Blogs - XAttus

Been a while since I last cared about Moddb from mapping perspective. For quite a few years now I've been only snooping around here to check the updates of mods I'm interested towards, and occasionally look for something new and interesting. However, this is about to change.

For around 6 months now I've been actively playing Rise of the Reds on a hamachi network and I also joined to conversations on SWR forums. One day I was answering to a thread regarding a mapping question and the guy told me told me something that I thought was totally impossible. From what he said I think even he wasn't sure about it... Regardless, I got really frustrated, loaded up world builder and prepped my testmap for another experiment... and it worked!

Ever since I started mapping in Zero Hour's SAGE WB I thought that giving units and buildings to players in a multiplayer environment is not possible. But hell, it works exactly the same way as in C&C3, it's just not as obvious.

So with the addition of this new mechanic to my already extensive WB knowledge which was already much better than the last time when I uploaded maps here (those maps suck compared to what I can do now xD) I created a map for Rise of the Reds featuring a new game mode which got the attention of several people from the SWR team.

As a result, I'm now a beta tester and my game mode will likely be a part of the next official ROTR map pack. Till then though, there's plenty of work to do...

Oh and if you are curious about what exactly this game mode is, have a look at the video below:

OK, let's do this again with armydefense... It's not that hard, but you need to keep your eyes open, and if you fail, try to remember for your mistake, then correct it next time.

Some hints for playing:

Don't forget to build supply center/drop zones!
You need to build a lot of units during the game, so you will need more supplies!
Keep in mind: The first is Supply center, then two Chinooks, then drop zones!

The First steps after you begin:
build 4 hummers, replace their weapon to Vulcan, get at least one Missile Defender into them.
(You should have 8 of these)
You will need some bigger missiles too, so build min. 6 tomahawks and have them guard near the entrace from the hills. Start building Plasma tanks or Shatterers.

For the 4. wave you should have:
- 8 Rocket-wee (Hummer with missile defenders)
- 6 Tomahawks
- Either 2 Shatteres, or some Plasma tanks

Use your Air Force!
Without planes you won't have any chance!
Fill both Airfields with planes and have them guard the playground...
Use Aurora bombers, and don't forget to keep them away from AA units!

Be careful with Plasma tanks!
As you know, they have a bit unstable weapon so don't use them in large groups! Make two smaller teams, and have the first guard from left, the second from the right side.

Don't forget to build AA units!
That's very imprtant too! The Rocket-wees with Vulcan turrets are very good against aircrafts, but don't forget to build Avengers. (The first Planes will arrive in wave 9)

Save your Particle cannon/ Airstrikes for bad days!
Don't fire everything when it's ready. They can save your reactor if they are used in the
right place/right time.

That's all, if you have everything, then it depends only on your own tactics...
If you have any questions or suggestions, you will find me here...

Good Luck!

I want to say enough for those MISSING things in my maps. The problem is that I don't know how.
I need people who know it and can explain me that how to write briefings in WB without those MISSING: ... things in the game.
If you can help me, please write a comment or a PM. It would be good! thanks.

HINTS TO PLAY

If you are new in tower defense, you should read this little "user manual" to get hints and keep your reactor safe. (You will know what I mean...)

Q: OH! This was the intro... But now I'm in game! what now?
A: The main goal of TD is to protect the main reactor by deploying towers around it. The first three waves are basic, so you have some time to warm up your defenses. Pull up four Gatling Cannons immediately to protect your flanks, and the center path. Then send out your sky-cranes to build artillery towers at the front line. Remember, there's never enough! Always build (or upgrade) something if you have money.

Q: DAMN!!! I LOST THE POWER! AGGRHH!!!!
A: Don't panic! You already have 4 nuclear reactors. So what is the special ability of these reactors? They can be overloaded. Just turn on one of them, and you will probably have enough power to operate the towers. Then, build another power plant but don't forget to repair the reactor you have turned on!
HINT 1 : GLA buildings don't need power.
HINT 2 : The GLA dozer have the fastest repair-rate.

Q: I'm in trouble! they are destroying my front line! help!
A: The front line is the heart of your defense system. Do everything to keep your front line of towers alive. If the situation gets too critical, start building up a second defense line to keep them away from the reactor. If you completely lost your front line, do everything to rebuild it ASAP!

Q: Suddenly the game turns very LAG GGG G!
A : There are two possible reasons for this:
1: You closed an enemy attack path with towers. Don't block these routes, because ZH is not designed for game types like this. This means that the AI have slow path finding and the game turns into a lagging nightmare if you do this.
2: There are over 5000 units will try to destroy your reactor! (Not together of course :D) This is a huge number of tanks, so your game will probably lagg if you have a slow PC :(

Q: What are these hellfire drone things? LOL!
A: Well, you have to expect everything. These drones are the flying version of the missile defender.In wave 15 they will have laser targeting systems (Gen. Townes) and they can even hunt down your sky cranes! Gatling cannons and phalanx systems are very effective against them!

Q: I survived the hellfire drones, and the Comanches, But these A-10's and Hornet's getting me very angry!
A: These Aircrafts have very long shooting range! If they got your front line in the previous waves, The Planes now will get your reactor too. The reason? The AA defenses around your reactor are useless against them because of the long range. Only a few phalanxes and Gatling Cannons placed at the front line will give them the lesson! Laser towers are also very effective against them!