Introducing Ns At A Lan Party

Geoff1039 · November 2003

I'm relatively new to NS (but enthusiastic), and am planning on having a LAN party in my basement to introduce my friends to it...

I understand that 6v6 is optimal, but how does it play with fewer? What would the bare minimum be in order for it to make sense to play? If there's an odd number would people recommend putting the extra on Marine, Alien, or just sit out?

Also, if anyone has suggestions for good 'starter' maps, or good introductory hints for getting a whole bunch of new players up to speed quickly I'd appreciate some thoughts. I have pulled some nice guides off the board already, but any other ideas would be appreciated -

Thanks -

Geoff

CrystalSnake · November 2003

How big is your basement, and how many friends do you have?

tseepra · November 2003

3 vs 3 can work but when you go fewer then it starts to get a little stupid. And if you have an extra player put him on the marines side, because marines basically loose a player because one is comm.

As for maps, I would suggest either origin or eclipse, because the layout is fairly simple, and especially eclipse is easy to learn. And try not to be too good, I know in the last lan party I went to we stopped playing ns when me and this other guy were just killing everyone. Which lead to everyone else calling ns a stupid game. And you should probably tell them that gorges arn't super good marine killers.

Good luck.

BlackMage · November 2003

extra player should always be marine
and try to get at least 3 aliens vs 3-4 marines
although 2v2-3 works out nicely because the comm can almost constantly watch over his marines

TheWizard · November 2003

Eclipse is probably a good map to start on. It has a fairly simple layout and shouldnt confuse new players too much.

Yeah just make sure the aliens know to take it easy on the marines once they get the hang of playing.

That_Annoying_Kid · November 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (wizard@psu @ Nov 12 2003, 12:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Eclipse is probably a good map to start on. It has a fairly simple layout and shouldnt confuse new players too much.

Yeah just make sure the aliens know to take it easy on the marines once they get the hang of playing. </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
wizard says it nicely

oh and welcome to the forums and NS

amckern · November 2003

its alsoa good way to find new comms for pubs, comms are geting hrd to find now a days

gl

amckern

Geoff1039 · November 2003

Thanks for all the advice -- I'll let you know how it goes. Between my friends and my son and his friends we're hopeful we can get 8-12.

BTW, we're just planning on having everyone in a big room together. I'm wasn't planning on having headsets or anything for people, just figured we'd shout at each other... Think that'll detract from the game (e.g. revealing plans, etc)?

Geoff

Cartman2be · November 2003

Maybe devise a tactic for both teams. Require a team leader, probably the 2 more experianced NS players of the group can do that. I run tutorials at the lan center, so maybe run a 30min tutorial on NS.. I do this and by the end of the day, they know the way it works

ZERG · November 2003

I suggest you just teamchat in game if you are going to say anything importent. Just saying stuff like "follow me" isn't going to give the other team away. But shouting "gettin' jps" or "everyone to drill access" is going to aid the other team. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

typical_skeleton · November 2003

I disagree with the newbie-maps.

Veil and Tanith have the most basic layouts. Veil is extremely simple, more so than Eclipse. I definitely recommend ns_veil as the starting map.

MrPink · November 2003

How far away is this lan party? When 2.1 comes out, you can play combat mode which is fun from 1v1 to 8v8.

Xodlike · November 2003

Im a good comm..TAK should know..

Ape · November 2003

Yeah my personal choice for a newbie map would be tanith.

elchinesetourist · November 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (typical skeleton @ Nov 15 2003, 05:27 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I disagree with the newbie-maps.

Veil and Tanith have the most basic layouts. Veil is extremely simple, more so than Eclipse. I definitely recommend ns_veil as the starting map.  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
veil may be easy to get lost in when new

Ravatar · November 2003

Well for my first few times on a new map I pretty much hold down the Map button until i get a base familiarity for it. Helps especially when you're building something at base or whatnot.

DarkDude · November 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Geoff1039 @ Nov 13 2003, 09:03 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Thanks for all the advice -- I'll let you know how it goes. Between my friends and my son and his friends we're hopeful we can get 8-12.

BTW, we're just planning on having everyone in a big room together. I'm wasn't planning on having headsets or anything for people, just figured we'd shout at each other... Think that'll detract from the game (e.g. revealing plans, etc)?

Geoff </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
8-12 is the perfect amount for a nice lan party. It wont get too crazy but there will still be alot of action.

As far as mics and stuff, you don't really need them, I would use teamcheat, which is auto-bound to t (I think) if you're pretty new to NS. You can tell people simple things, but I would recommend against giving more complex orders, unless you have some sort of code or something.

Welcome to NS and the forums, hope you and your family/friends learn the joy of NS.

Forlorn · November 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Geoff1039 @ Nov 12 2003, 01:31 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I'm relatively new to NS (but enthusiastic), and am planning on having a LAN party in my basement to introduce my friends to it...

I understand that 6v6 is optimal, but how does it play with fewer? What would the bare minimum be in order for it to make sense to play? If there's an odd number would people recommend putting the extra on Marine, Alien, or just sit out?

Also, if anyone has suggestions for good 'starter' maps, or good introductory hints for getting a whole bunch of new players up to speed quickly I'd appreciate some thoughts. I have pulled some nice guides off the board already, but any other ideas would be appreciated -

Thanks -

Geoff  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
The bare minimum to play with is 3v3. Anything less than that, and you've got problems.

If there is an odd man out, don't put him on either marines, aliens, or make him sit out; put him on the team that has less skill. Trust me, players with more skill make a HUGE difference in the long run.

Starter maps? EC or Veil.

Getting nubs up to speed? You know the NS 'slideshow' that comes with the NS installer... make them all watch that.

Then, once they are in game, instruct them to their 'c' key, which is the mini map. Tell them it is their friend. They will be fine.

Since you are the only experienced player there, you should be a perma comm I think.

R_A_C · November 2003

I agree with everyone elses that 3v3 is the bare minnimum. Anything less and the aliens have a severe advantage if the teams are equal. 2v2 = 2 combative aliens v 1 combative marine. 1v1 = 1alien v 1 comm whho must drop a structure, jump out, then go build while te alien is droping and building stuff all over and destroying the marine's stuff before s/he can even get near it.

Introducing Ns At A Lan Party

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