Hydras Rule Neptunes Drool

[slayernz]

"Well done Matherson. You've excelled at your firing range tests, demonstrated prowess on the sparring mat and in combat simulations. We've decided to put you into our soldier corps. In this role, you'll need to be the perfect all-rounder. Defending, attacking, scouting (on occasion), and generally covering the specialists in their duties."

"Thank you Sir, I am honored to be admitted to the role of Soldier. I won't let you down!"

"Next, Jacobs. Your firing range tests were also good, and you have a passion for killing things that move. Furthermore, you're built like a brick. As such, we've decided you should be a Neptune Specialist. Your role will be to target anything that moves. The targeting computer in the Neptune cannon will prevent you from hitting friendlies, so you're going to be the ultimate barrier between your team and Xeno's"

"Sir, yes Sir. I will kill and kill and kill. Yeah, killing is good!"

"Finally Gorman. You've failed in all of your challenges thus far. That incident at the range was particularly telling. The instructor who was standing behind you is recovering well. You can't shoot. You can't move very well, your hand to hand combat is, well limp-wristed. To be brutally honest, if you weren't the son of a decorated officer, we'd let you go back to the kitchens where you show moderate skill in peeling potatoes and burning food. Instead, we have decided that you are to be a Hydra specialist. You realise that you just have to point in a vague direction and pull the trigger. Your weapon lacks sophistication and any IFF tech, so please try and point it away from your squads or walls that are close by."

"Duh, fire preetty. I like fire."

[johndramey]

Hahaha exalted, love it!

[Cyrus]

The Neptune's dark secret:

It's not some kind of recoil tech that roots them to the ground when they see a xeno, it is FEAR.

FEAR makes them fire wildly at the first thing that moves until their Captain unplugs the firing controls.

They refuse to enter battle out of FEAR if not given a huge gun to hide behind.

[slayernz]

Funny ... Neptunes are actually remarkably precise - no friendly fire has ever been recorded with a Neptune. The Neptune fearlessly plants himself between the Xeno hoard and his squad, ensuring that they can achieve their objectives without threat of a Xeno attack. "He shall not be moved".

Hydras certainly seem more like the panic "blanket everything with fire because I'm scared of the dark" tactic. It's little wonder why Hydra trainees have to go through their training without other squad members. This decision came about after a few dozen soldiers were burnt to a crisp just because the arena lights dimmed. I have never seen a precision hit with a Hydra flamethrower, which is designed more to spray in an arc than in any specific direction.

[Cyrus]

"No friendly fire was ever recorded..."

That just means nobody nearby survived to record it. Literacy is not one of the Neptune's strong points, I'm sure, so they couldn't have recorded it themselves.

[contributor]

slayernz I just keep thinking that your problem with Hydras is just that; YOUR problem. The rest of us don't seem to be having the same trouble controlling ours. If you're having problems with premature release, there are some ways to get help with that.

[slayernz]

Yeah, I've decided to fix it by placing a small lead ball just inside my Hydra operator's left ear... from my FRICKIN Neptune!

Problem solved. No more prem fire, and uncontrolled squaddies

[Cyrus]

Aug 16, 2013 6:31:15 GMT -5 slayernz said:

Yeah, I've decided to fix it by placing a small lead ball just inside my Hydra operator's left ear... from my FRICKIN Neptune!

Problem solved. No more prem fire, and uncontrolled squaddies

Well, there's your first recorded friendly fire incident!

[contributor]

Sometimes a picture just says so much more than words ever could.

[fallen]

So beautiful. Wow, anyone else want to post amazing combat screenshots? I love it -- you just got onto Google Play, contributor!

[contributor]

Huzzah! Cap'n Jack and Vonreuter may live on in the memories of men forever until they reach the Elysian Fields.

[contributor]

Another screen shot of a Hydra working perfectly to protect his team, performing a rear-guard action which allows them to rapidly approach their intended target. Those who are having trouble with premature release and roasting their own squads might want to take note. It is a little difficult to be certain what the blast radius is (though as a little hint: it's the same every time), but you'll get the hang of it eventually.

[johndramey]

Haha, nice screenie contributor. One thing about the splash radius, it is always the same and you can easily find it from the stats on the weapon. The number given is actually the amount of spaces away from the center that your incinerator will burn. The best weapons tend to have a splash of 3 and a range of 4, meaning if you shoot at max range the fire will reach all the way to your feet. What, that doesn't make sense! Yes it does, there is the epicenter of the blast (4 spaces away) and the fire crawls 3 spaces toward you, ending at your feet.

This is one reason why I actually prefer 2 splash weapons. You take a little less damage for a little more utility. You don't get the giant blossoms of fire that lurker show right above me, but you actually rarely run into huge spaces like that. Most of the time you are fighting in closed quarters, so less blast radius will actually net you the same basic result.

[contributor]

Just had a very enjoyable romp through the Underground Corridor level of Vestmarch Striketeam Alpha. Against advice I went straight down the big corridor and my squad was perfect. Had a Neptune (I guess they have their uses) and captain leading the charge and a scout running clean up then the Hydra just torching everything behind us. Since mid-point I had "Burn baby burn, xeno inferno" playing constantly in my head.

[slayernz]

Okay okay .. having the Neptune taking point, and the Hydra covering the rear is an almost perfect rolling tank. Add a Naval Vet captain (who can double the ammo of the Hydra), and you've got a nasty train of destruction