Couple Of Rine/alien Questions
RSMemphis
Join Date: 2003-08-19 Member: 19953Members
Join Date: 2003-08-19 Member: 19953Members
<div class="IPBDescription">To n00b or not to n00b</div> I have dl'ed Natural Selection last week, and have been logging a few hours on pub servers after reading the manual/tips here. Still, a few questions remain.
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1.) What to do as a rine? I think that early advances are important, so I try to head out when people are still dukeing out who will comm. I am always hoping someone will join in, but it rarely happens. So, where do you go? Try to make it to a hive, or double resource node? Or single resource node? What's the best way of getting attention when you are there (hoping there is a comm by now). I love playing rines, and I hate losing, so I am trying to levy the first (in)decisive moments by some initiative.
2.) I have noticed that the LMG is not really such a choice weapon when running around the map. In close quarters, it's not that easy to hit a skulk enough to kill it. I recently noticed that I had much better chances surviving with the knife (killing a skulk and a gorge while rushing deep). Does the knife make noise (more or less than running)? Did I just happen to kill to newbs?
3.) You respawn, and want to try to get back to your waypoint. No one else is around so you can get there together. What is the best strategy here?
4.) You are parasited. Informing the comm is the best idea, but then I am not sure if it's just too much info for him/her. If you already have been spotted, it's no problem, but what are good options otherwise?
As an alien <!--emo&::skulk::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/skulk.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='skulk.gif'><!--endemo-->
1.) Is going gorge to cover some RP initially acceptable? Say build an RT and two OCs and then go back to skulk, earning some points? Is it advisable?
2.) On pubs, so far I noticed know sense of direction. Pinpointers to good initial strategies?
I guess I have many more questions, but those are the most important one to me right now.
<!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->
1.) What to do as a rine? I think that early advances are important, so I try to head out when people are still dukeing out who will comm. I am always hoping someone will join in, but it rarely happens. So, where do you go? Try to make it to a hive, or double resource node? Or single resource node? What's the best way of getting attention when you are there (hoping there is a comm by now). I love playing rines, and I hate losing, so I am trying to levy the first (in)decisive moments by some initiative.
2.) I have noticed that the LMG is not really such a choice weapon when running around the map. In close quarters, it's not that easy to hit a skulk enough to kill it. I recently noticed that I had much better chances surviving with the knife (killing a skulk and a gorge while rushing deep). Does the knife make noise (more or less than running)? Did I just happen to kill to newbs?
3.) You respawn, and want to try to get back to your waypoint. No one else is around so you can get there together. What is the best strategy here?
4.) You are parasited. Informing the comm is the best idea, but then I am not sure if it's just too much info for him/her. If you already have been spotted, it's no problem, but what are good options otherwise?
As an alien <!--emo&::skulk::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/skulk.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='skulk.gif'><!--endemo-->
1.) Is going gorge to cover some RP initially acceptable? Say build an RT and two OCs and then go back to skulk, earning some points? Is it advisable?
2.) On pubs, so far I noticed know sense of direction. Pinpointers to good initial strategies?
I guess I have many more questions, but those are the most important one to me right now.
Comments
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What I recommend you do if people are nagging over who will comm is to jump in the chair yourself. Even if you just drop the IP, armoury and one res node, you're getting things rolling. If you're not in the chair, grab a buddy and move out to (if there is a respectable comm) cap nodes or (if there is not) destroy alien RTs.
<!--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-->3.) You respawn, and want to try to get back to your waypoint. No one else is around so you can get there together. What is the best strategy here?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The best strategy would be to wait on a partner if your waypoint is tough to get to (ie. halfway across the map through a lot of alien opposition) if it's just a hop around the corner <b>or</b> you think you can make it on your own, by all means get going.
<!--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-->4.) You are parasited. Informing the comm is the best idea, but then I am not sure if it's just too much info for him/her. If you already have been spotted, it's no problem, but what are good options otherwise?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't think being parasited (parasat?) is as big a deal as everyone says it is. Most aliens don't really pay too much attention to you unless you're already a threat. So if you're moving in a group, let your squad know out of common decency and let them make the call as to whether or not you will disrupt the attack.
<!--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-->1.) Is going gorge to cover some RP initially acceptable? Say build an RT and two OCs and then go back to skulk, earning some points? Is it advisable?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Absolutely! This is the Kharaa's greatest advantage in NS 2.0. Pretty much any successful Alien team will have each member go gorge, drop an RT, and move on. It's simply the most effective means of infesting the map as quickly as possible. Definitely do this.
I am a bit afraid of jumping into the comm because people usually expect that you stay then.
It sounds good in theory, but once someone is in, they usually stay. Nothing worse than not having a comm after a while - and I have no exp with comm'ing.
::asrifle::
1.) What to do as a rine? I think that early advances are important, so I try to head out when people are still dukeing out who will comm. I am always hoping someone will join in, but it rarely happens. So, where do you go? Try to make it to a hive, or double resource node? Or single resource node? What's the best way of getting attention when you are there (hoping there is a comm by now). I love playing rines, and I hate losing, so I am trying to levy the first (in)decisive moments by some initiative.
2.) I have noticed that the LMG is not really such a choice weapon when running around the map. In close quarters, it's not that easy to hit a skulk enough to kill it. I recently noticed that I had much better chances surviving with the knife (killing a skulk and a gorge while rushing deep). Does the knife make noise (more or less than running)? Did I just happen to kill to newbs?
3.) You respawn, and want to try to get back to your waypoint. No one else is around so you can get there together. What is the best strategy here?
4.) You are parasited. Informing the comm is the best idea, but then I am not sure if it's just too much info for him/her. If you already have been spotted, it's no problem, but what are good options otherwise?
As an alien ::skulk::
1.) Is going gorge to cover some RP initially acceptable? Say build an RT and two OCs and then go back to skulk, earning some points? Is it advisable?
2.) On pubs, so far I noticed know sense of direction. Pinpointers to good initial strategies?
I guess I have many more questions, but those are the most important one to me right now. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
2) Sorry, but sounds like a newbie skulk, or you just got lucky. With practice, you'll learn how skulks move and aim better with the ever trusty LMG.
3) Depends on where the waypoint is. If the commander just wants you to kick a skulk away from a dying RT, or needs something building in a relatively secure area, go ahead on your own. If the waypoint leads to an alien hive or a group of incoming onii, it's a good idea to wait for backup and, if possible, equipment. :P But if the aliens are attacking a locked-down hive and the commander is shouting "PG PG PG", for the love of God, don't armoury hump and just leap in to that phasegate.
4) Unless you're going for a stealthy group offence, it doesn't matter too much. Besides, being an alien and seeing five parasited HAs coming your way is pretty scary. ;P
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1) YES. :D As Mastodon said, this is an effective strategy, and it's important to have players that don't just save for Onos from the get-go.
2) Might want to look at the Kharaa forum. I would type up some basic strategy, but I'm hungry and need food. :S Might append later on.
Thanks for all the replies, I got some more practice on both rines and aliens, and some things work out quite nicely.
Am starting to be better at aiming, too...
<!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::skulk::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/skulk.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='skulk.gif'><!--endemo-->, <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::skulk::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/skulk.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='skulk.gif'><!--endemo-->
There is only one time when you can venture off by yourself without (or against) commander's orders - when you've gotten very very experienced and very, very good. That's not to say that all good, experienced players ignore orders and go off by themselves, I mean that sometimes a single marine (a commando, rather than a rambo) has gotten into an excellent location allowing the commander to drop a phase, siege a hive, etc. But by and large, don't go off by yourself.
Even at the start of the game. Especially at the very start of the game. The best thing to do is get your back against a wall and get ready for the skulk rush.
2)The knife does make a noise. It also does not alter your running spead, or the noise you make while running. Unlike CS, NS is logical in that it doesn't matter whether your heavy, heavy machinegun is the weapon in your hands or not - it's still weighing you down. The LMG takes a lot of practise to use effectively. I can't comment on how effective the knife is from a marine perspective, but from an alien perspective there are few things more infurating than a marine who's good with the knife.
3)That depends. If the waypoint is, say, somewhere you're expanding into and your squad have been jumped on the way there, there's no point in marines trickling in one by one because they'll just get picked off. If the waypoint is a marine base which is comming under attack (often characterised by the commander frantically screaming "PHASE THROUGH NOW!!!"), just dorp everything and get there no matter what, as fast as possible.
4)The commander can tell that you're parasited. Follow orders, but try to drop to the back of the team. If you're parasited, aren't heading anywhere important, and aren't carrying equipment, you might want to try heading for exactly the opposite of where you're meant to be going, to throw the enemy off. Basically, use it to mislead the enemy.
Aliens:
1)Not only is it advisable, it's recommended. Spend your initial 25 resources on gorging, dropping a structure of some type (preferably a resource chamber) and then reverting immediately back to skulk. You won't have the resources to drop more than one chamber, and you'll likely get more resources as a skulk from your kills. There's no point in staying gorge to save up.
2)Use hivesight.
the commander doesn't need mindless drones, he(/she?) needs competent players. If there's no "plan", go for it, it will save your team some time. Stay near HQ though (for obvious reasons).
PS. rule #1 COMMON SENSE
if you don't have any faith in the 'rines defending your base (or if your base is empty..), DON'T go looking for res.
the commander doesn't need mindless drones, he(/she?) needs competent players. If there's no "plan", go for it, it will save your team some time. Stay near HQ though (for obvious reasons). <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
As I said, there's only one thing more frustrating for me than marines who think they're mobile commanders. Leaving a resource node when the commander's said to guard it while it electrifies, running in to a hive while there's a siege base sneaking up, generally going of alone - <b>don't do it</b>.
If there's no commander, or the commander is indecisive and isn't really giving many orders at all, go for it. Play to the commander. If you're getting a lot of very specific instructions, it's a good idea to follow them. I have a habit of ignoring marines who give me trouble, and that means no medpacks.
Sometimes, however, a COMM does forget - it happened to me yesterday that I waited at a way point (with an RT) for a while with a waypoint there.
Eventually, I figured I was forgotten about, and did a "need orders" quicky. Soon, I got another waypoint.
I know, COMMs on pubs are sometimes new themselves, it just helps to know if you are somewhere on purpose or forgotten.
I did notice that my own, personal performance is about 5 times better with a good COMM - quite interesting.
If I join a server and they are trying to figure out what is going on, I generally hop in, lie down an IP and an armory then jump out (I wait about 5-10 seconds to see if anyone will command) to help guard as the team builds (I place down an item, everyone goes to build, so I become the guard as I leave the chair).
It would be highly advisable if you get good with the LMG. It's a great weapon if you know how to use it. However, if you get ambused by a skulk from behind, you pretty much are dead if they really screw up (Which happens time to time) since it only takes two bites to kill you with no upgrades and it can happen REALLY fast. This is where awareness comes into play. Your best weapon against a skulk is distance. He can't kill you if you're at the end of the hallway. Of course this changes when they get leap but you generally don't see many skulks when the 2nd hive goes up.
When I am parasited I tell my team and I try to stay in the back of the ground. This does a few things. If the alien sees you, he may try to attack you and, whoops, he runs right into a group of marines (You are in the back remember?). This'll probably surprise him, if he doesn't have Scent of Fear (It allows you to see marines through the walls). If you get killed from the behind - it's bad, but at least you aren't parasited anymore and aren't a danger to the mission/team.
Always listen to your commander if he is doing a somewhat decent job. Marine's take a lot of team work to play, and IT DOES PAY off. You just need to learn what works, and what doesn't. Since I'm in a clan (aphelion, yes we are recuriting <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->), I get to play with my members quite often. I team with one member all of the time and we get a lot of practice together and it works very well. So I suggest trying to find a buddy to team up with marines, it'll pay off.
Reloading, this is an interesting topic - as if you reload at the wrong time, those few seconds will seem like forever and most likely you will die. When I am playing again, I yell out when I am reloading and try to shuffle to the back so my other clan mates/team mates can cover me. Always try to reload at a downtime. I have a bad habit at reloading when I shot 1 bullet out of my LMG <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->.
Firing, there are many ways to do this. You can empty your whole LMG magazine on the alien then pull out your pistol and try to finish the skulk off. This'll work, however another way to do this is to fire off maybe 15-20 rounds of your LMG, then switch to your pistol. This gives the impression that you're out of bullets and the skulk may become over confident. When you do pull out out pistol in either form, you want to empty THE WHOLE clip. In the second one - switch back to your LMG and continue firing. It may seem like a lot of shots (60), but it CAN and DOES happen quite a bit. It's hard to hit the aliens - they are small, fast, and move in odd formations.
Hopefully this helped you out, and if you want more information you can PM on the forums, or contact me in irc.gamesnet.net, channel: #aphelion and I'll give you some tips, and show you how to play better <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->.
PS: Its 6:30 am, so sorry for any typos
2.At the beggining of a game it is but i dont recommend using the knife to skulk because youll need to aim at him first , and he is small , fast and can crawl. so ifu try to knife he will bite ya and crawl up and do it again. then ur dead.
3.Check map when u die.
4.Just keep playing
alien
1.well you can do that or rush.
2.Dunno <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->