Custom Map #1338: One Command Node, 4 Resources to Pick From. By: Jason Stevens

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This topic is for discussion of map #1338: One Command Node, 4 Resources to Pick From


Author: Jason Stevens
Size: 128x256

Desc:
Inspired by some of the maps others have uploaded. Have fun :) #Spores #Runners #Void #Flip Emitter #Other Emitter #Mass Drivers #AC

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Outstanding map. Turtling is discouraged because the creeper will flow down over the void from the top if you take too long. I'll be playing this one again.

[EEderle]

What's Turtling? And is it rude to ask for a smalll spoiler? the overflow from the North kept killing me   :'(

[teknotiss]

What's Turtling? And is it rude to ask for a smalll spoiler? the overflow from the North kept killing me   :'(

"turtle"-ing is a tactic whereby the player stays in a relatively small or otherwise defensive area and builds power and weapons up for a game winning push.
as opposed to rushing which is where a player pushes as aggressively as they can while building infrastructure as they go.
no asking for spoilers isn't rude. unless you ask rudely of course, which i don't recommend! ;)
as for a spoiler from me, sorry haven't got to this map yet but if you haven't had help by the time i'm done with it, i'll be happy to post a spoiler, or a step by step start guide, whatever you need.
hope that helps 8)

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When I played:

Spoiler

I landed my node in the bottom left island (had to destroy some resources to make room).

The first thing I did was build a couple guppies and a forge. Then flew the guppies to the north two squares. Because of the AE fields, I had to land in the strips just above them. Build relays from the guppies down to nullify the two AE towers. At that point I was able to land guppies inside the boxes. While this was happening I was building beam towers like crazy around me, and as they were finished I'd move them 4 at a time to the north islands.

Then, I moved my CN to the top right island and used the guppies to build a few reactors so I would have some infrastructure ready when I landed. Once I got there, I built more reactors and also built a new guppy to send down to power my forge on the bottom-left. Also, started work on a bertha on the PZ left behind by the AE tower. Oh, and LOTS and Lots of beam towers. :)

Next time I play I will instead move to the bottom-right and nullify that AE before moving on to the top-right, so I can get earlier access to ore.

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[mzimmer74]

This was an excellent map!  One of my favorite "non-PAC" maps.  It's fairly rare that my attention is kept that closely for that long.  Usually longer maps start to bore me but this one keeps you on your toes.

As far as a spoiler on how I beat this map and avoided the overflow...

Spoiler

I personally landed on the platform with the totems as I find the upgrades from the forge to be more valuable than the other platforms.  I immediately started building up my energy, nullified the air cover for the PZ, and put a beam on the PZ.  I made a guppie to take out the three spore towers to the North so I wouldn't have to worry about them. 

After enough energy and having some upgrades from the forge I started working my way across the bridge to take out the emitter to the left of my landing zone and then worked over to the platform on the North West side.  Once there I finally built a PZ Bertha to help take out the other platforms and the center.  Occasionally I'd shoot the Bertha at the overflow from the North, although I didn't really worry about it too much.  If you can take out the center platform you'll be able to make an extra PZ Bertha which makes all the difference.

Then, it's just a matter of pushing forward.

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Hope that helps you EEderle.

[RrR]

Spoiler

Probably not optimal play, but you can fly the CN from base to base nullifying the AET. Works best after flight speed and energy upgrades.

Mass AoO destroy an enormous amount of creeper. Especially after a singularity weapon has concentrated it.

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[Loren Pechtel]

Interesting idea on the use of guppies.  I did it the hard way of going from island to island.

[jasons2645]

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the map :)  I just posted a version 2 based on the feedback here (I did intend for some of the subtle "solutions" found to work, but not all of them ;)

The new version isn't really any harder or easier - it just tweaks a couple minor things - it's nearly identical to the original map.

[RrR]

You have to expect players to find exploits that the map maker didn't intend. That is not normally a problem. Even with all the tricks described above, this is a tough map that needs a lot of attention.

I would only worry if you have allowed an instant nullification of an inhibitor - the 46 second problem.

[jasons2645]

That's a good point :)  And I accidentally made V2 a little easier than the original...  Still fun though.