I Need A Meth Pack!
RSMemphis
Join Date: 2003-08-19 Member: 19953Members
Join Date: 2003-08-19 Member: 19953Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Or: what a newb thinks after a month</div> I've been playing NS for about a month now, and I really love the game.
Here's some of my "feedback" - I'd be interested to see other people's comments. It's a bit convoluted, sorry about that.
First two weeks - I was cannon fodder. Then, I started to improve, and on average managed a 50:50 kill ratio (me vs them). I noticed one thing, though. In some marine games, my playing sucks, and it is usually when marines do badly in general, in others, I do remarkably well. I find that often, down to my own style of playing, a lot depends on the comm and on teammates.
Here's something I find particularly odd. In almost every game, I am one of those who build armories, observatories, and prototype labs (the last two are often ignored by other people in the base). Yet, only in one out of four games do I (and others) ever get anything other than LMGs. If you are not planning on giving out HA, HMGs, do not build a prototype lab. Give people shotguns instead and upgrade their armor.
On the topic of LMG. One marine = dead marine. Two marines holding a position = two dead marines. Maybe not if they are really good, but in general, yes. Aliens are fast (a lerk running BACKwards has the same speed as a light marine) and close in. Once they are closed in, it's hard to get away. If there is no room, circle-strafe-jumping may not help enough, especially with two skulks around. Those, marines cannot spread out as comfortably as aliens can. I have personally run into two marines as a skulk myself, and can usually take one down before getting killed. Either myself or someone else can usually clean up by the time the now lonesome rine gets reinforced.
The brings me to the next point. Consider an 8x8 or 10x10 match. In both cases, 4-5 people can usually go gorge and drop RTs. RT-count 2-5 at this point usually. The starting res for marines is a tad low for bigger games, I find. Yes, marines are often stronger in large games, but initially expansion is often limited. I know that giving rines more resources would be bad, but what about dropping an IP next to the command chair for free, maybe one IP for every 3 players? Aliens get their IP for free, after all. Having to invest into two IPs and an armory, you can't just equip players with better weaponry AND cap RTs.
I seriously think that by the time more than half of the aliens can go lerk or better, marines should be able to get something better than an LMG.
I know the reasons are many for this. Comming is hard, and on pub servers, often there are only newb or semi-newb comms. I just don't understand why we build upgrades and pay for research, and then few people get better weapons (usually grenade spammers for the last defense battle). Since a lot of games are played on pub servers, it isn't enough to say "on clan servers, it works much better". I am sure it does, but I personally am definitely not good enough for a clan (yet or still or ever), and do not have the time either.
I think NS is balanced (except that I think 1 IP for 3/4 players should be for free) but I would really like to be on the winning side with marines more often - even on a pub server. (and on a European one, to boot <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> )
Here's some of my "feedback" - I'd be interested to see other people's comments. It's a bit convoluted, sorry about that.
First two weeks - I was cannon fodder. Then, I started to improve, and on average managed a 50:50 kill ratio (me vs them). I noticed one thing, though. In some marine games, my playing sucks, and it is usually when marines do badly in general, in others, I do remarkably well. I find that often, down to my own style of playing, a lot depends on the comm and on teammates.
Here's something I find particularly odd. In almost every game, I am one of those who build armories, observatories, and prototype labs (the last two are often ignored by other people in the base). Yet, only in one out of four games do I (and others) ever get anything other than LMGs. If you are not planning on giving out HA, HMGs, do not build a prototype lab. Give people shotguns instead and upgrade their armor.
On the topic of LMG. One marine = dead marine. Two marines holding a position = two dead marines. Maybe not if they are really good, but in general, yes. Aliens are fast (a lerk running BACKwards has the same speed as a light marine) and close in. Once they are closed in, it's hard to get away. If there is no room, circle-strafe-jumping may not help enough, especially with two skulks around. Those, marines cannot spread out as comfortably as aliens can. I have personally run into two marines as a skulk myself, and can usually take one down before getting killed. Either myself or someone else can usually clean up by the time the now lonesome rine gets reinforced.
The brings me to the next point. Consider an 8x8 or 10x10 match. In both cases, 4-5 people can usually go gorge and drop RTs. RT-count 2-5 at this point usually. The starting res for marines is a tad low for bigger games, I find. Yes, marines are often stronger in large games, but initially expansion is often limited. I know that giving rines more resources would be bad, but what about dropping an IP next to the command chair for free, maybe one IP for every 3 players? Aliens get their IP for free, after all. Having to invest into two IPs and an armory, you can't just equip players with better weaponry AND cap RTs.
I seriously think that by the time more than half of the aliens can go lerk or better, marines should be able to get something better than an LMG.
I know the reasons are many for this. Comming is hard, and on pub servers, often there are only newb or semi-newb comms. I just don't understand why we build upgrades and pay for research, and then few people get better weapons (usually grenade spammers for the last defense battle). Since a lot of games are played on pub servers, it isn't enough to say "on clan servers, it works much better". I am sure it does, but I personally am definitely not good enough for a clan (yet or still or ever), and do not have the time either.
I think NS is balanced (except that I think 1 IP for 3/4 players should be for free) but I would really like to be on the winning side with marines more often - even on a pub server. (and on a European one, to boot <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> )
Comments
And it's fun. I recomend it.
Actually, I have a question about it - as that cannot be duplicated w/o players: I know that comms can "jump" to a position where someone wanted a med pack or ammo. How do you do that?
If my post came as a critique to comms, it was not meant to be. I just found it odd that we rarely get any decent weapons.
I really like what you had to say about your experiences. You were very honest and straightforward, not like all the reactionary people saying OMG TIHS SUX MARNIES CNA'T WIN TEH ONOS IS OVERPOWAR TEH SHIRTGUN IS OVERPOWAR yada yada yada. I agree that it gets boring and the marines tend to lose when the com never gives out weapons. When I do com, which is rare, I admit to being guilty of this myself... I put all my res into upgrading and expanding, and forget that a little shotgun can sometimes go a long way. Of course, it really sucks to be a com and give someone HA/HMG/Welder for 45 res total (I think 40 now, since I think hmg is 15 now) and to see them run off rambo style into an onos mouth.
I also agree that something is messed up with starting res. I think it's OK that the first IP costs res, since the marines always start with the same amount of res (100), so they can decide how to best spend it. Maybe you're right, though -- maybe they should get 120 to compensate for that first IP. the aliens, on the other hand... say there's 3 people on the team at the start of the game. Each gets 25, so that's 75 free res compared to marine 100. Say there's 8 people on the team at start. That's TWO HUNDRED free res -- double the humans. there needs to be some sort of system to either divide the res evenly, or only give 25 free res to the first 4 aliens, or 4 random aliens... unless there is and I never noticed it.
I think I'll pose a question about that on the general board...
Actually, I have a question about it - as that cannot be duplicated w/o players: I know that comms can "jump" to a position where someone wanted a med pack or ammo. How do you do that? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
occassionally the comm woman voice will soothingly say "Press your jump key to go to the alert." so whenever soemthign finishes upgrading, goes under attack, asks for orders or medpacks, they become the next "alert position"
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I know that comms can "jump" to a position where someone wanted a med pack or ammo. How do you do that?
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
When a marine asks for a medpack or some ammo, via popup menu, a small icon automatically flashes on the Commander's HUD.
"All" he has to do then (he may be busy monitoring another squad) is to click on this icon, and the view of the map will "jump" to the place where this particular marine is.
Thanks for the feedback, it was very interesting to know about your feelings on hte game, particularly since they were well written <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
As a com, I try to drop better guns as soon as possible, to the entire team.
But I usually do so only after I got some upgrades for weaps and armors (at least 2-2) and enough res to drop HAs for two "trains" of Heavies (assuming the whole squad may meet an instant death, which never happens).
So if someone dies, he'll get an HA+HMG at respawn and then get back to where the squad is all geared up.
If for an emergency, I would drop the guns depending on the situation (skulk rush=shotties, onos=HMGs+shotties, Lerk+onos=HMGs+GL etc...).
When playing as a marine, I don't really care for wich weapon I carry, I try to do the best job I can with what I've been given.
I may request a particular weapon, depending the situation thoo (Onos rush at base=mines, structures half dead=welder etc).
Usually I get them. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
I think too that NS is pretty balanced, and the lack of good commanders issue should be resolved with time.<!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
I may request a particular weapon, depending the situation thoo (Onos rush at base=mines, structures half dead=welder etc).
Usually I get them. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Smartest thing I've ever read in these forums. =P
Usually I get them. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin--DiscoZombie+ Sep 15 2003, 12:07 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DiscoZombie @ Sep 15 2003, 12:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->
Smartest thing I've ever read in these forums. =P<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
What? How do you just 'get' weapons? Sheesh. Anyway, note that this does not mean that you should go beggin for arms. You should consider any weapons upgrade a luxury, and try and do your best with your trusty LMG.
As for Zombie, go check out the Off-topic section at the bottom of the main forums page. Life, the universe, politics, and equally advanced topics. Great fun.
We were hopelessly losing against Aliens, but the comm nested our base nicely in a hive location, and sent out HA squads from time to time. The game lasted really long (an hour minimum until I unfortunately lost ADSL) and I was on one or two of those squads myself.
I killed more than I died, and that was a good feeling.
I also definitely noticed that I, as a marine, like to take a lot of risks, so I actually prefer not to get HA. I do make up for the resources spent on me usually, though. I often rather get a shotty or, best, an HMG (only 15 res now) and I will make at least 5-8 res for the team, and destroy more res on the Alien side (after all, a killed gorge is at least 10 res wasted on the alien side).
When it plays out like that, I *LOVE* playing rines, and I usually prefer playing them, unless teams are skewed towards them, in which I join aliens. But the feeling of a good effort, even when not winning, is very gratifying.
To all the sweat'n'tears, uber-comms out there. I really appreciate what you are doing for the game, and the sacrifice you make when joining a pub team.
There's no harming in asking as soon as the game starts. Otherwise some other nub may take the oportunity. If you announce that you have an element of comming skill he may be persuaded to let you go isntead.
Waiting gets you killed. Take the initiative. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Mind you, if you then proceed to spam ips and tfs and no armoury, don't be surprised if you are ejected. Element of comming experience or not.
Ya know, I've only been comm 3 times. Maybe itz bcuz Im too newbish? I mean, I build an IP in the wrong place, n they get all **** off. So: *right click* *Eject Commander* *Click*
BTW,you might want to familiarize yourself with the commander menu a lot,together with the hotkeys,so that you can quickly medspam and drop turrets quickly <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> (yes it's a good thing)
Just try on a lone LAN server,and after that play with a few bots (I recommend a mix of RCBot for Marines and Whichbot for Aliens) , finally try on a public server,just remember to ASK before you comm at all times until you think you are an average comm
EDIT : Identity hidden
<!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Stop telling me wat to do. And I ain't that N00bish. Don't forget who can kick your @$$ in CS, DoD, HL and Op4.
That was (almost certainly,) and indescriminate 'you', ie 'you plural.' Replace it with 'you guys' and it makes more sense.
He was not insulting you. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->