NC MAX's Shield

Saint · 2003-01-02, 10:19 PM

Is the NC MAX's shield going to be visable? I don't think it should be unless hit, when a bullet or beam hits it or something runs into it I believe it should flash on, but I don't think it should be visable when not being disturbed.

Here is why I ask: Lets say you are running up on an outpost in an NC max and you have your shield on, the outpost guys fire a few shots and realize it is futile to shoot at you. Then when it is safe you switch your shield off and then back on when they start firing again, to conserve energy. What do you guys think?

Hamma · 2003-01-02, 10:50 PM

Dont know

Warborn · 2003-01-02, 10:54 PM

I'm sure there'll be a visual effect that'll show you when the NC MAX is using its shield, either when your bullets impact with the MAX (maybe a little ripple-like effect at the point of impact), or a constant sort of sphere. Regardless, you'll be able to tell for sure.

Camping Carl · 2003-01-02, 11:35 PM

Wait, this is totally off the subject, but can Max suits hurt people by running into them? Can they push people out of their way?

SandTrout · 2003-01-03, 02:56 AM

And can the punch them?

On topic, Almost for sure it will be vissable, and shooting it will likely not be pointless. Shooting it will probably take the shield down faster than if you didn't shoot it. Probably be similar to the Tribes(I'm grabing my asbestose suit for this one) Shield pack, it always drained energy when on, but hiting it drained it much faster.

Also, you need to wait for the energy to regenerate compleatly before reactivateing the shield. However, that may be just for when the shield runs all the way down.

BLuE_ZeRO · 2003-01-03, 03:04 AM

I don't think he said it was pointless to hit it, he was just saying if you hit it does it flash or make the shield visible. In tribes at least the shield was invisible unless it was hit by something. Me thinks it will be quite similar to that.

The shield sure as hell better take some damage when you hit it.

Vimp · 2003-01-03, 03:14 AM

My theory is that using the shield dosn't use up any energy supply(Keep in mind that the shield decreases rate of fire signeficantly), but when getting hit it will. And when being hit with out a shield makes a flash around the person, (as if they were wearing a shield), then its unlikly that you would only see the effects of it when getting hit inless it looked different from the glow around a person that is normally made when fired on.

Note: The 'Glow' or shield effect that is created around a player and vehicle when hit was the devs way of giveing the player indication that their shot actually hit what they were fireing on. So you couldn't have the shield for the NC MAX doing the same inless it made an obviously different shield effect when being hit to indicate that its shields are on.

Duritz · 2003-01-03, 05:25 AM

I hope that the shield has a power/time suppy and it loses power faster when taking damge like in, as SandTrout said, Tribes. I also hope, even though I'm Vanu, that it can take a whole lot of damage, that way it makes the NC MAX powerful. I'm sure it will be because that will be the key in balancing it with the other MAXs, especially the TR.

Warborn · 2003-01-03, 12:04 PM

The TR's MAX ability is sort of a mixed bag, though. Yes, you fire twice as quickly, but you're immobile and your movement is restricted. You're also burning ammunition twice as fast. While losing ammunition at double the rate isn't a huge thing, being unable to move and taking a couple seconds to unstick yourself can be potentially lethal in some situations.

Zatrais · 2003-01-03, 02:12 PM

I bet there will be a slow draining of the powersupply while the shield is active, and a maybee a small shimmer effect that appears around the MAX every now and then when it's active.

btw, futile to attact a NC MAX whit a shield? nah, just need to spend more firepower on the sucker hehe

Venoxile · 2003-01-03, 05:04 PM

i'd shoot it in the face with my phoenix rocket launcher, heh, gotta love the ut redeemer effect after shooting. Aiming perfectly between the eyes.

CrazyMike · 2003-01-07, 03:41 AM

Well one would think there would be some sort of powersupply for the shield if for no other reason than for ballance. This shield is one of the things they are going to have to tweak carefully. Too weak and the NC Max's get the shaft.. Too strong and suddenly NC MAx's is all you will see on the battlefield.

GO GO Beta!

CrazyMike

NapalmEnima · 2003-01-07, 01:29 PM

Warborn: I remember one of the devs (SJ?) saying that TR MAXes also get an accuracy boost on account of a more stable firing platform. All that kick being transmitted into the ground I guess.

So TR MAXes WILL NOT be "spray and pray"... more like "50 rounds into your face at 50 meters in 0.5 seconds".

Good times.

Speaking of high-volume/high-accuracy fire, did anyone else notice one of the screenshots of the wall guns? Rotary chaingun with unlimited ammo? Sounds like a lot of fun. I'll be like playing one of those gunner games in the arcades where you're mowing down infantry.

It'll be quite interesting to see which MAX will do best in a slugging match, the NC with it's shield, or the TR, locked down. I doubt the Vanu MAX will have the armor or firepower to win in a straight slug out (and it would be foolish for them to try). I'll wager it'll be close. Only the NC would be a fool to do so, even if they knew they'd win. With the TR locked down, the don't HAVE to slug it out... just circle around outside the TR's field of fire, forcing the TR to unlock. Or use cover between shots, since the shield lowers their rate of fire. That "circle around" thing might be a good time for an indoor MAX sprint.

And I'm betting sprinting will be a decent anti-infantry weapon too. Splat.

Zatrais · 2003-01-07, 01:35 PM

Again, theres the VS MAX dosn't have the firepower statement....

Isn't mentioned annywhere that the VS will have less firepower, abit less armor yeah but not frepower.

why do people say that?

FireFrenzy · 2003-01-07, 02:48 PM

I presume that the VS MAX will be kind of gimped actually. It has been said that VS will be a bit more lacking with the firepower/defense attribute, but more mobile. When i'm a max whos supposed to go into a room and rip everyone a new butthole, it really doesn't matter that I can use jump jets (which don't look to great from that gamespot movie). I do see how/where the jump jets would be useful, but at that, only at sparse times. Hopefully they won't pale in comparesment to the NC and TR MAX's fighting ability. Although i could be wrong, and the devs have fine-tuned the MAX's to be somewhat balanced.