Gameplay discussion: Marine "Turtling"

[Snypehunter007]

Just to add my own to cents to something like this, I feel like the inability for marines to talk each other and fold into one big group when people start dying is what really causes massive (and sometimes premature) retreats. If this were IRL U.S. marines (first of all I would like to say I am just using this as an example and I haven't been in the military so I may just be making my self look like a jackass) I would imagine they would just change their radio frequency to match a certain frequency if they realized that many of the marines in the platoon have been killed and it is just easier to switch to one squad. While you do have the "general" channel, that also broadcasts to everybody that has radio, when you could just want a medic.

Another problem I think causes marines to stall and turtle is the natural fear of the dark and unknown. While I know it is a pretty core aspect of the gamemode and one of the only things keeping the aliens from being stuck in the caves and all the fighting happening inside of them, it would be an interesting test to see if you made it daytime, would the marines move faster and be less afraid of the unknown?

While this might not make sense to anyone because I am tired and about to go to bed when I am typing this, I would like to point out this might be some valid points to answer the topic.

Goodnight.

[Renomaki]

The saddest thing about trying to prevent marine turtling is that people will often start complaining about being SENT to die.

I can understand why marines would not want to fight anymore, but since the admins hate it when marines flee from a battle with 40 able-bodied marines on deck and plenty of firepower to keep the fight up, I tend to try and force marines to accept the fact that they don't really have much choice in the manner and have no other option BUT to fight. Naturally they start to complain, calling command insane for sending them back down or, god forbid, forcing them to stay on the ground to die than to retreat en-mass to the shuttle.

Seriously, so many commanders think that they'll be the exception, but the sad reality is that only the admins can decide when you are ready to retreat. The only time I'll ever allow a full scale retreat is when the admins themselves decide that the situation calls for it, and I know that is a rare thing to happen when I'm in charge.

Call me a sadist, but I'm only doing what high command wants. To flee is to shame your platoon with dishonor. Better to fight in vain than to retreat in vain.

... Doesn't mean I enjoy sending marines out to die, though..

[SagaSword]

The saddest thing about trying to prevent marine turtling is that people will often start complaining about being SENT to die.

I can understand why marines would not want to fight anymore, but since the admins hate it when marines flee from a battle with 40 able-bodied marines on deck and plenty of firepower to keep the fight up, I tend to try and force marines to accept the fact that they don't really have much choice in the manner and have no other option BUT to fight. Naturally they start to complain, calling command insane for sending them back down or, god forbid, forcing them to stay on the ground to die than to retreat en-mass to the shuttle.

Seriously, so many commanders think that they'll be the exception, but the sad reality is that only the admins can decide when you are ready to retreat. The only time I'll ever allow a full scale retreat is when the admins themselves decide that the situation calls for it, and I know that is a rare thing to happen when I'm in charge.

Call me a sadist, but I'm only doing what high command wants. To flee is to shame your platoon with dishonor. Better to fight in vain than to retreat in vain.

... Doesn't mean I enjoy sending marines out to die, though..

Maybe if you haven't been keeping up on current events we just got our asses kicked, pal...

[hawkshot86]

Just to add my own to cents to something like this, I feel like the inability for marines to talk each other and fold into one big group when people start dying is what really causes massive (and sometimes premature) retreats. If this were IRL U.S. marines (first of all I would like to say I am just using this as an example and I haven't been in the military so I may just be making my self look like a jackass) I would imagine they would just change their radio frequency to match a certain frequency if they realized that many of the marines in the platoon have been killed and it is just easier to switch to one squad. While you do have the "general" channel, that also broadcasts to everybody that has radio, when you could just want a medic.

Another problem I think causes marines to stall and turtle is the natural fear of the dark and unknown. While I know it is a pretty core aspect of the gamemode and one of the only things keeping the aliens from being stuck in the caves and all the fighting happening inside of them, it would be an interesting test to see if you made it daytime, would the marines move faster and be less afraid of the unknown?

While this might not make sense to anyone because I am tired and about to go to bed when I am typing this, I would like to point out this might be some valid points to answer the topic.

Goodnight.

That's an interesting idea actually, a marine channel that only marines and the bridge can hear. Would make it so much easier for the SL.

As for day time, I think it's interesting but the xenos would have no chance at all of sustaining themselves early game, they can't ambush tactics people.