Give the aliens the flamethrower

HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
As I read other threads about the flamethrower the issue of balancing the weapon occasionally comes up.

If the marines have a flamethrower, they have a very powerful close range weapon. That would automatically cause problems because the alien team primarily uses melee attacks.

Since the alien team primarily uses close range weapon, I suggest the flamethrower be an alien weapon instead of a marine weapon.
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Comments

  • FocusedWolfFocusedWolf Join Date: 2005-01-09 Member: 34258Members
    The lerk or fade can have fire breath... it'd be better then that ###### acid rocket thing from across the map.
  • RobBRobB TUBES OF THE INTERWEB Join Date: 2003-08-11 Member: 19423Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Acid Rocket became Bilebomb iirc.
  • PrivatePrivate Join Date: 2007-06-10 Member: 61204Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1751608:date=Feb 7 2010, 01:08 PM:name=RobB)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RobB @ Feb 7 2010, 01:08 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1751608"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Acid Rocket became Bilebomb iirc.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Nope, it just got nerfed to near uselessness. Somewhere between 1.04 and 2.0 iirc. Babblers became bile bomb.

    On this idea: It might work well as a late ability on lerk or fade. It doesn't even have to do massive damage, but just being able to disturb the vision (and aim) of an entire group of marines would make them an easy(er) target for your skulk buddies. Sort of like umbra and spores rolled into a neat little package of fiery doom.

    I think this is an interesting idea, mainly because it could really promote alien teamplay.
  • RobBRobB TUBES OF THE INTERWEB Join Date: 2003-08-11 Member: 19423Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    As far as I remember Acid Rocket was a Fade ability which got taken away from our dark friend.
  • MuYeahMuYeah Join Date: 2006-12-26 Member: 59261Members
    1.04
    Gorge: 1 Spit, 2 Healspray, 3 Web, 4 Babblers
    Fade: 1 Swipe, 2 Acid Rocket, 3 Teleport Blink, 4 Bilebomb

    2.0->
    Gorge: 1 Spit, 2 Healspray, 3 Bilebomb, 4 Web
    Fade: 1 Swipe, 2 Leap Blink, 3 Metabolize, 4 Acid Rocket
  • TemphageTemphage Join Date: 2009-10-28 Member: 69158Members
    edited February 2010
    ^ And THEN it got nerfed to complete uselessness, on top of being a Hive 3 ability so nobody ever used it anyway.
  • Voyager IVoyager I Join Date: 2009-11-02 Member: 69222Members
    I've played a decent amount of NS for a late starter and even poked through a few guides, and I didn't even know what Acid Bomb was until this thread.

    It sounds useful.
  • HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1751677:date=Feb 7 2010, 12:21 PM:name=Voyager I)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voyager I @ Feb 7 2010, 12:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1751677"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I've played a decent amount of NS for a late starter and even poked through a few guides, and I didn't even know what Acid Bomb was until this thread.

    It sounds useful.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Here is the manual for version 1.04 if your interested in reading about the older version.
    <a href="http://www.brywright.co.uk/ns/manual-104/" target="_blank">http://www.brywright.co.uk/ns/manual-104/</a>
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    Flamethrower, I'd rather see a burning acid thrower :P
  • sheena_yanaisheena_yanai Join Date: 2002-12-23 Member: 11426Members
    no



    the gorge gets the fire extinguisher spray...
  • RobBRobB TUBES OF THE INTERWEB Join Date: 2003-08-11 Member: 19423Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    I dont do fades anyway. Not since blink became "WHOO LOOK AT M---oops, no stamina"
  • HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1751755:date=Feb 7 2010, 06:23 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Feb 7 2010, 06:23 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1751755"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Flamethrower, I'd rather see a burning acid thrower :P<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    That could be an interesting addition to the alien arsenal.

    But who wouldn't want to see an onos shoot fire?

    <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/hybridclaw/Onos.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
  • RobBRobB TUBES OF THE INTERWEB Join Date: 2003-08-11 Member: 19423Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Heh.

    That would have been a way I accepted "hit and run":

    <img src="http://s6b.directupload.net/images/100209/33oldyfb.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
  • RanemanRaneman Join Date: 2010-01-07 Member: 69962Members
    The Fade has a lot of room left for new stuff, let's give him a more badass ranged weapon, and problem solved. Maybe it could even set the target on fire or melt it in acid.
  • RobBRobB TUBES OF THE INTERWEB Join Date: 2003-08-11 Member: 19423Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    I dont think the fade should be enhanced. It's already sort of a gamedecider (good early fade = win, bad early fade = game over).
  • Battle-BugBattle-Bug Join Date: 2010-02-11 Member: 70523Members
    These are aliens, not dragons. Spitting acid may be appropriate for a slow burn. I'd suggest that armor gets damage first. This can also become a poison attack where it does damage until a medpack is received or an armory is used for healing.

    I'd also like to suggest that flying aliens have a skill where they can become like the "ass blasters" of Tremors 3. They discharge fire/acid behind them when they blast off in retreat (should drain energy big time). Many games have an effect like this when a rocket launcher is fired and the blast kills your teammate behind you (on accident).

    On the flip side, flame throwers may be perfect for marines. They can light floors and walls on fire for a few seconds (and limit that marine's movement until the fire dies). Although, a short range laser cutter may be a good alternative, like the Moonraker laser in Goldeneye 007 for N64 (or was this Perfect Dark?). Imagine a laser that does constant damage and less with range up to approximately 10 feet.
  • HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
    From a gameplay perspective it would make more sense to give the aliens a flamethrower because they are the ones who use close range weapons.

    From a plot perspective it wouldn't make too much sense for marines to have the flamethrower. I don't see why marines would think it's safe to bring a few gallons of compressed flammable liquid/gas onto space.

    Fire where there is limited oxygen is very bad.
    Fire in in a spaceship or space station is very bad.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    Onos with afterburners? Marines get heatseeking missiles :P
  • RobBRobB TUBES OF THE INTERWEB Join Date: 2003-08-11 Member: 19423Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=1753116:date=Feb 14 2010, 05:26 PM:name=Hybridclaw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hybridclaw @ Feb 14 2010, 05:26 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1753116"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->1# Fire where there is limited oxygen is very bad.
    2# Fire in in a spaceship or space station is very bad.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    1# C2 + O2 = CO2, use some sci-fi-magic and you have a nice breath and a bucket of purified carbon.
    2# well, yeah. that's what automatic blastdoors and airlocks are for.
  • HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1753155:date=Feb 14 2010, 05:40 PM:name=RobB)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RobB @ Feb 14 2010, 05:40 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1753155"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->1# C2 + O2 = CO2, use some sci-fi-magic and you have a nice breath and a bucket of purified carbon.
    2# well, yeah. that's what automatic blastdoors and airlocks are for.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    1. If I understand your statement correctly, producing CO2 with this method would use up oxygen. Which would seem like a reason not to bring a flamethrower into space.
    2. Its true airlocks and blast doors could help contain fires but odds are they are designed for accidental fires not for people purposely trying to set the walls and doors on fire.

    From a plot standpoint it seems reckless for marines to bring flamethrowers with them into space. They are there to remove and alien presence not to damage their facilities. Weapons like the siege cannon were developed specifically to prevent collateral damage. If they really wanted to destroy their buildings they could just blow it up.

    On the other hand, aliens couldn't care less about human facilities. Many maps have have broken doors and halls from alien activity. The back story of some maps also includes the kharaa taking down life support making the place uninhabitable for humans. Thus aliens seem more inclined to use dangerous weapons such as fire.

    But this isn't my main point, gameplay-wise I figure a powerful close range weapon such as a flamethrower fits in with the alien team more than the marine team.
  • FocusedWolfFocusedWolf Join Date: 2005-01-09 Member: 34258Members
    It's obvious that the flamethrower fills the role between a gl and a siege cannon... something more mobile then a siege, and faster and more devastating then a launchable HE grenade, that is particular useful on killing alien life forms (that in this case are just bacteria anyway).

    I can foresee one badass feature could be if the commander could close off areas to "burn the room" lol.
  • HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1753315:date=Feb 15 2010, 07:14 PM:name=FocusedWolf)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FocusedWolf @ Feb 15 2010, 07:14 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1753315"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It's obvious that the flamethrower fills the role between a gl and a siege cannon... something more mobile then a siege, and faster and more devastating then a launchable HE grenade, that is particular useful on killing alien life forms (that in this case are just bacteria anyway).

    I can foresee one badass feature could be if the commander could close off areas to "burn the room" lol.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Given that logic, the aliens do not have anything as long range or as devastating as a gl or a siege. A flamethrower would be able to fill this niche for them. And a fast and mobile weapon fits into the alien team because they depend on speed and maneuverability.
  • Battle-BugBattle-Bug Join Date: 2010-02-11 Member: 70523Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1753490:date=Feb 16 2010, 01:29 PM:name=Hybridclaw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hybridclaw @ Feb 16 2010, 01:29 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1753490"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Given that logic, the aliens do not have anything as long range or as devastating as a gl or a siege. A flamethrower would be able to fill this niche for them. And a fast and mobile weapon fits into the alien team because they depend on speed and maneuverability.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Alien flamethrower = spores X2 (X3 at most). Lerk spores are annoying, but imagine if they overpowered resupply on combat mode. You'd need a really attentive comm on NS mode to keep up with the damage.
  • HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1753499:date=Feb 16 2010, 06:56 PM:name=Battle-Bug)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Battle-Bug @ Feb 16 2010, 06:56 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1753499"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Alien flamethrower = spores X2 (X3 at most). Lerk spores are annoying, but imagine if they overpowered resupply on combat mode. You'd need a really attentive comm on NS mode to keep up with the damage.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Supposedly combat won't be in NS2 so that shouldn't be a problem.

    If the flamethrower does the damage of two or three lerks then the life form that gets it should be the cost of two or three lerks. Thus it should go to a fade or onos.
  • RobBRobB TUBES OF THE INTERWEB Join Date: 2003-08-11 Member: 19423Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->1. If I understand your statement correctly, producing CO2 with this method would use up oxygen. Which would seem like a reason not to bring a flamethrower into space.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> It's called life support systems. Check out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebreather" target="_blank">rebreathers</a>, and imagine a station recycling exhaled gas to just that, carbone and oxygen.

    Hmmmmmmmm....
    I hope we can script doors and stuff - flamethrower in carbone dump = ouch! ;)
  • spacedanielspacedaniel Join Date: 2009-11-11 Member: 69348Members
    Although tha flamethrower-aliens-combo is a given classic, I doubt if it would really add something to the game. Get the game done first and add fire later when the balancing has progressed a while

    On the thought of an alien flamethrower: "puke", perhaps an attack which all alien lifeforms can perform which slows, blinds and burns away a few armour points? It would cost the alien a few health points. Just to point out the possibilities.
  • HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1753609:date=Feb 17 2010, 08:22 AM:name=RobB)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RobB @ Feb 17 2010, 08:22 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1753609"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It's called life support systems. Check out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebreather" target="_blank">rebreathers</a>, and imagine a station recycling exhaled gas to just that, carbone and oxygen.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    A fire from a flame thrower is much more intense than a fire from a fireplace. That being said, you don't use a flamethrower indoors whether it be on Earth or in a space station. There won't be enough oxygen to produce only CO2 and you'll end up with a lot of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Both of which are not good for humans.

    I doubt that the ventilation systems in a space station can remove the CO2, CO, NO2 and other products of combustion produced from a flame fast enough for those products not to become a health hazard.

    Also, a flamethrower will use the oxygen in a room faster than it can be replaced by a normal ventilation system. Some oxygen will diffuse in from nearby areas but diffusion is still a slow process. Sure oxygen can be specially piped into a room, but that wouldn't be any safer. The marines will not have enough oxygen to breath.
  • NeoSniperNeoSniper Join Date: 2005-06-02 Member: 52976Members
    Dragon Lerks doing fly-by fire bombings ftw!
  • Battle-BugBattle-Bug Join Date: 2010-02-11 Member: 70523Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1753622:date=Feb 17 2010, 07:51 AM:name=spacedaniel)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (spacedaniel @ Feb 17 2010, 07:51 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1753622"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->On the thought of an alien flamethrower: "puke", perhaps an attack which all alien lifeforms can perform which slows, blinds and burns away a few armour points? It would cost the alien a few health points. Just to point out the possibilities.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    See below.

    <!--quoteo(post=1753764:date=Feb 17 2010, 05:56 PM:name=NeoSniper)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NeoSniper @ Feb 17 2010, 05:56 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1753764"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Dragon Lerks doing fly-by fire bombings ftw!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    This.

    I was about to suggest that lerks should do bombing runs. They can lay eggs or make a dookie or something.
  • GDWhiteGDWhite Join Date: 2009-07-17 Member: 68170Members
    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFUIEuNeWw4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFUIEuNeWw4</a>

    Watch this bit on Bombardier beetles.

    I vote that, if any, it's a mutation for gorges.

    Lerk + Gorge = Kharaa version of flamethrower. >:D
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