Strategy From A N00b?

maskedpussymaskedpussy Join Date: 2002-12-31 Member: 11645Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Here is how NS works...</div> Heelo.

I am a n00b. I have played a total of 20 games, if that. However, I have noticed a few things and I wanted to point them out, so all the other n00bs at least are less n00by. Also, I noticed allot of people are missing the point here when it comes to strategy for NS - or to put it another way, they are all asking the wrong question.

<b>What question is that?</b> All the questions, and resultant strategies I see to answer these questions, are some thing like: What is the best plan to beat the other team / what do i build for X / in what order / etc.

<b>This is the wrong thing to ask</b> - you are totally jumping right past the level of where NS games are won and lost.

<b>Here is the list of general things that, IMHO, make the MOST difference in an NS game.</b> Possible solutions to these problems (on a strategic and game developer level) are mentioned below:

**From most significant to least significant**

<b>1. Teamwork (Team Proficiency)</b>

This is the biggest one. It doesn't matter what weapons or evolutions you can bring out at whatever time, it doesn't matter how good your commander is, if your team cannot work together (and you have some guys runnig off and getting lost) you have lost (unless the other team can't work together either, in which case the Aliens have a slight advantage in the beginning, and not so much when the marines have Motion detect and HMGS in the end).

No teamwork = losing. Period.

<b>2. Experienced / Fast / Smart Command</b>

Think this only applies to the Marines? Nope. On your Kharra team you NEED (and I mean NEED) a Commander as well. A skulk usually, has to run around the map, Parasiting important places, and directing the other Skulks to what to do and where. The rest of the team <b>needs to listen to the alien commander, and second in command.</b> The gorge (second in command) sometimes plays the first in command role, but that is a mistake, because the Gorge cannot move fast enough to do this effectively, and he ought to be building instead of leading. But sometimes he needs some assistance, and should give an order or two for the other skulks to obey.

If either team is without 1 and 2 they will most certainly lose, unless the other team is also without 1 or 2, in which case it becomes almost totally random (provided that nothing else becomes a factor, like lagginess, or a 1337 sniper on one team, etc).

<b>3. 1337ness (Individual Proficiency)</b>

Remember CS? The team with the guy who was 30-1, who could shoot you accross the map with his Colt m4a1 and kill you with 2 bullets, that was the team that won most matches, just because that guy was so good. Same with NS - if you have a team member who can kill 4 guys usually before being brought down (on either team - doesn't matter) then that team has a distinct advantage. In fact, you can quantify it - if the guy usually kills 4 guys before dying then he is worth 4 teammembers, it's like having 4 more people than just one on your team. Which leads me to...

<b>4. Numbers (Outnumbering)</b>

This is also very important. Usually I play aliens, only because I always choose random team, and the aliens usually are outnumbered. Even if the teams are 7 vs 6 that's still a majour advantage, because they have that extra man to do the obligitory hive/base rush (more on this below).

<b>5. Lag</b>

Lag makes it hard to aim a bite or shoot anything. The team with the less laggy players has a slight advantage.We all know this, but seem to forget and get frustrated in game when our team is losing.

<b>6. Knowledge of map (for everyone)</b>

Know the map and you know what to put where, instead of scanning many areas if you are the commander, or running around lost if you are a skulk.

<b>It is in these general things where alsmist all the games are won and lost, IMHO.</b>

Think about it before flaming me.

Now we come to the more interesting specifics that can change the course of the game. Of course, generally speaking, if the things listed above are all in order (good teamwork, good commanders, low lag, sides are equal in terms of 1337ness and knowledge of map and numbers) the question becomes <b>who wins? Marines of course. Why?</b>

Because right now, with this current balance of technology and power for each side, the marines have an advantage in <b>adaptability</b>. The only time I've seen the marines lose is because of those general things above not being in place - usually number 1 (teamwork) and 2 (commander), which are the most important. (they tried a hive rush but the commander didn't react fast enough and / or the team didn't listen to him and ran off to die at the hands (or mouth in this case) of a skulk).

How can I say this? Well, right now we have 2 marine strategies - it is that simple. You all know this. <b>Strat 1. Hive rush:</b> take 1 of their hives and move to strat 2 or proceed to take a second hive (leaving them only 1 hive, in which case they can't Fadde, in which case you win 95% of the time).

<b>Strat 2. Way point / Siege hive strat.</b> Take a way point and siege the hive(s) in range. This works if all the general things are in place - usually the skulks can't fight against this. But strat 1 is much more devastating to the Aliens because you take a hive away from them, and the chances of them getting that second hive online goes way down.

For any strategy, for any team, the team that gets the second hive wins. If it's marines, then aliens can't Fade, and marines win. If it's aliens, they then can Fade, and they then (usually) can take the comm chair (we all know that the comm chair, and then the infantry portals are the most important things in the marine base, right? NOT the Turret factory, NOT the observatory, and especially NOT the armory, etc).

When it comes down to it, this is the only strategy available to both teams: <b>take one or another hive (by nutralizing oponent resistance)</b>. Hive locations and numbers are fixed (3 to be exact, in the same place on each map everytime).

Therefore, the tactics you use to accomplish this strategy for Marines is what I've said above: 1. Hive rush (better, I've never seen it fail when all those general things I listed above are even) and 2. Siege Hive from Way Base (not as good, but usually works when all those general things listed above are in order).

So, what you are saying maskedpussy is if I'm a marine commander I should always hive rush...? NO! It depends on the map, some maps are great for this, but other maps are better for a way base / siege tactical attack.

Really, the only reason why you don't want to hive rush on certain maps is because if the resultant most effective alien tactic (yes, just one, that's all they have, that's why the marines are better) below. Namely, the initial Skulk base rush.

<b>For the Kharra there is ONLY 1 tactic with several steps:</b>

<b>1. ALL alien players Skulk rush Base.</b> Don't even Gorge out yet. All team members stay together (not 10 seconds after one another which is totally useless - except as good target practice). If you can take the only Infantry portal (or both if the Comm is quick and smart to build 2 right off the bat) then you can chomp away on the comm chair unmolested (make sure you get the commander when he jumps out to kill you before you succeed), then you have won.

It may sound cheap, but IMHO, this is the best tactic to accomplish the main strategy (which is gaining a second hive by nutralizing oponent resistance - in this case you have done the latter most successfully).

Even if the marines rush a hive, you may encounter them en masse in the hallways, in which case you have the advantage. Then we proceed to step 2. Even if they take a different route then you, and get to your hive, if you take their comm chair in your rush, then it is a merry game of hunt down the marines, in which case the Kharra has the advantage whether or not they got your hive, and the marines hive rush avails them not.

<b>2. Become annoying</b> This is where things get screwed up if you don't have a good alien commander directing the waves of skulks in the right direction. Bassically though, you must attack, and keep attacking. This is not to kill them, because you can't - the game is not balanced that way generally speaking. Only annoy them so you can get a second hive (and then Fade, in which case you normally win) and not them.

<b>What do I do exactly to accomplish this maskedpussy? Well, that always, and only, depends on what the marines are doing.</b> For:

-If they are staying in their base after your base rush (most likely - you spooked them) then wait untill you have 3 skulks at least at the hive and make another base rush <b>simoultaneously</b>, NOT 20 seconds after one another (that is not usefull for you). Again, what you should be trying to accomplish here is always different: your commanding Skulk should have parasited the base so you know where it is. If they have a Turret Factory (by then they most certainly will) then you may have to take that, before you can take the Infantry portals, before you can take the Comm chair. But you can go right to the Comm chair if no one is around and their are no turrets protecting it.

-but if they are starting a way base for a siege, or if they are smart marines and have MINED the corridors leading to their base, then you cannot base rush, you must attack their way base (again, together, not seperately).

-if they are trying to take a hive of yours, then <b>the Skulk commander must determine where they are weakest and ALL skulks rush that simoultaneously.</b>. Not one or twwo. ALL of them. At the SAME time. Sometimes it's the hive base they are making, sometimes it's their main base. It doesn't really matter, because at this point the marines have more or less won (unless you have a smart and lucky Gorge who is building / saving for that second hive which is NOT the one the marines happen to be taking). But if the marines have left their main base open to take a hive (which is usually the case) and IF they haven't mined the entrances to it, then you should do another simoultaneous Skulk Base Rush to takeout what I've already discussed ought to be taken out (TF, IP, CC in that order or just the CC if it's not properly guarded).

<b>To conclude:</b>

As you can plainly see, IMHO, the way the game breaks down, the marines have a clear advantage - <b>only if they are complete n00bs, and don't guard their base (IP and CC buildings), and don't mine the entrances to it to prevent from a skulk rush at any point in the game</b> then the game becomes who can get the second hive quickest.

<b>My point</b> is that if the marines can get one hive point (which they can 90% of the time - if those general things are in place that I mentioned), then they can get the second (either by sieging it, pre-emptively or retroactively to the same devastating effect, or by walking in there, killing the Gorge waiting to make another Hive, and making a Phase Gate really quick).

All the aliens can do is what I've outlined above. It's kinda funny, they are really never on the offensive, even when they are base rushing the marines and chomping on the CC, they are still NOT on the offensive, these are only stop gap measures to buy them time (unless they just happen to kill all the marines, the IP, and the CC in that initial rush). They are buying time to get that second hive up, and then they can Fade, and THEN they ought to be on the offensive. Usually by that time, they will win (depending on the map, who has more res towers, and most importantly, if the marines have HMGS and HA, etc).

If this is the game that the fine folks who made NS wanted to, then that's what they have. Fine with me, it's still kinda fun, and hands down way better than CS ever was. But, if they wanted a more complex strategy which would be harder to predict, and maybe more fun, then they have to, IMHO, simply do one thing (yes, just one thing to perfection - isn't that nice <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> :

<b>Hives do NOT get a fixed starting point</b>. And / Or there are several places on the map a hive may start, there are 4,5 or 6 hive places in total in where the aliens must build 3 (max) hives. <b>This way, a hive rush is much more difficult (but still not impossible with the Siege cannon) and the game then becomes who controls the most res towers</b>! With little exciting battles here and there for res towers, with many different tactics to accomplish this, and a real back and forth about who is going to win or not. It takes the fighting to the res towers - if the marines have more they can get HMGS and HAs more and the aliens can Fade less, and vica versa.

Not that the old tactics of hive / base rushing go away, they just are not as effective tactically as getting res towers anymore. It forces the marines to defend their main base a little more and not rush out to a hive. This forces the skulks NOT to rush at the beginning cause it is less likely this will work, and the risk is no longer worth it cause the marines are no longer playing the hive rush strategy.

If they did this the strategy changes to put a siege cannon in the middle of the map and blow away any alien structures including res towers, then siege a hive (but if there were more hives then 3 in a map then a siege cannon in the centre of the map, with its very long range, would inlucde most hives anyways). In other words, the marines would still have a slight advantage in this case.

To counter this I would do one last thing: give the skulks some form of infravision, or a visio in which the marines stand out better - this way they will be more effective, killmore marines per skulk, and then, IMHO, the game would be entirely balanced.

So there you have it. The current state of NS and where it could go, all from a n00b.

maskedpussy

Comments

  • geldonyetichgeldonyetich Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2537Members
    Your handle is evil, but your initial imressions are mostly correct.

    That said, here's a Jaded NS Veteran's take on things: In 1.03 2 hives == the winner!

    So Marines: Make a mad dash to take two hives before the aliens do.
    Aliens: Stop marines from taking your hives. Maybe raid their CC if they seem so committed to the offencive that they forgot to defend.

    Things will probably change in later patches. At least, I hope so <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> Hive control wars kinda stinks.
  • IncitatusIncitatus Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 4316Members
    I would put knowledge of the map before numbers
  • KenichiKenichi This is not a pie. Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2941Members, NS1 Playtester
    first off thats a suprisingly long **obscenity** post from a noob and i must commend you on your detailed thoughts. Secondly i must smack you down. Dont base your knowledge of the game off some crappy pub games. Find some good pub games and build your NS knowledge of tactics and strats. Don't blind yourself into a corner of misunderstanding so soon.
  • The_HowlerThe_Howler Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2497Members
    edited January 2003
    I've decided to put this detailed guide to use and predetermine the outcome between my clan and Kenichi's [TE].

    1) I don't believe [TE] nor we ever get lost. I'm forced to issue a tie here.
    2) Our commander is intelligent, damn hyper (re: fast), and at 28 years old very experienced in a general way. An obvious advantage for us.
    3) I've seen some [TE] guys using 1337 speak, where we never do. That means they win this one as they are obviously more 1337 than we are <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->.
    4) Well, [TE] generally has three times the number of people in their IRC channel, but we have 700+ posts compared to their sub-50 on our forums. An obvious advantage for us.
    5) I'm horrible unless I have less than 5 ping. Since that's impossible, [TE] takes this one too.
    6) See #1 above.

    What's the final tally? Damn it!!! it's a tie. GG [TE] hope we can play again (as long as it's not for real, as our egos can't handle that bruising quite yet <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->).
  • Speed_2_DaveSpeed_2_Dave Join Date: 2002-11-15 Member: 8788Members
    edited January 2003
    excellent post..

    In a remark to the guy who said 2 hives==winner. that's not true.. I played on the "TOTAL F***TARD server" a couple of nights ago, went gorge, capped all the resource nodes that I could, defended the hive, built 2 hives, and STILL lost the game. The aliens were really really really really really really stupid :*(

    Mind you, I started about where midgame should have been.

    And don't worry about being a n00b. All you learn after the first 20 games are strats, how to aim better, and a few other things. Maybe even experimentation. a n00b is merely someone who hasn't figured out how to play yet, and you seem to have a fair understanding (I'd even venture to say good) of the game and how it is played. It takes some people longer, though, and that's why people look to post numbers, and length of game experience first.

    [edit] oh yeah, shouldn't this belong in the n00b section? The New Players forum would really appreciate some of this information, but you have to be able to sit through it [/edit]
  • KenichiKenichi This is not a pie. Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2941Members, NS1 Playtester
    <!--QuoteBegin--The Howler+Jan 3 2003, 11:38 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (The Howler @ Jan 3 2003, 11:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I've decided to put this detailed guide to use and predetermine the outcome between my clan and Kenichi's [TE].

    1) I don't believe [TE] nor we ever get lost. I'm forced to issue a tie here.
    2) Our commander is intelligent, damn hyper (re: fast), and at 28 years old very experienced in a general way. An obvious advantage for us.
    3) I've seen some [TE] guys using 1337 speak, where we never do. That means they win this one as they are obviously more 1337 than we are <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->.
    4) Well, [TE] generally has three times the number of people in their IRC channel, but we have 700+ posts compared to their sub-50 on our forums. An obvious advantage for us.
    5) I'm horrible unless I have less than 5 ping. Since that's impossible, [TE] takes this one too.
    6) See #1 above.

    What's the final tally? Damn it!!! it's a tie. GG [TE] hope we can play again (as long as it's not for real, as our egos can't handle that bruising quite yet <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->).<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You have completly lost me O_o
  • The_HowlerThe_Howler Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2497Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Kenichi+Jan 3 2003, 11:47 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Kenichi @ Jan 3 2003, 11:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You have completly lost me O_o<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    And so my master plan begins to unfold....
  • KenichiKenichi This is not a pie. Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2941Members, NS1 Playtester
    i've fallen into his trap. Damn... Well i'll always have the pink furry babies.
  • ShockehShockeh If a packet drops on the web and nobody&#39;s near to see it... Join Date: 2002-11-19 Member: 9336NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
    Awwww... baba skulks! And if we [NBK] ever manage to organize ourselves to playing some matches, we'll play you guys....

    (If we ever sort ourselves out <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> )
  • KenichiKenichi This is not a pie. Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2941Members, NS1 Playtester
    Sounds like that could be a fun thing to do. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • pardzhpardzh Join Date: 2002-10-25 Member: 1601Members
    Get out of your thread, man! This is a thread-jacking!

    <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • KenichiKenichi This is not a pie. Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2941Members, NS1 Playtester
    <!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Get out of your thread, man! This is a thread-jacking!<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Your thread? this was my thread? by that idea how can you jack your own thread?
  • maskedpussymaskedpussy Join Date: 2002-12-31 Member: 11645Members
    Thanks for the responses dudes.

    Last night I played another 5 games, all with the same result:

    If Aliens make it to Fade, they win. In the last match we almost didn't win cause the marines had HMGS and HA but we were able to pin them down in their base till about 5 Onos (yes, FIVE) went into their base simoultaneously and *** raped the marines. Ususally though, a simple Fade 'bomb and run' is enough to takeout any marine team (unless you have failed to get the general things I mention above like - being able to work together, which was probably the problem that guy experience above).

    If Marines take 2 hives and can keep them till all the Fades (if they had any) are dead, they win. This is easier than it seems. They can't leave their main base open of course in this process, but normally the Alien team is such n00bs, they don't work together, they don't have a commander, and even if they did they don't listen, that it is just random chance and fluke that a skulk manages to get intot he base and get an infantry portal, or the CC. (This of course is the best tactic if the Marines are doing a hive rush - not so if they are doing it right, or a way point / siege base right either it all depends on how well trhey have defended themselves. And that's why you need that skulk intell and to LISTEN to the skulk who gives it. And also on the map.)

    I think I'm going to post my original post on the new players forum, sounds like a good idea. I'll also include my tips on Gorge play, and my tips and being a commander, maybe....

    maskedpussy
  • SupernornSupernorn Best. Picture. Ever. Made. Ever. Join Date: 2002-11-07 Member: 7608Members, Constellation
    this is aimed at n00bs, but seeing as i know all that stuff already i kinda fell asleep....good job though on pointing these things out.
    i hate n00bs that join the game and say...is this game good?

    you know that this guy is so going to **obscenity** you off......how to i build?...how do i get more guns?...all i ever say to them is

    *READ THE MANUAL!!*

    then they either say something retarded like, "what manual?" or..."cant be bothered"...these show signs of stupidity....and...er...n00bism??...that a word?...should be...
  • Gay_Parrot_of_DoomGay_Parrot_of_Doom Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 8002Members
    To any n00b marines reading this - if you see a fade, and you have lmg, run after the fade, shooting at it continuously - you'd be surprised how scared the fade gets. If you have level 1 upgrades, then a whole clip and pistol too, can kill that fade dead.
  • SupernornSupernorn Best. Picture. Ever. Made. Ever. Join Date: 2002-11-07 Member: 7608Members, Constellation
    i made a fade run away after i chased it with a knife....true story.
  • Ryse_SladeRyse_Slade Germany Join Date: 2002-12-22 Member: 11349Members, Constellation
    Fought two fades in close combat with my knife after all bullets were shot and I stabbed one 3 or 4 times before I died ^^
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