MAC/Drifter Pathing
KuBaN
Join Date: 2002-11-16 Member: 8979Members, Constellation
Join Date: 2002-11-16 Member: 8979Members, Constellation
Currently, in Tram, a Drifters can go from Alien Start, walk to the Elevator Tech point and build a Hive via the vents, and is never on contested territory long enough to be stopped. The ability of MACs and Drifters to use vents seems a bit problematic (colloquially, OP) in this regard.
Perhaps AI/Comm controlled entities should be barred from using vents. Or, if this is too restrictive, prevent any commander-directed move order from utilizing vent paths, only permit them to enter vents if escorted-by/following a player-controlled unit.
Another alternative is to limit movement for each builder unit when they travel outside of their respective territories (power grid, infestation). For example, Drifters can only Fly on Infestation, and must otherwise crawl at a decreased speed, while MACs would lose their ability to hover and be forced to roll around in unpowered areas.
Perhaps AI/Comm controlled entities should be barred from using vents. Or, if this is too restrictive, prevent any commander-directed move order from utilizing vent paths, only permit them to enter vents if escorted-by/following a player-controlled unit.
Another alternative is to limit movement for each builder unit when they travel outside of their respective territories (power grid, infestation). For example, Drifters can only Fly on Infestation, and must otherwise crawl at a decreased speed, while MACs would lose their ability to hover and be forced to roll around in unpowered areas.
Comments
1. Drifters/MACs going above the map because you accidentally right-clicked on invisible geometry
2. Drifters/MACs taking zig-zag or indirect routes when a straight line path would be the optimal
3. Drifters/MACs passing through walls/general no-clipping through map geometry
In effect, Drifters/MACs take excessively long zig-zag routes when a straight line route would be best and straight line routes (through walls) when zig-zag routes would be the most logical.
Yeah but it also makes player/comm cooperation less necessary, which I figured was a more core aspect of the game than dancing in vents.
@Scardy: 1 and 3 are due to the technical implementation/bugs, not necessary design principle. I would argue the same with 2. I prefer to leave bug reporting to GetSatisfaction, so that the I&S forum can be more of an I&S forum.