Health spam - Alien comm

Racer1 · August 2009

Is the alien comm going to be able to drop health (or whatever you want to call it) for aliens?
If not, the alien comm's support role will be significantly limited (when compared to the marine comm) -- unless there is alternative support action.

Or perhaps I'm assuming to much. Is the marine comm going to be able to health spam in NS2?

Bacillus · August 2009

I doubt it's going to be medspam due to the alien mobility and asymmetry. I doubt marines will have it either though. I could see some kind of Area of Effect heals happening, but NS1 styled medspam isn't most likely going to be in alien comm's disposal.

Tekoppen · August 2009

No one can know for sure unless we get confirmation from UWE.

Who knows, maybe the Gorge is on the Marine's side and Fade can teleport across the map.
We can't start to assume anything yet.

Believe nothing untill the UWE says it is so.

RobB · August 2009

I expect that the ACom can only command the glowies / sprites around the map, and changes certain parameters of the alien classes.
I have yet to see how strong the values can be influenced as I strictly refuse to play slowskulks!

PseudoKnight · August 2009

Well, since movement chamber area effect is probably not going to be in NS2, the alien comm could have an ability that mimics that -- regenerating energy faster.

Bacillus · August 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RobB @ Aug 24 2009, 06:38 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1724787"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>I expect that the ACom can only command the glowies / sprites around the map, and changes certain parameters of the alien classes.
I have yet to see how strong the values can be influenced as I strictly refuse to play slowskulks!</div>
I don't know about that. As long as they are aiming for competetive audiences too, the commander needs to have high skill cap. Glowie control and parameter modifications might not be enough for that.

locallyunscene · August 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bacillus @ Aug 24 2009, 04:04 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1724793"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't know about that. As long as they are aiming for competitive audiences too, the commander needs to have high skill cap. Glowie control and parameter modifications might not be enough for that.</div>
Yes, but is health spam really the way to go for that? Comms have long complained about "babysitting duties". I am inclined to believe weldbot/glowie micro and macro will elevate the game beyond the need for a twitch skill move like medspam.

Edit: by "like medspam" I don't mean to remove commander twitch from the game, just that it's better spent elsewhere.

Crispix · August 2009

I'm pretty sure Hives will still heal Aliens. And it's confirmed Gorges can heal and can also drop Defence chambers. I don't think an Alien Commander "Med Spam" ability will be required. Rather I think the Alien Commander's duty is to cause havoc for the marines. We still havn't heard much about what the Alien traps will be (see the game information), and there was discussion waaaaay back then about a teleportation structure that can go on walls and such that the Aliens can use, similar to the movment chamber, but you need a connecting exit, so similar to phase gates. I don't know if this structure will still be used in NS2.

vsync · August 2009

Medspam teh onos = win, thus, I don't think it is going to be available for the alien comm.

Tekoppen · August 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Crispix @ Aug 24 2009, 09:30 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1724797"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm pretty sure Hives will still heal Aliens. And it's confirmed Gorges can heal and can also drop Defence chambers. I don't think an Alien Commander "Med Spam" ability will be required. Rather I think the Alien Commander's duty is to cause havoc for the marines. We still havn't heard much about what the Alien traps will be (see the game information), and there was discussion waaaaay back then about a teleportation structure that can go on walls and such that the Aliens can use, similar to the movment chamber, but you need a connecting exit, so similar to phase gates. I don't know if this structure will still be used in NS2.</div>

Really, and all this time I have thought the Aliens were digging tunnels not that it was a teleport.

Thanks for the information.

SentrySteve · August 2009

We still know almost nothing about dynamic infestation. We know that tunnels can be created linking one DI area to another, and it sounded like these tunnels are not in predetermined spots, so tunnel creation may fall under the alien commander's role.

resresres · August 2009

Again, seems y'all have forgotten that there is a different health system this time round.

Bacillus · August 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (locallyunscene @ Aug 24 2009, 08:20 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1724796"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>Yes, but is health spam really the way to go for that? Comms have long complained about "babysitting duties". I am inclined to believe weldbot/glowie micro and macro will elevate the game beyond the need for a twitch skill move like medspam.

Edit: by "like medspam" I don't mean to remove commander twitch from the game, just that it's better spent elsewhere.</div>
I was just referring to the word "only" in the quoted post. I'm fine without medspam, but I feel the commanding needs something unless the glowie control and trait modfications manage to create insane amounts of depth by themselves. Medspam indeed needs to be changed or removed for NS2.

Tha · August 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RobB @ Aug 25 2009, 04:38 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1724787"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>I expect that the ACom can only command the glowies / sprites around the map, and changes certain parameters of the alien classes.
I have yet to see how strong the values can be influenced as I strictly refuse to play slowskulks!</div>

well then your gonna have to avoid aliens.. i personally like slower skulks both ways. the new strength will give a new meaning to an ability to rush a marine whos holding a position.

MuYeah · August 2009

"Slow" skulks refers to not having any massive speed upgrade like celerity, the base speed will be similar to what skulks are now, I believe. More health allows the skulks to take a few bullets beforehand and still be able to attack without dying in milliseconds, unlike now where you generally have to be very close to full health to be effective.

On the subject of alien comm healthspam, doesn't it seem pretty likely that the gorge is providing the alien teams medic abilities with heal spray? I guess if something similar to DC with a heal effect could be built that would fall under the alien comm's jurisdiction.

Sumo-Soldier · August 2009

i really have no clue wat the alien comm is going to be doing...but im guessing its going to be a lot more boring than the marine comm. i dont see the alien dropping meds wen we have gorges and DCs.

tjosan · August 2009

To me it seems more in line with the alien side to have more of a "free form" commander. As in you get voted in as a commander, or take on the role at the start of the game but you keep your normal player role as well, going into a "commander menu" or something similar to change things or determine what tech paths to take etc.

locallyunscene · August 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (resresres @ Aug 25 2009, 12:40 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1724840"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>Again, seems y'all have forgotten that there is a different health system this time round.</div>
"Different health system"? What are you referring to?

NeoSniper · August 2009

I doubt alien comm will take care of direct healing (or medspam). Alien comm's role is supposed to be quite different from Marine comm.

Anyway gameplaywise it makes no sense to give aliens a medspam ability. Are there are many reasons for that.

-Klaus- · August 2009

I can be arsed to trawl through all the podcasts, vidcasts and twitter posts but I definitely remember them saying something about a different health system. Something more visual and less like hit points, it works quite well with this game because bites take many hit points and a certain number of bites equals a kill (yes I know spore etc all take away smaller amounts). For example they could use a N64 Super Mario health bar, not actually numerical but still informative, also see perfect dark & GTA. I think this would increase the realism of the game and at the sametime become more intuitive.

I personally hated dying from spore, it was boring and often there was nothing you could do other than wait for a medpack. We've not seen the new Lerk yet so spore may have been dropped (but I doubt it) maybe the new spore could reduce your health to a one bite kill level. Levelling the advantage to aliens but not making the game completely boring for marines.

locallyunscene · August 2009

Oh, you mean the "no visual health points" indicator. That doesn't prevent there from being medpacks, it's just a visual thing. As long as you can take more than one hit, medpacks will be pretty much unchanged.

*starts thinking about a preemptive shield-pack*

SentrySteve · August 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tjosan @ Aug 25 2009, 09:34 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1724909"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>To me it seems more in line with the alien side to have more of a "free form" commander. As in you get voted in as a commander, or take on the role at the start of the game but you keep your normal player role as well, going into a "commander menu" or something similar to change things or determine what tech paths to take etc.</div>

I didn't have this impression, since they showed what the hive looks like if there is or is not a commander in it. It made the hives sound like a CC.

FocusedWolf · August 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sumo-Soldier @ Aug 25 2009, 08:31 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1724907"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>i really have no clue wat the alien comm is going to be doing...but im guessing its going to be a lot more boring than the marine comm. i dont see the alien dropping meds wen we have gorges and DCs.</div>

You make it sound like dropping meds is exciting work.

My guess is the alien com will do the same thing that the multiple-marine commanders will be doing (and are we 100% certain their won't be multiple alien commanders?)... So ya the alien com will be in charge of the overall battle of the aliens. Perhaps MC will be removed, and the alien commander will be in charge of directing the infestation to areas of priority, which in turn will work like a series of MCs... (and ya the gorge can belly slide all along the infestation... freekin pig that it is lol).

Perhaps,... the alien commanders will be incharge of possible-perk-options when infestating a room... like making a SC infestation lol.

Here's the best idea ever... once the gorge starts sliding, a marine can hop on and rid em all the way to the hive :P

tjosan · August 2009

Sentry Steve: What, where? :/ I'm disappointed.

locallyunscene · August 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tjosan @ Aug 26 2009, 09:07 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1725066"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>Sentry Steve: What, where? :/ I'm disappointed.</div>

From <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/news/2008/1unknown_worlds_videocast_2_hivecast" target="_blank">The Hivecast</a>.

Health spam - Alien comm

Comments