In response to Heroes (or V.I.P.s) being highly considered

[IkkyKrrk]

I like how this game is going, its actually a lot of fun for a free RTS. I have two cents that I want to share, whether or not their important. (I made this its own thread as I think I bring up enough ideas / points to put it in another thread, rather than derailing the last.) If you haven't read the news post involving suggestions, heroes, so on. I'd suggest reading ithere.

"V.I.P.'s / Heroes"
I had another discussion point that involved using Alyx, Barney, and so on. But the bigger question is, why use them? It'll be distracting from the game when you see its Alyx, but she isn't saying anything fitting. It'll be annoying when you hear Barney say the exact same line over and over because you don't have access to the original voice actors and are making due with what you got. Don't forget their imposed limitations that you mentioned when you said those characters can only hold certain weapons, or their finite screen time where they haven't shown their true potential so you don't know what they can or can't do. Considering you're telling your own story. You should have your own characters. Your own heroes.

This however doesn't mean you should keep from ever mentioning characters from the franchise, that's not the point I'm trying to make. Say, hypothetically you have a hero that's some old scientist from Black Mesa. In one of his lines he could mention Barney, Gordon, Eli or anyone of the surviving characters, or if you have an old Grunt from Opposing Force he could mention a certain "Corporal that helped him get out of that hell hole."

When it comes down to these V.I.P.'s abilities they shouldn't just be an escort mission in an RTS. They should have certain abilities. Their own strengths, after all they aren't a regular unit that's spammable. You can lean towards a more, stronger approach with what they can do. For an example we can take the Grunt idea, give him the option to throw grenades, the ability to switch from AR2 to Shotgun, and to set up turrets. All these things he can do? Comes from whats already in the game. You don't need to make new abilities, just give them unique ones that the player can't normally get as rebels in multiplayer. Afterall, you want to give a good reason as to why you the player should go through the singleplayer.

I understand that it's easier to make heroes out of pre-existing assets but then you'll stay limited to the 'cannon' of the base franchise.

It's not easy making an RTS, which is probably why most developers abandoned the idea. But you're the few that haven't. For that I say keep on going with what you've got. Don't get tangled up in anything that'll make you lose sight of your vision.

[TheEnderGuy55]

Yes it should be added but non existant heros

[TheMarine]

Well I Mean I have tons of ideas for "Hero Units" that aren't Stock for Example CP-X A trenchcoat Wearing CP a "Command" CP if you will having a Aura of command making CP (Specifically CP Units or could be expanded) More effective in combat like he has 2 times their base stats the ability to swap a Shotgun with a SMG (because hes not Over watch so no Ar2 for him) Other ability ideas Include like a Orbital Strike to clear out those cluster units Maybe the ability to enslave 1 rebel unit? thats abit untouched but i feel that that a dumb idea http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/spore ... oatCop.png he looks like that by the way but customization is fully wanted (minus the sword and handgun) And a Hero idea for rebels is like a Past HECU Marine with under mounted grenade launcher so its like a split second animation that allows him to launch it hes a fast mover maybe has the ability to call in a mini squad of them with like a medic with a aura a Heavygunner with a minigun then a rocketeersman (for those striders) These are only acouple of ideas of Unfinished heros even I don't know if i posted this in the right place but i hope the devs read it Hero units are more than welcome for me and heavly encouraged because they could change the strategy change the entire battle around in ones favor if used properly

[Obscurify]

Hey, guys; I checked out the updates for Lambda Wars after a few months and saw this thread linked in one of the updates, but was discouraged when I saw the amount of replies. I don't know if this is necroposting, but I'll post some ideas anyways!

1. Combine Assassin, can go invisible and infiltrate enemy territory, and has an ability that allows her to instant kill a single unit, or multiple.
Reference photo: http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/hal ... -prefix=en

2. Combine Administrator, increases the rate of production while an ability is active, and can possibly 'rally' loyal citizens to fight back for a short amount of time?

3. Combine crab synth; Heavy assault unit, should be like having a mobile turret and a moderate amount of health, with a high-rate of fire, meant for mowing down large amounts of rebel infantry.
Reference photo: http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/hal ... -prefix=en

4. Like the guy above me said, a combine commander, that can increase damage of metro police and overwatch units and allow them to use grenades faster, or something.

5. A rebel sniper of some sort, also infiltrates enemy territory, can pin a unit to a spot, pick off turret users, or with an ability, shoot through walls and multiple units at once.

6. Combine guard unit, like from the beta, with a large dark energy cannon.
Reference photo: http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/hal ... -prefix=en

7. Cremators! I loved the cremators from the beta, big, lumbering, and scary as all hell when they get close to you. Uses an incinerator cannon to demolish hordes of rebels.
Reference photo: http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/hal ... -prefix=en

8. Last one, not a hero at all, but conscripts would be a bad-ass addition to this game, as the midpoint between metropolice and overwatch, not sure where they would fit in, but they could have a debuff when not working in a squad of at least three. Locked to using MP7's and shotguns.
Reference photo:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/f ... =318946665 (from my early gmod ragdoll posing days)