Things That Made Me Go "hmmm"

TomSkeritt · December 2003

<div class="IPBDescription">A noob's observations</div> First off, hello. This is my first post. I've only been playing NS for the last few days as "Ripley" (I know, real original). That name was taken here so I spent a whole .05 seconds thinking up a new one.

Anyway, I suck. Yep, I can't kill skulks and when I try to actually BE a skulk I can't kill a marine to save my life. So, there is much room for improvement.

Over the last few days, I have experienced some things that made me go "Hmmm".

1) As a marine, I have never seen our base successfully defended by a full out skulk rush early on. Maybe everyone stunk each time (and lord knows I was no help), but even with three turrets and four or five marines we got our heads handed to us. Is there something we need to do besides "get better"?

2) Commanders stick all the base builds really, really, really close together. The builds frequently touch each other and it really gets cramped when everyone is trying to get ammo (not to mention the cool way I die by accidentally standing on a spawn point). This doesn't seem very wise to me, but I sure as hell am in no position to criticize.

Well, hope to see you all in-game soon enough. I'll be the one looking confused and getting eaten all the time.

Spooge · December 2003

First off, welcome <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

1. The success or failure of an early skulk rush depends on a few things:
a. Number of players on the server (usually lower numbers=dangerous skulks)
b. The skill of the marines (given)
c. Whether or not the marines are expecting a rush and cover doorways

Usually, when you have 8-10 people per team, there are enough extra LMGs around to stop a rush. With fewer numbers, a skulk with some stealth and/or skill can wipe out more than 1 marine. My suggestion=practice tracking skulk movements, know the entrances to the marine start, and cover your teammates.

2. Clustering marine structures is common on some servers. Often structures are placed around a turret factory (TF). The idea is to electrify the TF and protect the structures. Personally, I don't like this method for the same reason you pointed out. I also find that spreading out turrets has better results than squeezing them right next to the TF. NOTE: in the latest beta test of NS3.0, clustering marine structures is nearly impossible due to some new (intentional) coding. If you're going to practice commanding, don't get in the habit of clustering.

A few tips for a new player:

1. Get a mic. Especially if you're going to try commanding.
2. If you aren't sure what to do, let your team know that you're new and ask for suggestions. Some servers have griefers that will put you down, but for the most part people will help you.
3. On marines--stick with your team unless you have specific instructions not to.
On aliens--pay attention to teammates requests for upgrades. It is considered bad form to gorge and build an upgrade chamber without consulting the team.

That should get you started. Good luck <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'>

TomSkeritt · December 2003

Thank you, sir, for the reply and the advice.

I have been having a blast so far, so it can only get better when I get some experience.

Looking forward to 3.0!

ASAODEN · December 2003

Thx Tom.. now I know I'm not the only one feeling like that <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'> <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

Ripur · December 2003

A very simply tactic that works to ward off skulk rushes is simply to have 1 or 2 marines leave base and go to the first choke point (alot of spawns are large rooms with hallways or small rooms leading out). Squat down, and watch the door. I recall one time on teh "Relocate to Cargo" Map in which i was standing guard outside the spawn, when a pack of 5 skulks came on a rush. Since it was long hallway, i had the advantege with my range, and their lack of cover. end result- 2 dead skulks, the rest injured in various degrees, and me waiting to respawn. it effectivly squashed the rush, since after they killed me i could alert the team.

ZiGGY · December 2003

well a few things from me.

I always say this one: Play Q2, play it until your eyes bleed, then play it some more.

Then come back and play <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

Note: Being a skulk doesnt make you an onos, and being an onos doesnt make you much either come to think of it.

Niteowl · December 2003

just a tiny thing. you might wanna use a very non-general name. i've seen a billion ppl named Vash the Stampede or Vash play. they are not the same person. it makes it tough for players to get to know you (pretty important, imho). so pick a fairly unique name,and stick to it <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

oh, and as a sometimes comm, i'd appreciate it if it's a name i can pronounce ;D

welcome, welcome, welcome <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

Roger_Dodger · December 2003

hehe have to agree with niteowl on the name stuff for sure.

As for skulks trust me it'll be bloody hard killing them till you learn the basic movements they use which is strafing, bouncing or running in a corkscrew (my personal fav). Whack "hud_fastswitch 1" into console so that you can change weaps fast and learn to switch from lmg to pistol real quick (very important) try to use the pistol for range stuff and lmg for closer but not absolutely necessary. Sidestrafing is also extremely important for evading skulks too and the occasional jump works wonders too.

As for trying to be a skulk you'll need to get a lot of practise with aim for biting and trying to keep ur sense of direction when you lose your target rine.
Learn to bunnyhop as a skulk and avoid being predictable eg: with corkscrew change direction halfway across the roof or just jump down etc.
Parasite alot to help your team not to mention the fact it makes it a alot easier to hit them.
Finally really learn a map well and know chokepoints, fav rine areas and nice hidy spots to jump at em from.

- RD

brute_force · December 2003

I find using lastinv helps alot as both marine and alien. If you don't have a bind for your lastinv, then type this into the console: bind KEY lastinv (replace KEY with a key (duh <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>)). I use Q, with WASD for movement. Now, as soon as you spawn, select your secondary weapon (pistol/parasite, or spores, blink etc for other lifeforms) and press your lastinv key. This helps alot like when you run out of ammo with one weapon, or when blinking around as a fade, or when trying to parasite those pesky marines and at the same time bite the one comin' for ya.

Also, you should learn the hitboxes. Although they are fixed in 3.0, it's still quite annoying when firing at a big space cow and half of your bullets missing due to weird hitboxes.

Start up a LAN game, and run around in maps as a skulk. Know every map by heart, this helps ALOT. If you ever get lost, just look at your minimap (C is default, I believe).

Oh yeah, when you have two hives, a good trick for skulking is having leap as your weapon, leap up to a marine and in mid-air press Q (or whatever lastinv bind you chose) and hold/press your attack button. Goes really quick, and if the marine is hurt already he might not even know what hit him. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>
EDIT: first select your bite, then your leap. (so you'll change to bite) <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

Good luck! And have fun.

[hope I didn't go too far off-topic, did I?]

Caboose · December 2003

[OT]What the heck is a "Vash The Stampead"?[/OT]

[WHO]Them · December 2003

yes, names.... pick an original one <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

Caboose · December 2003

And [who] would think of having his name be "them"? that's a good name!
hehe...

Redford · December 2003

The best way to prevent a skulk rush is to post at least one marine on guard at the doors. All marines that are not building, at the start should be on guard. If the skulks DO run in, you'll have a nice shiny hallway to shoot them, allowing to kill a large number before they even get within bitegun range. Having at least one marine guarding the base later should help too, so that there's someone to build and kill wandering skulks.

EDIT: Your best defense aginst any skulk is ALLWAYS a nice shiny hallway. If they can't get within bitegun range, they can't hurt you, and therefore can't kill you. Long narrow passages with low celings are VERY marine friendly, due to this fact. On the other hand, a large, complex room with a high celing is very skulk-friendly.

Some marine friendly areas: Most corridors leading from marine start. Most standard hallways.

Some paticularly marine-unfriendly rooms: Most hive rooms. Atmospheric Processing. Triad reactor Array.

You should, idealy, have a little radar in your head that surveys the "danger" of the area you are in, then tells you how viglant you need to be to prevent from getting mauled by a skulk before you notice he's in your face.

Swiftspear · December 2003

There are lots of reasons for the close bunched up bases

1. bunch your base around a TF and it will be protected be electrification if it becomes nessicary
2. skulks like to hide in small crevices behind buildings and slowly chomp them down, protected from turret fire by the building
3. they take up less room and are therefore easyer to defend
4. they look funny

my # one tip for all newbies, when told to phase, PHASE RIGHT AWAY, GET AWAY FROM THE ARMORY AND PHASE, NOW!!!!!!11!!1!!1oneoneeleven

The_Redeemer · December 2003

[OT]'Vash The Stampede" is a character from the Anime/Manga "Trigun" and is one my personal favorite animes.[/OT]

About one of the most annoying people you can find in the game is the people who overdose on the mics. That's why you should learn the handy dandy ability to "mute" people, not many newbies know how to mute people. (Hold tab, left click, left click on person name).

EDIT: Oh, and welcome to the forum =).

Things That Made Me Go "hmmm"

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