Custom Map #823: Hope. By: DonPepe

AutoPost · July 09, 2014, 08:07:29 PM

This topic is for discussion of map #823: Hope

Author: DonPepe
Size: 128x128

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stdout · July 10, 2014, 08:56:09 AM

That was a fun map! Picking up the pieces at the beginning made it a bit of a race and you had to focus on that rather than turtling in the corner. The map rewards those who make an early attack to the center. Great balance!

Helper · July 10, 2014, 05:07:59 PM

Concur - great map!
First of yours I've played, but it sure won't be the last.
Thank you.
H

Dook · July 11, 2014, 08:21:21 AM

Fun map. Thanks for the upload

Loren Pechtel · July 11, 2014, 11:50:38 AM

How are people getting the very low times? That central emitter is powerful, you need a lot of firepower to go up against it.

Helper · July 11, 2014, 03:15:58 PM

Quote from: Loren Pechtel on July 11, 2014, 11:50:38 AM
How are people getting the very low times? That central emitter is powerful, you need a lot of firepower to go up against it.

Not sure what you consider low times. If you're taking about Alter Old, forget it - he takes the game to almost super human levels.
I did about 15 minutes the old-fashioned way: built a network of Collectors around the perimeter to grab all the techs, built power to build weapons to protect the network, built an attack force to charge one of the corners.

Once you have a PZ for your Nullifiers in the center area, you can take out 3-4 Emitters at a time - and you never have to attack that central Emitter.

Game Loser · July 11, 2014, 06:15:41 PM

I started by the Blaster, sent a stream of collectors around the perimeter to pick up Terp, Mortar, Strafer and Forge. I tried sandbagging just hoarding reactors and building a wall of 10 with sort of 'crenulations' (blocks of 3x3) with blasters sat on top. I had mortars in between.
I got beaten because I couldn't gain enough land to build the forge and upgrade anything to beat back the creeper.

Any pointer on how to make headway compared to my abysmal attempts.
Please use the spoiler hide tags :)

Loren Pechtel · July 11, 2014, 06:42:10 PM

Quote from: Game Loser on July 11, 2014, 06:15:41 PM
I started by the Blaster, sent a stream of collectors around the perimeter to pick up Terp, Mortar, Strafer and Forge. I tried sandbagging just hoarding reactors and building a wall of 10 with sort of 'crenulations' (blocks of 3x3) with blasters sat on top. I had mortars in between.
I got beaten because I couldn't gain enough land to build the forge and upgrade anything to beat back the creeper.

Any pointer on how to make headway compared to my abysmal attempts.
Please use the spoiler hide tags :)

What good are crenulations? A wall is only as good as it's lowest point. I simply terped my base to level 5 (the height of your start) and slowly pushed it forward.

Helper · July 11, 2014, 06:46:58 PM

I never used Terps.
At about 5 minutes:

Spoiler

[close]

Link for larger picture:
http://i61.tinypic.com/24l62dd.jpg

Game Loser · July 11, 2014, 07:03:49 PM

Thanks, I'll have another go but try something like that Helper.

@Loren Pechtel: Crenulations are the notched tops of walls that you get on castles. If you created a single thickness wall, and made 3x3 square blocks every 3 squares, you'd have something that looked a bit like a castle wall. We're looking top downa nd a castle we look at the vertical face, but you get the idea.

I tried to push forward but couldn't hold the creeper back. I will try again.

Re. Low times. There are a couple of 5 minutes or so. If one was to just throw ridiculous numbers into a cheat engine script, then it's soo easy. One blaster to cover the entire map easy...But no one likes a cheat, and anyone cheating shouldn't post the score :)

Helper · July 11, 2014, 08:17:52 PM

@Game Loser -
Please see my comment above.
Alter Old is one of the two best players of the game and most of us can't even conceive of (much less execute) his techniques.
Anyone using Terps in this particular map is never going to have a good time.
It is a complete waste of time and energy - unless one just likes modifying terrain. If that's the case, knock yourself out.
H

RrR · July 11, 2014, 08:25:57 PM

I got a low time - 5:54. With more care about balancing energy supply and demand would have been possible to go 20 seconds faster.

Spoiler

start near the sprayer.

[close]

Game Loser · July 12, 2014, 03:28:01 PM

Sorry, I just re-read my last post. I does read like I was being a jerk and accusing those with low times of cheating, I didn't mean that. So my apologies to those who legitimately got scores :)
I know I suck, this isn't the first map that I've asked for hints and pointers to get started.

....2nd attempt at starting where RrR suggested, and I done it in 45 mins. Thanks for the help.

Karsten75 · July 12, 2014, 07:54:15 PM

Quote from: Game Loser on July 11, 2014, 07:03:49 PM

@Loren Pechtel: Crenulations are the notched tops of walls that you get on castles. If you created a single thickness wall, and made 3x3 square blocks every 3 squares, you'd have something that looked a bit like a castle wall. We're looking top downa nd a castle we look at the vertical face, but you get the idea.

I hate to be nitpicky, but your response made me go "huh?" and then off to Google I went. The word you wanted is very similar "crenellation" That is the definition for "battlements" on the top of a castle wall. The word "crenulated"you malapropriated (I made this word up on the spur of the moment! :)) is a term used in geology.

Helper · July 12, 2014, 08:55:15 PM

/Off Topic
Darn! I thought crenulations were the kind skirts girls wore in the 50's.
Off Topic/