Arguments Regarding Squad Upgrades & More
Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:12 pm
Warning - Incoming Wall of Text.
One of the things that has changed from Vanilla to LW was the complete removal of all "squad" upgrades; that is upgrades that change an item that is otherwise infinite (like medkits) to a better one, and making all researched items and weapons purchased one-at-a-time, and likewise, being lose if a solider is killed and not recovered.
This, in-turn, has made losing soldiers a much more punishing event, since you are not only losing a good solider, but also valuable gear. Squadwipes are truly disasterous, and can end a campaign, quickly or slowly.
With 1.5 coming out, and the addition of RNG into Fire Grenades, I begin to look over LW and think about some aspects that disagree with me, and would like input from more experienced players.
RNG balancing is, to me, an affront that should never occur, but that is just my inner chess player talking. I would be ok with less predictable outcomes in missions, if mission losses weren't so devastating. As is, the player can't really afford many losses, especially, since gear is lost as well.
So I would like to make some suggestions:
Make all weapons into squad upgrades again. Basic and Advanced to cover primary weapons, with separate ones for secondary weapons. Predator and Warden armors should also be squad upgrades, but NOT Exo, War, etc... Instead, I think these armors should be expensive, but also powerful, and built one-at-a-time, as these are unique upgrades. Items that are direct upgrades over existing items, like Nanomedkits, Plasma Grenades, and the Bombs should also be squad upgrades. I was REALLY pissed off when I found out that, after having to fork out a hefty sum for the Plasma Grenade upgrades, I then had to ALSO pay for each individual grenade, which costs an Elerium Core. Even more so, after Advanced Explosives, (a pricy upgrade which also required Plasma Grenades), I STILL had to make the bombs one at a time, all for a measly one extra AOE, hardly worth the effort for anything other than Fire Grenades.
Which brings me to.......
Fire Grenades seem to be responsible here, being by far the only researched grenade to be even remotely useful. I completely understand the nerf, BUT think that it should be handled differently. If complete shutdown on an alien is too good, simply change the functionality of fire, and give it more radius. Other grenades should be competitive, and it should be worthwhile to try to research Advanced Explosives.
So, the summary, for those who are getting tired of my complaining is this:
Bring back squad upgrades, but not for EXO, WAR, Shadow, and Spider Armors, and definitely not stuff like Shredstorm Cannon and Plasma Blaster (buff the blaster please).
Automatically upgrade medkits, frags -> Plasma, and other grenades into Bombs automatically when the appropriate project is complete. Otherwise, I don't see these items ever being used.
Adjust prices accordingly. A squad upgrade of basic Mags (which would cover rifle, SMG, pistol) could be something like the cost of 6 actual rifles (or whatever the team deems appropriate).
Adjust prices accordingly.
As I stated, feedback is welcome. I am definitely in the "LW should be a fun experience" camp, as you can tell.
One of the things that has changed from Vanilla to LW was the complete removal of all "squad" upgrades; that is upgrades that change an item that is otherwise infinite (like medkits) to a better one, and making all researched items and weapons purchased one-at-a-time, and likewise, being lose if a solider is killed and not recovered.
This, in-turn, has made losing soldiers a much more punishing event, since you are not only losing a good solider, but also valuable gear. Squadwipes are truly disasterous, and can end a campaign, quickly or slowly.
With 1.5 coming out, and the addition of RNG into Fire Grenades, I begin to look over LW and think about some aspects that disagree with me, and would like input from more experienced players.
RNG balancing is, to me, an affront that should never occur, but that is just my inner chess player talking. I would be ok with less predictable outcomes in missions, if mission losses weren't so devastating. As is, the player can't really afford many losses, especially, since gear is lost as well.
So I would like to make some suggestions:
Make all weapons into squad upgrades again. Basic and Advanced to cover primary weapons, with separate ones for secondary weapons. Predator and Warden armors should also be squad upgrades, but NOT Exo, War, etc... Instead, I think these armors should be expensive, but also powerful, and built one-at-a-time, as these are unique upgrades. Items that are direct upgrades over existing items, like Nanomedkits, Plasma Grenades, and the Bombs should also be squad upgrades. I was REALLY pissed off when I found out that, after having to fork out a hefty sum for the Plasma Grenade upgrades, I then had to ALSO pay for each individual grenade, which costs an Elerium Core. Even more so, after Advanced Explosives, (a pricy upgrade which also required Plasma Grenades), I STILL had to make the bombs one at a time, all for a measly one extra AOE, hardly worth the effort for anything other than Fire Grenades.
Which brings me to.......
Fire Grenades seem to be responsible here, being by far the only researched grenade to be even remotely useful. I completely understand the nerf, BUT think that it should be handled differently. If complete shutdown on an alien is too good, simply change the functionality of fire, and give it more radius. Other grenades should be competitive, and it should be worthwhile to try to research Advanced Explosives.
So, the summary, for those who are getting tired of my complaining is this:
Bring back squad upgrades, but not for EXO, WAR, Shadow, and Spider Armors, and definitely not stuff like Shredstorm Cannon and Plasma Blaster (buff the blaster please).
Automatically upgrade medkits, frags -> Plasma, and other grenades into Bombs automatically when the appropriate project is complete. Otherwise, I don't see these items ever being used.
Adjust prices accordingly. A squad upgrade of basic Mags (which would cover rifle, SMG, pistol) could be something like the cost of 6 actual rifles (or whatever the team deems appropriate).
Adjust prices accordingly.
As I stated, feedback is welcome. I am definitely in the "LW should be a fun experience" camp, as you can tell.