Let aliens buy and carry a grenade on their back; it can be placed, if not destroyed by humans

[Gireen]

Related Problem issues: none

Inspired by #31 the idea is to have something similar to humans grenades that interacts more with the world and has some twists to be more alien like. So aliens can buy at the Overmind acid bombs for morph points so far so similar to humans. But this bombs have a timer that starts counting down as soon as they are bought until it explodes. Aliens will have to use their additional mobility to attack a human base with these, or move the overmind closer which gives humans more possibilities for counterattacks. Additionally these acid bombs attached to the carriers back and explode when they are destroyed by humans.

Disclaimer

Ideas without a related problem issue and lacking explanation or depth are closed after a certain time.

[DolceTriade]

Another idea that might be more inline with an alien hivemind is kamikaze explosions. The more you are worth, the more damage you do. Dretches might do like 10 damage. A tyrant might be able to do 200 damage. I agree with aliens needing more AoE damage attacks.

[Gireen]

It was a few time suggested to have some kind of suicide attack or class for aliens but the consensus was that the game should not promote suicide.

The use of such grenades allows kamikaze attacks as tactic, like its already possible for humans, without explicit making it about suicide. Cause players are rewarded ( with keeping the equipment ) if they manage to drop the explosive and retreat alive.

Bigger aliens could carry more or also bigger acid bubbles.

[ghost]

Cause players are rewarded ( with keeping the equipment ) if they manage to drop the explosive and retreat alive

No need to stay alive. Humans grenade/fire kamikaze tactics pays a lot (plat23: medium armor, flamer, jetpack, firebomb: if you manage to go in alien base, the resulting damages are a lot worth it, and the only way to not be is that an alien player is actively defending, because alien defenses sucks), because the grenade can explode after the respawn (5s delay, 4s for firebomb) and fire continues to burn for way longer. The only team which currently can not suicide is the alien one.

IMO if "the consensus was that the game should not promote suicide" was that true, then at the very least humans should not be rewarded when they manage to put enemy base in fire while not surviving.

And about grenades, it has to be said that current grenades are instantly triggered, they have zero trade off in the middle of a fight.

[Viech]

I've hidden the side discussions about a suicide mechanics. However I'll repeat one point by @Gireen that I should not have hidden (and apparently cannot unhide) as it's mostly talking about the proposal:

The use of such grenades allows kamikaze attacks as tactic, like its already possible for humans, without explicit making it about suicide. Cause players are rewarded ( with keeping the equipment ) if they manage to drop the explosive and retreat alive.

Bigger aliens could carry more or also bigger acid bubbles.

On my end, any grenade-like attack for the alien team will get the benefit of the doubt. The reason this idea is maybe not the most likely to make it into the game is the artistic complexity of attaching something to every alien's back. Someone would have to implement that, not to mention in a way that doesn't look silly.

I'm also not convinced that one should limit the range of this attack via a countdown. This may be good for the lore but I see no gameplay benefit in such a limit.

[ghost]

the most likely to make it into the game is the artistic complexity of attaching something to every alien's back.

This is a bad reason considering the fact the human models never show they wear grenades AFAIK.

[Viech]

The reason this idea is maybe not the most likely to make it into the game is the artistic complexity of attaching something to every alien's back.

This is a bad reason considering the fact the human models never show they wear grenades AFAIK.

You should read the proposal:

Additionally these acid bombs attached to the carriers back and explode when they are destroyed by humans.

[ghost]

Oh, but I did read your text:

The reason this idea is maybe not the most likely to make it into the game is the artistic complexity of attaching something to every alien's back

The "artistic" thing, to me, means models attached. Which humans don't have. I don't say humans should not have it, mind you, but that this lack should not prevent giving such mechanics to aliens, since humans don't have it anyway, so it would be just fair.

[Viech]

The proposal states that aliens should carry something on their back and that humans should be able to destroy it. I deduced from this that the thing they carry on their back is supposed (by this proposal) to be visible in game.