I think everyone, or at least every player who is not exclusively Marine, knows from experience or the countless forum complaints what this is about. No need to repeat it*.
This thread is for 3 purposes:
1. The issue with Skulks vs. Marine b̶̶u̶̶n̶̶n̶̶y̶hopping has not changed a bit. But there hasn't been much talk about it lately. So... again, here it is![:)]( ":)")
2. Given the latest dev blog entry about balance, to preempt people from saying "But we have 50% win rates now, what are you complaining about!!?? Whiners!"
3. To get the devs comment on the issue.
There is no denying that quality of games has gone up A LOT since 240. No more stomps with clueless Marines running back and forth between Extractors constantly under attack until the cloaked Onos rapetrain comes running into their base. Exos are seen a lot, Marines regularly hold 3 bases, etc. Especially for new players (well, Marine players at least, and new players tend to go exclusively Marine) 240 was a godsend. NS2 is much closer to the advertised product and imagined game than before. Overall gameplay IS better now.
The problem is, this was, to the most part, bought with a fairly big Skulk nerf. And the biggest part of that nerf is the Marine bunnyhopping thing.
It wasn't really a nerf in the good sense (like giving Skulks less HP, Marine weapons doing more damage,...). It didn't make Skulks harder to play or more challenging in a good way. It just made Skulks feel unfair, reduced their usability hugely, and is just not fun to play.
Given how the game is centered around Marines vs. Skulks, given how you play the base class most of the time, given how much Marines gain with weapons and upgrades later in the game, this is a huge issue (in my opinion).
A Marine team can easily win with everyone just using the base class: a LMG Marine (throw in the occasional shotty if you like). Try doing that with Skulks only after 240 (have them all evolutions available if you like). You can't. This is not a higher skill ceiling or more challenging, this is the proverbial glass ceiling. At a certain point (Marine aim + jump key in this case), there's just nothing you can do.
This is not fun.
At least that's how I see it.
So I'd like some devs' comments on this.
Are you aware of the issue?
Do you see this as a problem or is it working closer to what you always intended in terms of Marine vs Skulk gameplay?
Can we expect a change or is this just the "new Skulk" and we should get used to it?
Is this something you are working on in a specific manner?
Is the improved b-word (balance) worth it? (in my opinion, the improved game quality is a HUGE benefit, don't get me wrong)
Should players just save the 10 res and "go Lerk"/use higher lifeforms?
What are people supposed to do?
This is not to pressure you. If you need time, say so. But SOME kind of dev clarification would be really helpful. Because this is frustrating.
*PS: please everyone, do NOT comment in this thread if you don't know what it is about. "Learn to ambush", "use the walls", "teamwork" etc. shows you do NOT understand what this is about. The problem starts when you, as a Skulk, are standing right next to a Marine, possibly undetected and very often not alone...
Thanks.
This thread is for 3 purposes:
1. The issue with Skulks vs. Marine b̶̶u̶̶n̶̶n̶̶y̶hopping has not changed a bit. But there hasn't been much talk about it lately. So... again, here it is
2. Given the latest dev blog entry about balance, to preempt people from saying "But we have 50% win rates now, what are you complaining about!!?? Whiners!"
3. To get the devs comment on the issue.
There is no denying that quality of games has gone up A LOT since 240. No more stomps with clueless Marines running back and forth between Extractors constantly under attack until the cloaked Onos rapetrain comes running into their base. Exos are seen a lot, Marines regularly hold 3 bases, etc. Especially for new players (well, Marine players at least, and new players tend to go exclusively Marine) 240 was a godsend. NS2 is much closer to the advertised product and imagined game than before. Overall gameplay IS better now.
The problem is, this was, to the most part, bought with a fairly big Skulk nerf. And the biggest part of that nerf is the Marine bunnyhopping thing.
It wasn't really a nerf in the good sense (like giving Skulks less HP, Marine weapons doing more damage,...). It didn't make Skulks harder to play or more challenging in a good way. It just made Skulks feel unfair, reduced their usability hugely, and is just not fun to play.
Given how the game is centered around Marines vs. Skulks, given how you play the base class most of the time, given how much Marines gain with weapons and upgrades later in the game, this is a huge issue (in my opinion).
A Marine team can easily win with everyone just using the base class: a LMG Marine (throw in the occasional shotty if you like). Try doing that with Skulks only after 240 (have them all evolutions available if you like). You can't. This is not a higher skill ceiling or more challenging, this is the proverbial glass ceiling. At a certain point (Marine aim + jump key in this case), there's just nothing you can do.
This is not fun.
At least that's how I see it.
So I'd like some devs' comments on this.
Are you aware of the issue?
Do you see this as a problem or is it working closer to what you always intended in terms of Marine vs Skulk gameplay?
Can we expect a change or is this just the "new Skulk" and we should get used to it?
Is this something you are working on in a specific manner?
Is the improved b-word (balance) worth it? (in my opinion, the improved game quality is a HUGE benefit, don't get me wrong)
Should players just save the 10 res and "go Lerk"/use higher lifeforms?
What are people supposed to do?
This is not to pressure you. If you need time, say so. But SOME kind of dev clarification would be really helpful. Because this is frustrating.
*PS: please everyone, do NOT comment in this thread if you don't know what it is about. "Learn to ambush", "use the walls", "teamwork" etc. shows you do NOT understand what this is about. The problem starts when you, as a Skulk, are standing right next to a Marine, possibly undetected and very often not alone...
Thanks.