Custom Map #1437: The Texensis System. By: stdout

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This topic is for discussion of map #1437: The Texensis System


Author: stdout
Size: 256x256

Desc:
The Texensis system is a region of strategic importance to us. The humans see it as a shrine to an era of fierce independence and sacrificial defense. The humans would rather die than surrender this land, and we are here to make that happen. Take this system, destroy their morale and crush their hopes of resistance. Suffocate them under a deep sea, until every last human is dead, then claim the Texensis system for the Creeper hive. #PlayAsCreeper

[wobblycogs]

Good map, I think though that you should give a little hint:

Spoiler

Spores can target empty space.

[close]

I don't know maybe it's just me but when I first PAC'ed I didn't realize that and it took me a while to figure it out. I'd forgotten it when I started this map and sat there for 15 minutes trying to figure out how I'd get off the first island.

[stdout]

That information is actually present in the built-in help system. It specifically mentions targeting the void to bridge the gap.

[thumbmaster]

This map is very deceiving. It started out as a very routine PAC map but once I captured Mexico, I was at a stand still fighting them Texans. I eventually figured it out and was able to beat it. The replay value of this map is very high. This is probably the most enjoyable PAC map I've played. Thank you!

Spoiler

I spent way too much time trying different ways to kill the beams. What I ended up figuring out is that if I commit enough PZs (a dozen or so) to be spore towers, I can overwhelm those pesky beams on PZs. One must not confront these half-assed like I did.

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[stdout]

Thanks thumbmaster, I'm glad you liked it! I strive for replayability and multiple paths to victory is always important to me.

Spoiler

My initial thought was that Texas should be the last island taken and that's a fine approach. But you can take Texas via El Paso a bit early if you have enough spore towers and you aim at just the tip. The PZ beam can't reach the very western part of that island.

[close]

The lesson here is: don't go up against Texas unless you've got a lot of firepower!  ;D ;D

[Lost in Nowhere]

I took Texas before either of the other CNs, and then went and trashed everywhere else with an army of (synchronized) spore towers. It was fun. The levels of creeper where the towers were targeting tended to get into the thousands as the spores hit.

[Loren Pechtel]

Against the tougher parts I wasn't getting anywhere with spore towers no matter what.  I ended up converting everything to emitters, supporting one emitter that was near the edge of it's island and setting the field out into the void.  Enough support and it goes over the 500 and spills into the void.  Keep trying to convert it, if you picked the right spot you'll get a tendril into the void.  The Berthas are actually your friend at that point, when the emitter gets whacked and the digitalis dies a whole bunch of creeper spills into the void and you get across.

[teknotiss]

Against the tougher parts I wasn't getting anywhere with spore towers no matter what.  I ended up converting everything to emitters, supporting one emitter that was near the edge of it's island and setting the field out into the void.  Enough support and it goes over the 500 and spills into the void.  Keep trying to convert it, if you picked the right spot you'll get a tendril into the void.  The Berthas are actually your friend at that point, when the emitter gets whacked and the digitalis dies a whole bunch of creeper spills into the void and you get across.

the western most part of texas is vulnerable to about 10/11 spores and a couple of emitters.
brute force can overwhelm the non pz towers there in a couple of waves.
hope that helps someone 8)

[RrR]

One trick I use to help cross the void

Spoiler

Use spores to spread digitalis over the void
All lots of creeper with either more spores or an emitter and force tool ( you need it 10+ deep)
Pause
Use the destroy digitalis tool (use "t" to select)
Use the create digitalis tool.
Unpause
Generate new digitalis where creeper spills out into the void, assisted by the force tool

With this method, you should not loose any digitalis (unless you do it when a bertha hits)

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[Hubs]

Great job on this map! I love asteroid hopping creeper style! Spores are my favorite part of PAC maps and it was sweet having 40 of them take out the last island at the same time :)

[Asbestos]

The huge gap at the bottom of the map, to be honest, looked kind of sloppy. Filling up a map without leaving any large, open spaces makes it look better, in my opinion.

[thumbmaster]

The huge gap at the bottom of the map, to be honest, looked kind of sloppy. Filling up a map without leaving any large, open spaces makes it look better, in my opinion.

The first couple times I played this map, it threw me off too. At some point I thought the space was there as a secret shortcut and I ended up spending a lot of time spore-bombing the heck out of every square inch of it. At least that let me work out my aggressions.

[stdout]

The huge gap at the bottom of the map, to be honest, looked kind of sloppy. Filling up a map without leaving any large, open spaces makes it look better, in my opinion.

Future PAC maps will not have this issue. We're working (in a different thread) on making the maps shrinkable.