Replacing Redemption

HauntedHaunted Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14178Members
Well, I don't know anyone who, if experienced in ns, that takes redemption anymore as its too unreliable. But if redemption is restored to 2.0 levels, we can see how it makes onos very powerful.

Maybe it needs to be replaced, just like pheremones. I suggest a skill that would help onos be the base wrecker the alien team needs. I call it Fortify. Basically, it ups the amount of damage armor can absorb making the Onos much tougher. But unlike caraspace, it isn't working all the time. An onos must press the "use" key (or something else) inorder to work. It would last for 5 seconds, enough for a hit and run. It would also be useful when an onos is running away, low on health, that they could turn it on, and possibly escape.

This ability takes 3/4 of the adren meter, and the meter will not recharge until the effect wears off. Also, when fortify is on, the alien cannot be healed, whether heal sprayed, standing next to a d chamber, or a hive. This would ensure that if marines are persistant in attacking the ones while fortified, it can be defeated. Of course, umbra would still work, so team work is needed inorder for Fortify to really work.

Should redemption be replaced? With what? I wold like to hear better ideas or just expand on mine.
«1

Comments

  • SariselSarisel .::' ( O ) ';:-. .-.:;' ( O ) '::. Join Date: 2003-07-30 Member: 18557Members, Constellation
    Redemption isn't what it used to be, yes, but it shouldn't be replaced with your idea.

    First of all, the use key makes you come to a complete standstill. Making it alternate fire won't work. So a toggleable evolution will be very difficult to incorporate. Then there's the whole deal with the absorbing of damage by the armor. Basically, the ability will be useless in the sense that you're still losing total HP at the same rate with the ability than without. When the onos dies, the armor is usually gone before the health is anyway. Finally, there's already something that works just like your idea - it is called umbra.
  • freebirdpatfreebirdpat Join Date: 2004-04-10 Member: 27826Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Redemption works fine for me... Don't know what your problem with it is...

    Use it for the onos with stomp... come against a group of marines and try stomping everyone but the LMGer wait for redemp to kick in...
  • EvenFlowEvenFlow Join Date: 2002-12-18 Member: 11046Members
    edited June 2004
    Agreed that redemption is not what it used to be, but I'd like to see other chambers beefed before adding to the use of the current D->M->S order.
  • SconkelSconkel Join Date: 2004-05-12 Member: 28622Members
    nah, doesn't sound good.
    I don't use redemption but I hink your suggestion is not better.
    Redemption is quite usefull in games where marines are leading and aliens only got 1 or 2 onos. Then without redemption they will get killed and the game is over.
    .. just an example (I saw this in some games. )
  • WirheWirhe Join Date: 2003-06-22 Member: 17610Members
    I don't like the idea of having to 'use' an upgrade -thus far all of them are always working, not toggled on/off.
  • CommunistWithAGunCommunistWithAGun Local Propaganda Guy Join Date: 2003-04-30 Member: 15953Members
    My idea would be to make redeption work 100% of the time but the catch is you can't redeem without holding still for 5-7 seconds.
  • RueRue Join Date: 2002-10-21 Member: 1564Members
    I have tried to use redemption a few time in 3.0 and I dont think I have ever redeemed, even vs lmgers <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • gophergopher Join Date: 2003-08-01 Member: 18657Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-CommunistWithAGun+Jun 4 2004, 01:37 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CommunistWithAGun @ Jun 4 2004, 01:37 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> My idea would be to make redeption work 100% of the time but the catch is you can't redeem without holding still for 5-7 seconds. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    bye bye onos :>
  • SewlekSewlek The programmer previously known as Schimmel Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16247Members, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Gold, Subnautica Developer
    <!--QuoteBegin-CommunistWithAGun+Jun 4 2004, 07:37 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CommunistWithAGun @ Jun 4 2004, 07:37 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> My idea would be to make redeption work 100% of the time but the catch is you can't redeem without holding still for 5-7 seconds. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    good idea, but it would only be useful for fades, skulks or lerks then, who could escape and wait in a dark corner for redemption.
  • ZekZek Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 7962Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Redemption is the only remaining upgrade in the game that's truly terrible. It seems like such a poorly thought out placeholder, like the Babbler of upgrades. When it works reliably(like when the invuln was first put in), it's no fun at all for marines. When it's not reliable it's useless for aliens. There's no way we can balance it properly the way it works now. It should really be replaced, though I can't say I like the idea of Fortify.
  • XyrcaiXyrcai Join Date: 2004-05-25 Member: 28898Members
    Combat - I get Redemption every game. I always go Lerk/Skulk, and it helps a lot.

    Classic - I get Redemption as Gorge. Yes, Gorge. My gorge has too many smacktards who like to knife rush him swhile their comm drops a few meds. And I get redeemed before they can almost always.
  • BobTheJanitorBobTheJanitor Join Date: 2003-12-10 Member: 24228Members, NS1 Playtester
    Random thought: Replace redemption with an ability that, instead of pulling you back to the hive when you're hurt, pulls you back to the hive when the HIVE is getting hurt. Set to trigger when the hive passes a certain point. (Say 75%?) You could have your hive guard fade take this ability and then he could still be out in the field, but as soon as a hive gets hit, he's pulled back. It would be a nice counter for those ninja-PG-shotgun "Our hive is under attack" ... "Our hive is dying." *hive death scream* all in 5 seconds situations.

    Not exactly in the same vein as the other DC abilities, but it's arguably quite fitting for the idea of a 'defensive' upgrade.
  • HauntedHaunted Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14178Members
    That's a pretty good idea BobtheJanitor, I hate though if I was very low on health, and I warped back to be greeted by Mr. HMG. Maybe when you warped, you would be fully healed?
  • CommunistWithAGunCommunistWithAGun Local Propaganda Guy Join Date: 2003-04-30 Member: 15953Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-gopher+Jun 4 2004, 08:01 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (gopher @ Jun 4 2004, 08:01 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-CommunistWithAGun+Jun 4 2004, 01:37 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CommunistWithAGun @ Jun 4 2004, 01:37 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> My idea would be to make redeption work 100% of the time but the catch is you can't redeem without holding still for 5-7 seconds. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    bye bye onos :> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Who the heck wouild onos and get redemption,
  • SariselSarisel .::&#39; ( O ) &#39;;:-. .-.:;&#39; ( O ) &#39;::. Join Date: 2003-07-30 Member: 18557Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-CommunistWithAGun+Jun 5 2004, 11:33 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CommunistWithAGun @ Jun 5 2004, 11:33 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-gopher+Jun 4 2004, 08:01 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (gopher @ Jun 4 2004, 08:01 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-CommunistWithAGun+Jun 4 2004, 01:37 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CommunistWithAGun @ Jun 4 2004, 01:37 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> My idea would be to make redeption work 100% of the time but the catch is you can't redeem without holding still for 5-7 seconds. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    bye bye onos :> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Who the heck wouild onos and get redemption, <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Who would get redemption at all?
  • NGENGE Join Date: 2003-11-10 Member: 22443Members
    edited June 2004
    redempt scilence cloak onos ftw <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • FreemantleFreemantle Join Date: 2002-06-16 Member: 783Members
    edited June 2004
    Just on OG tossing in his 2 RP. (Wow, I am an OG, I don't even recognize most of you, and my sig linkage is all gone...)

    Redemption has always been lousy, since initial release it was bad. I've only had one game where it was useful, and that was when I res hoarded to fade/redemption.

    My idea:

    Remember versions of NS past, where aliens spawned in umbra to prevent spawn camping?

    What if we made Umbra a defensive upgrade? Alien gets shot, it emits an umbra cloud. Then, you can change the Lerk to be Bite->Spores->Spike->Scream. Biters and Spammers (I mean <i>spikers</i>) wouldn't complain about the state of the Lerk, and we'd have 9 fully functional upgrades! Umbra is uber sux right now anyway (compared to previous versions) so it isn't *too* powerful, but it may get out of hand in combat games (so making it cost 2 like focus might be a good idea).


    <b>EDIT: Nevermind! I still have my sigs! Pistol Fan Club 4 Life!</b>
  • SewlekSewlek The programmer previously known as Schimmel Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16247Members, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Gold, Subnautica Developer
    I dont want to start a new topic about this and I thought it would fit best right over here:

    <b><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Change Redemption</span></b>

    <u>What is redemption supposed to be?</u>
    It activates a natural reflex of an alien to move back into the hive. (poor short description)

    <u>Which advantages will you have?</u>
    You wont die if you are "stupid" enough to run into a crowd of marines.

    <u>Which disadvanteges will you have?</u>
    You are big times weaker than with regeneration or with carapace.

    <u>What does redemption at the moment?</u>
    Nothing. It lets you waste 2 Res + the costs of the lifeform you have chosen.

    There are 2 things that should be changed. The <u>first one</u> is to increase the possibilty that redemption is successful to 80% - 90%.

    The <u>second one</u> is to set redemption starts working when you are down at 60% - 75% of you health. At the moment we are at 50% as far as I know.

    <u>What will this changes do?</u>
    It will allow redemption to work as described above.
    Here are some examples:
    <u>You shoot about 20 HMG bullets into one Onos -> he redeems.</u>
    <u>You shoot 4 or less LMG bullets into one skulk -> he redeems.</u>
    This would make aliens that uses redemtion to 70% more defensive!

    The redemption we have seen during the veteran playtests for version 3.0 was too powerful, because aliens always redeemed + had enough time to demolish enough and marines had not enough ammo and not enough time to reload!!! But with the above listed changes they are forced to redeem and have to chance to be ofensive anymore. -> redemption gets useful if 1 hive onoses get trapped, gorges walking behind frontlines to build RTs, scouting abushing skulks, offensive lerks, weak fades.
  • RyoOhkiRyoOhki Join Date: 2003-01-26 Member: 12789Members
    This might sound bizzare, but what if redemption worked the other way? What if it teleported marines back to their start location when they damaged the alien.

    The storyline reason could be that this particular upgrade emits bacterium that interfers with the marine's observation equipment, triggering a temporary partial distress beacon.

    This suggestion is right up there with my other one about giving aliens res towers devour, but what the heck, we're here to discuss redemption.

    Ages back i did suggest a replacement for redemption, <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=44640' target='_blank'>reincarnation</a>
    I think that it's a more serious suggestion.
  • Amped1Amped1 Join Date: 2003-02-08 Member: 13287Members
    Fortify - Best bet would make it toggle when you stand still, and totally negate a certain % of damage.

    Umbra Upgrade - Same thing as carapace basically.

    Marine Teleport - What if the marines relocated?

    Reincarnation - Best idea yet IMO.

    Suggestion to add to the list :

    Poison - Just touching a marine infects him, and he will take damage over time.
  • wallerwaller Join Date: 2004-04-28 Member: 28281Members
    Reincarnataion (spelling) sounds like a w1nnar to me <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • RecoupRecoup Join Date: 2004-04-25 Member: 28195Members
    Well, wheather or not redemption only has a 50% reliability feeling to it, I still get it, wheather Onos, and sometimes Fade, if the resources are tight. And you know what? I saved probably 250 res as a Fade just because redemption chalked me back to base whenever I needed it. Even as a gorge, it still worked, because early games can be a pain in the **** if you just spent 25 res on gorge and then the res tower, and then you get attacked by a marine. It just works for me. The only thing is you cant take an extreme amount of damage all at the same time, lest redemption becomes too powerful meaning an Onos could keep coming back again and again and again without dying.
  • ZekZek Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 7962Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited June 2004
    If you're taking damage slow enough for redemption to work reliably as a Fade then you probably should have been able to escape anyway. For me at least, the only times Redemption really could have helped(situations too dangerous to risk with Regen and Cara), it just gets me killed anyway because it doesn't work for crap.
  • PalinPalin Join Date: 2003-03-24 Member: 14848Members
    A modified reincarnation sounds best to me.

    Respawn at hive after dying, but maintain previously evolved state (ie. Onos remains an onos after dying) and all upgrades are stripped. This saves many the res of having to re-evolve to a higher lifeform. This offers an indirect staying power for higher life forms (and even gorges) as they will never have to re-evolve as long as they keep picking this upgrade.
  • RecoupRecoup Join Date: 2004-04-25 Member: 28195Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Zek+Jun 28 2004, 02:41 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zek @ Jun 28 2004, 02:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> If you're taking damage slow enough for redemption to work reliably as a Fade then you probably should have been able to escape anyway. For me at least, the only times Redemption really could have helped(situations too dangerous to risk with Regen and Cara), it just gets me killed anyway because it doesn't work for crap. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You are not the all-knowing NS player who knows what goes on in my games. I use redemption when I know I am going up against packs of marines, who while dont do extreme damage, can deal it out over time, and I like that 75 res I spent on Onos. After being blasted away at with 5 LMG's, the damage goes down just enough where it detects I need to get back to the hive and it sends me back. 75 res saved, instead of trying to run away. If you run, there is always that chance marines will follow you. If you redem, they have to work their way to the hive.

    Next time I point something out do NOT say "Well you probably were..." because no, you DONT know what I was doing or what was probably being done during that game.
  • ThorStrykerThorStryker Join Date: 2003-01-08 Member: 12025Members
    Redem does work in CO. Although I only use it on servers that have the extra levels plugin. Redem/Regen/Cara Onos will almost always come back to the hive, but thats co only &_&
    If redem was to stay at its current use, I could see it emiting Umbra or spumbra if the player reaches 60% health, if redem works at 50%. You may be losing health, but when your near death, you fight to survive! Keel dem porkrines!
  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    edited June 2004
    Quote from the <a href='http://www.natural-selection.org/manual_version_2/Natural_Selection_Manual_Framed.html' target='_blank'>NEW manual</a> pertaining to 3.0
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->REDEMPTION :: For every second spent near death (below 40% health), there is a 35% per level chance of teleporting back to a hive.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    This means at lv3 it IS 100% chance, and 40% health is very resonable. The problem is the "for every second", the reason you die is because you go from > 40% to 0 in under a second. The only thing redemption needs is for the time between checks to be sped up, perhaps every .75 or .5 seconds.
  • RecoupRecoup Join Date: 2004-04-25 Member: 28195Members
    Redemption is a gamble, kids. That is why it is there. You take a chance when you run into a group of marines, so now you take a chance with coming back to the hive or just dying. I say, its only 2 res. Dont worry about it. It was meant to work or not work. For me, it works.
  • SkyrageSkyrage Join Date: 2003-08-27 Member: 20249Members
    Redemption is fine...sometimes it saves my butt in classic NS, and sometimes it doesn't, but the times it does kick in, it's ALWAYS worth it.
  • WirheWirhe Join Date: 2003-06-22 Member: 17610Members
    Always worth it? When compared to what? Regen or cara? Neither of those are "maybe and maybe -if it's a good day." They save your butt without buts. For me, redemption never works anymore, as I used it mainly for those kamikaze-onos/fade attacks. In every other aspect regen and cara are a better choise for any life-form.
Sign In or Register to comment.