In that case, maybe the Melee spec could have a weapon that pierces or strips armor so that it's even remotely viable. Alternatively, they could get a riot control-type weapon that staggers/knockdowns/slows xenos for more of a control/interference-oriented kind of role.Originally Posted by CABAL
Melee spec doesn't fit the "universe" that we are having. Marines are supposed to be marines, what enemy that USCM knows about requires up and personnal approach? None. Also such spec would be pretty much useless as benos would gang up on him quickly. Only viable solution would be Combat Power Loader spec with melee option, but primary firing weapon. Stafmemes are currently on "No" stage for combat loaders.
Even if so, melee would need to be more of an utility, like mirroring warrior's punch, making benos fly in directions, etc.
What we really need is Laser Spec. With experimental laser being able to cut trough multiple benos in one shot. This would be great spec to deal with chocke points.
While I don't disagree that a melee-focused spec wouldn't fit the universe, there are quite a lot of gameplay-driven design decisions on CM that don't fit the universe either, like the Queen being able to fly the escape shuttle, every single xeno being basically immune to bullets and heal to full easily, almost no Drones but a ton of "elites", gunships that require laser guidance instead of manual fire, medicine that heals people from mortal damage or death in the span of <minute, etc. I think a melee-focused spec would offer a unique gameplay experience and ultimately add more variety and fun to the game. Again, I don't think you're wrong, but it would certainly not be the first time that gameplay has trumped lore.
A laser spec would be way cool, and an experimental laser would definitely fit well with the universe as well.
Sure, however melee doesn't fit in "USCM" universe we are currently having. Oblivious to the benos, not many years after events from "Aliens". Marines shoot and unga, only occasionally slashing vines with machetes and benos with boot knifes. Powerfist, or powerhammer isn't really a military thing, even in universe with magical hivemind bugs that can heal by being lazy, or that can exceed their "natural" limits by sniffing some pheromones, or hearing a screech.
There also comes Gameplay issues, fast benos, benos that aren't slowing down when hit, benos that spit neuro and acid, benos that kill even the most armoured marine in 3 slashes, benos who stun any marine on the screen, benos with directional aim etc.
Laser Combat Power Loader is the future of USCM.
Yeah we need specialists who can magically fix massive burns and brute injuries with a pill. Or magical defibs that ressurect the dead without any of the real world damages associated with it. Or surgeons who can fix bones in such a way that you don't need months of rehabilitation to recover. Those things would help balance out xeno advantages.
Oh wait we already do. Because as much 'bullshit' as there is on the xeno side, there is an equal amount of unrealistic bullshit on the marine side.
Maybe we should lower the skill cap for marines then. Replace slug with a shorter range version that does more damage and stuns too. Or maybe we should give marines the ability to call down attacks way outside their vision range that cover a huge area.
Or even give marines a tank.
Oh wait, the devs have.
If you want combat loaders sure, but don't pretend that marines are 'high skill'. Marines are way easier and more forgiving to play as than xenos.
These options could be really fun and it would also make the role less cringe as people wouldn�t play it only for the kills and yahre yahre.
What? What kind of marine gameplay is "more forgiving" than beno gameplay? Only the one thing, that even after major fuckup and death, you can be revived. Nothing else, everything else is more complex, requires more clicks and requires a previous thought about it, while benos just rely solely on fast reflex, no prior thinking required.
It's not about "realism", it's about how easly you can belive in something. It's easy to belive in some magical "Bicardine", or "Kelotamine" that can heal brute and burn damage over time, surgeons having tools and substances allowing instant bone mending etc. It's the future dammit, future medicine is superior to modern medicine.
While I still have a problem in beliving that not at all magical omnipotent bugs (hivemind that have all benefits of hivemind, no drawbacks and additional magic psychic capabilities) can just heal every wound by lying on some shit, even single tile. Marines guns don't shoot bullets made out of air, they have to take ammo from vendor, transport it to battlefield, load and then shoot. From where Benos get their neurotoxin, acid, "resin seed", purple resin and facehuggers? No eating, no drinking, just standing on the "weeds" in form of "plasma". From where those "weeds" take substances required to make "plasma" that can basically be changed into alive biomechanical being, or neurotoxin? Out of thin air, out of the void, out of nowhere, even single tile is able to do all of that for eternity. Very realistic and belivelable indeed.
But enough this bullshit, or I could brag all day about benos being as more of a Fantasy Fiction, than Science Fiction and they themselfs don't belong to the USCM universe.
It's about "soft military sim". What fucking modern military have units that primarly fight with melee weapons? None.
Maybe we shouldn't lower the skill cap for marines, but raise it for benos then. Replace the need to click on marine to slash, or pounce with directional attacks. Or maybe we should give benos fire immunity and boiler attacks that can magically fly above the cades and deal damage there.
Or even give benos Pheromones that add 24/7 straight up stat boosts.
Oh wait, the devs have.
I don't pretend, they are: Replace healing on weeds with special "healing ponds" found in Comic "Labyrinth", so that benos can't be fully self-sustainable on the battlefield, also them having structures they should defend would be a nice addition. Maybe remove fire immunity completly and add resistances etc.
I'm liking the Chaplain and Mess Sergeant ideas.
I think that, looking at Aliens Versus Predator: Extinction, we could nab a few additional ideas, as well.
Much like what Alfred was suggesting much earlier, a CommTech could prove useful, using an oversized and ultimately handicap-inducing back-mounted radio to, at the very least, counteract the near-absolute collapse of cohesion when T-Comms inevitably goes down on certain maps. Yes, I am aware that, to a degree, station bounced radios work just fine when this happens, but perhaps this CommTech could have access to additional channels, such as the Command Frequency and JTAC.
The CommTech was also considered an Engineer in AVP:E, but we have that thoroughly covered at this point.
Another thought would be the 'Combat Synthetic'. Now, I know the rules are fairly firm on this one, but in AVP:1, AVP:2, AVP:E, AVP:CM, Predator: Concrete Jungle, et cetera.. There has been -Some- form of Combat Synthetic present. Obviously, this would probably be a Whitelisted role, and doesn't quite fall in the niche of Specialist, but.. Out of the four squads, there could possibly be -One-, at the most. This Combat Synthetic would function differently from the Synthetics usually aboard the Almayer, having less practical programming (Engineering, Medical, et cetera) and more combat programming and survivability. Think of a Working Joe, but instead of being a plastic bag shoved over a metal skeleton with the most basic programming possible (Thank you, SeegSon), it would be a durable, impersonal, highly capable, yet.. Socially deplorable killing machine.
Another thought, which has been with me for quite some time, has been to suggest a DEDICATED MORTAR TEAM. Not necessary, but definitely helpful in high-pressure rounds.
Magic medicine that can turn a corpse into a healthy human in 10 minutes is realistic but aliens that use radio (Hive mind) isn't?
If we're talking about realism why don't marines get slowed down when they carry loads of equipment?
Game play is why, because better game play always overrides realism.
And if your complaining about marines having to reload and pick out gear, well that's the price you pay for having MASSIVE customization, from appearance, to armor to weapons, hell, even PFCs can specialize into different kits. Xenos can only dream of having that kind of customization.
If you really want xenos removed why even play this game? Go play CoD or battlefield for the HvH game play.
You miss my point entirely. I don't complain I have to reaload my gun, it's cool. I'm saying that benos get their stuff out of the void.
We do take liberties on wound healing, but it's easier to belive that medicine works fast (gameplay overrides realism), but it still requires medicine to accelerate healing (believability), while benos heal... How exactly? Sylicone beings with acid blood heal by just lying, they get their carapance repaired... How? Benos are Mary Sues... Hehe.
All I'm complaining is that playing beno is so easy in comparsion and on rules that only spoiled brat could be proud of winning (atleast like 0.5-1 year back, but still strong now).
It's not about "You want HvH gameplay?", it's about something different and something fair. HvH is only a part of it, big, nice, cool part that you basically won't find anywhere else. Capturing CLF and UPP soldiers in battle, torturing them for info, fighting with PMC's just to declare fast ceasefire because Zombies approach, struggling to survive during SCP contaiment breach, other RP and Good Gameplay rich stuff is so fucking cool. Benos are so fucking lame and boring after 1000'th time. I want zombies, I want Wendigos, I want HvH, I want Necromorphs, I want Combat Yirens, all because benos are boring and lame to fight with. From super sanic speed monsters, to pretty fast, armoured, fireproff beasts that stuns you with middle mouse button and kill you in two left mouse button clicks with no RP.
I do play TF2, I indeed played BF, I play CS:NZ, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., C&C and such, but SS13 provides unique experience, ruined by benos existing.
And I'm looking in the future as wind passes rumors about dedicated self-run HvH rounds to break up with monotony. Hell, I'm willing to play 1-99% winrate if rounds with benos are like 1/4 of CM experience.
Last edited by CABAL; 07-19-2019 at 10:28 AM.
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