New Kharaa Species
Cruor
Join Date: 2004-11-07 Member: 32677Members
Join Date: 2004-11-07 Member: 32677Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Symbiot</div>Ok so this might be the worst idea in the history of bad ideas and a pain to balance but hear me out.
The symbiote would be a support species much like the gorge for those of us that like from time to time to simply buff our team mates instead of really taking action ourselves.
It would simply buff the health, protection and abilities of whatever kharaa host it clings onto, maybe some small health regen as well.
By itself the symbiote cast would be a fairly easy prey for the marines but once it climbs onto a host it invigorates it's host as well as gaining added power itself. Perhaps it could have some ranged weaponry at it's disposal that is almost useless until it has claimed a host, that's when they kick up a notch and the symbiote can play turret on it's host, perhaps it could even inherit the parasite weapon that has been scrapped on the skulk.
For gameplay balance the symbiote would have to be visable on the host model and perhaps even enhanced visibility like it glowing to some extent when empowering it's host and itself. And the marines would be able to target their fire on the symbiot. If the symbiot dies the host would lose it's bonuses as well as suffer a minor penalty to some of them. That would encourage the host to be more protective of it's symbiot.
Also I believe there might have to be a strict population ratio of these symbiotes as to not make every player on the team into a mammoth tank.
The symbiote could also behave like a parasite if it use it's ability offensively by attacking a marine and cling onto him. Combined with cloak the now parasite could very effectively tap a marine on life or even resources and infect the marine with a parasite like the skulk did in NS1.
It would be slightly more insect like in appearance much like UWE's first concepts for the kharaa back in the day (pics below)
<img src="http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3214/concept1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/8701/concept2.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3580/concept3.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
The symbiote would be a support species much like the gorge for those of us that like from time to time to simply buff our team mates instead of really taking action ourselves.
It would simply buff the health, protection and abilities of whatever kharaa host it clings onto, maybe some small health regen as well.
By itself the symbiote cast would be a fairly easy prey for the marines but once it climbs onto a host it invigorates it's host as well as gaining added power itself. Perhaps it could have some ranged weaponry at it's disposal that is almost useless until it has claimed a host, that's when they kick up a notch and the symbiote can play turret on it's host, perhaps it could even inherit the parasite weapon that has been scrapped on the skulk.
For gameplay balance the symbiote would have to be visable on the host model and perhaps even enhanced visibility like it glowing to some extent when empowering it's host and itself. And the marines would be able to target their fire on the symbiot. If the symbiot dies the host would lose it's bonuses as well as suffer a minor penalty to some of them. That would encourage the host to be more protective of it's symbiot.
Also I believe there might have to be a strict population ratio of these symbiotes as to not make every player on the team into a mammoth tank.
The symbiote could also behave like a parasite if it use it's ability offensively by attacking a marine and cling onto him. Combined with cloak the now parasite could very effectively tap a marine on life or even resources and infect the marine with a parasite like the skulk did in NS1.
It would be slightly more insect like in appearance much like UWE's first concepts for the kharaa back in the day (pics below)
<img src="http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3214/concept1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/8701/concept2.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3580/concept3.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Comments
with the bone shield ability it could basicly become a bio siege gun.
but then again, is that even desired?
by the way, those sketches stem from the time ns was known as star craft 3d when im right.
with the bone shield ability it could basicly become a bio siege gun.
but then again, is that even desired?
by the way, those sketches stem from the time ns was known as star craft 3d when im right.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hehe a one "man" Onos army you mean, well obviously like I said there would have to be limitations to how many of these buff bugs can be alive at any given time. Also perhaps a limit to 1 symbiote per host. Although more would be fun on an Onos given his size, say 2-3 but with limited cumulative bonuses and it would have to be easy to spot and shoot these symbiotes off the Onos granted he's not using his bone shield like you mentioned.
<!--quoteo(post=1748358:date=Jan 21 2010, 02:20 AM:name=Teisu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teisu @ Jan 21 2010, 02:20 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1748358"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->A walking buff bug... sounds good to me. Say you recently started playing this game you have no idea what's going on you become a buffbug and attach yourself to a more experienced player and you can watch and learn!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Definently the thought I had in mind when this idea came to me, sort of a guided tour for newcomers while they can contribute in some way while learning the game :D
Funny stuff that movie aired last week.
you could do a lot with it - it could even be an alien commander symbiote or something
It's a neat idea on the paper, but it won't work out in game imho.
With a cool animation of course, the symbiote with a modified version of the rear tentacles that all kharaa seem to share in some way of appearance. It thrusts these thin spiked tentacles into the hosts back and spinal cord to establish the neaural and enzymatic connection.
Am I missing something?
To it every other kharaa is a vehicle it can become a unique turret and speciality boost to.
For real? My point is that this class would be boring to play for the vast majority of players. Countering with "no, you press the key not hold it" pretty much proves my point.
Avatar much? :D
But seriously this could be okay, if it weren't that we already have two support classes that cover these abilities: gorge and lerk. Between heal, umbra, and primal scream, there wouldn't be much of a role left for this symbiot to fill.
And I'm not suggesting making the class completely worthless on his own, only much more useful when bonded.
About it not being funny to play for the vast majority of players, that might well be so. But for me who pretty much allways plays the support class eg. skulk, gorge, lerk in NS and Medic in TF2 etc. I would welcome the opportunity to play as a symbiote and be able to relax my WASD fingers and simply rain death on passers by as my host does the leg work :D
And I'm certain I'm not alone in that regard.
And I'm certain I'm not alone in that regard.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Are you certain? I'm certain that most people play video games to have enjoyment and fun. I suppose there may be an extremely small minority of players who would like to press (not hold, got it RobB) E on a teammate then take their hands off the keyboard and watch someone else play your game...
I mean, it could be possible.
So you'd hardly just be sitting there doing nothing. All that you're giving up by bonding is the ability to chose your path. For an inexperienced new player this could have great benefits for learning a new level. Just have a look at the scoreboard, jump on the most profficient player and voila your boosting him and yourself while learning some great strategies, if you can keep up that is.
That's all I'm suggesting, and I think it could definently have it's place in the NS universe.
this looks awesome - why isnt it in the game??!!
TSA Battlefield analysis, xeno strain #25762
::: Symbiont
Class: really close support
...Assumed origin
degenerated primary strain "GORGE"
...Observings
# small
# slow
# very weak: no armor, easy dispatchable
# operation radius: hiveroom
# arming:
## mutated heal spray, anesthetizing human metabolism
...Behavior
# stays far from front lines and actual combat
# often found on other xenoforms
# seems to inject foreign substances into metabolism of its host while drawing from its stamina
# creature seems to hurt its host when moving
# presence seems to irritate host, reports claim that xeno is deliberately exposed to gunfire
...Advising
# Don't shoot it while its hosted
# Dangerous to SepOps, terminate with extreme prejudice when encountered singular<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Voice communication would be mandatory unless a lot of pre-programmed messages are allowed for the symbiote and host to talk with each other.