T2 and T3 Slot Distribution Discussion

[Toroic]

I wanted to open up a discussion about how the hive should best manage their slots.

Personally, I think it's a difficult balance between the needs of the hive and what people are good at.

As an example, last night a queen insisted that the first three runners evolved to crusher, despite one of their protests that they were bad at playing that caste. All three died in short order, and it was probably a mistake.

On the other hand, having 3 praetorians and hunters being unable to evolve is nearly as bad.

In terms of hive needs, I think the best defensive and offensive core is:

1 boiler
1 crusher
2 spitters
1 drone

Once that core is established I feel everything else can build upon that.

After that I'd probably prioritize a hivelord if they're skilled enough to make a tunnel network (I can count on one hand how many times I've seen this without making it myself). Otherwise it really isn't that necessary. Drone pheromones are just as good, even weak acid is helpful, and carriers can spread weeds at the front line.

Carriers and Praetorian are fantastic from midgame on, and Ravagers shine on the Sulaco and pushing with the rest, but I think without a boiler, spitters, and a crusher core the hive suffers to attack or defend. Spitters are excellent in skirmishes, and can rapidly dissolve weapons and flares that are often too exposed for a boiler to melt.

What do other xeno players think?

[Nyvrem]

I think a competent boiler, crusher and ravager is very important and once you got that core group it starts to kind of matter less, unless one of them dies. So that opens more room for people who believe they are just very good at a caste or more room for people who want to try a caste that would be useful but aren't actually all that skilled and have yet to learn how to play it.

But then again I mainly play Ravager.

Also queens should always know that if they let things go unrestricted there is a very high chance there will be three boilers.

In terms of t2, having a few carriers and some hivelord(s) tends to be very useful (although this doesn't mean that you should always listen to drones who picked drone just to whine about how much better hivelords/carriers are, because drones are pretty damn useful) and spitters tend to have a greater usefulness difference with sentinels than hunters have with runners.

[Toroic]

I think a competent boiler, crusher and ravager is very important and once you got that core group it starts to kind of matter less, unless one of them dies. So that opens more room for people who believe they are just very good at a caste or more room for people who want to try a caste that would be useful but aren't actually all that skilled and have yet to learn how to play it.

But then again I mainly play Ravager.

Also queens should always know that if they let things go unrestricted there is a very high chance there will be three boilers.

In terms of t2, having a few carriers and some hivelord(s) tends to be very useful (although this doesn't mean that you should always listen to drones who picked drone just to whine about how much better hivelords/carriers are, because drones are pretty damn useful) and spitters tend to have a greater usefulness difference with sentinels than hunters have with runners.

You're a very good ravager, but it seems like the average player actually does better work as a runner or a hunter than a ravager or a crusher. They get too bold and then die most of the time in my experience.

[Nyvrem]

You're a very good ravager, but it seems like the average player actually does better work as a runner or a hunter than a ravager or a crusher. They get too bold and then die most of the time in my experience.

That's true, but that opens up the slot and means if they ever do it again they'll probably play it better. When the solid base of t3s is established and the marines are being pushed back I see no issue with letting newbies get a feel for t3.

[outordinary]

I have to admit, usually if I play these days, I just go ancient runner. These days I let others go ahead and evolve and learn to get better. For distribution, I'm usually fine with a higher than average number of spitters due to the fact that it's simpler to fight as an upgraded spitter. For a basic core setup, 1 boiler, crusher and drone with 2 spitters is perfect to me. Everything else I say is just preference from here on but I believe that a ton of hunters is a waste of T2 space along with more than one boiler. Realistically more than 1 type of T3 is in some ways a waste.

[Mech__Warrior]

I think a competent boiler, crusher and ravager is very important and once you got that core group it starts to kind of matter less, unless one of them dies. So that opens more room for people who believe they are just very good at a caste or more room for people who want to try a caste that would be useful but aren't actually all that skilled and have yet to learn how to play it.

But then again I mainly play Ravager.

Also queens should always know that if they let things go unrestricted there is a very high chance there will be three boilers.

In terms of t2, having a few carriers and some hivelord(s) tends to be very useful (although this doesn't mean that you should always listen to drones who picked drone just to whine about how much better hivelords/carriers are, because drones are pretty damn useful) and spitters tend to have a greater usefulness difference with sentinels than hunters have with runners.

I view boilers as a force multipler. A good boiler will shell the everliving hell out of the marines and force them to either breath in acid, or fall back, letting the aliens advance. Ravengers will straight-up rip your face off. However, you probably only need one of each, maybe two. Don't really need more than two Ravs or two Boilers.

Meanwhile, I'm that young drone you always see throughout the entire round because I don't want to take up a T2 slot that a hunter needs to reach Crusher. I mean, I'd love to go Hivelord, but that all important T2 slot could be better used for a hunter, to be honest. Besides, drones have a pretty good run speed compared to the Hivelord, and speed usually means survivability when it comes to a xeno.

[Toroic]

Meanwhile, I'm that young drone you always see throughout the entire round because I don't want to take up a T2 slot that a hunter needs to reach Crusher. I mean, I'd love to go Hivelord, but that all important T2 slot could be better used for a hunter, to be honest. Besides, drones have a pretty good run speed compared to the Hivelord, and speed usually means survivability when it comes to a xeno.

If you're good at playing drone I strongly encourage you to evolve to hivelord. Reason being is that a hivelord that reaches elite can build 4x as fast as a drone can, and also produce tunnels which while largely unnecessary on the ice colony map, are incredibly helpful in dominating the normal map.

Someone (or 3) will go hivelord if you do not, and most will suck at it.

[Mech__Warrior]

If you're good at playing drone I strongly encourage you to evolve to hivelord. Reason being is that a hivelord that reaches elite can build 4x as fast as a drone can, and also produce tunnels which while largely unnecessary on the ice colony map, are incredibly helpful in dominating the normal map.

Someone (or 3) will go hivelord if you do not, and most will suck at it.

All right then, I suppose you convinced me.