<!--quoteo(post=1938201:date=May 22 2012, 12:19 PM:name=ellnic)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ellnic @ May 22 2012, 12:19 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1938201"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I just think we should wait till everything is out there (Like tech and structurs) then the devs can work on balance properly. if it was balanced now, the next build would probebly break the balance<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
UWE has previously mentioned that they will tinker with gameplay balance each build. This makes sense because the early and mid game are going to be mostly unaffected by the addition of tier3 tech, so it's important to balance tier1 & tier2 now.
I concur that matches go too quick.. everyone rushes around trying to destroy as many RTs as possible. You really don't see much base expansion by either team because it's typically a waste of res for marines, and aliens can get their augmentation for ALL lifeforms by just surviving the marines.
I'd like to see gameplay timers in play that structure the phases of a round. For instance, break down each round into the following phases:
Early Game (0-10 minutes) - Skulks, Lerks, Gorges | Tier1 Marine Tech (shotguns, arm1 weap1) Mid Game (11-20 minutes) - Fades | Tier2 Marine Tech (advanced armory, arm2 weap2) Late Game (21+ minutes) - Oni | Tier3 Marine Tech (proto lab with JPs and Exos, arm3, weap3)
Assume that each team is able to consistently hold 3 res towers, which is somewhat realistic, then balance the tech/evolutions of each team to fit with this model. Right now we have onos coming out at around the 8 minute mark, which I would say should be the "Early Game". This is what creates the frantic pace to each game -- marines know that if they cannot prevent the alien teams from obtaining PRes, they will be doomed once the onos comes out. I'm fine with the current power of the onos. It is the highest lifeform, and it should dramatically switch the balance of power over to the alien side. This issue is that with the current res structure, onos are coming out WAY too soon. Everyone saves their PRes because they know they can go onos within the first 8 minutes of a game. Those saving PRes for onos should be severely handicapped by having to go skulk for most of the round against higher marine tech.
Comments
UWE has previously mentioned that they will tinker with gameplay balance each build. This makes sense because the early and mid game are going to be mostly unaffected by the addition of tier3 tech, so it's important to balance tier1 & tier2 now.
I concur that matches go too quick.. everyone rushes around trying to destroy as many RTs as possible. You really don't see much base expansion by either team because it's typically a waste of res for marines, and aliens can get their augmentation for ALL lifeforms by just surviving the marines.
I'd like to see gameplay timers in play that structure the phases of a round. For instance, break down each round into the following phases:
Early Game (0-10 minutes) - Skulks, Lerks, Gorges | Tier1 Marine Tech (shotguns, arm1 weap1)
Mid Game (11-20 minutes) - Fades | Tier2 Marine Tech (advanced armory, arm2 weap2)
Late Game (21+ minutes) - Oni | Tier3 Marine Tech (proto lab with JPs and Exos, arm3, weap3)
Assume that each team is able to consistently hold 3 res towers, which is somewhat realistic, then balance the tech/evolutions of each team to fit with this model. Right now we have onos coming out at around the 8 minute mark, which I would say should be the "Early Game". This is what creates the frantic pace to each game -- marines know that if they cannot prevent the alien teams from obtaining PRes, they will be doomed once the onos comes out. I'm fine with the current power of the onos. It is the highest lifeform, and it should dramatically switch the balance of power over to the alien side. This issue is that with the current res structure, onos are coming out WAY too soon. Everyone saves their PRes because they know they can go onos within the first 8 minutes of a game. Those saving PRes for onos should be severely handicapped by having to go skulk for most of the round against higher marine tech.