly, and belong in a tech demo, not a multiplayer commercial game!
I don't see how any of the abilities would enhance the game at all, they don't fill any gap or satiate a need, in fact they'd create more problems than anything.
you state:<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->How about an egg-layer life-form? It'd be more fun than having the gorges do ALL of the building work on the team.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> but in a 6v6/8v8 game... the main attack force will be whittled down because you want to incorporate some kind of worm-bat... and you didn't even explain how they would build anything at all... Skulks are plenty fast enough to get around without the need summoning them, Fades can teleport and are fast enough... lerks are even faster yet, and Onos are balanced entirely around being slow and ungainly!
so to summarize:
1) They are not needed
2) They unbalance the movements of aliens around a map
3) They will not be used because they are a non-offense and non-defense class
4) They take a valuable offense / defense spot
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But the idea of a Class of Alien which has evolved to specialise in healing and parasitic/survival is still plausible...
A short, bipedal, half-skulk-half-fade looking creature... only available at same level as Lerk
it has advanced cell regeneration (passive health regen) to give it better survivability after a battle,
1 Hive:
It's normal melee ability is a claw-attack similar to fades, more of a last-ditch attack.
It has developed a unique Vocal shrill that helps it's survivability, deafening all humans in range (possibly distorting their view mildly (ala Fortress Forever's Spy Pistol))
2 Hives:
It has evolved to be parasitic in nature, another melee ability involves clasping onto a marine's back and drain it's health... replenishing some back to the alien (the marine clasped cannot see/shoot the alien, it requires a team-mate to dispatch)
3 Hives:
It has evolved a great technique to escape a fight and regenerate its body which involves a primitive blink (longer distance than fade, but uses MUCH more adrenaline... harder to judge distance so not very useful for closing a gap)
--------------------
This class, although has potential to really alter a multi-alien attack (huge confusion/marine disruption abilities) by taking one marine out of the fight (has to shoot him off his friend's back) and deafening all around still doesn't feel 100% like it is needed... and adding a class just because it's cool is not a good idea <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
I do however, think that it would be a good idea (provided someone can come up with a plausible solution) to add another alien to the lerk-tier
<img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/PogoP/JVCPipe.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
it would be nice to see the classes changed ever-so-slightly (evolution at work) but really I have spent hours and hours trying to think up another type of alien and come up short, always... why? because they are pretty much perfect so far!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I disagree, I believe that this lifeform should cost 25 res and have gameplay somewhat balanced around the additional movement provided by it.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->all the posts about creating new abilities or classes to take advantage of physics or source are just silly, and belong in a tech demo, not a multiplayer commercial game!
I don't see how any of the abilities would enhance the game at all, they don't fill any gap or satiate a need, in fact they'd create more problems than anything.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Alien movement? Word on the street is: No hives in NS2.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->you state: but in a 6v6/8v8 game... the main attack force will be whittled down because you want to incorporate some kind of worm-bat... and you didn't even explain how they would build anything at all...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
1) Don't talk about balance, we have nothing to build on.
2) They only build eggs, that is their sole supportive ability - besides the 3rd hive one, which teleports aliens, but thats something to help end the game.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Skulks are plenty fast enough to get around without the need summoning them, Fades can teleport and are fast enough... lerks are even faster yet, and Onos are balanced entirely around being slow and ungainly!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fades are the only lifeforms that don't have trouble navigating the map. Skulks, especially without celerity can take too long to get to certain spots, I'd love to be able to defend C12, die and instantly respawn to fight the cappers at overlook. That way, everyone has fun because both teams see combat.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->so to summarize:
1) They are not needed<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes they are, they are needed in NS1 as well, but thats a whole another topic. If these were added, there'd be much more combat going on in the map - very, very, very positive thing.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->2) They unbalance the movements of aliens around a map<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Don't talk about balance n years before a game's released.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->3) They will not be used because they are a non-offense and non-defense class<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes they are, they are both. Its like a cross between a lerk and a hive, minus the healing and abilities.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->4) They take a valuable offense / defense spot<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Not really
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Your idea of a lifeform, I definitely don't like. Anything requiring multiple marines to dispose of belongs at the fade/onos tier.
<img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/PogoP/JVCPipe.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<img src="http://www.slpipe.com/images/Bryce%20PVC.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Is that the internet? hehe [sorry, I couldn't resist]
I see no reason for a new alien species, at least not a "builder class". The gorgies already do it, perfectly, and I can only hope the developers have something new and fun in store for me when I start playing NS2 as a gorge again. But not a new builder alien dude, that's my job! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/pudgy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::gorge::" border="0" alt="pudgy.gif" /> Besides, you don't want us gorgies to go on strike do ya? Ever had to deal with an alien race on strike!! hehe It's not pretty.
I see no reason for a new alien species, at least not a "builder class".<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Its not!
Gah, my post was too confusing. The only thing that flying monster can build is an egg. Thats it.
On topic..., hmmmm... I think a tube would be kinda cool looking, but it would distract people a lot. I mean...a flying tube? wtf. lol. The skills are certainly viable, except for the fact that it could easily unbalance the entire point of respawning at base, and then running the map. It'd basically be a phase gate for aliens, which is cool--but it also provides really fast aliens an even faster mode of transport.
The fourth ability that you have listed is pure genius. This would be about ten times more balanced than webs currently are. It would allow the aliens to quickly end the game without having to restrict movement/skill of the marines (by webbing them) to kill them. It would also allow a an extremely rare marine comeback without having to weld through who-knows-how-many-pub-webs. It's a very high-quality thought.
The first ability might be nice for really large maps, but most maps only take the aliens perhaps 15 seconds to get somewhere. Having an egg would add complexity where simplicity might be better. Not to mention having a gorge and 2 worm things outside of anything might be a bit unbalanced.
The second ability is cool.
The third ability could very possibly be abused and isn't really that powerful or useful.
<b>I propose a 20 res creature that is sorta like a bigger skulk. It would run just as fast as a skulk and give the same amount of damage, but it would have more hp and armor. It would act as a skill-oriented hit-and-run tank-like creature that would allow the weaker skulks to more easily prey on weak marine groups. It's first ability would be to bite. 2nd ability would be to cocoon <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />. 3rd would be to lay eggs (lol). The fourth ability would be to telepathically disorient and almost blind a single marine in its LOS. =D.</b>
<img src="http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/7291/wormalienqv7.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
By <a href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/skatermatt" target="_blank">skatermatt</a> at 2007-09-30
We have fades that propel themselves by teleporting and have sickles for hands, hostile space cows even, but a flying worm is too weird for you?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, a good one indeed. Now; since you seem to either blantantly ignore what people say, or try to belay their comments without any decent arguments, I'll make an a bit more elaborate post.
As for one your response on my post; Look at all the aliens currently in NS1; they're most likely to be used again, perhaps slightly modified. Now, placed the the NS universe, they make sense, they use that universe it's physics (not unlike reality) and style. Now, all of the sudden, you want to implement a worm-like flying creature that apparently has the ability to float.. Yes, you elaborated on the way it should move, but the nozzle is at it's back, how is it supposed to stay in the air against gravity? Secondly; if it lays eggs, where do those come from? It's hollow. You'll probably start with things like "how about gorges, instantly dropping buildings and shizzle zomg!", but that's already explained if you read all the game's "lore".
Now, that part became a bit bigger than anticipated; so I'll leave it there, I've made my point. It's a good thing that you're trying to think of something new and refreshing, but do think about how it would fit into the game first. You've probably done that, but you just missed some things. Beside that, another very important thing to think about is "what would other players want?". I can tell that you really like your own idea, which isn't strange since you thought it up, but perhaps you should add to the equasion that not everyone likes what you do. So; keep the ideas flowing, but leave room for others opinions.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->and adding a class just because it's cool is not a good idea<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You added no evidence, or support for your rebuttals of my thoughts... you used "word on the street" (wheres the link?) and "I disagree" (why?) and danced around adding explanations for other rebuttals such as "that's a whole another topic".
I stated my opinions, some facts (aliens movement so far, offensive spots taken) and even sympathised with your cause (it'd be nice to see some change... change is good)... perhaps you could of been so kind to offer a constructive post to build on top of your original one, opened your eyes to see how bad it was and came up with solutions, changes and then offered them.
I didn't mention it in my first post because I thought the game play issues would of been enough to put the point across, but Angelusz said it very well: The alien doesnt fit at all into the kind of evolution that has taken place at this life-form size in the kharaa's lore... all the aliens seem to have 4 legs (or evolved bipedally on them, even the lerk has 4 legs... 2 evolved into wings) they are muscular, have sharp appendages, live in a earth-like gravity environment, breath oxygen and are suited to fighting against human-esque foes.
A bionic jet engine (which works perfectly well under the sea where the viscosity of the water can actually propel a octopus/squid/jelly) is not really feasible in the world of karaa...
You may have been offended by people not liking your idea straight away, and may be young or not used to an environment which offers constructive criticism (or in some cases not so constructive <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />) but I very much enjoy constructive feedback and debate about anything I post... I have no delusions that I know everything, and the more perspectives that contribute to any of my ideas, the stronger and better they become. But I am used to constructive criticism because of my circumstances... I know I was a little frightened of it when I first encountered <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> my advice: Embrace it, don't get offended but instead bounce your ideas around some more... take the knowledge of other people and their opinions to strengthen your own <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
Not really. Its like you're competing for this "Alpha Male" title I guess, you're also terrible at it.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->As for one your response on my post; Look at all the aliens currently in NS1; they're most likely to be used again, perhaps slightly modified. Now, placed the the NS universe, they make sense, they use that universe it's physics (not unlike reality) and style. Now, all of the sudden, you want to implement a worm-like flying creature that apparently has the ability to float.. Yes, you elaborated on the way it should move, but the nozzle is at it's back, how is it supposed to stay in the air against gravity? Secondly; if it lays eggs, where do those come from? It's hollow. You'll probably start with things like "how about gorges, instantly dropping buildings and shizzle zomg!", but that's already explained if you read all the game's "lore".<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Float? I'm sorry, I'm a terrible teacher, I can't get ideas that build on previous knowledge through to people. Its like this, the worm propels itself by sucking in gas through the front and accelerating it out of the back, since its light and has a thin, tubular structure, it creates lift by making the air around it move faster than the air inside of it. To get the acceleration, it uses the gas it globs up from the front as reaction mass. I'm not going to explain the principles of thermodynamics to you any further.
How can it build eggs? Perhaps by magic. Or maybe it simply secretes bacterium from the inner lining of its center which slowly transforms into an egg-like structure. Pop! There goes that egg, must be magic.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Now, that part became a bit bigger than anticipated; so I'll leave it there, I've made my point. It's a good thing that you're trying to think of something new and refreshing, but do think about how it would fit into the game first. You've probably done that, but you just missed some things.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No I haven't, I've thought of everything based on the knowledge I've had from NS1 and from the few and far between things that Charlie & Max mentioned.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Beside that, another very important thing to think about is "what would other players want?".<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To experience as much action as possible.
OH NO WAIT, I FORGOT, ITS ATMOSPHERE. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I can tell that you really like your own idea, which isn't strange since you thought it up, but perhaps you should add to the equasion that not everyone likes what you do. So; keep the ideas flowing, but leave room for others opinions.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You can critique it as much as you want, expect ruthlessness to follow though.
Replace the third power with the ability to morph to look like a marine, but at a high energy/res cost, and no attack as the marine, can be spotted as a alien up close.
Dont start things with people (no im not sideing with anyone) Just end your little dispute on a playground and stop flameing against eachother on the ideas and suggestions forum, here let me just put you in a room togeather so u can just kill eachother.
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/asrifle.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::asrifle::" border="0" alt="asrifle.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/pudgy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::gorge::" border="0" alt="pudgy.gif" />
<!--quoteo(post=1653357:date=Oct 1 2007, 05:46 PM:name=yoda)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(yoda @ Oct 1 2007, 05:46 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1653357"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Flying penis, that is all.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
WTF is your problem yoda? We all had that thought but you dont need to drag this topic further into the mud with your Post.
Now sereously, Let people be creative, just because someone has a stupid thought u dont need to go OMFG IT SUCKZORZ!!!! Leave this topic alone if you are just here for flame it or act big. Who cares what people think of you because i dont really care about you, these posting wars really make you all look like idiots who dont have lives (im sorry dev's im just sick of these two <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" /> ).
Personally with all flameing aside i dont think the idea will be implemented either BUT good try, i like the idea.
So yeah guys, its like kinda a lerk and hive but like that has nothing, and cant do anything. ITS SOOO GONNA ROCK.
/ sarcasm
I really dislike this idea, no offense man, but the thought of a flyying.... woooorrmmm in NS2 :X it makes me sick inside
on the topic of the flying alien. its not a bad concept, but it might not fit the fluff of the aliens in NS. <!--QuoteBegin-killkrazy+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(killkrazy)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The alien doesnt fit at all into the kind of evolution that has taken place at this life-form size in the kharaa's lore... all the aliens seem to have 4 legs (or evolved bipedally on them, even the lerk has 4 legs... 2 evolved into wings) they are muscular, have sharp appendages, live in a earth-like gravity environment, breath oxygen and are suited to fighting against human-esque foes.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
this sums pretty much up my opinion on the subject.
However please understand this isn't an attack on the initial idea I just thought it was on everyones mind after reading and thought it wud be funny to post, just a little off topic. The idea of an addition to the aliens life form selection is un-necessary in my opinion - so far from the about page of NS2 I have seen mostly alien enhancements with very little change to the marine side of play, apart from the flamethrower, perhaps another class of marine like a mechanoid or something that can build faster and isn't susceptible to lerk gas but highly susceptible to bile?
/ sarcasm<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Now you're catching on.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I really dislike this idea, no offense man, but the thought of a flyying.... woooorrmmm in NS2 :X it makes me sick inside<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Why?
Mutalisk?
The actual thought of such a life form flying around the map waving about and stuff just does not at all fit.
Uhh thats not why.