An interesting hypothetical question

lazygamer

<div class="IPBDescription">For ns playtesters</div>Suppose you had an NS game. Now the marines where all n00bs, they know the interface(ie:RTFM!), they've played a few games and such. But as far as veteran marines go they really don't measure up(but at least their not the stupid n00bs).

The aliens are all played by highly experinced alien DM dudes. Not only do they try to work as a team somewhat, but they REALLY know how to give marines a hard time(and their smart and know the maps well etc.).

Now the commander, he is a super experinced commander. He is the god of tactics and brains, he could be considered the Thresh(remember that l33t FPS d00d?) of NS commanders. He's in charge(not the real Thresh, just the NS equivalent of course) of this sorry groups of marine wannabes. Luckily these n00bs are willing to FOLLOW F**KING ORDERS(FFO, new NS acronym k?).

Who will win? Will the aliens own the n00bs? Will the supra smart commander teach these DM dudes a thing or two with his n00bs? 50/50 chance?

coil

My guess is the aliens would win.  Simply, they know the map, they know the strengths and weaknesses of each species, and they know the best tactics to use.  The marine players will still be getting a feel for their weapons, won't know what to expect from the aliens, won't know the map, and won't know where to look for danger (vents, ceilings, dark corners, etc).  A good commander is something, but his soldiers still have to be capable enough to carry out his orders.

ChromeAngel

It might take awhile but I think overwhelming numbers of experienced aliens whould beat a single experienced commander and his 'fang fodder' in the long run.  The marines might win 1 in 3 games this way.

If the alien players aren't familier with the alien weapons/abilities this becomes a more even propersition and I would give both sides a 50/50 chance.

Of course game balance is being workwed on so this could change.

FFO?  I'll be using it...

Silver_Fox

heh, personaly, I think if you have a really experienced commander that knows what need to be done and when, the Marines could pull it off.

Because if the Marines acted like a team and did what the commander told them to do, its not too far off from just playing a RTS game.  IE: Players act like mindless computer robots and do what thier told.

Givin that situation, I'd put my money on the Marines.  However, it could just take one guy not to follow orders and he could ruin the whole thing.

But, alas, Im not a playtester.  So, perhaps my comment is unwarranted.

Sono

Would give this a 50/50 if the marine noobs at least know, that they should follow orders, but cause the human mind (especially the male one) is based on competition and the thought of doing everything better than some1 else it might easily turn into an easy game for the aliens.

Spyder_Monkey

I'm not going to give out anything official here, but it would be my opinion that a team of experienced players versus a team of new guys and one experienced guy leading the team will yield the victory to the more experienced TEAM. If our valiant marine hero was the commander, his experience could only lend so much help to a new team, and would ultimately not be enough for a victory if the aliens are well-versed in the gameplay of NS and working to achieve a victory.

CubicVirtuoso

I can't really answer this question that easily because i haven't played the game that well.

On one hand you have the aliens that can really chew you to bits if you get close to them (which will probably happen) also it depends on the amount they have per one wave.

On the other hand you have the marines who may be able to stop the advancing alien army before hand.

Now I personally think that the aliens will have a greater chance because it really takes time for a commander to get the players to understand what he is talking about. If the aliens are all experienced they will understand instanly

ITS ALL ABOUT SPEED!

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Unknown

If a marine team consisting of an experienced Commander and noob marines can beat a full team of experienced aliens, I think that would indicate a severe problem.

Either the marines require much too little player skill (else the team of noobs would have more of an impact on the game outcome -- not just the commander), or the alien classes were severely underpowered, and would get totally devestated by a full team of veteran marines plus a veteran commander.

Let's hope this doesn't happen.  <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->

Hida_Tsuzua

I do like FFO and will plan to use it.

As for the choices, I'll say that wouldn't be a slaughterfest but the aliens will win if they play the chips right.  However they'll have to earn that prize.

Though this talk of commander skills does remind me to go reread <i>The Art of War</i>.