Front Line Synths: Too Powergamey?

[Chowder McArthor]

So last round on Big Red, I was a synth; there was a general order to push the northern caves, which I thought included me too. I was on the front lines, as I was the fastest, and had sandbags; using them offensively to create places to push up and stop boiler acid, as marines were getting really pounded. It actually worked really well, I never directly attacked xenos and instead just built sandbag barricades and healed marines.
At one point, we came across their hive, and when moving forward, I got jumped by a facehugger, but I just hit it while it was on my face and I died, and got no ill effects. However, when marines pushed up, they got jumped and were knocked out.
Now, I didn't know ICly about chestbusters, so to me, these seemed to just be biological stunning land mines essentionally, but they didn't effect me.
So I went mine sweeper and ran in front of the marines to clear the eggs for them.

Was I wrong to do this? Being ordered to push was arguable, yes, but the actual action of acting as a minesweeper for my comrades as I found that I wasn't affected by them. It was somewhat powergamey, but I was risking myself for my comrades, as I could be repaired more easily, and was faster, albeit unarmed. Xenos were aiming for me long before this so I'm not upset about that, I was obviously helping the marines.

Are front-line support synths too much power gaming, even if they're like me, where I don't ever actually raise a finger to strike a xeno, or throw a grenade, just building barricades, healing marines, and, most importantly, being a mine sweeper for the eggs? The mod who messaged me said he wasn't certain, and apop said that it's probably too power gamey, and I'm going to follow his advice on that, but was still asked to make a forum post about this.

[SovietKitty]

My primary concern is your priority for your own safety, and how that ranks in your prerogatives as a synthetic.

[Chowder McArthor]

Right, and that was a concern. I thought I was ordered to assist, and I was taking risks to assist the push, but I feel as if that's all standard, which is probably wrong, and synths should remain at the FOB.

With the facehuggers, I only did it because, like I said, I got no damage or stun from them while marines did. That part however was already established as wrong, and I won't be doing that again.

[Feweh]

How could you possibly think running through eggs to minesweep them as a synth is kosher?

Really amazed that as a whitelisted individual this would even need clarifying.

[Chowder McArthor]

Honestly, it's a behavior I've seen mutiple synths do before. If you think I should be de-whitelisted, I'll take it without complaint.

I've always been told that, as a synth, "If it's not restricted mechanically, it's allowed." Not just by players, but by mentors, mods, and admins as well. Thinking about it now, it's a very powergaming mindset, and I really should try to reign it back in the future and do less.

[Chowder McArthor]

Alright; I fucked up. I shouldn’t be blaming others saying I see other synths do it and thus it’s ok for me to do it. I should know player. I’ll play a lot more reserved from now on.

[False_Enigma]

How could you possibly think running through eggs to minesweep them as a synth is kosher?

Really amazed that as a whitelisted individual this would even need clarifying.

Feweh hates marines and things that help marines, Apop doesn't so much. Synths are supposed to be kinda mine sweepers, hence why they can walk into a xeno base and take the eggs and facehuggers. I'd lean on the side of caution though, as synths are explicitly stated as not being frontline troops. BUT a synth's directives is to help the marines, while being non violent, so it seems like you were following your directives.

[taketheshot56]

As a synth i certainly think this is a slippery slope, Ive been tasked to assist collecting wounded at the front before and delivering them to an aid station, but I would air on the side of caution when it comes to minesweeping. Regardless you admitted your mistake I dont think there should be any penalty for making a thread asking for clarification.

[False_Enigma]

As a synth i certainly think this is a slippery slope, Ive been tasked to assist collecting wounded at the front before and delivering them to an aid station, but I would air on the side of caution when it comes to minesweeping. Regardless you admitted your mistake I dont think there should be any penalty for making a thread asking for clarification.

amen to that brother, you shouldn't get punished for asking permission.

[HKO20006]

Just make synth not trigger egg?

[False_Enigma]

lets just replace most of those words with egg

Just egg synth egg trigger egg?

fix'd that for you, buddy.
You're welcome.

[xywenx00]

Ah shit, you sayin' I can no longer play minesweeper in CM? Cruel world.

[Heckenshutze]

Frontline synth, allowed stuff:

Treat wounded, save marines from certain death (by pulling them out) make defences, build and move sentries and m56, haul supplies back and forth, haul the mortar, give coords etc. Passive things.

Bad stuff:

Act like a supersoldier.


This particular case can be considered powergaming due to the fact synths don't get infected nor knock down by huggers.


So either you'll get bwoinked for that OR you'll force devs to nerf synths. I advice you to pick the first.

[xywenx00]

DoN't forget grabbing 20 throwing knife rigs and play dart with 'em. Xenos are the targets.

[Renomaki]

I myself really hate it when synths are quick to request to go planetside.

Yes, a synth on the field is very useful to the marines, but in my experience, some synth players only do it in the hopes of getting to show off their might as a metal man, not to provide basic assistance to the marines. If a synth feels the need to bring a machete with them to the surface, then that alone is powergamey as fuck and should be ceased.

USCM synths are NOT combat synths, they are not programmed for combat. They have self defense, but it is designed to be basic, either using their hands or whatever tool they happen to have on hand. While taking damage on the front is bound to happen, they should try their best to avoid getting into dangerous situations where they could get critically damaged, such as FIGHTING PREDATORS.

The synths we commonly have on hand are superassistants, not supersolders.

[Thatnewguy1]

Well, how I like to play is, don't throw yourself between 2 Xenos to save a single, already damaged, marine. Basically, where I throw away the "save yourself" protocol is when an officer is under attack OR civilian personal is under threat, to an upper limit yes but Civilian personal should be saved at all costs unless they are being stupid and charged into battle like an idiot.

[solidfury7]

I personally enjoy synths who do medical evac.

They da real MVP

[Heckenshutze]

Wearing armor and uniform for such duties is allowed, however, you should deploy unarmed, you're not expected to fight (besides your fist alone are powerful enough for self defence)

[TheMaskedMan2]

Alright so as a Synth myself, I really find myself not enjoying seeing these planetside Synths much. I personally don’t think a Synth should be anywhere near the frontlines unless things are getting desperate, let alone asking for it.

I also believe a Synth shouldn’t be equipped with anything larger than a combat knife and bulletproof vest unless the Xenos are boarding the Almayer and everything is basically blowing up. You’re an RP role, you don’t need to be running around looking like a god damn doofus with a helmet, marine armor, and every tool from every department.

I like a beret and labcoat, makes me look snazzy.

Nothing slightly annoys me more than seeing a Synth running around and responding to the first sign of combat with a riot shield, helmet, and a machete. Come on man.

I rarely ever deploy as Synth, and never ask to deploy unless ordered, unless it’s to retrieve RP material. (Xeno Hive cleared, go collect an egg. Big Red Virology, I like to grab the fluff bottles and stuff)

Unfortunately I think a lot of Synth players enjoy being “popular” and showing off their “robustness”. Myself? I’ll fight Xenos if they board as self defense and then try to evac if i’m not taking a spot from a civilian.

Honestly, slight rambling rant I guess, but I just think a few Synths seem more focused on frontline combat than actual RP. Hell, just chill with the command or research staff on the ship. That’s fun.

[Simo94]

make synths blind if a facehugger jumps on them, not stunned, just blind.

[NethIafins]

-snip-

Hey there. You probably recognize my ckey.

My uncertainty at that time was if you ever can do that at all. By that I mean if aCO legit gave you order to be a hugger shield, should synth still held liable, and the answer was definite "yes", noone can make you disobey your programming ( read: server rules).

I understood what was your reasoning behind it, that's why it all ended in just a warning.

Also phrases like "legit almost every single synth does that" make me ready to check logs for a month for occurrences like this.

And let's be clear, this is not to force "marines to lose another great weapon against enos". The role itself was created as purely role-playing job. Combat is not a part of it, we already have enough jobs for it

[Thatnewguy1]

Bishop never attacked an alien once in the cm movie if I remember correctly

[edda]

A round with me as XO. I send a synth down to do engineering, and specifically engineering, since marines had only 2 active engineers. I said as much on comms.

Ten minutes later I get a mod message asking why I sent a synth down to 'take huggers'.

Also, funny story, once as queen I got killed by a synth with a baseball bat. It was great.

Also what's the word on synths evacing? Should they try it? Avoid it? Cowardice shouldn't be in their programming.

[Simo94]

A round with me as XO. I send a synth down to do engineering, and specifically engineering, since marines had only 2 active engineers. I said as much on comms.

Ten minutes later I get a mod message asking why I sent a synth down to 'take huggers'.

Also, funny story, once as queen I got killed by a synth with a baseball bat. It was great.

Also what's the word on synths evacing? Should they try it? Avoid it? Cowardice shouldn't be in their programming.

I think they should evac and even go out of their way to ensure it, arent they really expensive and that is the reason why they cant afford to risk combat at all?

[Heckenshutze]

A round with me as XO. I send a synth down to do engineering, and specifically engineering, since marines had only 2 active engineers. I said as much on comms.

Ten minutes later I get a mod message asking why I sent a synth down to 'take huggers'.

Also, funny story, once as queen I got killed by a synth with a baseball bat. It was great.

Also what's the word on synths evacing? Should they try it? Avoid it? Cowardice shouldn't be in their programming.

Synths can evac as long they aren't literally kicking a human of his spot