Custom Map #2049: Mice. By: Peter R

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This topic is for discussion of map #2049: Mice


Author: Peter R
Size: 40x40

Desc:
Don't give up too easy, try a few times. It's a small map, I'm sure you'll succeed :-) Have fun!

[Loren Pechtel]

You might be sure, I'm sure not.  While there's no threat here it's basically 100% stun, I see no way to make progress.  They can advance against a sniper and there isn't time to build two before you're swarmed.

[Jamz]

You might be sure, I'm sure not.  While there's no threat here it's basically 100% stun, I see no way to make progress.  They can advance against a sniper and there isn't time to build two before you're swarmed.

I was almost going to agree with you LP but actually this map can be done. At first I thought there was no way to do this and found myself repeating my same actions hoping that maybe on the next try or on the next try etc, I might get more time to build before getting swamped by runners.
But as I was just about to quit, I had a plan which I thought probably wouldn't work but turned out it did.

I'll mention a few "donts" and things you should consider.

Spoiler

Firstly, there isn't enough time to do much until the runners come close to your base and so you need to be doing something simpler first. In light of that...

[close]

Spoiler

Do NOT build snipers. They take up far too much resources and as you mentioned yourself, there isn't enough time to build two. So instead of snipers build something cheaper...

[close]

Spoiler

Something else which also has the capability to kill runners...

[close]

Spoiler

You want to build cannons...

[close]

Spoiler

And set them to target RUNNERS. They'll mostly be firing at digitalis but should a runner come in range of the cannon then instead of the cannon continuing to fire at digitalis and being doomed to depleted ammo, it will take out the runner before continuing firing at the digitalis.

[close]

How to start and progress.

Spoiler

Build a collector on the first tiny circle

[close]

Spoiler

Then build two runner cannons on the top right and bottom right of the square land and a collector on the bottom left.

[close]

Spoiler

To move to the next square land, use that 4th spot to build a runner cannon and then send it over. BUT, set it to DISARM. Repeat until you have 2 or 3 on that island with collectors built (or in the building process) and then reactivate them once they're on that second square land.

[close]

Spoiler

Continue in a similar fashion to hop through all the square islands until you near the end

[close]

Spoiler

Use any extra space to build reactors.

[close]

The ending.

Spoiler

You want to send over about 5 runner cannons on that final island with 2 guppies which would leave 1 space to build a nullifier.

[close]

Piece of advise for the map maker.
For a puzzle map like this, I would recommend you always refer players to visit the forum and make sure you post a few hints or tips so that if anyone does struggle, they can have a look and not just vote your map as a 1 or a 2 (which I was almost about to do too thinking it was impossible). Unfortunately I think it's got a low rating because people are struggling to figure out how to beat it when actually, now that I was able to beat it, I realised it was a good well thought out puzzle.
And I suppose this goes for anyone who makes a puzzle map.

[Loren Pechtel]

You might be sure, I'm sure not.  While there's no threat here it's basically 100% stun, I see no way to make progress.  They can advance against a sniper and there isn't time to build two before you're swarmed.

I was almost going to agree with you LP but actually this map can be done. At first I thought there was no way to do this and found myself repeating my same actions hoping that maybe on the next try or on the next try etc, I might get more time to build before getting swamped by runners.
But as I was just about to quit, I had a plan which I thought probably wouldn't work but turned out it did.

I'll mention a few "donts" and things you should consider.

Spoiler

Firstly, there isn't enough time to do much until the runners come close to your base and so you need to be doing something simpler first. In light of that...

[close]

Spoiler

Do NOT build snipers. They take up far too much resources and as you mentioned yourself, there isn't enough time to build two. So instead of snipers build something cheaper...

[close]

Spoiler

Something else which also has the capability to kill runners...

[close]

Spoiler

You want to build cannons...

[close]

Spoiler

And set them to target RUNNERS. They'll mostly be firing at digitalis but should a runner come in range of the cannon then instead of the cannon continuing to fire at digitalis and being doomed to depleted ammo, it will take out the runner before continuing firing at the digitalis.

[close]

How to start and progress.

Spoiler

Build a collector on the first tiny circle

[close]

Spoiler

Then build two runner cannons on the top right and bottom right of the square land and a collector on the bottom left.

[close]

Spoiler

To move to the next square land, use that 4th spot to build a runner cannon and then send it over. BUT, set it to DISARM. Repeat until you have 2 or 3 on that island with collectors built (or in the building process) and then reactivate them once they're on that second square land.

[close]

Spoiler

Continue in a similar fashion to hop through all the square islands until you near the end

[close]

Spoiler

Use any extra space to build reactors.

[close]

The ending.

Spoiler

You want to send over about 5 runner cannons on that final island with 2 guppies which would leave 1 space to build a nullifier.

[close]

Piece of advise for the map maker.
For a puzzle map like this, I would recommend you always refer players to visit the forum and make sure you post a few hints or tips so that if anyone does struggle, they can have a look and not just vote your map as a 1 or a 2 (which I was almost about to do too thinking it was impossible). Unfortunately I think it's got a low rating because people are struggling to figure out how to beat it when actually, now that I was able to beat it, I realised it was a good well thought out puzzle.
And I suppose this goes for anyone who makes a puzzle map.

Interesting, I didn't even try that approach, thinking it would be suicide.  I can't understand how I don't die from creeper that way.

I disagree with your endgame, though:

Spoiler

Snipers covering the nest, a cannon on the blue-gray pillar below the nest and you can nullify from the other pillar below the nest.  There's no need to try to take the final island.

[close]

[pastor.healer]

That was fun! :)

[Peter R]

Thanks for the feedback and the good suggestions, Jamz.
The ratings show me that some people have been frustrated, could not finish (much more downloads than scores) and gave it a low rating. I understand that, I have been frustrated myself sometime not knowing how to finish.
Next time I wil post some suggestions, as you did now, Jamz. Thank you for doing this for me this time :-)

Spoiler

I finished the map using only cannons shooting creeper. (I don't have fastest time) The runners have almost no live and don't contain creeper when they die

[close]

[Tyler21]

Excellent map where the most straightforward strategy (sniper) is the fastest way to lose.

For players who are struggling with this map:

Spoiler

because the total number of runners is limited and they don't emit a lot creeper there is no need to kill them in the beginning. Concentrate on the digitalis instead: if placed correctly, three blasters can keep runners on their starting island by cutting digi. Of course you have to move the blasters a lot, otherwise you can't resupply them because of the stun.

[close]

[Jamz]

The ending.

Spoiler

You want to send over about 5 runner cannons on that final island with 2 guppies which would leave 1 space to build a nullifier.

[close]

I disagree with your endgame, though:

Spoiler

Snipers covering the nest, a cannon on the blue-gray pillar below the nest and you can nullify from the other pillar below the nest.  There's no need to try to take the final island.

[close]

Lol, derp. Of course! I dont know why I thought I had to get on that island.  :o

[Tero]

Maybe it's me.  But if I start this map, the runners seem to ignore the command node.  But if I save the map and come back.  The runners won't leave the command node alone. Making any progress a huge time sink.  As for the snipers.  They seem to only target runners at the center of the map.  While missing any at the top center.  In one attempt I built a Terp to lower the small, brown island at top center.  This seemed to make difference.  But the relentless stunning of the command node make this map way too frustrating to play.
While I agree with the author that multiple attempts are key to advancing.  But after an hour its time to cut bait

[Tyler21]

The runners won't leave the command node alone.

return it to orbit and drop it again, it will solve your problem (the CN can be stunned after load or if you move it)

[lmorovan]

Interesting map, and even more interesting, I made it with one Thor, one Bertha and a few snipers.  Once you set it up, it almost runs itself.
Nice job, Peter.