2008-12-17, 04:41:28
I'd like to discuss a few problems and imbalances associated with the mine detonater as well as some ideas and solutions to it. Please feel free to add ideas of your own if you like.
Firstly, the way the mine detonator works is imbalanced relative to what types of mines it is used on. The way that the mine detonator works means that it detonates all mines within a very small radius; that is, the effects on small, large and heavy mines is exactly the same. This makes the detonater way too cheap for it's effectiveness against a few heavy mines, but not effective enough against massed smaller, weaker mines (especially as you can only have 1 detonator while your opponent can have up to 3 mines + 1 if demolisher). Another problem is that unlike other non-weapon items of similar cost, the mine detonater cannot be combined with other items to save up item space, making it very costly late game when you cant afford extra item slots. Finally, it doesn't really have a combat role outside of slowly picking off mines and detecting enemies.
My first suggestion is that mine detonators only destroy smaller mines and not larger mines and have a larger AOE. Instead, the mine detonator 'DOWNGRADES' larger mines to weaker mines (i.e. HEAVY -> LARGE -> SMALL -> destroyed). This would make the detonator more powerful against massed smaller mines (due to larger AOE) but less powerful against larger mines, making it more balanced for it's cost.
Secondly, I think that there should be a limit of 1 mine per player as opposed to the current situation where you can have 3. While covering the whole map in mines is a fun tactic, it is a bit unfair that you can have 3 mines (4 if demolisher) when an opponent can only have 1 detonator as a counter. If this is implemented, there should also be a mine upgrade pack that allows you to upgrade small mines to large mines to heavy mines.
There should also be some item that the detonator can combine with (in the form of a pack) to make it more useful late game. Maybe a hull, a speed upgrade, a repair upgrade or some completely new item. [On a side note about packs, there should really be a pack that lets you upgrade the trader hunter pack into an ultimate pack, or maybe a pack that combines speed and repair crew and a second pack to combine it with trader hunter pack into the ultimate pack]
Lastly, I believe that the mine detonator should have a secondary function that is useful in combat. For example, the mine detonator could temporarily stun the enemy (maybe the shockwave that causes mines to detonate messes up the enemy's tank), it could detonate tp breakers as well as mines, it could stun or damage enemy buildings, etc. This could make the item viable even if the enemies aren't massing mines.
Anyway, to recap, I think that mine detonators should:
- Have a larger AOE (and maybe range)
- Not destroy larger mines, but instead downgrade them into weaker mines
- Be able to combine with other items (preferable something new like an iron or steel hull or bow)
- Have another use such as the ability to stun enemies or the ability to disable tp breakers.
- There should be a limit of 1 mine per player as well as a mine upgrade pack that upgrades weaker mines into stronger mines.
Firstly, the way the mine detonator works is imbalanced relative to what types of mines it is used on. The way that the mine detonator works means that it detonates all mines within a very small radius; that is, the effects on small, large and heavy mines is exactly the same. This makes the detonater way too cheap for it's effectiveness against a few heavy mines, but not effective enough against massed smaller, weaker mines (especially as you can only have 1 detonator while your opponent can have up to 3 mines + 1 if demolisher). Another problem is that unlike other non-weapon items of similar cost, the mine detonater cannot be combined with other items to save up item space, making it very costly late game when you cant afford extra item slots. Finally, it doesn't really have a combat role outside of slowly picking off mines and detecting enemies.
My first suggestion is that mine detonators only destroy smaller mines and not larger mines and have a larger AOE. Instead, the mine detonator 'DOWNGRADES' larger mines to weaker mines (i.e. HEAVY -> LARGE -> SMALL -> destroyed). This would make the detonator more powerful against massed smaller mines (due to larger AOE) but less powerful against larger mines, making it more balanced for it's cost.
Secondly, I think that there should be a limit of 1 mine per player as opposed to the current situation where you can have 3. While covering the whole map in mines is a fun tactic, it is a bit unfair that you can have 3 mines (4 if demolisher) when an opponent can only have 1 detonator as a counter. If this is implemented, there should also be a mine upgrade pack that allows you to upgrade small mines to large mines to heavy mines.
There should also be some item that the detonator can combine with (in the form of a pack) to make it more useful late game. Maybe a hull, a speed upgrade, a repair upgrade or some completely new item. [On a side note about packs, there should really be a pack that lets you upgrade the trader hunter pack into an ultimate pack, or maybe a pack that combines speed and repair crew and a second pack to combine it with trader hunter pack into the ultimate pack]
Lastly, I believe that the mine detonator should have a secondary function that is useful in combat. For example, the mine detonator could temporarily stun the enemy (maybe the shockwave that causes mines to detonate messes up the enemy's tank), it could detonate tp breakers as well as mines, it could stun or damage enemy buildings, etc. This could make the item viable even if the enemies aren't massing mines.
Anyway, to recap, I think that mine detonators should:
- Have a larger AOE (and maybe range)
- Not destroy larger mines, but instead downgrade them into weaker mines
- Be able to combine with other items (preferable something new like an iron or steel hull or bow)
- Have another use such as the ability to stun enemies or the ability to disable tp breakers.
- There should be a limit of 1 mine per player as well as a mine upgrade pack that upgrades weaker mines into stronger mines.
