Custom Map #7513: Ticon Reactors: Enemies on All Fronts. By: Jason Stevens

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This topic is for discussion of map #7513: Ticon Reactors: Enemies on All Fronts


Author: Jason Stevens
Size: 150x255

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This is a difficult map with a difficult start, but far from impossible. Be sure to read the intro transmissions - they will be very helpful and include information about where the various pumps on the map pump to. Beware of the great number of spores. The pumps will keep your base from being overrun by creep for a while but not forever. GOOD LUCK! #Spore #Runner #Heavy-Creep #Converter-Factory #Pump #Flip-Emitter #Packet-Emitter

[superstrijder15]

Note: This gets quite tactic heavy. If you want to try for yourself to see what works, stop reading.

Tried this after not playing for a while, and either I'm really out of shape or this one terribly hard! I've tried everything I can think of, including starting on the middle block, starting with one on an island below and one on an island on top using a reactor as a boost, having both start up top and so on. Best up to now is one that started on the block and first built 3 lines of collectors, then with all spare energy built beams and 6 cannons for the top creep. Currently getting overrun by unexpected digitalis from below taking out beams

[jasons2645]

Note: This gets quite tactic heavy. If you want to try for yourself to see what works, stop reading.

Tried this after not playing for a while, and either I'm really out of shape or this one terribly hard! I've tried everything I can think of, including starting on the middle block, starting with one on an island below and one on an island on top using a reactor as a boost, having both start up top and so on. Best up to now is one that started on the block and first built 3 lines of collectors, then with all spare energy built beams and 6 cannons for the top creep. Currently getting overrun by unexpected digitalis from below taking out beams

Yeah, it definitely is a tricky start ;) 

Here are some thoughts I can offer to help...

Spoiler

I designed this map with two command nodes so that you have a choice at the beginning between at least 3 viable options (there might be more, but these are the ones I intended):
1) Use the second command node to accelerate the build-out of the main base in the center
2) Use the second command node to grab the three techs in the north-west, then move it to the main base
3) Use the second command node to nullify a 25-spore and an 8-spore tower in the north-east, then move it to the main base

The first command node must be used for the build-out of the main base in the center.  First, saturate the main base with collectors to bring your energy up enough to deal with the threats you're about to face immediately.  You'll need to be building up energy via reactors once you've built out your collectors while you are building weapons.  Snipers are nice but they're a luxury you might not want to spend the energy on at the beginning of the game.  Once you've incrementally built up your energy production with reactors, the easiest play is to go for the green emitters in the south-west.  Keep the guppies coming and the packets flowing.  From there, it gets real easy real fast ;)

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[superstrijder15]

I figured something like that by now, though I haven't managed to pull it off yet. My best attempt is a very slow death taking 45 hours ingame and over 2 out of game due to my computer being slow, and now I am being overwhelmed from the north because I was too slow at taking the southern islands.

[D0m0nik]

Very difficult start but then pretty straight forward.

Spoiler

I restarted a few times before working out method three. I also used the north east base to build a couple of guppies to help CN1 get set up on island one. You loose this base but not before you should have taken out the top right 25spore tower plus both 8 spore towers. You then need 15 or so spores along the bottom of your main base and the same along the top, I can't see how you would then get over run later in the game, you can just turtle until you have 100 reactors if needed.

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[Lightforger]

i found it easier than previous maps, was pretty interesting.
Landed both CN on the middle, probably would have been a good idea to pick up the collectibles after a few minutes, but forgot and the creeper overflowed.

1) turtle until you fill most of the base with reactors
2) mass guppy/mortar bottom-left
3) mass mortar bottom-right
4) conversion bomb all the things

without that pesky anti-air zone this map could be finished a lot faster :)

Ps, possible bug; buying build speed upgrade increased the amount of packets going to the artifact makers, but didn't really notice them being made faster.

[svartmes]

I consider myself a CW3 veteran but I had alot of trouble with the start of this map, with dozen of failed attempts. Makes me wonder if I'm doing something fundamentally wrong with early build-orders.

Spoiler

Finally got started with option 3 and by using the north base with it's superreactors to produce beamweapons for the middlebase.

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Interesting start but the map gets pretty straightforward and doesent offer much challenge despite all the mechanics once you get settled.
All in all though I give it a 8/10!

[Johnny Haywire]

Yeah, I didn't do any of that. I instead took out all the spore towers in the north, then made my base in the south with enough beams to deal with the spore towers, then took lower-left, lower-right... and at that point I went and got snacks while AC just took over the map.

The only tricky part was powering up all the nullifiers before the first spores launched, which wasn't too difficult.

If a laid-back, easy approach appeals to you but you're a bit too stressed to figure out the solution, here are a few hints:

Spoiler

Overloaded spores will produce AC. If you could somehow get those 15 spores to land in the same place, it would sure be nice.

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Spoiler

Spores won't fire at beams. Ever. Build a beam and see what happens. Or build 30 just for kicks. If there's no threat, there's no need to arm it. Save all that power for later maybe...?

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Spoiler

Spores also won't fire at reactors that are less than fully built.You can stop a build by pressing "deactivate".

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I really liked the mechanics of this map and am having lots of fun with the dynamics of the pumping system. Thanks for making these maps, and keep em coming!  ;D ;D ;D