Hello everyone, CM is going to be testing out a new Roleplay Style for the server. Starting now and until stated otherwise, First Contact is being replaced by Expected Contact. What this means is that for all normal rounds, all players have general knowledge of the Xeno organism, caste system, and reproduction cycle. Mirroring this, all Xeno have the knowledge of tall hosts orbiting in the sky above, as well as basic tall host weaponry understanding. This doesn't mean each side knows every detail about the enemy, RPG's are still boom-tubes and Marines won't go around naming every strain a Xeno can morph into. You're free to RP knowing as much or little IC experience about dealing with Xeno. You're also free to incorporate previous rounds of CM as previous mission experience into your character's backstory/RP. Keep in mind you can't just directly quote these rounds, as there is still a "soft" RP reset between rounds.
Good RP based off IC information:
- "The Xeno tend to evolve Ravagers to do most of their front-line fighting, consider not using a flamer up there."
- "Some hives have Carriers in them so watch out for traps under boxes moving forward."
- "Xeno hives usually are located within caverns so be careful around that area when we drop."
- [xeno] "Tall host are likely to push their way through here so we should have a Burrower build some traps here"
Poor RP based off game mechanics:
- "There's usually only five tier-three Xeno in a hive"
- "Queen's tend to nest in Eta lab so lets check there first"
- [xeno] "Tall hosts usually build a base here so lets melt as much as we can."
Keep in mind that RP should not be based off game mechanics, rather using the data you do know about the Xeno/Marines and RPing about what they may do this mission. Remember that in theory, you don't know the size or limits of the enemy, rather just general info about them.
IMPORTANT - READ THESE RULES:
These rules are for balance and enjoyment of the round. Yes, we realize that while it may be a legit IC thing to do, this is still a game we play for fun at the end of the day.
- Xeno can not sit on the LZ waiting to attack Marines as they unload during first drop. This includes stuff like acid shots/sprays on the doorways, sitting at doorways to slash marines as they walk out, or running into the marine group to attack/cause FF. After people have unloaded or left the LZ, this rule has passed.
- Marines are not allowed to spearhead all/most squads into the caves during touchdown to attempt to kill the Xeno hive. This is to prevent the round from ending right away, rendering the whole round pointless for a lot of players. There is no set time limit or required plan and a swift victory does not mean it was a rush, but don't be that guy.
- Regarding the Almayer, the same general rules before still apply. Don't just weld all the ship vents if nothing is on the ship and defenses can't be built prior to the shuttle hijack. As far as the shuttle hijack is concerned, Marines will not believe they can fly the dropship up to them (the Almayer is the first case of this happening). This rule is to help prevent Marines from camping in autism forts shipside for the next hour.
If you have any questions, thoughts, concerns, please say below. Since this is a test, we're not gonna be implementing rules for every case here, rather seeing how the community interacts with this and everyone's thoughts on the matter. There is no set time limit for this test, and updates will continue as normal, but this is planned to be more than just a few day event. Thank you everyone and hopefully everyone will enjoy this test!