Custom Map #4154: deep. By: willbir

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This topic is for discussion of map #4154: deep


Author: willbir
Size: 160x160

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[willbir]

Inspired by Reclaim but the creeper is only half as deep.

[ThomBat]

Oh, this is brutal! Even with reactors on all the PZs I still end up energy starved - once the creeper comes near enough to keep the mortars busy then the enough of the spores (wave of 20 closely followed by 50) get through to knock out a reactor, then it's all over. I've tried various blends of mortar & beam, I've tried upgrading energy vs upgrading range, now I'm trying asking for a hint :-)

[edit: originally said "cannon" instead of "mortar"]

[GoodMorning]

PZ Beams are more efficient, and it really sounds like a case of "we need more power".

That said, I haven't played this yet.

[ThomBat]

The number of reactors is also limited :-) By PZing them and upgrading and building beyond the walled area I got an energy supply of 44, but still starved once the creep got in mortar range - it was close, though. Maybe by micro-managing the resupply of beams and mortars I can keep the beams fed enough to stop hits on collectors and reactors? (because walled area is flooded with AC spores don't have area effect, but still take out targeted reactors)

[GoodMorning]

Just played. The first attempt used standard strategies. I saw what you meant.

Edit: Note also the 1K Aether in the middle.

There seem to be two workable strategies. One would be to rush the AoOs and then try to get that Void-shielded area in the middle. Hard, but perhaps faster. I am no speedrunner, so...

The other is...

Spoiler

to use the most energy-efficient unit for Creeper destruction in the game (energy powered only, Singularity uses Aether). Yes, that's right, the PZ Bertha gives the most "boom" for your packet, and it has ideal operating circumstances here. I used two. You don't need that fifth PZ Reactor.

Also, you can store up energy in excess Beams between spore waves. The Bethas have a sufficiently long firing cycle that you won't need to worry. Throw down a half-dozen PCs to keep the edges clear, if it becomes an issue, but AC is a wonderful thing...

[close]

[ThomBat]

I didn't think the PZ Berthas would cope with such deep creeper, but eventually they pounded it through. But given the profusion of 18 minute scores I guess the 1k aether is key (use with singularities to take out heaviest emitters?)

Ta very muchly for the advice, and also to Willbir for the engaging map (absurdly downvoted at present: average of 2 from 11 scores)

[GoodMorning]

The Bertha actually has near-optimal efficiency when hitting creeper of 100 depth or greater, and the PZ Bertha needs 300+ for maximum efficiency, due to overlap. The Bertha destroys up to 100 Creeper in each cell it hits, double that for the central cell. It's the rate of fire which keeps it from being the best weapon in the game. If it could fire 100x as fast, with the same energy consumption and damage rate, it would be slightly bulky, but beat every other weapon in the game

[Johnny Haywire]

I found this to be a nice variation of "Reclaim" - not sure why people are giving this such a low rating.

It's a nice, solid map - not difficult enough to feel the need to save the game or pause after the initial start, but challenging enough to make you think. Another great map imo, willbir!  ;D

Spoiler

You only need 4 berthas on PZs to hold back the creeper after using all the AOOs to convert creeper to AC and establish a nice safe zone around your base. I did that and creeper never broke through the wall, and I didn't use anything except beams, berthas, and sprayers.

[close]

The key is not to panic. Keep calm and carry a big stick. Or something like that.  8)

[willbir]

I found this to be a nice variation of "Reclaim" - not sure why people are giving this such a low rating.

It's a nice, solid map - not difficult enough to feel the need to save the game or pause after the initial start, but challenging enough to make you think. Another great map imo, willbir!  ;D

Thanks, appreciate it . I forgot to add a description so I imagine a lot of people didn't notice just how deep the creeper was and had a bad time when the wall fell.

[GoodMorning]

They probably had a bad time trying to hold off the Creeper without using their Titans as primary weapons.

The PZ Bertha has always been my favourite weapon, but it rarely gets more than a supporting role. Thank you for a map which lets it shine.

[stdout]

Well, I made it. I completely ignored the center and instead

Spoiler

used guppies with the artifacts to destroy early the most damaging spore towers.

[close]

Once I had the foothold, the mopup took longer than expected. Still, a great map and deserves a better ranking than it currently has. Thank you for sharing it!