The Art Of Dropping
Chocolate
The Team Mascot Join Date: 2006-10-31 Member: 58123Members
The Team Mascot Join Date: 2006-10-31 Member: 58123Members
<div class="IPBDescription">A complete guide to dropping all the chambers</div>Hello,
Welcome to the Art of Dropping. The goal of the article is to describe everything you need to know about every alien chamber in the game. If you got any suggestions or comments, feel free to tell me. But before you post, consider these rules:<ol type='1'><li><b><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->NO flaming.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> I absolutely hate flaming because there is usually no point. You may criticize others and disagree, but be polite about it. </li><li><b><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->Backup any negativity.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> There comes no useful discussion if you say �this is stupid� or �this guide sucks�. If you say something like that, state why you feel that way and if possible give solutions. Also, make sure you follow rule #1.</li><li><b><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->Don�t be afraid to post objections.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> If you feel that something is wrong or doesn�t really work, post it! I want this to be complete and thought through guide, so anything is welcomed. I won�t get mad at you to criticize, if anything I�ll be happier.</li></ol>With that done, I�m going to say that this is going to be an ongoing project for me until I get <strike>every chamber done</strike>. My ultimate goal is to get a sticky and to have as many newcomers as possible read this guide. This is something for the new and the old alike, so I hope you enjoy it!
<!--sizeo:6--><span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>The General Tips</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
When you drop a chamber, there are certain things to consider before you drop it. Even If you don�t read the rest of this guide, <i>please at least consider these questions before dropping.</i>
<blockquote><b>Where should I drop it?</b> Will it be most effective there? Is it really worth the res there?
<b>How should I drop it?</b>What spot would this be the most effective?
<b>When should I drop a chamber?</b>The answer isn�t �when I get 10 res�</blockquote>
Also, remember this simple rule: "what benefits the most players is the best option". It is always better to put up a clear hive or replace missing chambers than to plant a few OC's.
<!--sizeo:6--><span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>The Offense Chamber</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
The offense chamber is a chamber which is a great force to be reckoned with, if placed properly. It has 1000 hit points, it deals 20 damage per hit and has a ROF of 1 spike every 2 seconds. An offense chamber, if placed correctly at the right time can easily take out a marine or two. Here are my tips to unlocking the full potential of an OC.
<!--coloro:#FFA500--><span style="color:#FFA500"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>Where should I drop them?</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This question is the most important question to ask, especially for an offense chamber. The OC can be redered useless if you don't consider this question. Here are my suggestions:
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Medium Marine Traffic Area's <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Medium Marine Traffic area's are the best places to put OC's. They provide a balance between effectiveness and maintainance.
<b>Definition</b>
Here is what consists of an optimal Medium Marine Traffic Zone:<ul><li>An area where finding an alternate route is possible, but the detour would be longer to get through.</li><li>An area near resource nodes.</li><li>A somewhat neglected area by commanders, but marines will take these routes anyway.</li><li>An area quite a walk from marine bases.</li></ul><b>Example:</b>
<img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/Chambers%20Placing%20Guide/ns_eclipse.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /><ul><li>On this map, Triad is the best example of a medium traffic zone. Only groups of marines going to Triad itself pass through here. Rushes heading for Eclipse generally go through Station Access. This area blocks off half of Eclipse from the marines, along with </li><li>T-Junction is also a very good example. Although it experiences quite high amounts of traffic, a few more OC's/DC's will do the trick.</li></ul><b>Advantages:</b><ul><li>Denies the marines the possible resources downstream from the OC's.</li><li>Protects you're resource towers downstream.</li><li>Discourages ninja marines.</li><li>OC's tank damage from unskilled marines, allowing skulks to get the kill. This gives skulks RFK. </li><li>Makes it harder for marines to access the hives.</li><li>Not vulnerable from siege (without being very costly to marines).</li></ul><b>Disadvantages:</b><ul><li>Very vulnerable from grenade launchers</li><li>Ineffective against good players</li><li>Ineffective against many marines (rushes for example)</li></ul><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->High Marine Traffic Area�s<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
High Combat area's are also very good places to put OC's. Once set up, they are giant road blocks. However, they must be continuously supported by gorges, umbra/spores and lifeforms. There are many advantages/disadvantages with placing OC's here
<b>Advantages:</b><ul><li>Gorges supporting these OC's become nearly indestructable.</li><li>OC's become much more effective (cause they are constantly shooting marines).</li><li>Important locations downstream from the OC's are protected (this usually includes double nodes or hives).</li><li>Requires considerable time, effort and resources by marines to uproot.</li></ul><b>Disadvantages:</b><ul><li>Requires co-operation and support of team members.</li><li>Structures must be constantly maintained.</li><li>Requires huge initial investment by the gorge.</li><li>High risk of backfiring, resulting in wasted resources.</li></ul><b>Note:</b>
Setting up OC's in high marine traffic areas can be very dangerous. You will need the support of higher lifeforms or other gorges to pull this off. I cannot advise setting these bases up as common practice because of it's high risk.
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Near Kharaa Activity<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
OC's work best with aliens nearby for the following reasons:<ul><li>Lower lifeforms can use the OC's as bullet tanks. When the marine's reload, skulks can run in and kill the marines unharmed. RFK for skulks leads to more higher lifeforms latter on.</li><li>Support for the chambers is always nearby, increasing the probable lifespan of the chambers.</li><li>Gorges will likely have easy access to the OC's, keeping the OC's health high.</li></ul><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Long Hallways<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
A very good place for OC's are long hallways. These hallways can't be too long so that it's out of range. Nor can it be so small that they can't fire more than 3 shots. Width isn't a large factor, but narrower hallways can advantage the OC more.
<b>Advantages:</b><ul><li>Marines do not have much space to dodge the incoming spikes</li><li>To pass the OC's, Marines must kill all the chambers or run right into the OC's.</li></ul><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Open, Medium Sized Rooms <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Medium sized rooms are best for OC's because it can use all of it's 800 unit range. Also, cover usually hurts the OC moreso than help it, so cover is usually not a great idea.
<b>Advantages</b><ul><li>OC's can use all of its 800 units range in the room, so it can fire off as many shots as possible. As a result, marines who try to pass through the room will sustain heavy damage.</li><li>Marines have little option but to take cover at the door and shoot the OC's.</li><li>No cover means the OC has a complete FOV</li></ul><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Near Important Things <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Here are some examples:<ul><li>Resource Nodes</li><li>Choke points</li><li>Hive Siege Spots</li><li>Double Resource Nodes</li><li>Central locations (places where Marines would like to set up a base to access other areas)</li></ul>Benefits:<ul><li>Makes important map locations (hives, resource nodes) harder to access. Hard to access resource nodes mean resource nodes stay up for longer. </li><li>Defending is much easier and requires less alien-power. As so, there is more alien-power available for attacks.</li><li>Marines are left with fewer options (especially the "ninja phasegate" option)</li></ul><!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>How should I drop them?</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This is the question that will determine just as much as the previous question how well your OC will preform. This could be even more important than the previous question too!
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Minimal Grouping <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Minimal grouping is something that you should keep in mind when placing OC�s. Personally, I find that you squeeze the most out of your OC if you spread them out rather than bunch them up in one place. The advantages of this are: <ol type='1'><li>Marines are more likely to run past and get hurt rather than avoid it altogether.</li><li>It�s <u>less</u> deterrent to a rambo if it were spread out through the whole area rather than a huge wall of it. More marines would risk ramboing only to die by constantly being hit. </li><li>If the marine shoots a grenade, it would only hit the few chambers there. The other chambers won�t get hit by the splash damage. Same goes for guns, the bullets that miss won�t hit the chamber right next to it. </li><li>It covers a larger area, so the comm won't siege unless he's filthy rich or just plain dumb.</li><li>It covers a larger area, which is always a good thing.</li></ol><!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Packs of 2 � 3 are the Best. <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Especially with the new way the DC�s work, 2 OC�s and a DC works very well. These are more effective in higher combat areas than 1 in each corner, and are pretty cost effective too. They are <b>especially</b> deadly in high combat areas with a gorge there healing them.
Refer to this quote stated above:
<!--quoteo(post=1623432:date=Apr 27 2007, 10:28 AM:name=Swiftspear)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swiftspear @ Apr 27 2007, 10:28 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1623432"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->One gorge on 1 OC is impossible for a single marine of equal skill to take out.
One gorge on 2 OC's is impossible for any single marine to take out, and in the case of a good gorge, very difficult for any less then 3 equally skilled marines to take out.
One gorge on 3 OC's can't be taken out in a timely manner without heavy weapons, and will cost any less then 3 shotgunners their life to displace completely. For the price of a lerk +10 res you can stop a disturbing amount of marine force at any given point on the map... Far more force then any skulk or lerk could, probably more then a fade could (the fade would need to run out and back several times, costing time).
2 gorges can almost outheal nearly a full marine team of LMG's shooting an OC, and their compiled heal spraying will make even heavy weapons (short of a GL) have great difficulty taking them down.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Place them on corners <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This is the absolute most effective, quick and best piece of advice I can give for dropping OC�s I find. The reason for this is because it now covers a HUGE area compared to before. I cannot stress this one enough, because this one makes the OC twice as effective. This combined with 1 on each corner will still make rambos come in only to be caught between 2 OC�s and little health. Here�s an example:
<a href="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/1.jpg" target="_blank">OC Placement</a>
Now, the marine would see the first OC and pass by it and most likely pass by the second one too. By the time he meets the first green line, he can�t turn around or he is dead, so he continues ahead. He continues to meet OC�s until his death at the second green line. In this formation, he has no place to hide and no place to run either. He can shoot it down, but it will take a long time and will be difficult without any cover.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Place them on high ground<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
High ground isn�t necessary, but sure does help. The biggest advantage is that grenades and GL grenades go in an arc trajectory so it would be harder for a grenade to hit. That�s because most of the time the ceiling is too low for the grenade to reach and the grenade the marines carry explode fairly quickly. The OC is also harder to knife (it could be an advantage).
The downside is that the OC usually becomes less effective if too high off the ground due to restricted FOV. It also doesn�t block the marine�s movement, which is something we want.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Avoid blind spots<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If the OC is too far up on a ramp, it won't be able to shoot because of the maximum shooting angles. Also, placing an OC high up or far down can reduce how much actual view of the area it has. Also, the OC can be placed too close a corner without actually being on the corner which can make it too easy to remove. When in doubt, just place it at ground level on the corner. Here is an example of blind spots:
<a href="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/2.jpg" target="_blank">OC Blind Spots Corners</a>
<a href="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/3.jpg" target="_blank">OC Blind Spots High Ground</a>
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro-->
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->When should I place them?<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This part is kind of hard to write a guide for. This part is more up to you than anything else. Here are some questions you should pose yourself before you place an OC.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Can I afford to drop it?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
You want to make sure that you have enough res inflow to balance the price of the OC.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Would the OC be more valuable in this situation than a RT? <!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If you control maybe half the map and you�re not gaining ground very quickly, it probably is worth it.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Would a DC/MC/SC be more valuable to my team?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Remember that your team members are more valuable to you than an OC. An OC can only do so much, but a teammate can do so much more. If it�s a high combat area, your fellow aliens would need healing/energy more than a measly OC.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->How easily can the marines destroy it?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If all the marines have HA/HMG�s, then it will be a cake walk for them to destroy any OC they find. If you got no lifeforms to back up the OC, then it will again be a cake walk. But if your winning over the marines or the marines are relatively equal to you (and don�t have HA or HMG�s), then it would be more likely to be worth it.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Are the Marines using HA or JP's?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
The counter to JP's are OC's, along with lerks. The OC can easily shoot down a JP. But the counter to OC's are HA's because OC's do half damage to heavies. It would be much more useful for the aliens to drop OC's if they use JP's rather than if they use heavies.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->
Would I spend my res better on being a lifeform? <!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Maybe your fellow aliens need a lerk? A lerk can be a powerful asset, especially with the gas. Lerk is supposed to be support, not a fighter, so don�t worry about being a bad aimer (like me). Maybe you�re a good fade, because the aliens can never get enough fades. Maybe an onos, because the stomp can REALLY help your teammates get those pesky HA�s or HMG�s.
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>Why Should I Drop Them?</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
By now you might be asking yourself: "Why should I drop one in the first place? I should just go Fade instead." consider this quote from Crispy:
<!--quoteo(post=1635617:date=Jun 24 2007, 04:03 PM:name=Crispy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crispy @ Jun 24 2007, 04:03 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1635617"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Area denial can be important when the area is double res or a Hive, or the first junction on the quickest route to one side of the map from MS. And a lot of this doesn't apply to clan matches for obvious reasons, so let's keep in mind this is useful for people that want to play (and stay) on pubs.
With this in mind we can also say that Marines will not automatically go the other way.<ul><li>Good players might try to gauge the skill of the Gorge by attempting an attack, and if you're good and take them by surprise, you can get a kill out of this.</li><li>Stupid/inexperienced players will blindly try to repeatedly attack the OC, which means lots of RFK, so you're getting area denial PLUS a Hive/Fade.</li><li>Stupid players dying to OCs aren't in any way effective for the Marine team. Stupid live players following people through a PG and attacking a Hive are at least in some way effective, since:<ul><li>there are more targets so a Fade may not be eliminating the biggest threats first, keeping the good Marine players alive for longer</li><li>stupid live players can build sieges</li><li>stupid live players can shoot the Hive (but only if everyone else is doing it and the comm screams at them)</li><li>stupid live players can inadvertently block Fades</li><li>stupid live players can inadvertently keep dropped weapons/welders from disappearing</li></ul></li><li>Also, stupid dead players clog up the respawn queue and keep the good Marine players dead for longer.</li><li>Frustrated comms might fork out res on a GL to deal with the OCs that are feeding on all his newbie/dumb Marines. GLs usually don't last long and are fairly ineffective weapons, so this is pretty much you forcing the comm to waste res that could be spent on more effective weapons or the tech tree, delaying 'Weapons 3', for example.</li></ul><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Early Detection<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Using OC as early detection can really pay off. It can be more effective than a SC because the hive sight alerts can be more noticeable than the red dots on screen while also hurting the marines. Think of it this way: the OC forces a marine to do two things: Ignore the OC or Attack the OC. Most players choose to shoot it back, and if there are enough OC�s in the right place, the marine will have no choice to shoot it or take a large detour around it.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Buying Time<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This is the one of the best things an OC can ever do. I repeat: buying time is the best thing an OC can do. Following up on early detection, if the marine shoots the OC(s) he will be diverting time to doing that task. Even if he manages to take the OC down, he still used up 1 minute of his time for 1 OC. Now, consider this quote from DC Darkling:
<!--quoteo(post=1631727:date=Jun 6 2007, 06:17 AM:name=DC_Darkling)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DC_Darkling @ Jun 6 2007, 06:17 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1631727"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You must do the most amount of useful actions in the least amount of time while forcing the other team to do the least amount of useful actions in the most amount of time.
Pull that off and you won<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If the marine attacks the OC, that�s one minute more for the aliens to hit a base easier, one minute he can�t set up a ninja PG; one minute he�s doing the least in the most amount of time.
<!--quoteo(post=1627330:date=May 17 2007, 05:27 AM:name=the_x5)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(the_x5 @ May 17 2007, 05:27 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1627330"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->They [the OC's] DELAY the marines. What does time delay do? Buys your team more labor-time at the expense of the marines. If they cause marines to break following orders and waypoins they are even better. And then there are some times where they are useful deterrents just like the marine turrets and CAN kill, even though they are really there to give suppressing cover fire.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And even by chance if the marine were to jump over the OC, he could only do it under specific conditions. First off, he can�t really jump over multiple OC�s, OC�s placed in long corridors and in corners and OC's in key locations like PG/siege locations. Jumping over these OC�s would cause heavy damage to him or make him lose a potentially valuable chance and going around these OC�s makes him lose plenty of time if not impossible.
<!--quoteo(post=0:date=Jun 11 2007:name=Calculations)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Calculations @ Jun 11 2007)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><b>Heal Spray</b>
Healing Percentage = 4
ROF = appox. 1/sec
<b>Offense Chamber</b>
Hitpoints = 1000
<b>Defence Chamber</b>
Heal per Tick = 10 + 3%
<b>LMG</b>
ROF = 10/sec
Damage = 10/bullet
<b>Calculations</b> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nerd-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::nerdy::" border="0" alt="nerd-fix.gif" />
Heal per Spray (HPS) = Hitpoints * Decimal Healing
= 1000 * 0.04
= 40
Heal per Tick = Hitpoints * 0.03 + 10
= 1000 * 0.03 + 10
= 40
Average Net damage to OC per second = LMG ROF * Damage � HPS
= 10 * 10 � 40
= 60<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Considering this information, we can see that a gorge supporting an OC doubles the life expectancy of the chamber.
<!--quoteo(post=1623432:date=Apr 27 2007, 10:28 AM:name=Swiftspear)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swiftspear @ Apr 27 2007, 10:28 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1623432"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->One gorge on 1 OC is impossible for a single marine of equal skill to take out.
One gorge on 2 OC's is impossible for any single marine to take out, and in the case of a good gorge, very difficult for any less then 3 equally skilled marines to take out.
One gorge on 3 OC's can't be taken out in a timely manner without heavy weapons, and will cost any less then 3 shotgunners their life to displace completely. For the price of a lerk +10 you can stop a disturbing amount of marine force at any given point on the map... Far more force then any skulk or lerk could, probably more then a fade could (the fade would need to run out and back several times, costing time).
2 gorges can almost outheal nearly a full marine team of LMG's shooting an OC, and their compiled heal spraying will make even heavy weapons (short of a GL) have great difficulty taking them down.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Conclusion<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
In conclusion, the OC is the most unused but can be one of the most useful chambers. It can make or break a game, because it can be the sole thing alerting you to a shotgun rush or the thing that stops that rambo PG from going up. It lightens the workload of the aliens, and piles it on the marines.
It's functions can summed up to 4 major things:<ol type='1'><li>Lowers Armour (and health)</li><li>Tanks damage</li><li>Increases marine vulnerability (reloading)</li><li>Distracts the marines</li></ol>Basically, the OC cannot and will not replace your team members, but it can supplement them and decrease the workload a heck of a lot. I repeat, <i>an OC is not a combat unit, it's best used as a support, damage absorber or a discouraging unit.</i>
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:6--><span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>The Defense Chamber</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
The defense chamber is the least used chamber in the game, especially as a first chamber. Still yet, this chamber can provide invaluable support to structures and large units in the field if placed properly.
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Where/How to Drop Them?<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->High Alien Traffic Area�s<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Placing a DC near a high alien traffic route is one of the best place�s to put a defense chamber. With many aliens passing by the chamber, the chamber is never far from protection. Also, most fleeing lifeforms will flee to these areas because they are usually safer. So ultimately you�re squeezing the most from the chamber and keeping it alive the longest.
Note that High Combat Area's are not the same. It works the opposite way where there is combat because no aliens will stand still next to a DC to heal mid fire fight, most aliens will chose a safe place to heal.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->In the Hive Room<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Placing a DC near a hive works very well because of the way the DC works. EVERY hive should have a DC next to if you have the DC upgrade available.
<b>Hives Under Attack</b>
One DC can heal 3% of the hive�s health per tick, which is ALOT of health healed in one tick. To compensate for this healing, the mariens will need to spend more resources on sieging or shooting down the hive.
In my personal experience, a DC healing a hive under attack WILL make the difference between holding off an attack or not.
Before placing a DC in a hive, take into note the common siege spot(s) for that hive. Sieges always attack the closest structure to the siege first. So you'll want to put the DC farther from the sieges than the hive. Here's a little cartoon to help you understand =)
<img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/Chambers%20Placing%20Guide/DefenseChamberinHiveCartoon.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<b>General Use</b>
Even when the hive is not under attack, a Dc can be useful. As quoted:
<!--quoteo(post=1697499:date=Jan 11 2009, 03:13 PM:name=Crispy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crispy @ Jan 11 2009, 03:13 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1697499"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->They [the DC and the Hive] do compound healing to your team and structures on top of the Hive heal. DC + Hive = very rapid healing = less inactivity for Aliens = faster reinforcement = more Aliens on patrol = less surprises and more dead Marines.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->If not Next to the Hive, Some Distance from the Hive<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
When you place a defense chamber, keep in mind that the hive heals much more that the measly defense chamber can. Also, to an alien, a hive is always safer than a random DC chamber. This means that you�d want to place the defense chamber a nice distance from a hive so it'll be used a little more.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Out of Sight, Out of Mind<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If a structure is out of sight, its out of mind (for the enemy at least), thus increasing the chamber's lifespan. That's why it's best to put chambers in unnoticeable areas where marines don't generally look. This includes vents, dark corners, under gratings or anywhere else hidden.
<b>Vents</b>
Putting this chamber in vents (separated apart preferably) can be very useful in the long run. When placed there, they are virtually out of marine reach until JP's. That means that you will have this chamber almost all game, no matter if the corresponding hive is gone.
Placing them in vents can also be very useful for Skulks and especially Lerks. Chances are a Lerk will be trapped in a vent with marines outside and little HP. Putting a DC in that vent would save the Lerk either res (if they die) or time (if they self regen).
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Near the Front Lines<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Aliens in combat need healing, so yes, near combat would be a great place to put a DC. However, remember that you don�t want to place this too close to combat or else it'll be seen as unsafe and wont be used.
You may place your DC an intersection/room away from where most of the fighting is happening. Doing so will allow for the aliens to lose ground and give lifeforms a safe place to heal.
Also note that you may need multiple DC�s to accommodate multiple aliens at a time.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Near other Chambers (except other DCs)<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
You may wish to place DCs near other chambers like OCs, for constant heal protection. Just note that you need to know how much action the OCs will see. For example, if there are multiple OCs near a high traffic area for marines, chances are it will see a lot of action. As so, you might want to place multiple DC�s behind the OC�s. A good rule of thumb is a 3:2 ratio of OC�s to DC�s in high marine traffic area�s and a 2:1 to a 3:1 ratio in lower traffic areas.
Also note that you will not want to put your only DC's in that one spot. Reasons for not doing that are:<ul><li>If they were to die, then you will lose any defense upgrades until they can be replaced. </li><li><!--quoteo(post=1639382:date=Jul 17 2007, 06:13 PM:name=Crispy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crispy @ Jul 17 2007, 06:13 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1639382"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I look DCs the same was as I look at SCs. For me the best result is getting a network so you're never any more than 5 seconds from healing. Having them all clumped in one area isn't making the most of their area of effect. A typical theory in NS is "what benefits the most players is the best option". This means in almost all cases Hive+Fade > 2xFade, 1st/2nd/3rd upgrade chamber > OC, 1st+2nd/2nd+3rd upgrade chamber > Lerk. The same applies (imo) to DC placement. Healing lots of players a small amount all over the map is better than healing fewer players a larger amount in one section of the map. The main difference vs. the SC is it's much harder to come up with safe spots for DCs and if you do it requires teamwork to get existing Gorges into vents or to get more players to Gorge inside the vents and drop.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--></li><li>The marines can just go to that area with all the DC's and shoot down any fleeing lifeforms, as well as structures. Since fleeing lifeforms have nowhere else to heal, they have no choice but to stay and fight or run to a potentially far healing station.</li></ul>
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b><!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro-->When to Place them?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->As Soon as a new Hive is Up<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
This is self explanatory, because the sooner you can get the upgrade the better.
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->During or Before Attacks<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
You�d defiantly want to place a DC nearby when a critical battle is going on. It is especially important in chokepoints and uncompleted hives, because there is usually nowhere else nearby to heal. It saves the Gorge in the area from healing lifeforms till his spray runs dry and helps gets aliens back into the battle faster.
Preferably you would want to put the DC in before the fight begins, like right after the second hive is dropped (most decent marine teams would try to attack the second hive during construction) or in important choke points like Generator Room in ns_nothing. This allows for the lifeforms in the area to be as effective as possible before the marines establish a working base there.
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->A Placement Order or checklist<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
One of those tid bits I have yet to find a proper place for, but useful nonetheless:
<!--quoteo(post=1697499:date=Jan 11 2009, 03:13 PM:name=Crispy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crispy @ Jan 11 2009, 03:13 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1697499"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I would always drop DCs in the following order:<ul><li><b>DC is 1st chamber</b> (rare)<ol type='1'><li>In the starting Hive (out of the way of future sieges)</li><li>In an important chokepoint, close to the starting Hive (e.g. Cargo on Tanith if you start in Fusion)</li><li>In the second Hive if it is clear (you must <u>personally</u> make sure it does not go down). Failing that, in a hidden and preferably inaccessible area (e.g. vent) close to Marine Start so Fades can harass the MS with greater frequency (there are a few good examples on Eclipse and Tanith where this can work).</li></ul></li><li><b>DC is 2nd chamber</b><ol type='1'><li>1 DC per Hive by order of which is most under threat (e.g. has Marines pushing it most, especially if it has a PG close to it)</li><li>If you are on the back foot, in an important chokepoint close to the Hive most under threat; if you are on the offensive, in a hidden and preferably inaccessible area (e.g. vent) close to Marine Start so Fades can harass the MS</li></ol></li><li><b>DC is 3rd chamber</b><ul><li>1 DC per Hive by order of which is most under threat</li></ul></li></ol><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro-->Why Should I Place Them?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
There are many reasons why you should place a DC, they are:<ul><li>They provide defensive upgrades to all the aliens, like carapace or redemption. This gives everyone a big boost in combat.</li><li>They give aliens an alternative place to heal. This saves them plenty of time and reduces the risk of surprise attacks during travel (because there is less traveling to do).</li><li>It helps the gorge nearby in healing wounded aliens. This doubles healing time which gives the gorge and lifeform more time to do things.</li><li>It heals large amount of health for structures and onos�s. This provides more healing than any single gorge could for a low price of 10 res.</li></ul><b><!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Conclusion<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>
In conclusion, the DC is very effective than what it is credited for. It is a rather easy chamber to place, as long as its protected. It is a good practice to place DC�s near the front lines and near OC�s because this cycle happens: the OC�s defend the DC and wounded aliens, the DC heals the aliens and OC�s and the healed aliens protect the chambers.
In short, you should build DC�s:<ul><li>Next to hives</li><li>Close to structures</li><li>Close to wounded aliens (aka. The front lines)</li><li>Out of sight</li></ul><i><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->MC and SC to Come!<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></i>
========
Thanks for reading, I hope you liked it! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>Credits:</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<b>Chocolate:</b> For writing this guide
<b>Ambritenaro</b> (spelling to be checked): For joking around about dropping chambers made me make this guide <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />.
<b>Crispy:</b> Really gave good points about OC's that I wouldn't either think of or would have a hard time explaining. I took nice bits of information from him <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />.
<b>Swiftspear:</b> For pointing out some bad points and giving a good deduction of gorges .
<b>KainTSA:</b> For thinking the way I do, understanding my point of view and giving some additions.
<b>Bacillus:</b> For making a small contribution.
<b>Alite:</b> He didn�t do all that much, but I have NS discussions with him every once and awhile.
<b>DC_Darkling:</b> I took a really good definition from him on how to win a game. Fits perfectly with my guide.
<b>the_x5:</b> Took a quote from him.
<a href="http://www.tacticalgamer.com/" target="_blank"><b>Tactical Gamer Server:</b></a> Heh, I like playing on this server, its one of the best around. It�s also the server on which I play on the most and originally played on and got the idea of making this guide.
<i>(tell me if I missed you, but make note that ill add you in if you made a notable (either criticism or actual quotes)).</i>
Welcome to the Art of Dropping. The goal of the article is to describe everything you need to know about every alien chamber in the game. If you got any suggestions or comments, feel free to tell me. But before you post, consider these rules:<ol type='1'><li><b><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->NO flaming.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> I absolutely hate flaming because there is usually no point. You may criticize others and disagree, but be polite about it. </li><li><b><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->Backup any negativity.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> There comes no useful discussion if you say �this is stupid� or �this guide sucks�. If you say something like that, state why you feel that way and if possible give solutions. Also, make sure you follow rule #1.</li><li><b><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->Don�t be afraid to post objections.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> If you feel that something is wrong or doesn�t really work, post it! I want this to be complete and thought through guide, so anything is welcomed. I won�t get mad at you to criticize, if anything I�ll be happier.</li></ol>With that done, I�m going to say that this is going to be an ongoing project for me until I get <strike>every chamber done</strike>. My ultimate goal is to get a sticky and to have as many newcomers as possible read this guide. This is something for the new and the old alike, so I hope you enjoy it!
<!--sizeo:6--><span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>The General Tips</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
When you drop a chamber, there are certain things to consider before you drop it. Even If you don�t read the rest of this guide, <i>please at least consider these questions before dropping.</i>
<blockquote><b>Where should I drop it?</b> Will it be most effective there? Is it really worth the res there?
<b>How should I drop it?</b>What spot would this be the most effective?
<b>When should I drop a chamber?</b>The answer isn�t �when I get 10 res�</blockquote>
Also, remember this simple rule: "what benefits the most players is the best option". It is always better to put up a clear hive or replace missing chambers than to plant a few OC's.
<!--sizeo:6--><span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>The Offense Chamber</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
The offense chamber is a chamber which is a great force to be reckoned with, if placed properly. It has 1000 hit points, it deals 20 damage per hit and has a ROF of 1 spike every 2 seconds. An offense chamber, if placed correctly at the right time can easily take out a marine or two. Here are my tips to unlocking the full potential of an OC.
<!--coloro:#FFA500--><span style="color:#FFA500"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>Where should I drop them?</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This question is the most important question to ask, especially for an offense chamber. The OC can be redered useless if you don't consider this question. Here are my suggestions:
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Medium Marine Traffic Area's <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Medium Marine Traffic area's are the best places to put OC's. They provide a balance between effectiveness and maintainance.
<b>Definition</b>
Here is what consists of an optimal Medium Marine Traffic Zone:<ul><li>An area where finding an alternate route is possible, but the detour would be longer to get through.</li><li>An area near resource nodes.</li><li>A somewhat neglected area by commanders, but marines will take these routes anyway.</li><li>An area quite a walk from marine bases.</li></ul><b>Example:</b>
<img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/Chambers%20Placing%20Guide/ns_eclipse.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /><ul><li>On this map, Triad is the best example of a medium traffic zone. Only groups of marines going to Triad itself pass through here. Rushes heading for Eclipse generally go through Station Access. This area blocks off half of Eclipse from the marines, along with </li><li>T-Junction is also a very good example. Although it experiences quite high amounts of traffic, a few more OC's/DC's will do the trick.</li></ul><b>Advantages:</b><ul><li>Denies the marines the possible resources downstream from the OC's.</li><li>Protects you're resource towers downstream.</li><li>Discourages ninja marines.</li><li>OC's tank damage from unskilled marines, allowing skulks to get the kill. This gives skulks RFK. </li><li>Makes it harder for marines to access the hives.</li><li>Not vulnerable from siege (without being very costly to marines).</li></ul><b>Disadvantages:</b><ul><li>Very vulnerable from grenade launchers</li><li>Ineffective against good players</li><li>Ineffective against many marines (rushes for example)</li></ul><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->High Marine Traffic Area�s<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
High Combat area's are also very good places to put OC's. Once set up, they are giant road blocks. However, they must be continuously supported by gorges, umbra/spores and lifeforms. There are many advantages/disadvantages with placing OC's here
<b>Advantages:</b><ul><li>Gorges supporting these OC's become nearly indestructable.</li><li>OC's become much more effective (cause they are constantly shooting marines).</li><li>Important locations downstream from the OC's are protected (this usually includes double nodes or hives).</li><li>Requires considerable time, effort and resources by marines to uproot.</li></ul><b>Disadvantages:</b><ul><li>Requires co-operation and support of team members.</li><li>Structures must be constantly maintained.</li><li>Requires huge initial investment by the gorge.</li><li>High risk of backfiring, resulting in wasted resources.</li></ul><b>Note:</b>
Setting up OC's in high marine traffic areas can be very dangerous. You will need the support of higher lifeforms or other gorges to pull this off. I cannot advise setting these bases up as common practice because of it's high risk.
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Near Kharaa Activity<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
OC's work best with aliens nearby for the following reasons:<ul><li>Lower lifeforms can use the OC's as bullet tanks. When the marine's reload, skulks can run in and kill the marines unharmed. RFK for skulks leads to more higher lifeforms latter on.</li><li>Support for the chambers is always nearby, increasing the probable lifespan of the chambers.</li><li>Gorges will likely have easy access to the OC's, keeping the OC's health high.</li></ul><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Long Hallways<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
A very good place for OC's are long hallways. These hallways can't be too long so that it's out of range. Nor can it be so small that they can't fire more than 3 shots. Width isn't a large factor, but narrower hallways can advantage the OC more.
<b>Advantages:</b><ul><li>Marines do not have much space to dodge the incoming spikes</li><li>To pass the OC's, Marines must kill all the chambers or run right into the OC's.</li></ul><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Open, Medium Sized Rooms <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Medium sized rooms are best for OC's because it can use all of it's 800 unit range. Also, cover usually hurts the OC moreso than help it, so cover is usually not a great idea.
<b>Advantages</b><ul><li>OC's can use all of its 800 units range in the room, so it can fire off as many shots as possible. As a result, marines who try to pass through the room will sustain heavy damage.</li><li>Marines have little option but to take cover at the door and shoot the OC's.</li><li>No cover means the OC has a complete FOV</li></ul><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Near Important Things <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Here are some examples:<ul><li>Resource Nodes</li><li>Choke points</li><li>Hive Siege Spots</li><li>Double Resource Nodes</li><li>Central locations (places where Marines would like to set up a base to access other areas)</li></ul>Benefits:<ul><li>Makes important map locations (hives, resource nodes) harder to access. Hard to access resource nodes mean resource nodes stay up for longer. </li><li>Defending is much easier and requires less alien-power. As so, there is more alien-power available for attacks.</li><li>Marines are left with fewer options (especially the "ninja phasegate" option)</li></ul><!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>How should I drop them?</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This is the question that will determine just as much as the previous question how well your OC will preform. This could be even more important than the previous question too!
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Minimal Grouping <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Minimal grouping is something that you should keep in mind when placing OC�s. Personally, I find that you squeeze the most out of your OC if you spread them out rather than bunch them up in one place. The advantages of this are: <ol type='1'><li>Marines are more likely to run past and get hurt rather than avoid it altogether.</li><li>It�s <u>less</u> deterrent to a rambo if it were spread out through the whole area rather than a huge wall of it. More marines would risk ramboing only to die by constantly being hit. </li><li>If the marine shoots a grenade, it would only hit the few chambers there. The other chambers won�t get hit by the splash damage. Same goes for guns, the bullets that miss won�t hit the chamber right next to it. </li><li>It covers a larger area, so the comm won't siege unless he's filthy rich or just plain dumb.</li><li>It covers a larger area, which is always a good thing.</li></ol><!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Packs of 2 � 3 are the Best. <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Especially with the new way the DC�s work, 2 OC�s and a DC works very well. These are more effective in higher combat areas than 1 in each corner, and are pretty cost effective too. They are <b>especially</b> deadly in high combat areas with a gorge there healing them.
Refer to this quote stated above:
<!--quoteo(post=1623432:date=Apr 27 2007, 10:28 AM:name=Swiftspear)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swiftspear @ Apr 27 2007, 10:28 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1623432"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->One gorge on 1 OC is impossible for a single marine of equal skill to take out.
One gorge on 2 OC's is impossible for any single marine to take out, and in the case of a good gorge, very difficult for any less then 3 equally skilled marines to take out.
One gorge on 3 OC's can't be taken out in a timely manner without heavy weapons, and will cost any less then 3 shotgunners their life to displace completely. For the price of a lerk +10 res you can stop a disturbing amount of marine force at any given point on the map... Far more force then any skulk or lerk could, probably more then a fade could (the fade would need to run out and back several times, costing time).
2 gorges can almost outheal nearly a full marine team of LMG's shooting an OC, and their compiled heal spraying will make even heavy weapons (short of a GL) have great difficulty taking them down.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Place them on corners <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This is the absolute most effective, quick and best piece of advice I can give for dropping OC�s I find. The reason for this is because it now covers a HUGE area compared to before. I cannot stress this one enough, because this one makes the OC twice as effective. This combined with 1 on each corner will still make rambos come in only to be caught between 2 OC�s and little health. Here�s an example:
<a href="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/1.jpg" target="_blank">OC Placement</a>
Now, the marine would see the first OC and pass by it and most likely pass by the second one too. By the time he meets the first green line, he can�t turn around or he is dead, so he continues ahead. He continues to meet OC�s until his death at the second green line. In this formation, he has no place to hide and no place to run either. He can shoot it down, but it will take a long time and will be difficult without any cover.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Place them on high ground<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
High ground isn�t necessary, but sure does help. The biggest advantage is that grenades and GL grenades go in an arc trajectory so it would be harder for a grenade to hit. That�s because most of the time the ceiling is too low for the grenade to reach and the grenade the marines carry explode fairly quickly. The OC is also harder to knife (it could be an advantage).
The downside is that the OC usually becomes less effective if too high off the ground due to restricted FOV. It also doesn�t block the marine�s movement, which is something we want.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Avoid blind spots<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If the OC is too far up on a ramp, it won't be able to shoot because of the maximum shooting angles. Also, placing an OC high up or far down can reduce how much actual view of the area it has. Also, the OC can be placed too close a corner without actually being on the corner which can make it too easy to remove. When in doubt, just place it at ground level on the corner. Here is an example of blind spots:
<a href="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/2.jpg" target="_blank">OC Blind Spots Corners</a>
<a href="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/3.jpg" target="_blank">OC Blind Spots High Ground</a>
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro-->
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->When should I place them?<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This part is kind of hard to write a guide for. This part is more up to you than anything else. Here are some questions you should pose yourself before you place an OC.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Can I afford to drop it?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
You want to make sure that you have enough res inflow to balance the price of the OC.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Would the OC be more valuable in this situation than a RT? <!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If you control maybe half the map and you�re not gaining ground very quickly, it probably is worth it.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Would a DC/MC/SC be more valuable to my team?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Remember that your team members are more valuable to you than an OC. An OC can only do so much, but a teammate can do so much more. If it�s a high combat area, your fellow aliens would need healing/energy more than a measly OC.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->How easily can the marines destroy it?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If all the marines have HA/HMG�s, then it will be a cake walk for them to destroy any OC they find. If you got no lifeforms to back up the OC, then it will again be a cake walk. But if your winning over the marines or the marines are relatively equal to you (and don�t have HA or HMG�s), then it would be more likely to be worth it.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->Are the Marines using HA or JP's?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
The counter to JP's are OC's, along with lerks. The OC can easily shoot down a JP. But the counter to OC's are HA's because OC's do half damage to heavies. It would be much more useful for the aliens to drop OC's if they use JP's rather than if they use heavies.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->
Would I spend my res better on being a lifeform? <!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Maybe your fellow aliens need a lerk? A lerk can be a powerful asset, especially with the gas. Lerk is supposed to be support, not a fighter, so don�t worry about being a bad aimer (like me). Maybe you�re a good fade, because the aliens can never get enough fades. Maybe an onos, because the stomp can REALLY help your teammates get those pesky HA�s or HMG�s.
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>Why Should I Drop Them?</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
By now you might be asking yourself: "Why should I drop one in the first place? I should just go Fade instead." consider this quote from Crispy:
<!--quoteo(post=1635617:date=Jun 24 2007, 04:03 PM:name=Crispy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crispy @ Jun 24 2007, 04:03 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1635617"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Area denial can be important when the area is double res or a Hive, or the first junction on the quickest route to one side of the map from MS. And a lot of this doesn't apply to clan matches for obvious reasons, so let's keep in mind this is useful for people that want to play (and stay) on pubs.
With this in mind we can also say that Marines will not automatically go the other way.<ul><li>Good players might try to gauge the skill of the Gorge by attempting an attack, and if you're good and take them by surprise, you can get a kill out of this.</li><li>Stupid/inexperienced players will blindly try to repeatedly attack the OC, which means lots of RFK, so you're getting area denial PLUS a Hive/Fade.</li><li>Stupid players dying to OCs aren't in any way effective for the Marine team. Stupid live players following people through a PG and attacking a Hive are at least in some way effective, since:<ul><li>there are more targets so a Fade may not be eliminating the biggest threats first, keeping the good Marine players alive for longer</li><li>stupid live players can build sieges</li><li>stupid live players can shoot the Hive (but only if everyone else is doing it and the comm screams at them)</li><li>stupid live players can inadvertently block Fades</li><li>stupid live players can inadvertently keep dropped weapons/welders from disappearing</li></ul></li><li>Also, stupid dead players clog up the respawn queue and keep the good Marine players dead for longer.</li><li>Frustrated comms might fork out res on a GL to deal with the OCs that are feeding on all his newbie/dumb Marines. GLs usually don't last long and are fairly ineffective weapons, so this is pretty much you forcing the comm to waste res that could be spent on more effective weapons or the tech tree, delaying 'Weapons 3', for example.</li></ul><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Early Detection<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Using OC as early detection can really pay off. It can be more effective than a SC because the hive sight alerts can be more noticeable than the red dots on screen while also hurting the marines. Think of it this way: the OC forces a marine to do two things: Ignore the OC or Attack the OC. Most players choose to shoot it back, and if there are enough OC�s in the right place, the marine will have no choice to shoot it or take a large detour around it.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Buying Time<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This is the one of the best things an OC can ever do. I repeat: buying time is the best thing an OC can do. Following up on early detection, if the marine shoots the OC(s) he will be diverting time to doing that task. Even if he manages to take the OC down, he still used up 1 minute of his time for 1 OC. Now, consider this quote from DC Darkling:
<!--quoteo(post=1631727:date=Jun 6 2007, 06:17 AM:name=DC_Darkling)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DC_Darkling @ Jun 6 2007, 06:17 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1631727"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You must do the most amount of useful actions in the least amount of time while forcing the other team to do the least amount of useful actions in the most amount of time.
Pull that off and you won<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If the marine attacks the OC, that�s one minute more for the aliens to hit a base easier, one minute he can�t set up a ninja PG; one minute he�s doing the least in the most amount of time.
<!--quoteo(post=1627330:date=May 17 2007, 05:27 AM:name=the_x5)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(the_x5 @ May 17 2007, 05:27 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1627330"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->They [the OC's] DELAY the marines. What does time delay do? Buys your team more labor-time at the expense of the marines. If they cause marines to break following orders and waypoins they are even better. And then there are some times where they are useful deterrents just like the marine turrets and CAN kill, even though they are really there to give suppressing cover fire.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And even by chance if the marine were to jump over the OC, he could only do it under specific conditions. First off, he can�t really jump over multiple OC�s, OC�s placed in long corridors and in corners and OC's in key locations like PG/siege locations. Jumping over these OC�s would cause heavy damage to him or make him lose a potentially valuable chance and going around these OC�s makes him lose plenty of time if not impossible.
<!--quoteo(post=0:date=Jun 11 2007:name=Calculations)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Calculations @ Jun 11 2007)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><b>Heal Spray</b>
Healing Percentage = 4
ROF = appox. 1/sec
<b>Offense Chamber</b>
Hitpoints = 1000
<b>Defence Chamber</b>
Heal per Tick = 10 + 3%
<b>LMG</b>
ROF = 10/sec
Damage = 10/bullet
<b>Calculations</b> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nerd-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::nerdy::" border="0" alt="nerd-fix.gif" />
Heal per Spray (HPS) = Hitpoints * Decimal Healing
= 1000 * 0.04
= 40
Heal per Tick = Hitpoints * 0.03 + 10
= 1000 * 0.03 + 10
= 40
Average Net damage to OC per second = LMG ROF * Damage � HPS
= 10 * 10 � 40
= 60<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Considering this information, we can see that a gorge supporting an OC doubles the life expectancy of the chamber.
<!--quoteo(post=1623432:date=Apr 27 2007, 10:28 AM:name=Swiftspear)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swiftspear @ Apr 27 2007, 10:28 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1623432"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->One gorge on 1 OC is impossible for a single marine of equal skill to take out.
One gorge on 2 OC's is impossible for any single marine to take out, and in the case of a good gorge, very difficult for any less then 3 equally skilled marines to take out.
One gorge on 3 OC's can't be taken out in a timely manner without heavy weapons, and will cost any less then 3 shotgunners their life to displace completely. For the price of a lerk +10 you can stop a disturbing amount of marine force at any given point on the map... Far more force then any skulk or lerk could, probably more then a fade could (the fade would need to run out and back several times, costing time).
2 gorges can almost outheal nearly a full marine team of LMG's shooting an OC, and their compiled heal spraying will make even heavy weapons (short of a GL) have great difficulty taking them down.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Conclusion<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
In conclusion, the OC is the most unused but can be one of the most useful chambers. It can make or break a game, because it can be the sole thing alerting you to a shotgun rush or the thing that stops that rambo PG from going up. It lightens the workload of the aliens, and piles it on the marines.
It's functions can summed up to 4 major things:<ol type='1'><li>Lowers Armour (and health)</li><li>Tanks damage</li><li>Increases marine vulnerability (reloading)</li><li>Distracts the marines</li></ol>Basically, the OC cannot and will not replace your team members, but it can supplement them and decrease the workload a heck of a lot. I repeat, <i>an OC is not a combat unit, it's best used as a support, damage absorber or a discouraging unit.</i>
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:6--><span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>The Defense Chamber</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
The defense chamber is the least used chamber in the game, especially as a first chamber. Still yet, this chamber can provide invaluable support to structures and large units in the field if placed properly.
<!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Where/How to Drop Them?<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->High Alien Traffic Area�s<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Placing a DC near a high alien traffic route is one of the best place�s to put a defense chamber. With many aliens passing by the chamber, the chamber is never far from protection. Also, most fleeing lifeforms will flee to these areas because they are usually safer. So ultimately you�re squeezing the most from the chamber and keeping it alive the longest.
Note that High Combat Area's are not the same. It works the opposite way where there is combat because no aliens will stand still next to a DC to heal mid fire fight, most aliens will chose a safe place to heal.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->In the Hive Room<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Placing a DC near a hive works very well because of the way the DC works. EVERY hive should have a DC next to if you have the DC upgrade available.
<b>Hives Under Attack</b>
One DC can heal 3% of the hive�s health per tick, which is ALOT of health healed in one tick. To compensate for this healing, the mariens will need to spend more resources on sieging or shooting down the hive.
In my personal experience, a DC healing a hive under attack WILL make the difference between holding off an attack or not.
Before placing a DC in a hive, take into note the common siege spot(s) for that hive. Sieges always attack the closest structure to the siege first. So you'll want to put the DC farther from the sieges than the hive. Here's a little cartoon to help you understand =)
<img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s2/dmustillo/Chambers%20Placing%20Guide/DefenseChamberinHiveCartoon.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<b>General Use</b>
Even when the hive is not under attack, a Dc can be useful. As quoted:
<!--quoteo(post=1697499:date=Jan 11 2009, 03:13 PM:name=Crispy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crispy @ Jan 11 2009, 03:13 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1697499"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->They [the DC and the Hive] do compound healing to your team and structures on top of the Hive heal. DC + Hive = very rapid healing = less inactivity for Aliens = faster reinforcement = more Aliens on patrol = less surprises and more dead Marines.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->If not Next to the Hive, Some Distance from the Hive<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
When you place a defense chamber, keep in mind that the hive heals much more that the measly defense chamber can. Also, to an alien, a hive is always safer than a random DC chamber. This means that you�d want to place the defense chamber a nice distance from a hive so it'll be used a little more.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Out of Sight, Out of Mind<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If a structure is out of sight, its out of mind (for the enemy at least), thus increasing the chamber's lifespan. That's why it's best to put chambers in unnoticeable areas where marines don't generally look. This includes vents, dark corners, under gratings or anywhere else hidden.
<b>Vents</b>
Putting this chamber in vents (separated apart preferably) can be very useful in the long run. When placed there, they are virtually out of marine reach until JP's. That means that you will have this chamber almost all game, no matter if the corresponding hive is gone.
Placing them in vents can also be very useful for Skulks and especially Lerks. Chances are a Lerk will be trapped in a vent with marines outside and little HP. Putting a DC in that vent would save the Lerk either res (if they die) or time (if they self regen).
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Near the Front Lines<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Aliens in combat need healing, so yes, near combat would be a great place to put a DC. However, remember that you don�t want to place this too close to combat or else it'll be seen as unsafe and wont be used.
You may place your DC an intersection/room away from where most of the fighting is happening. Doing so will allow for the aliens to lose ground and give lifeforms a safe place to heal.
Also note that you may need multiple DC�s to accommodate multiple aliens at a time.
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Near other Chambers (except other DCs)<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
You may wish to place DCs near other chambers like OCs, for constant heal protection. Just note that you need to know how much action the OCs will see. For example, if there are multiple OCs near a high traffic area for marines, chances are it will see a lot of action. As so, you might want to place multiple DC�s behind the OC�s. A good rule of thumb is a 3:2 ratio of OC�s to DC�s in high marine traffic area�s and a 2:1 to a 3:1 ratio in lower traffic areas.
Also note that you will not want to put your only DC's in that one spot. Reasons for not doing that are:<ul><li>If they were to die, then you will lose any defense upgrades until they can be replaced. </li><li><!--quoteo(post=1639382:date=Jul 17 2007, 06:13 PM:name=Crispy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crispy @ Jul 17 2007, 06:13 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1639382"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I look DCs the same was as I look at SCs. For me the best result is getting a network so you're never any more than 5 seconds from healing. Having them all clumped in one area isn't making the most of their area of effect. A typical theory in NS is "what benefits the most players is the best option". This means in almost all cases Hive+Fade > 2xFade, 1st/2nd/3rd upgrade chamber > OC, 1st+2nd/2nd+3rd upgrade chamber > Lerk. The same applies (imo) to DC placement. Healing lots of players a small amount all over the map is better than healing fewer players a larger amount in one section of the map. The main difference vs. the SC is it's much harder to come up with safe spots for DCs and if you do it requires teamwork to get existing Gorges into vents or to get more players to Gorge inside the vents and drop.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--></li><li>The marines can just go to that area with all the DC's and shoot down any fleeing lifeforms, as well as structures. Since fleeing lifeforms have nowhere else to heal, they have no choice but to stay and fight or run to a potentially far healing station.</li></ul>
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b><!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro-->When to Place them?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->As Soon as a new Hive is Up<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
This is self explanatory, because the sooner you can get the upgrade the better.
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro-->During or Before Attacks<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
You�d defiantly want to place a DC nearby when a critical battle is going on. It is especially important in chokepoints and uncompleted hives, because there is usually nowhere else nearby to heal. It saves the Gorge in the area from healing lifeforms till his spray runs dry and helps gets aliens back into the battle faster.
Preferably you would want to put the DC in before the fight begins, like right after the second hive is dropped (most decent marine teams would try to attack the second hive during construction) or in important choke points like Generator Room in ns_nothing. This allows for the lifeforms in the area to be as effective as possible before the marines establish a working base there.
<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->A Placement Order or checklist<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
One of those tid bits I have yet to find a proper place for, but useful nonetheless:
<!--quoteo(post=1697499:date=Jan 11 2009, 03:13 PM:name=Crispy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crispy @ Jan 11 2009, 03:13 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1697499"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I would always drop DCs in the following order:<ul><li><b>DC is 1st chamber</b> (rare)<ol type='1'><li>In the starting Hive (out of the way of future sieges)</li><li>In an important chokepoint, close to the starting Hive (e.g. Cargo on Tanith if you start in Fusion)</li><li>In the second Hive if it is clear (you must <u>personally</u> make sure it does not go down). Failing that, in a hidden and preferably inaccessible area (e.g. vent) close to Marine Start so Fades can harass the MS with greater frequency (there are a few good examples on Eclipse and Tanith where this can work).</li></ul></li><li><b>DC is 2nd chamber</b><ol type='1'><li>1 DC per Hive by order of which is most under threat (e.g. has Marines pushing it most, especially if it has a PG close to it)</li><li>If you are on the back foot, in an important chokepoint close to the Hive most under threat; if you are on the offensive, in a hidden and preferably inaccessible area (e.g. vent) close to Marine Start so Fades can harass the MS</li></ol></li><li><b>DC is 3rd chamber</b><ul><li>1 DC per Hive by order of which is most under threat</li></ul></li></ol><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro-->Why Should I Place Them?<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
There are many reasons why you should place a DC, they are:<ul><li>They provide defensive upgrades to all the aliens, like carapace or redemption. This gives everyone a big boost in combat.</li><li>They give aliens an alternative place to heal. This saves them plenty of time and reduces the risk of surprise attacks during travel (because there is less traveling to do).</li><li>It helps the gorge nearby in healing wounded aliens. This doubles healing time which gives the gorge and lifeform more time to do things.</li><li>It heals large amount of health for structures and onos�s. This provides more healing than any single gorge could for a low price of 10 res.</li></ul><b><!--coloro:#FF9900--><span style="color:#FF9900"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Conclusion<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>
In conclusion, the DC is very effective than what it is credited for. It is a rather easy chamber to place, as long as its protected. It is a good practice to place DC�s near the front lines and near OC�s because this cycle happens: the OC�s defend the DC and wounded aliens, the DC heals the aliens and OC�s and the healed aliens protect the chambers.
In short, you should build DC�s:<ul><li>Next to hives</li><li>Close to structures</li><li>Close to wounded aliens (aka. The front lines)</li><li>Out of sight</li></ul><i><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->MC and SC to Come!<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></i>
========
Thanks for reading, I hope you liked it! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
<!--coloro:#FFFFFF--><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>Credits:</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<b>Chocolate:</b> For writing this guide
<b>Ambritenaro</b> (spelling to be checked): For joking around about dropping chambers made me make this guide <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />.
<b>Crispy:</b> Really gave good points about OC's that I wouldn't either think of or would have a hard time explaining. I took nice bits of information from him <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />.
<b>Swiftspear:</b> For pointing out some bad points and giving a good deduction of gorges .
<b>KainTSA:</b> For thinking the way I do, understanding my point of view and giving some additions.
<b>Bacillus:</b> For making a small contribution.
<b>Alite:</b> He didn�t do all that much, but I have NS discussions with him every once and awhile.
<b>DC_Darkling:</b> I took a really good definition from him on how to win a game. Fits perfectly with my guide.
<b>the_x5:</b> Took a quote from him.
<a href="http://www.tacticalgamer.com/" target="_blank"><b>Tactical Gamer Server:</b></a> Heh, I like playing on this server, its one of the best around. It�s also the server on which I play on the most and originally played on and got the idea of making this guide.
<i>(tell me if I missed you, but make note that ill add you in if you made a notable (either criticism or actual quotes)).</i>
Comments
Also, OC's are only useful for defending gorges from small numbers of marines. They don't have any other use in the game. They are not the most useful chamber, if the gorge leaves them alone a single marine can take out an indefinate number of OC's. All he needs is time and ammo spam.
OC's can prevent ninja's but that's pretty hit and miss at best. Good marines can dodge full walls of OCs enough to get around them, and then the comm only has to med on the other side. If worst comes to worst and a PG has to be built within the LOS of an OC the comm just has to keep medding the marine every 2 shots. When the PG goes up the other marines will stream through and decimate it in a matter of seconds. I'd prefer an SC so I know the marine is there, then an OC that won't even keep him from getting a PG up in the first place, and all of a sudden there is a team of shotgunners in the hive unannounced.
The reality of a situation is that even the best dropped OC is generally speaking still going to end up a waste of res in the end. Dropping OCs is always a gamble, they RARELY pay themselfs off in any meaningful way. It's basicly a straight up lie that they are the "most useful chamber in the game"
Also, in terms of placing OC's on high ground, DON'T! There are very limited "high ground" spots in NS that an OC acctually can shoot from. All OC spikes fire from the top point, and the lower body of the OC blocks shots that try to fire at too low of an arc. Also if an OC is too high up a lifeform can't hide behind it. The greatest asset of an OC is usually that a gorge can hide behind it and actually make it an unstoppable combat unit for a period of time. If it's too high that breaks. Finally, if you can hide the lower body of an OC behind something (low ground), which is possible a few places in the game, that means it won't be shot out as easily, as there are very few points where you can shoot at the lower body without being in the field of view of the upper body. In general neither "high ground" or "low ground" are good OC spots. It's limited to circumstance and scenario. Many high ground spots provide more range overlook, and that means it's harder to avoid the OC fire, but not all do. Many low ground spots don't impede the firing of an OC, but still provide it's body some protection. But not all do. If in doubt, choose some spot on the floor where you can circle strafe around the OC and hide from marines, unless you know the spot is good because you've used it before and it's worked out well don't try to get too tricky with OC placement.
Generally place those OCs near alien activity. Its easy to take out even masses of OCs if there is no skulk attacking while the marine reloads.
They are also useful for lone gorges at growing hives if you hear marines coming. Most often they'll give enough time for the rest of the alien team to teleport in. So lets say you're alone at fusion hive in Tanith and you notice there are 3 parasite dots at cargo. The chances are they're going to move to fus so go ahead and drop 2 or 3 oc:s and save the hive from getting pg rushed.
I find a properly placed OC wall at a choke point CAN win the game if it gets alien support. You just need one or two skulks there when rines start trying to push through and they won't stand a chance. When they have skulk support, OCs:
Lower armor
Block shots
Increase the chance that a rine will be reloading when you attack
DISTRACT (most important I think)
The major mistake people make with OCs is that they drop and forget. OCs should be thought of as support units, not combat units.
EDIT: I've done the modification already <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
To Kain:
<!--quoteo(post=1622577:date=Apr 23 2007, 11:04 AM:name=KainTSA)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KainTSA @ Apr 23 2007, 11:04 AM) [snapback]1622577[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
Very nice guide Chocolate. People often do underestimate the power of OCs. The OC alarm that you mentioned is extremely useful on pubs because rines will shoot them even when the comm tells them to be quite.
I find a properly placed OC wall at a choke point CAN win the game if it gets alien support. You just need one or two skulks there when rines start trying to push through and they won't stand a chance. When they have skulk support, OCs:
Lower armor
Block shots
Increase the chance that a rine will be reloading when you attack
DISTRACT (most important I think)
The major mistake people make with OCs is that they drop and forget. OCs should be thought of as support units, not combat units.
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Yeah, I played a game yesterday night and 1 OC alerted my team to a shotgun rush from Storage D in ns_metal. We didn't lose that hive just because my whole team came back to the hive. We had no SC's either.
Also, your five points are exactly what I want to stress in this guide, I'll make it clearer in my guide.
A bunch of OCs at hive is still useful against the jp rushes, I think.
Generally place those OCs near alien activity. Its easy to take out even masses of OCs if there is no skulk attacking while the marine reloads.
They are also useful for lone gorges at growing hives if you hear marines coming. Most often they'll give enough time for the rest of the alien team to teleport in. So lets say you're alone at fusion hive in Tanith and you notice there are 3 parasite dots at cargo. The chances are they're going to move to fus so go ahead and drop 2 or 3 oc:s and save the hive from getting pg rushed.
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This is iffy... If you have enough res to spam OC's in the hive your team really should have taken down the AA in MS with fades and onos before the marines could afford a jetpack rush. In terms of what OC's do to jetpacks, they are really more of a deterrent, not a counter. Jetpacks move fast enough to avoid OC fire, and they can hide in cracks all over the place that OC's can't shoot. While if I'm a lone jetpack and there is 5 OC's in the hive I'm not going to want to go in, a full on team of JP shotty won't be stopped by 5 ocs. They will just fly by and take the hive in a clip and a bit each.
Also, jetpacks are pretty good defenders because fades and onos can't push on a room full of JP, they will get chased down. So even if you lame up your hive, jetpacks don't necessarily need to rush, they can just sit outside and plop sieges down if they want to.
As an issue of investment, it should be VERY VERY rare that you are a gorge at some point in the game, and you have 50 res to spend on OC's in the hive. If you are a gorge you should have dropped several nodes within that 50 res, or dropped the hive chambers, or gone fade with 50 res. If you have 50 res as a late game gorge and your team is still letting the marines save up for a JP rush then your team isn't playing NEARLY offensively enough. Aliens with that much of a resource advantage should be dominating the map in every way. Why haven't the last marine nodes been taken down and replaced with alien RTs? Why hasn't the third hive been cleared? Why is marine start sitting pretty? The answer is because gorges are screwing around dropping OC's in useless places rather then making themselfs threatening to the marines in any way.
Aliens don't have time for gorges to piss around saving up res for OC's in hives. A better way to prevent a JP rush from taking down your hive is taking out the AA in MS with constant pressure from your whole team. A gorge and an OC in MS on a base rush takes another full second to take down, meaning the marines can't just focus on taking out the fades and skulks on the AA right the instant they respawn from the beacon. It's a BAD BAD conception most players seem to have that they can afford the time to sit around saving for OC's wherever they feel the need. Aliens don't have the ingame time for any of their lifeforms to save. You should always be doing something threatening somewhere. Weather it's healing fades outside MS or second hive, or OC spamming marine resource locations, or dropping upgrade chambers that your team needs. OC's in a hive are just about always the wrong time and place for an OC. The only time I could possibly concive of them being reasonable is if I'm a late game healer gorge, saving for onos while my team has gone MC first DC second (which is just asking to be raped by JP's FYI) and I hear that marines have gone JPs, so I instantly divert my onos saving res to OC's in the hives we have up. There simply is no other situation where it's logical for a late game gorge to have enough res to put OC's in the hives, and the aliens are allowing the marines enough time and res to set up a JP rush.
This is iffy...
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I took a bit of a clanner approach there I guess. In smaller teams its not useful to have all higher lifeforms unless you're sure you can do the decisive push. Fades without skulk support tend to die a lot because there's no para or risk-free offensive. More rt does the trick but only if you can hold them, which depends on the map control. Plus you can't always leave the growing hive since you'll need a healer and hive spitter there anyway. I'd rather not waste 50 res on oc:s anyway. 2 or 3 will do nicely.
Take the AA out? Well sure its good if you can pull it off. Its a huge risk however. In ms there are likely to be mines, marines without para, a pg and so on. After you've attacked once you'll have to risk yourself getting flanked while on your way back to hive. So do it if you have the chance but I wouldn't recommend counting on that too much.
Edit: Basically the whole team goes fade after there is nothing else to do. 4 or so lifeforms is always good, but some skulk and gorge support is useful too. Fades are always handy, but if the marines rush for jetpacks and you've got 40 res and not much res control it might be a good idea to drop some oc:s instead of saving for 2 more minutes, losing the hive to the rush and then fading at 1 hive. Worked in 3.1 at least, I've played way too few 3.2 pcws to say anything specific with the new jp.
As a hivegorge you'll often end up with some res. Lets say you've got a minute for the hive to go up. Marines are trying to rush it but you use your 20 spare res for 2 ocs. Marines are either forced to risk the rush with some alien cover and extra dmg and hp or siege. Most often the sieges allows the hive go up at that point. None of the clans I know use the ocs as a normal tactic but they've got some uses too, mostly stopping quick rushes and getting the necessary 30 sec more time for aliens.
In small games he who is more aggressive is the winner. There is really no such thing in NS as too aggressive. OC's are negative progress, because they are entirely defensive. It's better to take down a marine res node then it is to drop an OC, and it's better to take down the marine he builds the res node then it is to take down a marine res node. Simply put there is no time for OC's when a game is small, unless you're talking like 1 or 2 players, in which the strategy simply becomes to be offensive with OC's because there isn't enough players to fade, and you have such high res flow that you need to make your res fight for you.
Damn i cant beleive how much ocs ive dropped uselessly just to protect an RT these past games lol. man i suck at alien...
However in clans, it works the opposite way. I don't scrim myself, but I can tell that the marines know how to bhop and/or kill a OC and/or bind the med pack button to "q". They also stick in groups and kill more rts.
Even though there are quotes like "the best defense is an offense", which are true, you still need defense. Hitting their bases hard (unless its <i>really</i> hard) won't completely stop a guy from setting up a rambo PG or killing all your rts. Same for a game like soccer, having complete offense won't completely stop a guy from the other team from breaking through and running with the ball all the way to your goalie (he would be very lucky if he did that <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />).
Anyway, back to the guide, I won't be posting or updating the guide for the next couple of days because I'm going on a field trip for 3 days and 2 nights. Once I get back I'll start on the rest of the guide, which shouldn't be too hard.
<!--quoteo(post=1622815:date=Apr 24 2007, 05:30 PM:name=Alite)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alite @ Apr 24 2007, 05:30 PM) [snapback]1622815[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
Man this guide is gonna make think twice before dropping a wall of ocs around an rt just to prortect it lol. God this makes me realise how much i suck at aliens (I usually am a marine). <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> Well next time i am alien, I will drop ocs a bit more responsibly even tho some people think its useless.
Damn i cant beleive how much ocs ive dropped uselessly just to protect an RT. man i suck at alien...
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Well its alright... most people don't know how to get rid of one anyway and anyway, we all make mistakes... (I remember I used to drop OC's in a dark isolated corner so they wouldn't die <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />)
I'll read the rest later when I get back <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
Here are some places I might drop OCs: (this only really works on pubs)
<b>Looking down the last 3m of a vent</b>
Marine's are far slower in vents so can't actually dodge the fire. You're more than likely to score a few hits this way and force the Commander to medspam, which will alert any nearby Aliens. Also if a Gorge is nearby all he has to do is spitspam down the vent at the retreating Marine to finish him off. Obviously, putting an OC at the end of a vent is pointless as the Marine will see it in advance and retreat back the way he came. You want the Marine to see it as late as possible so he will waste a maximum of time retreating back to his starting point, or else will be so vexed he might foolishly attempt to advance, which will be fatal for him and RFK for you.
<b>At siege/PG spots</b>
As Swift says, a good 'rine won't shoot at it while placing the PG and a good Comm will med every 2 hits, but if the 'rines are that good it's likely the Aliens will be good enough to go investigate the suspicious 'click-buzz' and medspam noises coming from outside the Hive. And if the Aliens aren't that good, the teams are stacked and you probably don't stand much of a chance.
<b>At the bottom of <i>some</i> ladders</b>
Before he realises it, you've just scored 2 hits on the Marine and he should be easy to finish off. A good example of this would be in ns_metal.
<b>Next to water</b>
Marines move very slowly in water. If a Marine surfaces to find an OC hailing spikes down on him he probably won't be making it out alive. A good example of where this might work is on ns_prometheus.
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A funny OC scenario:
An adren Gorge, I was outside MS on ns_caged waiting to drop an SC just out of Obs range so we could monitor the amount of 'rines leaving that side of the base (as we were preparing to drop Sewer to replace Genarator which was under attack from a ninja PG). I see one of my teammates -also a gorge- get into trouble at Lower Sewer while dropping an RT, so I went to help him out. When I got there a Marine had obviously spammed all of his ammo into the poor phattey and was hot in pursuit, flailing his knife around aimlessly, looking for the humiliation kill. Luckily he didn't hear me coming up behind him and together we managed to spit him to death and heal eachother back up.
Next we return together to put up the SC outside MS and -all of a sudden- my partner decides it's a good idea to also put up an OC at the top of the ramp. By this time a Marine has spawned and comes to investigate the suspicious <i>glorp</i>, <i>glorp</i> noises emanating from just outside his base. Not really sure what to do, and not wanting my SC to go to waste, I drop another OC next to it quickly as the 'rine rounds the corner. He immediately charges us but we healspam and spit occasionally while we take it in turns to finish off the OCs by which time the 'rine stands no chance (the Commander hadn't been paying attention, so no meds for him!). Before long a Fade comes to investigate the cluster of friendlies under attack, joined minutes later by another, and they proceed to pound the Marine base, returning for healing periodically and with a supporting MC giving them plenty of energy
By the time the 2nd Hive goes up to replace the fallen Generator, we now have DCs to add to the mix. The Commander had woken up and frantically researched hand 'nades and upgraded the Armoury, but the hand nades had little to no effect against 2 Adren Gorges healspamming and a supporting DC, and unfortunately for him, he dropped the first GL just as our first Onos arrived.
Pretty much the only reason this worked was because a) Marines were distracted b) there were two of us to constantly reheal all the structures and c) support arrived for us just as the Commander started sending more Marines to clear out the OC spam. Oh, and let's not forget all the RFK we were getting from the attacking Fades and the defending OCs/Gorge-spitting.
One gorge on 2 OC's is impossible for any single marine to take out, and in the case of a good gorge, very difficult for any less then 3 equally skilled marines to take out.
One gorge on 3 OC's can't be taken out in a timely manner without heavy weapons, and will cost any less then 3 shotgunners their life to displace completely. For the price of a lerk +10 you can stop a disturbing amount of marine force at any given point on the map... Far more force then any skulk or lerk could, probably more then a fade could (the fade would need to run out and back several times, costing time).
2 gorges can ALMOST outheal nearly a full marine team of LMG's shooting an OC, and thier compiled healspraying will make even heavy weapons (short of a GL) have great difficulty taking them down.
I said it in my first post. By FAR the greatest use of an OC is turning the weak and spongy gorge into what is actually a very intimidating fighting force. Places a gorge probably should be a large portion of the game anyways (double res on origin for example, cargo bay on tanith, mother interface on nancy, nearly any fade healing base) it's usually worth it to drop an OC or two so the supply lines can defend them selfs so to speak. OC's really don't defend parts of the map that you are ignoring, but with gorge support they can be scary.
What you describe is usually correct, but you also just pointed out their best strength. They DELAY the marines. What does time delay do? Buys your team more labor-time at the expense of the marines. If they cause marines to break following orders and waypoins they are even better. And then there are some times where they are useful deterrents just like the marine turrets and CAN kill, even though they are really there to give supressing cover fire.
Aliens have an extremely hard time retaking territory at the start of the game. If you can get OCs up, you can stall enough to get a lot of the map.
1) I only play gorge, and have gotten very good at it.
2) This post is excellent and everyone should read it and understand it, even if they do not drop chambers.
3) My only complaint is that the topic should deal more with how to gorge and drop chambers, not just dropping.
A good gorge, as previously stated, can turn an OC speed bump into a Road block. I've seen (and done) on more than one occasion gorges using your above stated rules for placement lock marines in there spawn until the overwhelming use of high weps or straight up seiging. The judicial use of OC's and other chambers combined with secondary damage dealing (spit, para, spores, spikes on some servers) can be more effective than skulks or fades at holding an area.
My mind is bad on names and worse on numbers so I'll take ya word for it.
Back to business:
I'm going to add the common thing with most experience players here is that they use OC's as protection when a gorge. I hadn't realized that before but when I saw 1 gorge drop 3 OC's outside MS in caged and stopped a whole team going that direction I just have to include it. That is something that I'm going to add if not already there.
I'm going to change the high ground section, I now realize that high ground can be a good thing IF you know how to use it, which I'm not going to cover in depth in this guide.
I'll also add Crispy's points. They were very good, I'm impressed <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />.
I'll also fix up anything else I see fit. If anything else needs to be changed besides these 2 which I've missed due to time since I last checked this/unclarity just tell me.
EDIT:
Well, I'm done everything basically and edited my first post. I've still have to add Crispy's points, perhaps change the formatting colours (spent tonnes of time on that already and its still ugly) and add any missing points. I hope I'm mostly done this thing, I have a copy of the original one on hand if anything comes up tho.
Fades are better than static defenses (fades are the only offensive lifeforms TBH), learn to be a good fade and you'll be a much better asset for your team. Even if you CAN stop marines from going towards a certain location, that just adds more marines going to another. You actually do want to thin out the marines so ocs are bad.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Area denial can be important when the area is double res or a Hive, or the first junction on the quickest route to one side of the map from MS. And a lot of this doesn't apply to clan matches for obvious reasons, so let's keep in mind this is useful for people that want to play (and stay) on pubs.
With this in mind we can also say that Marines will not automatically go the other way.<ul><li>Good players might try to gauge the skill of the Gorge by attempting an attack, and if you're good and take them by surprise, you can get a kill out of this.</li><li>Stupid/inexperienced players will blindly try to repeatedly attack the OC, which means lots of RFK, so you're getting area denial PLUS a Hive/Fade.</li><li>Stupid players dying to OCs aren't in any way effective for the Marine team. Stupid live players following people through a PG and attacking a Hive are at least in some way effective, since:<ul><li>there are more targets so a Fade may not be eliminating the biggest threats first, keeping the good Marine players alive for longer</li><li>stupid live players can build sieges</li><li>stupid live players can shoot the Hive (but only if everyone else is doing it and the comm screams at them)</li><li>stupid live players can inadvertantly block Fades</li><li>stupid live players can inadvertantly keep dropped weapons/welders from disappearing</li></ul></li><li>Also, stupid dead players clog up the respawn queue and keep the good Marine players dead for longer.</li><li>Frustrated comms might fork out res on a GL to deal with the OCs that are feeding on all his newbie/dumb Marines. GLs usually don't last long and are fairly ineffective weapons, so this is pretty much you forcing the comm to waste res that could be spent on more effective weapons or the tech tree, delaying 'Weapons 3', for example.</li></ul>
Bottom line:
I'd take a decent fade over 4 ocs any day, any time, any scenario.
Bottom line:
I'd take a decent fade over 4 ocs any day, any time, any scenario.
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I'd take a decent fade over 4 stupidly placed ocs without alien team defending them any day, any time, any scenario. Overlook is probably the worst spot for ocs in the whole map. 2 shotgunners at dbl die to a few skulks while reloading.
Ocs are not some turrets of doom that solo marines but an oc at the right time can help you outlast the 15 seconds more or help to get the decisive frag. The problem is that its difficult to judge when the oc is useful and even if you want to use the oc, you wont get the chance all that often.
<b>Updates:</b>
Added some extra bits of info in the OC section; namely adding a part dealing with reasons to drop the chamber (taken from Crispy's post [man I love quotes!]) and a few typos/formatting errors. I've decided to put in a section for each chamber; even though I've decided not to put it awhile ago I realized that it wouldn't take that long to do and is a nice addition. I'm almost finished the DC section anyway, and I've only put a couple of hours work into it so far.
PS: This post reached above 1,000 views! Yay! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />. Now if only it could be stickied.... I guess that'll have to wait until I completely finish this guide and maybe go through a couple of re-writes.