Misconceptions Concerning Focus

Anonymous_CowardAnonymous_Coward Join Date: 2003-08-15 Member: 19768Members
It seems that everybody has their own version and they don't coincide. I've heard 30%damboost/60%slowdown, 30%damboost/30%slowdown, 100%damboost/0%slowdown, 100%damboost/100%slowdown, 100%damboost/30%slowdown, and 100%damnboot/60%slowdown.

SO WHICH IS IT? I don't care if it 'may' or 'may not' change soon or whatever. All I want to know is exactly what it's at right NOW. Would anybody be so kind as to clear up this little bit, please?

Thank you.
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Comments

  • DuFfY1DuFfY1 Join Date: 2003-06-06 Member: 17051Members
    edited November 2003
    I believe it depends on level of focus obtained by the alien.

    The percentage represents both the <i>damage done</i> and the amount of <i>time between successive attacks</i>.

    Level 1: +30% (maybe +33%...)
    Level 2: +60% (maybe +66%...)
    Level 3: +100%

    Note: In the current build (2.1o) focus only applies to the first slot weapons. The gorge's weapons have been rearranged (Slot1: Healing Spray, Slot2: Spit) to benefit from this.
  • DragonMechDragonMech Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21023Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    I'm not sure about the speed redution, but I believe that it cuts your RoF in half. I DO know, from a post by Talesin (Forum Mod), that the damage increases are:

    Lvl 1: 33.33333333%
    Lvl 2: 66.66666666%
    Lvl 3: 100% (or double damage)
  • uranium_235uranium_235 Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9478Banned
    Why would an upgrade have a downside? It doesn't need to be balanced with a speed penalty, it's an UPGRADE. You don't see marines getting slower with level 3 weapons and armor.
  • ShockehShockeh If a packet drops on the web and nobody&#39;s near to see it... Join Date: 2002-11-19 Member: 9336NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
    To make it not become "Here, have level 3 weapons for one chamber!"?

    It might just be a <i>little too good</i> without a drawback. Same way cloaking's drawback is it only works when slow moving.
  • AngeluszAngelusz Harmonic entropist Join Date: 2003-07-10 Member: 18072Members, Forum Moderators, Constellation, NS2 Playtester
    guys, since all this is still in the beta testing, i suggest we leave it be until
    it's final. It might not even make it!
  • DragonMechDragonMech Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21023Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin--Archon+Nov 6 2003, 02:59 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Archon @ Nov 6 2003, 02:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> guys, since all this is still in the beta testing, i suggest we leave it be until
    it's final. It might not even make it! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    True, true... but I agree with Uranium - 236 that there should be little drawback, if any. I (personally) feel that the RoF reduction should cut your speed by 25%, not 50%.

    Also, if it doesn't make it, there is a good thread <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=50535' target='_blank'>here</a> that deserves consideration (IMO).
  • FieariFieari Join Date: 2002-10-22 Member: 1566Members, Constellation
    Currently, focus is too well loved for it to be cut out. While the ROF is decreased as much as damage is increased, all this does is encourage aliens to bite when they're going to HIT, and not just holding down the button. As a skulk holding down the button, it's very rare that even every other bite will score on an enemy... so focus really does help in practice. Right now, I've seen it most commonly as the 2nd chamber built... in combat, of course, it's either 1st or 2nd by most skulkers (same with cloak).
  • Quantum_DuckQuantum_Duck Join Date: 2003-10-21 Member: 21851Members, Constellation
    I almost always go with cloak followed by focus as my first 2 upgrades in combat mode. I don't know the exact math involved, I just know that I can kill marines much more effectively in an ambush, and that's what counts.
  • HAMBoneHAMBone Probably the best Commander Join Date: 2003-04-02 Member: 15139Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    Theres not really any downside to focus at all. One focus bite does double the damage, and has double the ROF. A decent illustration might be

    Normal skulk:
    Bite1: Bite - 75 damage
    Bite2: Bite - 75 damage

    Focus skulk:
    Bite1: Bite - 150 damage
    Bite2: Wait

    Since it is much easier to get one bite off than it is to get 2, focus is actually a really great skill. Its function is exactly what it sounds like. You must <b>focus</b> your energy into one powerful bite instead of 2 regular bites.
  • lochnesslochness Join Date: 2002-12-13 Member: 10753Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--THE_DuFfY+Nov 6 2003, 02:18 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (THE_DuFfY @ Nov 6 2003, 02:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Note: In the current build (2.1o) focus only applies to the first slot weapons. The gorge's weapons have been rearranged (Slot1: Healing Spray, Slot2: Spit) to benefit from this. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    umm, healing spray has weapon 1 means that you can still heal with no hives. what happens then when you get a 8 gorge gang all with regen, heal spraying each other, after the last hive goes down? could be a funny last stand to watch.
  • ForlornForlorn Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2634Banned
    I still think it would be a great upgrade if focus would just increase the level of your attack by 10%, 20%, and then 30% with each level of effectiveness.

    Wouldn't be too great for skulks tbh, but it would absoultly rock for the bigger lifeforms. And a gorge would have a hard time on picking an upgrade.... "Cloak for defense? Scent of fear for defense? Focus to heal for more? Hmmm..."

    But if flay wants focus to act like the aliens shotgun, he can go right ahead, it's a different approch to solve the same problem, that's for sure. My only question is that focus right now sounds like it's the best upgrade just about every class to get from the sensory chamber. I dunno tho, I've yet to play 2.1, but from first impressions this is what it seems.
  • DrunkenSailorDrunkenSailor Join Date: 2003-07-01 Member: 17826Members, Constellation
    Everyone who's worried about the RoF doesn't need to be. Yes, it's a drawback. But even with RoF reduction, focus is sexy, sexy stuff, especially for skulks and fades. I promise.

    It would be a marine nightmare without it.
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    There is a downside to focus. The lack in ROF. And if you've not played 2.1, i suggest you don't comment on it, it's got a much bigger impact ingame than you think. While you may be thinking that the decrease in ROF isn't a big thing, it really is. The bite now requires the precision of a shotgun, since if you miss a bite you're likely to die before you get another one in. If you try and get a bite in and the marine dodges, it can be a death sentence, especially if you're up against a competant marine. If you miss twice, you're screwed.

    I reckon that focus is here to stay (I can't say for certain since it's only beta), pheremones was a mediocre upgrade and, let's be honest, how many people actually used it? Makes the SC extremely viable for a first chamber now, and with the added cloaking effect in the SC radius, cloaked aliens are now more powerful than ever. It's just like the marines, do you upgrade armour first or weapons first.
  • sloesloe Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18968Members
    edited November 2003
    <!--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-->Note: In the current build (2.1o) focus only applies to the first slot weapons. The gorge's weapons have been rearranged (Slot1: Healing Spray, Slot2: Spit) to benefit from this. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    spit, now becoming another nearly useless piece of content in ns. if they throw spit to slot 2 so it doesn't benefit from focus, at least give it a boost (if it hasn't been). something like a minor slowdown to marines when they get hit by it (there already is some sort of bug/funky effect where spit acts as a collision surface and might "stun" marines for a few milliseconds, especially if they are jumping).
  • CatpokerCatpoker Join Date: 2002-06-25 Member: 816Members
    how about give the gorge lerks spikes in place of spit <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • AltalAltal Join Date: 2003-06-27 Member: 17740Members
    I agree that spit is a little useless, since almost every gorge ive ever seen, including myself, just uses healspray as an offensive and defensive.....spits not really used that much.
  • ForlornForlorn Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2634Banned
    <!--QuoteBegin--Altal+Nov 6 2003, 09:30 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Altal @ Nov 6 2003, 09:30 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I agree that spit is a little useless, since almost every gorge ive ever seen, including myself, just uses healspray as an offensive and defensive.....spits not really used that much. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    For fighting a marine as a gorge spit is 2x as good for killing the rine before he kills you. Healspray is weak. Spit is strong.
  • AjurianAjurian Join Date: 2003-10-18 Member: 21753Members
    So if heal spray is getting the focus, does it heal more as well?
  • sloesloe Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18968Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Forlorn+Nov 6 2003, 08:38 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Forlorn @ Nov 6 2003, 08:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Altal+Nov 6 2003, 09:30 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Altal @ Nov 6 2003, 09:30 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I agree that spit is a little useless, since almost every gorge ive ever seen, including myself, just uses healspray as an offensive and defensive.....spits not really used that much. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    For fighting a marine as a gorge spit is 2x as good for killing the rine before he kills you. Healspray is weak. Spit is strong. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    don't forget the rediculous cone of fire for heal spray. i was just speccing a scrim and some guy healspray killed a marine that wasn't on his screen. you don't have to aim it really...
  • DragonMechDragonMech Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21023Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin--Ajurian+Nov 6 2003, 08:20 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ajurian @ Nov 6 2003, 08:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> So if heal spray is getting the focus, does it heal more as well? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    As it stands now, only weapon slot 1 is affected by focus.
  • Seph_KimaraSeph_Kimara Join Date: 2003-08-10 Member: 19359Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Dragon_Mech+Nov 6 2003, 10:12 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dragon_Mech @ Nov 6 2003, 10:12 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Ajurian+Nov 6 2003, 08:20 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ajurian @ Nov 6 2003, 08:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> So if heal spray is getting the focus, does it heal more as well? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    As it stands now, only weapon slot 1 is affected by focus. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    <!--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-->Note: In the current build (2.1o) focus only applies to the first slot weapons. The gorge's weapons have been rearranged (Slot1: Healing Spray, Slot2: Spit) to benefit from this.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
  • DragonMechDragonMech Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21023Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited November 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--Seph Kimara+Nov 6 2003, 09:25 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Seph Kimara @ Nov 6 2003, 09:25 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Dragon_Mech+Nov 6 2003, 10:12 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dragon_Mech @ Nov 6 2003, 10:12 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Ajurian+Nov 6 2003, 08:20 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ajurian @ Nov 6 2003, 08:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> So if heal spray is getting the focus, does it heal more as well? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    As it stands now, only weapon slot 1 is affected by focus. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    <!--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-->Note: In the current build (2.1o) focus only applies to the first slot weapons. The gorge's weapons have been rearranged (Slot1: Healing Spray, Slot2: Spit) to benefit from this.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Sorry about that. Thanks for the heads-up. Guess <i>I</i> had the misconception, huh? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • A_Damn_FoolA_Damn_Fool Join Date: 2003-08-09 Member: 19283Members
    We dont need a stronger spit. Gorges are not suppose to fight a marine thats pretty much it sure they have uses and such but one on one they arnt suppose to be able to go toe to toe (and by god they can right now!) They are construction and support and if they are caught out on there own well its pretty much a given they are dead.
  • MavericMaveric Join Date: 2002-08-07 Member: 1101Members
    Just to say, each upgrade has a downside:
    Carapace - Can't heal unless you have a DC/Hive/Gorge there
    Redeem - You often wont last long enough to do much damage. (Middle ground)
    Regen - Get chopped up quickly by nastier marine weapons

    Celerity - Marines can easilly tell you're comming
    Adrenaline - All you get is more energy. You can't choose Silence/Celerity. (Middle ground)
    Silence - You're still visible on MT

    Cloaking - You de-cloak when you move fast and/or attack
    SoF - All you get is a alien's version of MT. You can't choose cloaking/focus. (Middle ground)
    Focus - Only works on hive 1 weapons which is completly fair... focus xenocide... *shiver* and then the cool-down time. But all 3 chambers (100% bonus, which is more like multiplying the damage of the attack by 2) are needed for a attack that does double damage to closely negate that cool-down time.


    and then you have the 30 res cost for level 3 upgrades and then the 2 res cost for each time you want those upgrades when you respawn.
  • Quantum_DuckQuantum_Duck Join Date: 2003-10-21 Member: 21851Members, Constellation
    Yes, heal spray was moved to slot one specifically so that it would be effected by focus rather than spit. So with the focus upgrade, you heal spray about half as often, but everything in the field of effect is healed(or hurt) much more. I guess they didn't want focus with ranged attacks. It also means that 0 hive gorges can heal but not spit rather than the other way around. I'm still getting used to hitting 1 when I want to heal instead of 2. It's very odd for someone who played gorge a lot.
  • uranium_235uranium_235 Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9478Banned
    If it's doing double the damage but half the RoF...


    what's the point? If you think about it, it's not much of an upgrade at all.

    In the same time frame, a skulk without focus will do the exact same damage as a skulk without. A gorge without focus will heal just as much as a gorge without.
  • SmikiesSmikies Join Date: 2003-07-27 Member: 18470Members
    if it does 100% more, then u get the one hit kill, which can save ur life, while without u can get one bite, but cant get the second and die.
    but is it still 1 hit kills on lvl 1 armor???
  • uranium_235uranium_235 Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9478Banned
    edited November 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--Smikies+Nov 7 2003, 12:35 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Smikies @ Nov 7 2003, 12:35 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> if it does 100% more, then u get the one hit kill, which can save ur life, while without u can get one bite, but cant get the second and die.
    but is it still 1 hit kills on lvl 1 armor??? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You're assuming that your first attack even hits. And marines still jump like frickin' springs, no? Sounds like a crappy upgrade to me.

    On level 1 armor, yes. On level 2 I think it still takes two.


    The only POSSBILE advantage focus could have is if it only drained as much stamina as one regular attack.

    <b>in which case, i'd rather take adreneline</b>
  • DuFfY1DuFfY1 Join Date: 2003-06-06 Member: 17051Members
    edited November 2003
    Focus is an extremely effective upgrade if you are a player who places their bites carefully, rather than just holding down the button.

    In fact, it was toned down to only Slot 1 because of some of the benefits it gave the higher weapons were WAY too strong (such as Xenocide). At this point, the only weapons that Focus did NOT affect was Umbra and Blink.
  • uranium_235uranium_235 Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9478Banned
    Man, leap could've... you know... been USEFUL as an attack! And imagine metabolise actually HEALING ME!
This discussion has been closed.