Custom Map #5175: Gift. By: Pusillanimous

[AutoPost]

This topic is for discussion of map #5175: Gift


Author: Pusillanimous
Size: 75x75

Desc:
'tis the season. As of ... five minutes ago, or so. The Imperator has a present for you. The Loki do too, but you'll like theirs more. If you last that long. Some will say "Bah. Humbug!". I hope you enjoy it.

[cornucanis]

Man, still no scores posted yet eh? This map is rough. I can destroy the first emitter and get some blasters + a sprayer up before the creeper arrives, but man those drones are rough. I haven't even made it long enough for the spores to arrive yet. Still giving it a few tries per night though.

[GoodMorning]

Yes... It's at about the limit of my ability, and I made it.

If you wish, you can read the following hint:

Spoiler

There is enough time at the beginning to destroy two Emitters.

[close]

[D0m0nik]

Spoiler

There is time to destroy three emitters!

[close]

Spoiler

Forgebuilding cost = 0 which helps

[close]

Still one hell of a challenge. I can get a basic base up in the centre but soon overrun. I surrender for the moment but will return!

[GoodMorning]

Well, D0m0nik...

Spoiler

I found that if I did all three, I was shooting myself in the foot. I had to leave the third one alone for a but longer, and funnel the energy into power.

[close]

[GoodMorning]

D0m0nik ... did you ever return to claim victory on this one?

[D0m0nik]

Hi

No I never did get round to it, I was beaten!

[GoodMorning]

I should probably drop a rough walkthrough here, shouldn't I...

Spoiler

Spoiler

Oh, look, free PZs!

[close]

Spoiler

Hmm, not sure I can hold that left-hand one.

[close]

Spoiler

Pity Reactors take so long to repay their cost in this critical early-game ...

[close]

Spoiler

... if only there were a cheaper source of power that would benefit.

[close]

Spoiler

I'll need all the energy I can contrive, ASAP.

[close]

Spoiler

Nullifiers aren't cheap.

[close]

Spoiler

That lower Emitter has a wall under it? Pity it'll need Creeper there to remove the wall.

[close]

Spoiler

If only there was something that could bring in Creeper faster.

[close]

Spoiler

The one above the upper wall is going to be a problem. Let's remove it.

[close]

Spoiler

Oh, look! The Forge builds for free!

[close]

Spoiler

An energy upgrade would be nice, but that Aether pack is hard to get to ...

[close]

Spoiler

... Wait, the Totem gives how much?

[close]

Spoiler

Now I have some power, I'd better get a Reactor. Some Ore would also help, and it doesn't take energy to extract.

[close]

Spoiler

Here comes the flood, but a little AC and I'll only need a few cannons.

[close]

Spoiler

Protect the Forge.

[close]

Spoiler

OK, that wall on the PZ is down, but there are Runners.

[close]

Spoiler

What if I target the Digi, then lift off for long enough that they leave, and zap it again for good?

[close]

Spoiler

I'll need to connect that cannon.

[close]

Spoiler

Oh $#!^, Spores are coming.

[close]

Spoiler

More power.

[close]

Spoiler

Good thing Beams are cheap. Really cheap, almost free.

[close]

Spoiler

Not to operate, though.

[close]

Spoiler

Better protect the right-hand side, with that Digi strand headed for my Reactor.

[close]

Spoiler

Mortars? Maybe a good idea.

[close]

Spoiler

More power, more guns.

[close]

Spoiler

OK, got the Totem again and the Aether pack, now I'm stable.

[close]

Spoiler

Advance!

[close]

[close]

Yes, I'm nesting spoilers - to avoid overdoing the page.

I wrote this now, when I came back and took multiple attempts to beat it again, and this worked.