StarCraft

[Elok]

My computer doesn't have sound, so no worries. The nukes aren't really a long-term threat the way the computer's used them so far. More of an annoyance. Computer destroys area, I rebuild it, computer destroys same area, I rebuild it. It sounds horribly expensive, but really, typically the computer decides to use a nuke (200 minerals, 200 gas) on a bunker at the very edge of my base. As a result, I lose the bunker (100m), one missile turret (100m) and sustain relatively minor damage to a few structures, which can be fixed cheaply. The Marines in the bunker survive.

So it actually costs the enemy almost as much to mount each strike as it costs me...possibly more, if you consider that it tied up eight supply and may have lost the Ghost as well. Sending in fighters to stop the attack has a low success rate (usually they kill the Ghost right after the point of no return) and gets expensive Wraiths destroyed. So, oddly enough, my reaction to "Nuclear launch detected" is usually to sigh, hit spacebar, move all my SCVs away from the little red dot, and prepare to rebuild. You'd think a nuclear bomb would be more intimidating.

The AI doesn't even have a strike force ready to take advantage of the chaos. It just periodically destroys a little bit and then goes away for a while. I can only hope that Blizzard did that intentionally to make mission ten easier. Just like it somehow told them not to take advantage of the bonanza of resources in the middle of the map, but to jealously attack me for trying.

[Elok]

Originally posted by VJ
This works? I thought that the AI gets nice chunks of resources every x minutes on SP campaigns (IIRC you can check it out from scenario editor... I don't have the game anymore, so I can't take a look) ?

Huh. I was wondering how they were stretching their reserves so far. Well, whatever they were getting (if they were getting anything), it wasn't enough. Their combat ability tapered off drastically towards the end, that's for sure. Maybe the AI just kept trying to build troops as needed instead of planning ahead and amassing reserve forces sensibly.

I did notice regular intervals of ineffectual reinforcements as I destroyed them...every thirty seconds or so, one Marine and one Goliath marched bravely forward to challenge the mob of seven Battlecruisers. Then another after that, and another. I especially liked how they kept building single Marines to "protect" the barracks currently under attack. Fifty minerals in exchange for the six or so points of damage it causes to one battlecruiser before getting wiped off the map. Assuming it got a chance to shoot at all in its brief second of life. A moment of silence, please, for the cruelties of fate to an electronic soldier!

The one unit it did use effectively was the Ghost, although as I said it wasted nukes. I really hate getting locked down by invisible enemies. I would say it uses Siege Tanks well too, but the way it kept bringing them to hot spots I threatened with air units was pitiful.

[Whoha]

Originally posted by VJ
The micromanaging type I hate most is the combat managing. There are no formations, and the AI always makes the troops attack on a long column and the units block each others paths since they start attacking immediately when they get to attacking range


This works? I thought that the AI gets nice chunks of resources every x minutes on SP campaigns (IIRC you can check it out from scenario editor... I don't have the game anymore, so I can't take a look) ?

in skirmish they definately run out of resources.

[Whoha]

terran turrets are 75 minerals with the latest patch, connect to bnet to get it.

[Barinthus]

It is quite possible to kill ghosts before they set in motion the launching of a nuke.

Originally posted by Elok
The AI doesn't even have a strike force ready to take advantage of the chaos. It just periodically destroys a little bit and then goes away for a while. I can only hope that Blizzard did that intentionally to make mission ten easier. Just like it somehow told them not to take advantage of the bonanza of resources in the middle of the map, but to jealously attack me for trying.

IIRC there is a mission in Brood War where the AI does take advantage of this - after nuking your base few times enemy troops show up at your front door. That particular mission was challenging at the first.

[DrSpike]

Welcome to a classic.

[Barinthus]

Last night I checked out Wikipedia for the fun of it and they had the entire plotline written in-depth so it was a nice read before bedtime

[Maniac]

Funny. I did exactly the same thing.

[Kataphraktoi]

The manual that comes with the game,i must say, is a lite book on its own.

[Barinthus]

Great minds think alike

One of my fave starcraft clips is the introduction clip of brood wars

Spoiler:

The one where Terran marines are fighting a desperate battle against the Zerg and UED battlecruiser show up only to observe.. DeGalle is one cold hearted guy!

[vee4473]

Interesting... I fired up Brood War last night for a quick skirmish map after getting the itch after a long time away...and now I find this thread!

[Maniac]

Originally posted by Barinthus
Well I'm deaf and cannot even hear those warning sounds of an incoming nuke attack so if I can do it you can do it .

IIRC when a nuke is coming or something on the map there will be a signal of some kind such as flashing.

To prevent myself from getting overrun I build defenses. Terrans are so easy to do for this. Build towers where their aircrafts tend to fly over. As for main entry points I usually build two bunkers - one on each side. Each bunker get a tower behind or next to. Of course those bunkers are stuffed full of marines (not firebots I hate those but I've heard they are fabulous against Zergs). Later on when I get seige tanks, I'd park one next to each of those bunkers. Keep one or two mechanics nearby to keep those repaired. The rate of fire is so fierce that nothing can even come near especially enemy Terrans and Zergs - complete bloodbath.

Heh, I've gotten to Terran campaign level 10 now where the AI uses nukes, and I can't understand now why I was so panicky about them. A missile turret to act as nuke target, a siege tank next to it and one comsat sweep are enough to deter a nuclear strike...

[EPW]

The Starcraft campaigns are easy, play broodwar for a challenge.

[:) Smiley]

Originally posted by Kataphraktoi
The manual that comes with the game,i must say, is a lite book on its own.

Not only that, I've seen a series of Starcraft books in the sci-fi section of bookstores before.

[Maniac]

Originally posted by EPW
The Starcraft campaigns are easy, play broodwar for a challenge.

I'm getting to that. I'm just playing them all in the right order.