Upgrade Or Ha?

XCan

When I'm comm I always tend to upgrade everything to at least lvl 2 before researching HA/HMG, any of you who do it the other way, and why? I tend to research first because it doesn't cost anythign if the marine die later on.

ElvenThief

Upgrade.
If you have marine who know what they're doing, you won't need to spend $$ on HA / HMG troops.
If they don't know how to stay alive or kill with level 3 weps or armor, then good luck trying to keep them alive with expensive stuff.
On general principle, I never buy HA's or HMG's. At least not until I really storm the last hive, just so I have a surefire way to win.
The issue is, as marines, once you hit 2 hive aliens, your upgrades determine your outcome. You'll often be walled up in a base and your resource flow will suck. Not a good time to go handing out goodies.
On the other hand, welders and a grenade launcher or 2 is often necessary.
I've commanded about a bajillion games now, and you'll probably hear a good thing or 2 about me from the guys at the Nano Gridlock server.

The best game I've ever commanded was fully upgraded marines against 2 hive aliens fighting over the last hive. The only turret at spawn was a siege turret so no gorge would get too close. I had a few turrets at the hive, but the powerforce was my marines. The aliens eventually got that 3rd hive, but we were STILL in the game. You never see that happen when marines don't tech up. Regardless, that wonderful game ended when aliens spammed OCs and DCs and the server crashed.

Error404

Well once you upgrade armor, you know that when you do buy HA, you're getting better value HA! At least it won't get lost so easily.

Narfwak

Upgrade, but I go observatory first so it's a moot point.

NaturalRaptor

I do both...

And I only hand out HA to people I know are good, newbies or people who created binded sentences that end with "Plz" can go die. <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo-->

Sirus

Definitely upgrade.

captmorgan

HA is IMO worthless until you get at least 2 armor upgrades. Not that 200 armor isnt enough to have time for the poorest shooting marines to take out a skulk. In most cases, HA is used for 2 purposes..

1) a fast upgrade you pass out to 2 guys to help fight off fades until you can seige hive #2..

2) something you use to "rub it in" when you have both hives secure, and want to maul them instead of just win..

Under those 2 instances I gave, you would either have time for +2 armor, or have had need to invest in that level of upgrade earlier anyway..

As commander, you choose where the investments go, and getting +2 armor before HA I personally feel is making your HA a wise investment of resources..

Akuma

Upgrades

Another post said it best

HA just makes one guy a tank while EVERYONE having upgrades gives you a fighting force!

a team of lv 3 weapns and armor vs fades = fades die if they know to chase em.

lv 3 pistols and lmgs make fades go "I'm going to d chamber now."