Can marines win the game early too easily?
lazygamer
Join Date: 2002-01-28 Member: 126Members
Join Date: 2002-01-28 Member: 126Members
In NS would doing a Starcraft style "early game rush" work well? A rush is where you don't plan for the long haul, but the short haul and kill off your opponent early.
The marines would probably have the advantage at first. They have REALLY good guns even without tech upgrades. Aliens have nothing special at the begining. In fact marines can even build auto turrets, what's to prevent marines winning the game early?
The marines would probably have the advantage at first. They have REALLY good guns even without tech upgrades. Aliens have nothing special at the begining. In fact marines can even build auto turrets, what's to prevent marines winning the game early?
Comments
a) find the hive (in one of 3 locations)
b) destroy it *and* all the aliens
c) do this without letting the aliens destroy their command center.
Accomplishing A&B isn't too hard, perhaps... but doing it without sacrificing the CC is MUCH harder. And keep in mind, a Bob is still nearly a match for a marine, and if the bob has the element of surprise, he'll win more often than not. Every alien killed respawns till the hive is destroyed, but marines only respawn as long as there is a functional (and manned) command center - and the aliens KNOW where the command center is.
The only way it could be done, I think, is if the marines sacrificed the command center. They'd have to do it without any reinforcements, and you'd need a really coordinated team effort (but probably wouldn't have a commander, since you can't protect him and will need the firepower). Basically, it's not really feasible.
Like coil said- one BOB is a match for one marine. with normal attack.
So think that the marines would rush towards the hive. Maybe they kill all the aliens one time, then they also attack the hive. now an alien respawns. Now that one BOB just has to get close to the group of marines and blow itself up. So the marine rush easily can be stopped.
And this is based upon that all aliens are killed before attacking the hive. In game I think it would be like that a BOB drops out of a vent or so after the marines attack the hive.
And as for the Level Ones blowing themselves up, I am not sure, but I think this requires 3 active hives.
Hehe I like those metaphors. I mean maybe bob could produce acid in his tummy, or have a gut reaction and become a walking gas powered bomb that gets lit.
And how long does it take for marines to spawn? Is there a respawn delay for either side? Does it cost resources to respawn?
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and the aftermath of the explosion could leave a gas cloud a la the flyer's spore cloud.
I think these are currently being tweaked... all I know is that I've asked this question and been unable to get a straight answer. (:
As for blowing up - yeah, it requires 3 hives.
The way marine respawning is being dealt with takes care of this problem rather nicely. If the marines go rush the hives without building anything at the beginning... It's very unlikely that they'll succeed.
Ok, for anyone who still isn't clear on the issue, here's how it works:
-Marines initially spawn.
-One marine takes the commander position.
-Usually the first thing the commander places is something called an "Infantry Portal".
Without this, a dead marine player will not be able to respawn. Or be "called in as reinforcements". If your team doesn't have an Infantry Portal and you die... you aren't coming back until they get one.
So then you might be thinking... "Ok, well someone could just grab the commander cap, plop one down real quick, and run off to ambush the hive. Heh... not a good idea. Infantry Portals can be destroyed just like any other building, and if you don't spend the time to set up a defensive base protecting this stuff... turrets and the likes... well, ouch. Aliens will trash it in no time.
Without delving into details too much, you can't just place some turrets quicklike either. It is almost essential to set up a full base with a bunch of buildings before setting out. Works perfectly, allowing the aliens time to set up and all.
I am hoping that both sides can rush the other side in some circumstances, but that it's not seen in most games. Hopefully, this strategy will be used like it does in balanced strategy games. Both sides know the conditions under which a rush can work (opponent isn't scouting, or makes bad decisions) and both sides are looking for this opportunity, and will use it when they can.
It's not exactly straightforward to adapt to a FPS environment, but that's the idea, in theory.
I think it is soo perfect how it works out right now. I do see where you are coming from hoping that it will become a rare used "strategy" though. Just not something that always happens.
<!--EDIT|ken20banks|May 13 2002,14:56-->
after release if it seams that the aliens are to strong or the marines are to weak a update should be able to fix that.
weapon/team strengt is very easy adjusted
-dio
that way the aliens can't advance to a hive closer to the enemy base