Beta Thread On Alien Midgame
matso
Master of Patches Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7000Members, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Squad Five Silver, Squad Five Gold, Reinforced - Shadow, NS2 Community Developer
Master of Patches Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7000Members, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Squad Five Silver, Squad Five Gold, Reinforced - Shadow, NS2 Community Developer
<div class="IPBDescription">... aliens get 3 hives fast</div>
There is a thread in beta information, Skulk Testing, discussing why aliens get three hives so quickly.
As to why is pretty simple: in 1.04, you usually hade one gorge and the hefty cost of dropping a hive meant that it usually took a fairly long time before you got 80 res again, especially considering all the defenses and upgrade chambers you needed to build.
In 1.1, it's usually a skulk with 45 res that builds a hive. By the time one skulk has 45 res, odds are another skulk is also pretty close to 45 res and can choose to drop the third hive. A hefty investment, but with fast hive build times, you are looking at 3x hives pretty fast.
I'd suggest making the hives cost different amounts - say, dropping the first hive (ie, if you are down to zero hives) would cost 15, the second hive 30 (as now) and the 3rd hive 45. That way the aliens stay a minute or two longer at 2 hives.
Also, I'd suggest making the shotgun (only) be available for pickup after a marine dies. That would encourage its use in larger groups, or for base defense.
There is a thread in beta information, Skulk Testing, discussing why aliens get three hives so quickly.
As to why is pretty simple: in 1.04, you usually hade one gorge and the hefty cost of dropping a hive meant that it usually took a fairly long time before you got 80 res again, especially considering all the defenses and upgrade chambers you needed to build.
In 1.1, it's usually a skulk with 45 res that builds a hive. By the time one skulk has 45 res, odds are another skulk is also pretty close to 45 res and can choose to drop the third hive. A hefty investment, but with fast hive build times, you are looking at 3x hives pretty fast.
I'd suggest making the hives cost different amounts - say, dropping the first hive (ie, if you are down to zero hives) would cost 15, the second hive 30 (as now) and the 3rd hive 45. That way the aliens stay a minute or two longer at 2 hives.
Also, I'd suggest making the shotgun (only) be available for pickup after a marine dies. That would encourage its use in larger groups, or for base defense.
Comments
but it sounds good