Static D seems very weak
Squidget
Join Date: 2003-06-13 Member: 17334Members
Join Date: 2003-06-13 Member: 17334Members
It seems to me that static D (sentries, whips, hydras) isn't very good in the current build. My thoughts are:
0) Not talking about crags. Crags are obviously awesome.
1) The carbon-based defenses (sentry, whip) are not optimal. Carbon is very scarce and a comm will probably get more value from almost any other use of carbon. Team upgrades, weapon unlocks, RTs, IPs, and of course Hives and CCs all seem like a better deal. So static D gets optimized out, delayed until you have a carbon surplus.
2) Hydras are cheap and weak. Aliens always seem to have excess plasma, so hydras should be viable if placed in numbers. Unfortunately, due to hydra lag, spamming them isn't an option.
3) For the cost, all static D falls too easily and too QUICKLY to even the basic units. I'm OK with static D in the role of speedbump. But for 10 or 20 carbon, a 30 sec lifespan vs. a pistol/skulk seems too short.
4) I understand the urge to buy a little defense against low-level harassment. For example: placing a sentry overlooking your IP, or protecting a remote RT from a ninja. However, it may be better to just spend that 10/20 carbon elsewhere and have a player on defense.
Due to all of the above, I mostly see static D as filler in the mid-to-late game when carbon starts to accumulate. As the end-game units are patched in, even that role will diminish.
I'm curious what other people think. Do you use static D in a planned way, or just when you have spare carbon? Under what circumstances do you find it effective? Is there any upgrade or building you'd delay in order to buy static D?
0) Not talking about crags. Crags are obviously awesome.
1) The carbon-based defenses (sentry, whip) are not optimal. Carbon is very scarce and a comm will probably get more value from almost any other use of carbon. Team upgrades, weapon unlocks, RTs, IPs, and of course Hives and CCs all seem like a better deal. So static D gets optimized out, delayed until you have a carbon surplus.
2) Hydras are cheap and weak. Aliens always seem to have excess plasma, so hydras should be viable if placed in numbers. Unfortunately, due to hydra lag, spamming them isn't an option.
3) For the cost, all static D falls too easily and too QUICKLY to even the basic units. I'm OK with static D in the role of speedbump. But for 10 or 20 carbon, a 30 sec lifespan vs. a pistol/skulk seems too short.
4) I understand the urge to buy a little defense against low-level harassment. For example: placing a sentry overlooking your IP, or protecting a remote RT from a ninja. However, it may be better to just spend that 10/20 carbon elsewhere and have a player on defense.
Due to all of the above, I mostly see static D as filler in the mid-to-late game when carbon starts to accumulate. As the end-game units are patched in, even that role will diminish.
I'm curious what other people think. Do you use static D in a planned way, or just when you have spare carbon? Under what circumstances do you find it effective? Is there any upgrade or building you'd delay in order to buy static D?
Comments
As alien commander, I rarely build whips at all. I just build 1 in a semi-useful spot to get that all-important melee #1 upgrade (2-bite skulk kills) and running leap.
will continue to be used in some capacity to defend bases both alien and marines...but not used too heavily.
But more importantly will become the forward base model.
when you simply want to take a hallway .... before you push into the res node or tech node room.
then they can recycle or die.
currently for the marines this usually means building an armory.
I believe this is because turrets have become less bang for the buck.
and i have seen some games where the alien commander built a crag whip combo as a mini forward base.
But this is all what I HOPE and THINK.
I would like some balancing though. As much as I think sentry is maybe a little overpriced for its poor hp and killing power, the cost is necessary to avoid spam - on the other hand I think hydras should be more expensive, at least compared to the ton of spare plasma we earn at the moment.
Whips are fine, bombard would be nice. Crags are totally OP :D While commanders have only a short time to repair or get backup to a sentry, two crags outheal anything that isnt an all out marine assault in a wide area of effect. The crag even heals through walls, which is imba - especially when hidden in vents marines cant get to.
You can get a sunny effect using the flamer on static D
Or change all the models to fruity drink...
This.
Weak static defenses are fine if they are priced appropriately. Currently, sentries, and to a lesser degree crags/whips, cost way more carbon then they are worth. I think the best solution is to drop their costs significantly (somewhere between 2-5 carbon), but cap the total number per side or per tech node room. That way, they are more cost effective, but you can't spam them.
Nope, and that includes me. The game is primarily about the combatants, not comm tower defense.
But they shouldn't be weak either. They should be cost-effective and fulfill some kind of strategic role, or they should be removed.
Put another way: games shouldn't have any "I'm a newbie" buttons. IMO, whips are pretty much newbie buttons, and sentries aren't too far off.
oh i like this idea alot...