MACs
aeroripper
Join Date: 2005-02-25 Member: 42471NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
Join Date: 2005-02-25 Member: 42471NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
Does anybody else think MACs need some sort of a boost? The only time I really use them as marine comm is parking one in guard mode at each of my base for welding needs. Also occasionally using them with an exo, which in itself isn't that useful either.
They seem to have an extreme vulnerability to the random passing skulk so they are not very useful for building behind the lines unless a marine accompanies them at all times. I know there was an ability that was being tested for a while that gave them a quick speed boost to help get away from skulks but it never went into vanilla.
Thoughts?
They seem to have an extreme vulnerability to the random passing skulk so they are not very useful for building behind the lines unless a marine accompanies them at all times. I know there was an ability that was being tested for a while that gave them a quick speed boost to help get away from skulks but it never went into vanilla.
Thoughts?
Comments
Currently (afair) MACs have a reduced build/weld speed, stop functioning when attacked, and only 1 MAC can weld 1 targert.
From what I remember, these changes were made in response the the UberTankDeathMachine ExoMacTrain. This has since been removed as its own issue.
I think its OK to only have 1 MAC welding/building any 1 object, but I cant really see a reason why they build/repair slower than a normal marine.
Also, a speed boost would be great and make them a bit easier to use (get them to where they need to be).
Ideas I got: add drifter like abilities to them, maybe an enyzme for faster welding/building, maybe a nanite swarm that boosts the armor/hp(either total hp/armor of marines in an area or even regens the hp/armor in an area, then maybe an anti-alien one that produces an electrified field in a small area around the mac that does small damage, enough to be annoying but nothing like turrets, more akin to lerk gas.
The fact that they completely stop working once they are hit by a SINGLE BILEBOMB doesn't really help, either.
I hate to say it, but... I'd rather invest in some powernode covering sentries. (Both use those precious mac points, too)
Macs are very useful in small games. We occasionally 6v6 pubs, one of my favorite tactics is instant robo, sentries around IP and a Mac, that way we have our base secured for entire early game, and instead of wasting time building base, let Mac do it, so marines can be more aggressive. Robo can be instantly sold to regain res, and if things are not going relly well, sentries can be sold later as well, entire defense strategy will cost you only 8 res in the end (res you lose on selling robo and sentries), which is less than mines or beacon, the only thing is that those res are going to be frozen for some time. But if executed right, marines won't waste time going all the way back to base, spending minutes building basic stuff -> more time to build external RTs, defedning them and attacking alien resources.
Oh and I remember good old times when Macs could attack and had EMP. There was one moment when I sapped all energy from Fade and had three macs weld him, dude was so scared, he had to run on foot from them
Also, if Mac is close enough to alien structure it reveals it. Free targeting for ARCs. Sad moment is, if friendly fire is on, ARCs damage Macs. I once managed to sneak a Mac in Cargo and build robotics behind containers, then instead of building power, I used many power surges to upgrade that robo and build arcs (power surge end does not cancel your researches or production). Sold robo and targeted hive using Mac. Aliens had no idea how the hell ARCs got there.
And one more thing, I once tried a silly start where I mass produce Macs and assign them to marines, in theory, it could be free armor healing and helping hand in building, but in practice we ended up with res wasted on every marine death. Don't do it.
BTW, I wish there was select nearest Mac option, just like drifters.
Aliens were in Sub, we were in Data. Naturally, they tried to spread over to Flight and had everything already in place (Crag, Shade, Tunnel, fresh growing 2nd Hive).
We built a PG in Summit and attacked, but the fight lasted forever and marines were hardly making any progress. Marines couldn't handle the constant healing and reinforcement from the tunnel.
Soo, while everybody was fixated on Flight, I snuck in 2 MACs to Cross and built sentries there.
Was able to take down the whole alien base there, because they were so distracted.
After that I capped Crevice, Atrium and repaired RC - with MACs, of course.
On any random German server, the MAC is not only the most useful, but also the most social, communicative and eloquent unit there is.
I dare say that I do enjoy their rare flattering lines, indeed.
No, no, you are just doing it wrong.
I call this strategy "the personal MAC".
You don't just mass produce MACs and hand them out to every mutebag and his dog.
That's like handing out Lerk eggs to green players.
No - just like NS1, Comm has to make smart selection of suitable players, e.g. Crowbar --> Gordon
This personal MAC is highly successful on small servers or situations where you have to play against the odds and you know for certain that some marines can shoot well.
With their personal MAC, they will always be fresh. Those precious armor points might just be enough to tip another engagement in their favour, because without their personal MAC they are dead within 2 bites.
https://trello.com/c/jx8Sz0vh
Less blocking of fire, woo.
Imagine those cold, dead eyes as they slowly roast you
investing in MACs early like you're implying is extremely risky
on the other hand, I really don't see the point in MACs tbh
You can't really expect perfect communication in public and a MAC is a nice fix for that. Perhaps make MACs weld structures only?
Welding players has always been problematic imo.
E.g. give @xDragon medpacks, a shotgun and a MAC and he kills entire teams.
I'd like to see the "I'm gonna jiggle in place when attacked" removed and have them sped up a bit should be a sufficient boost.
An AI unit being less used in a shooter that should be focused on PvP interaction? I'm completely okay with that.
But yeah... the macs are hardly part of the PvP aspect of the game so I am find with them.
I read this wrong at first, but it gave me a cool idea-
Tell you what'd be freaking awesome?
Is if when a mac gets physically attacked, its movement speed increases greatly for a couple of seconds (for e.g. when macs get taken down in-transit to an RT or something). Or if bile caused them to scatter and try and move away or something. (obviously they move back to their initial location when the dmg stops)
I just thought it'd be hella cute, is all :P
On the subject of macs following marines "not getting in the way of aim" - could anyone clarify if they will be simply re-positioning themselves with existing pathing in response to a marine aiming/ near them, or will be become 'locked' to the marine's aim (except behind, obviously) while in the marines direct vicinity, if told to follow that marine?
How are the chances we are going to get new voice recording for that situation?
Could be sooo cute cool!
Haven't played it