Long Time No Play

Hello Sinners

I used to be a regular forum goer but I stopped playing when classes started up but, now thats its summer again, and StarCraft Beta is ending I figured I would Try my hand at Sins MP. Back when I played sins I was more of a SP kind of guy, but I figured I'd start playing MP now. 

So what I was wondering now is:

Should I buy Diplomacy if I want to go MP.

How is game balance? When I stopped reading the forums Illums and Missile Barrage were considered a bit imba.

What are the common strategies of the time?

 

8,063 views 6 replies
Reply #1 Top

1. yes, it took a while (the impact of Diplomacy is a bit subtler) but yes most now play Diplomacy now

2. Well Balance is an ever changing thing, the Illums were found to have a bug that super powered them so that fix nerfed them quite well (though LRFs are a good strat), MB is still a bit over the top but so many have figured out how to stop it that it's not OP in the sense of when one gets it then game over (though if one manages to fire it off without interruption then it game over but only because the other guy is an idiot). The new imbalance is the scramble bombers by the Vasari Cap Carrier (yes the once useless scramble bombers in now a bit OP) so most are now going Vasari with two to three carriers. You can fight some what effectively with cap carriers of the TEC or Advent (Heavy Strike Craft or the Telekinetic Push help out against the Scramble Bombers) so its gone back to Carrier warfare only its the caps turn know (though the Vasari Battleship Kortul helps keep things swinging in Vasari's favor)

Reply #2 Top

Should you buy Diplomacy?  I think that depends.  Do you have Entrenchment, in which case it will only be $10?  If you're comfortable playing it in single player then Diplomacy (on top of Entrenchment) is probably worthwhile for that alone.  It doesn't really add all that much for online multiplayer, so the reason to purchase it for multiplayer is to be able to play with all of the other people who have Diplomacy.  Most of the humans v. humans action, the 3v3s, 4v4s, and 5v5s is on Diplomacy.  However, do be aware that this game has a small online player base and that you might have to wait patiently to find games to play and for games to fill.  If you're in, say, Australia that could be a problem.  It seems like most of the action is for North American prime time.  Also, the other issue is whether or not people will be playing the game 2 months from now.  I say go for it if you already have Entrenchment and really like Sins.

As for balance, the Marza is still the same but I think the length of the missile barrage was increased and the damage slightly decreased.  Illuminators are still powerful but they received a significant nerf and it was even discovered that they were doing unintended extra damage (the "Illuminator Bug", which was squashed).  The good news is that a major cause of minidumps and desyncs was identified and eliminated.

Right now the most common theme is that you will see early game dual Skinatra rushes.  The Scramble Bombers ability on the Skinatra received a buff when Diplomacy was released, making it overpowered early-game.  It can be countered if you see it coming.

Reply #3 Top

Well I already have entrenchment and probably would still pick up diplomacy if mods required it anyway. And I'll be on during prime time so thats not problem. 

I have always been an advent fan so should I just use SC and flak to counter this bomber imbalance?

Reply #4 Top

Diplomacy is worth it. Most of the new features dont get used though im MP due to current rut of map selction/gameplay (5v5 single Star) The beauty of the new feature is that you dont have to use them to win at all. They can be ignored and are by most players. But those who can use them and get pacts can change games.

Reply #5 Top

Quoting Overseer, reply 3
I have always been an advent fan so should I just use SC and flak to counter this bomber imbalance?
End of Overseer's quote

You'll want to research carriers early if you are near a Vasari opponent and he made Skinatras.  You do want to have more carriers and more fighters than he could have bombers.

Reply #6 Top

Diplomacy got a bad rep as Diplamacy, but it has proven to be best of series.  Welcome back to OMP