Attackers Go Red

Hi all,

I'm assessing the 'bandolier'/ 'big backpack' situation. Objective: to make the Backpack, and Bandolier ('Big Back Pack') simpler, more balanced, and more logical/intuitive.

It was called 'Bandolier' in CustomTF, and I always assumed it just gave more grenades, BUT it actually increases the maximum carrying capacity of all ammo..

I was concerned the word 'bandolier' would just confuse newbies, so I renamed it ''Big backpack'. I changed the code at some point and there was a bug and ppl ended up getting eg 750 ammo, and exploiting it to build instant Level3 sentries ( +turret!)!

Anyway, I've reverted the code, but there has been weirdness, and inconsistencies in how it all works. For example, lets look at how many rockets you get then you get a rocket launcher:

STOCK soldier = 40 rockets

CUSTOM
rocket launcher = 30 rockets
rocket launcher + backpack = 60 rockets
rocket launcher + bandolier = 40 rockets
rocket launcher + backpack+ bandolier = 35 rockets

(clearly wrong)

Anyway, I've had a look at how the ( old CustomTF ) code worked, and it's a little confusing. For example, everyone gets an amount of ammo (nails/cells/rockets) even if they have no weapon to use it with. Presumably so they can give ammo to a teammate. I'm not sure how it *should* work. One idea to simplify things is to NOT make the bandolier increase ammo. Make the bandolier only increase max grenades and dets..

Before I 'do anything' though, I need to know ppls opinions on the backpack/Bandolier situation. eg:

A: How often do you buy them and why?
B: How important is it for you to get a backpack/ammo off a dead player?
C: is the ability to give teammates rockets/cells etc a big deal?
D: Are you 'happy' we the way it currently works?

Yes, I AM being cautious, because 'how much ammo I have' has been ingrained/hardwired into our psyches after so many years, and I do NOT want to do ANYTHING that might mess w people's 'flow' when playing our sacred game.

I made a video/chat about this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7vBruqk180
(recorded post Session, so I'm exhausted, sleep deprived, and rambling a bit, not sure if I'll make that vid public)

You should try picking up ammo with it. I had lower spawning ammo, compared to my max ammo. Custom Soldier had 35 rockets on spawn, then I could pick up and get to 70.

Jonan wrote:You should try picking up ammo with it. I had lower spawning ammo, compared to my max ammo. Custom Soldier had 35 rockets on spawn, then I could pick up and get to 70.

I think that's normal..

and iirc, I think this all started when i was trying to make ppl spawn w full armour (?)

btw I've reverted everything (just so we can have an issue free day), so things should be 'normal' today.

Jonan wrote:You should try picking up ammo with it. I had lower spawning ammo, compared to my max ammo. Custom Soldier had 35 rockets on spawn, then I could pick up and get to 70.

So in your opinion, what *should* happen?

Should players spawn w their 'max ammo', or some lesser amount, and have to go to a backpack to 'fill up'?

(Also, maybe it's time to 'revamp' the custom classes...?)

I think you should add a fake backpack that explodes like an grenade

ripednail wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 05, 2023 12:20 am

I think you should add a fake backpack that explodes like an grenade

You mean the enemy makes/drops one? If it looks exactly like a normal backpack, then it would be a randomly annoying feature. If it looks different, I dunno if there's an 'entertainment value' in people having to slow down and check backpacks before picking them up.

I'm not sure what ever is best for looks, however it seems that people love picking up backpacks, maybe a little bit too much.