Custom Map #11645: Decorating the Other Side of The Tree. By: Tamohl

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This topic is for discussion of map #11645: Decorating the Other Side of The Tree


Author: Tamohl
Size: 128x256

Desc:
Identical to 'Decorating the Tree' except you get coal for Christmas instead. No forge, no free power zones, and no skipping the whole tree, you're supposed to decorate it! Much harder start, don't forget how many spores are coming your way.

[Johnny Haywire]

Color me impressed!

I can't ever remember doing a map quite like this. While I prefer maps with a forge and AC, either of those elements would just about eliminate the challenge in this case. I can see a lot of newer players really struggling with this one.

1) Build up enough energy to power up about 20 beams at the start, and keep building power & beams while making sure to keep the creeper in the middle subdued with a mortar or two.
2) Gain a foothold on the main section, which is elevated. I found this to be the most difficult part of the map but also the most interesting.
3) Capture your first two power zones. Once you've got that, you've got this.

I sometimes complain about the general uselessness of shields, which are generally almost useless. However, I found them to be very effective in taking the higher ground. Typically, I'd rely on mortars & blasters but the creep isn't deep and slow here, it's shallow and fast. Since shields ignore elevation, I found them to be a perfect solution in taking the high ground. If only Anakin had thought to use shields...

Brilliantly executed design here, Tamohl - I hope you make more of these!

Thanks for the map!! =)

[Tamohl]

Thanks for enjoying my map!

I agree that I enjoy this version much better than the first ('Decorating the Tree'). The first is certainly more of an easy, just have some fun kind of map (and has a shortcut element for anyone with good eyes) but this map takes them all away. It's a tight start, but I found building straight power until just before the spores start launching then like 10 beams on the first half gets me through it. Priority is to actually expand to the other half so the spores don't focus down that left side, as eventually they will overwhelm the beams.

When I was first trying to solve this map, I had the same trouble too with getting a foothold at the start of the tree, but shields are certainly the answer.

I too enjoy maps with forges, mostly because the firing range is actually horrible at level 0 I can't stand it, but since the whole map basically is power zones after the first push it's not very noticeable here.

-Tamohl

[Johnny Haywire]

Awesome!

Well, if this is one of your first maps then I'm really looking forward to what else you'll come up with. And if you're new to the game and already beating maps like this then that's even doubly awesome. =)