Lerk Spikes, my take/spin on them. (Idea for DEVs)
Jimyd
Join Date: 2003-02-08 Member: 13289Members
Join Date: 2003-02-08 Member: 13289Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Slightly different, but the same goal.</div>I say they should be more like this: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYPSIrJ2xKc&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYPSIrJ2xKc...feature=related</a> (00:00:35) (Fun game BTW.)
Basically the Lerk would shoot a Spherical Spiked Shell type thing, where when it contacts with a surface it would explode its Spikes out in all directions.
Kind of like the Green Globs in the video, but 360 degrees sphericaly.
Also it would have a long trajectory... like give it the same arc as the NS1 Grenade Launcher. Give it the same speed as the Lerk Spikes, but 1/3 slower (33% speed reduction).
There, you have a very useful ranged Lerk weapon that is not overpowered. If the Lerk Shell doesn't land near a Marine, the Spikes will spread out far enough to where the Marine could dodge some of them.
Kind of like an Alien "Frag Grenade" for the Lerk. You make the actual Spike's damage lower/smaller, but make the amount of Spikes higher.
Something like 2/3 points of damage per each Spike. Maybe there could be an Alien upgrade that makes the Spikes bounce 1 time after upgraded.
Rate of Fire would be about the same speed as Gorge Spit in NS1.
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It could have an Alternate Fire. Maybe like a timed version where they stick to the map's surface for a few seconds, then they explode.
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<b>I believe the goal of the DEVs in NS1 for the Spike weapon was for it to be more of a suppression like weapon, than an outright <u>death beam</u> like weapon.</b>
Feedback would be appreciated. Myself I would rather have new type of "Spike" weapon, than just a copy+paste of the laser beam version from NS1. I hope most would agree.
Basically the Lerk would shoot a Spherical Spiked Shell type thing, where when it contacts with a surface it would explode its Spikes out in all directions.
Kind of like the Green Globs in the video, but 360 degrees sphericaly.
Also it would have a long trajectory... like give it the same arc as the NS1 Grenade Launcher. Give it the same speed as the Lerk Spikes, but 1/3 slower (33% speed reduction).
There, you have a very useful ranged Lerk weapon that is not overpowered. If the Lerk Shell doesn't land near a Marine, the Spikes will spread out far enough to where the Marine could dodge some of them.
Kind of like an Alien "Frag Grenade" for the Lerk. You make the actual Spike's damage lower/smaller, but make the amount of Spikes higher.
Something like 2/3 points of damage per each Spike. Maybe there could be an Alien upgrade that makes the Spikes bounce 1 time after upgraded.
Rate of Fire would be about the same speed as Gorge Spit in NS1.
*****
It could have an Alternate Fire. Maybe like a timed version where they stick to the map's surface for a few seconds, then they explode.
*****
<b>I believe the goal of the DEVs in NS1 for the Spike weapon was for it to be more of a suppression like weapon, than an outright <u>death beam</u> like weapon.</b>
Feedback would be appreciated. Myself I would rather have new type of "Spike" weapon, than just a copy+paste of the laser beam version from NS1. I hope most would agree.
Comments
Spore is a DoT weapon. The Spike weapon is more like burst type damage.
It is not similar to Spore at all. Spore is a gas weapon.
The Spikes are more of direct type of damage, than being a complete DoT trap type of weapon.
Even if you were to make a similar comparison, the Lerk is a ranged class.
It's like saying throwing potions is similar to shooting arrows on a RPG Archer/Rogue character. Like it shouldn't be allowed or something.
Anyways, I'm not flaming you, just clarifying.
(Keeping you on your toes Comprox. <3)
So we need a new interesting type of weapon for the Lerk, but still familar that is based on a older weapon... so it has the appeal/novelty to the Veteran players.
Think on how the Kharaa would "evolve", and in this case for the Lerk, how would it "evolve" its Spike weapon. This is my take on it.
i dont like it. if you spam these, its basically insta kill
so basically like an alien grenade.
i dont like it. if you spam these, its basically insta kill
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Only if you make them overpowered?
Slower fire rate, and the actual "Grenade" doesn't do any damage. Just the Spikes.
I thnik your thinking of UT3 when you think they are instant kill, which they are suppose to be really powerfull in those games.
I will say, nothing can compete with the death beam of Spikes from NS1. Long/Straight corridor + NS1 Lerk Spikes + Marine Squad = Lots of RES for that Lerk.
I quite like the idea of having an arc on the spikes, though - maybe even an mouse wheel adjustable one, you could do some really annoying stuff with it like shoot out of a vent, but under you, or over an barrier without exposing yourself :)
so kind of like a shotgun kind of weapon? but spikes instead of pellets?
I quite like the idea of having an arc on the spikes, though - maybe even an mouse wheel adjustable one, you could do some really annoying stuff with it like shoot out of a vent, but under you, or over an barrier without exposing yourself :)
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<a href="http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3680686/2/istockphoto_3680686_water_mine.jpg" target="_blank">http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview..._water_mine.jpg</a>
<a href="http://assets.gearlive.com/blogimages/SaecoEtienneLouis-5.jpg" target="_blank">http://assets.gearlive.com/blogimages/Saec...enneLouis-5.jpg</a>
<a href="http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_2009_07_13__14_56_42/mine.jpg29f40bce-f25e-41a5-b24b-b460c1c617c3Large.jpg" target="_blank">http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Conten...c617c3Large.jpg</a>
But obviously organic Alien like, and with a lot more Lerk Spikes all around the Sphere.
Also, you could shape the the Sphere like this:
<a href="http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/items/images/item15/item15_080305_38-l.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/items/image...080305_38-l.jpg</a>
<a href="http://www.zeldadungeon.net/Zelda06/Items/DekuNuts.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.zeldadungeon.net/Zelda06/Items/DekuNuts.jpg</a>
<a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/deku%20nut/Scarablord/Bestiary/Mad_Scrub.jpg" target="_blank">http://media.photobucket.com/image/deku%20...y/Mad_Scrub.jpg</a>
But have the Lerk Shell closed and not open like in the pics above, with all the Lerk Spikes attached around it 360 degrees.
Have I sparked everyone's imagination now?
Otherwise, if they intend on making the lerk very long range, then this idea makes the most sense for a spike projectile. The lerks wouldn't be able to camp all the way inside of a vent with this at least, as they'd still have to arc their shots, and mixed with spore (if that's still in the game), they'd be pretty damn effective at weakening marines enough to either get the kills themselves, or allow the rest of the team to come in and mop up.
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Have you ever played ns3.0? The lerk is the most devastating alien unit in all situations.
Early lerk is the reason aliens manage to get to 2nd hive at all before 5 minutes and the reason that marines dont have a1/w2/pgs by 4 minutes. It's a huge bonus in the resource race for the aliens.
A well played lerk using spore/bite can force marines to concentrate their resources hugely on attempting to take out just one node, removing their ability to cap/spawncamp/kill other nodes and can go on to harass cappers/scout better than skulks.
Spore is the biggest siegebreaker/res-drain the aliens have going for them. It is why RFK is necessary for marines or they will just fall behind due to the sheer amount of med-spam needed to keep marines alive. RFK doesnt pay for guns, it pays for meds. Once the second hive goes up and focus comes online it just becomes overkill how useful spore is.
Umbra is amazing, yes but not as good as spore due to the mobility of the aliens. It's very good for defending hives and taking out marine outposts, though. Countless rounds have gone in favour of aliens if marines are attempting to shoot down the 2nd hive as it is building, got it to ~10% with a gorge on it healing and then it goes up and umbra on the hive saves the day.
Primal lerk never gets used, it costs too much energy to be worthwhile if aliens get third hive. Spore/umbra are still far better.
Basically, without a lerk you cant do anything. Did you never see the link between you thinking RFK is madly marine biased and lerks being half useful?
On the topic of lerk spikes, it is my impression that they're changing spike into a short range nuke, so effectively the same as bite is now in NS1 but with slightly more range. I assume it's to make the lerk more distinct by not wanting to have a second bite alien and as long as the high risk/reward situation of using bite stays it will be a good part of the game.