Honor and leeway

[Renomaki]

Well, after a long time, I finally get to join the ranks of Predator, able to hunt when chosen and go on little adventures with the hope that I don't die like a little wimp.

But, being as I am new, I am a fair bit unfamiliar as to which is fair game and which isn't, mainly due to observations of predators in the past. Honor code can only tell one so much, but at times I witness predators doing thing that seem dishonorable, yet they aren't punished for it (such as using ranged weapons more freely than normal), or they go more violent and aggressive and start murdering the shit out of people, and etc etc.

Predator life here is very.. Conflicting, and I am hoping that more experienced predators can maybe better explain what I should try to avoid, and what is ok to do. After all, I want to get trophies as honorably as possible, but I still wanna be able to enjoy a bit of freedom to experiment and try things.

Any help here?

[Sarah_U.]

Think of it as a fame-ratio. If you get to kill a prey ENTIRELY ON MELEE WITH HANDICAPS then you're the big boss. If you just kill it with ranged, well if it was outnumbering you, cool, but meh.

We generally do stuff in the measure that we don't want other rules / codes to be broken. If we get taken out and can't detonate then we're leaving equipment behind. If we're getting infected WE'RE A SHAMEFUL DISPLAY AND THE ENTIRE STAFF + PREDS WILL PROBABLY PESTER US, etc.

It's really just about trying to balance your actions for the better of the game. Also, because preds really just don't care about other's worth beyond their hunting value.

[Karmac]

p e s t e r

[Nubs]

Obviously your detailed play style will reflect what you do, but I only use melee in one on one, unless i'm fighting multiple opponents. If i'm fighting a worthy trophy and it's faster than me and runs away, i will sometimes use ranged to stun or finish it off, but only if it attacked me first, and only if it is worthy. There are other nuances, but they're not really relevant to this discussion.

[Boltersam]

Well, there are three situations in which I heavily advise to throw honour away. Well, technically you gain honour in one of these situations by honouring a dead pred, but eh.

Number one, namely, is a Lodge defense. The lodge gets attacked, you start unloading.

Number two, when a pred gets their gear stolen. If they're alive, I'd advise just calling out the person's location to the predator so they can take revenge, but if, in the most likely scenario, they were killed and looted without being able to explode, you pretty much ignore the honour code when murdering looters and recovering gear.

Number three, though I'd advise more to disengage and hunt them down individually afterwards, is when you get swarmed. If it's a smaller Marine group, I'd advise stunplasma, but if they have a specialist, are a large group, or they're Xenos, you're going to need to use heavier gear against them.

I can't cover every situation, but these are the main ones. Remember that you'll likely insult another pred's honour by taking their targets/revenge away from them.


Large situations are always the most complicated, so I'd advise avoiding any large scale combat unless there's a siege on the Lodge. On an individual basis, use melee, but if, say, a Xeno keeps hitting you then running away to weeds, you trap them for cowardice. There's a lot of variables that can alter a situation, and there's no good replacement for experience. Ask some more specific questions and I'll try to outline what's alright.

[ShortTemperedLeprechaun]

Another thing is xeno's CANNOT engage in honor duels, as they are a species that can't comprehend honor. This is what I've been told at least.

[Renomaki]

There's a lot of variables that can alter a situation, and there's no good replacement for experience. Ask some more specific questions and I'll try to outline what's alright.

Ok then, I will. Might as well if I am gonna keep honorable, right?

1: The plasma rifle. This always confused me since I discovered it, and I can't help but wonder how bringing a sniper rifle can bring honor, when normally you are expected to close the gap with people so you can take their heads. Besides defending the lodge, when does this weapon come into play?

2: In duels, it is expected that both parties (hopefully) try to hit for center mass to keep the fight fair. But when you are just hunting as normal, is it fair to rip someone's arm off, or would that be considered a bit excessive? I know in the past I had predators break my skull before when attacked, and considering there are weapons made with turning marines into chunks, I wonder if it is fair game outside of a proper duel?

3: outside of hunting xenos, are predators allowed to be more weapons free against them in order to keep them away from you during hunts for soft meats? Or are you expected to retain the honor of melee combat even if they constantly harassing you with tackles? Would it be dishonorable to cloak in the middle of a fight with them to run away, as so many preds I witnessed do before?

4: Apop mentioned that if a predator gets injured in a way that cripples him with no way to recover (No splints for broken bones, popped lung, etc), that they should go balls to the wall and pick a fight with as many foes as they can so that they can die gloriously. However, considering that preds aren't expected to slaughter half the server, is it really justified to wipe out a squad of marines because you are dying due to a irreparable skull?

5: how many trophies is too many? Say I wanted to focus on the marines for a round, and wanted to get at least 5 heads before calling it a day... Would that be too much? Should we heavily limit our kills to a small handful, and only focus on injuring anyone that gets in the way of our kills? What about xenos, due to their smaller numbers?

6: if I get infected and can't trigger my bracer, is there any other acceptable ways to die with honor other than blowing myself up? Am I permitted to got batshit crazy in this state?

I could go on and on, but I have so many questions that no doubt may require me to figure them out myself through trial and error to fully become an expert. After all, while the honor code does describe the basics, past experiences with predators show that it has a lot more depth to it than first glance.

[Karmac]

I tricked xenus into killing me while I was infected by going batshit crazy and making them slash me up till I died of my wounds, my body was still disposed of by another pred but that's probably an acceptable way of doing it, dunno if it's the easiest.

[Shyguychizzy]

Ok then, I will. Might as well if I am gonna keep honorable, right?

1: The plasma rifle. This always confused me since I discovered it, and I can't help but wonder how bringing a sniper rifle can bring honor, when normally you are expected to close the gap with people so you can take their heads. Besides defending the lodge, when does this weapon come into play?

2: In duels, it is expected that both parties (hopefully) try to hit for center mass to keep the fight fair. But when you are just hunting as normal, is it fair to rip someone's arm off, or would that be considered a bit excessive? I know in the past I had predators break my skull before when attacked, and considering there are weapons made with turning marines into chunks, I wonder if it is fair game outside of a proper duel?

3: outside of hunting xenos, are predators allowed to be more weapons free against them in order to keep them away from you during hunts for soft meats? Or are you expected to retain the honor of melee combat even if they constantly harassing you with tackles? Would it be dishonorable to cloak in the middle of a fight with them to run away, as so many preds I witnessed do before?

4: Apop mentioned that if a predator gets injured in a way that cripples him with no way to recover (No splints for broken bones, popped lung, etc), that they should go balls to the wall and pick a fight with as many foes as they can so that they can die gloriously. However, considering that preds aren't expected to slaughter half the server, is it really justified to wipe out a squad of marines because you are dying due to a irreparable skull?

5: how many trophies is too many? Say I wanted to focus on the marines for a round, and wanted to get at least 5 heads before calling it a day... Would that be too much? Should we heavily limit our kills to a small handful, and only focus on injuring anyone that gets in the way of our kills? What about xenos, due to their smaller numbers?

6: if I get infected and can't trigger my bracer, is there any other acceptable ways to die with honor other than blowing myself up? Am I permitted to got batshit crazy in this state?

I could go on and on, but I have so many questions that no doubt may require me to figure them out myself through trial and error to fully become an expert. After all, while the honor code does describe the basics, past experiences with predators show that it has a lot more depth to it than first glance.

1. I rarely well never actually use the damn thing; being its set default is on high plasma, for instance good for breaking groups from either side or securing yer hunt I suppose or retaking areas for instance the lodge area to stun or being the heavy plasma setting kill/stun effectively, quite dangerous choice of weaponry.

2.Its up to yer own discretion, if they deem weak or deem strong, I usually give em sorta an advantage, however don't let tricks fool you; sometimes you can overestimate yer opponent. There are times, some marine wanted to 1v1 with a machete, to be fair I used my knife or a marine wanted use knife I went with my fists; also times I went fisticuffs against a machete user or two of em versus my blade at times. Personally, being the predator yer expected more of the one initiating or declaring the honor duel, usually the one facing you might cause shit but its up to you personally. If it were a duel or not, usually if you got the translator saying 1v1 which in the translator can translate clearly is good enough. Making it like yer in a battle stance or such tends to help. When things go south, for instance someone interferes yer allowed to plasma those interferes as you know no plasma. However, oddly enough; in honor duels throwing weapons seemed allowed, be wary marines usually will carry knives or throwing knives at ready or guns. When guns in use I usually just eliminate at all cost or continue honorably, being they used their guns disregard the whole 1v1 or breaks it rather.

3. Generally, there will be always interference from both sides and being now with the map style, its more of a group effort clash between marines and aliens. Shooting off a few plasma to ward em or stun tends to happen, I recall breaking somebody's leg or stun em to secure a marine back in LV. There is no bias, either side can be hunted; being predators are in fact NOT A BALANCING FACTOR, usually try to key this one in. Its yer decision on what happens being the predator who is accountable for all kills and events that may occur. I tend hunt the annoying one at times but I also usually leg trap the annoying bastard then get my kill or kill the one that annoys you, it dare bothers you deeming worthy at yer discretion.

4. In a way yes and no, yes should go down in flames...no murder-bone any or all living marines near yah or charging at their base then kabooming generally not expected. Fighting or charging marines or the hive is what sorta gotta DO. To retain the honor due to those wounds, for instance I never heal until my kill has been slain by my hands. I presume other pred players may expand a bit on this.

5. Generally, we aren't a Balancing factor or in another factions favor; its simple we hunt for honor and for trophies. Truly our only purpose of being there in the colony, at times we avoid the losing side being they are the weak hunt or those we avoid being they are quite weak and don't deem worthy. I mean at times there as been occurrence in which I had a ERT sent to kill me due to hunting quite a bit but most part eh. Those who get in yer path its up to you, either take their hand off for trespassing yer lodge a second or third time or their life. A marine or xeno in perspective annoying or peckering at this predator who is covered in their recent kills or dangerously looking beast, what yah expect? Its more of a "Be careful sort" or maybe "Its more of your choices". There are times I was like "I could kill him and his buddy for intruding" but gotta remember every single kill you have under yer belt; you take em outta dah game well not to sound super serious but even choosing our prey is a tough choice as predator; usually xenos have limited times they can come back which is annoying but eh you'll see dah pain.

6. Like 4 yes and a no, infected; you are vowed to take vengeance, now its a big no no to head back up and suicide. Best take yer revenge however this one as well sorta I question at times but to regain honor take down as many foes with you before you give birth to another. Usually, I go for the one that infected me and try and end their life before I die to the horde or those who dare get in my way but usually ends in death. Generally, when we are swarmed if I recall us predators are to detonate due the fact back, tackle spam, also then and even now; more likely meta targeted just to have dat special Ayyy. Gotta becareful now, even drones can't trust.

To other predator players, please do expand or correct me I fear some areas might be wrong but sorta some thoughts and answers for tips.

[Nubs]

Ok then, I will. Might as well if I am gonna keep honorable, right?

1: The plasma rifle. This always confused me since I discovered it, and I can't help but wonder how bringing a sniper rifle can bring honor, when normally you are expected to close the gap with people so you can take their heads. Besides defending the lodge, when does this weapon come into play?

2: In duels, it is expected that both parties (hopefully) try to hit for center mass to keep the fight fair. But when you are just hunting as normal, is it fair to rip someone's arm off, or would that be considered a bit excessive? I know in the past I had predators break my skull before when attacked, and considering there are weapons made with turning marines into chunks, I wonder if it is fair game outside of a proper duel?

3: outside of hunting xenos, are predators allowed to be more weapons free against them in order to keep them away from you during hunts for soft meats? Or are you expected to retain the honor of melee combat even if they constantly harassing you with tackles? Would it be dishonorable to cloak in the middle of a fight with them to run away, as so many preds I witnessed do before?

4: Apop mentioned that if a predator gets injured in a way that cripples him with no way to recover (No splints for broken bones, popped lung, etc), that they should go balls to the wall and pick a fight with as many foes as they can so that they can die gloriously. However, considering that preds aren't expected to slaughter half the server, is it really justified to wipe out a squad of marines because you are dying due to a irreparable skull?

5: how many trophies is too many? Say I wanted to focus on the marines for a round, and wanted to get at least 5 heads before calling it a day... Would that be too much? Should we heavily limit our kills to a small handful, and only focus on injuring anyone that gets in the way of our kills? What about xenos, due to their smaller numbers?

6: if I get infected and can't trigger my bracer, is there any other acceptable ways to die with honor other than blowing myself up? Am I permitted to got batshit crazy in this state?

I could go on and on, but I have so many questions that no doubt may require me to figure them out myself through trial and error to fully become an expert. After all, while the honor code does describe the basics, past experiences with predators show that it has a lot more depth to it than first glance.

1. I use the plasma rifle on almost every hunt, because you can use it's zoom function to see the terrain and enemies ahead, allowing you to better prepare when you rush in. It can also be used to ward off boilers, blow up mines, ward off enemies and damage barricades and obstacles.

2. The duel situation is up to your predator style and preference. Some predators let beaten opponents live if they fought well, some carve off every limb and skin them. Be aware of individuals who actually request a duel with you and are robust, as predators can potentially be knocked out in 1 good hit to the head. Rarely, you may find a player who likes to try and knock out or drug you and either kill you or steal your gear. Bear in mind, marines are totally allowed to set you on fire, or try to harm you the very moment they see you, so always be on your guard.

3. generally you can use whatever you like in the hunt of xenos, although things like.. plasma casting a young runner who hasn't attacked you and similar is a pretty big no-no. The way you hunt will again be heavily influenced by the play style you have set out. It is acceptable to cloak so you can retrieve your weapon if you dropped it, but i personally would immediately decloak and fight again once i had it.

4. predators are allowed to do surgery one each other, indeed some like to play as 'doctor' or skilled medical preds, and will able to operate on you. The majority of the time though, the injuries you sustain you will have to treat yourself. If you break a bone it WILL most likely stay broken for the rest of the hunt. You are perfectly capable of hunting with a few broken bones, but if you have serious damage to your lungs, eyes or similar, it is considered honourable to seek out a glorious death. Obviously, is is preferable not to blow up entire squads, but if they caused that damage to you in the first place, which requires quite a lot of aggression on their part, then you blowing up and killing them is their own fault.

5. I like to be as balancing to the round as possible, and always keep this in mind when i am playing. If i kill a xeno or 2, i then go hunt a marine of 2. Bear in mind, if you wanted to 'focus on marines' you would have to have a good reason to, such as them attacking or harming you or the like. If any side attacks the lodge, you are entitled to sue whatever force is necessary to repel them, but only if they attack. If a xeno or marine is just 'sniffing' round the lodge, you should attempt to intimidate or scare them away rather than harm them.

6. If you are infected, you should attempt via all means to either seek your own demise, or escape. Being infected and made into a predalien is will bring great dishonour, and should be avoided at all costs. Also, call out to your hunting brothers or sisters, I know if i found out one of my fellow hunters were infected and captured, I would stop at nothing to attempt to rescue them or prevent them incubating, even at the cost of my own life.