Inkubus
07-23-2007, 04:55 AM
Today on an empty server, while I was testing my graphics to get the best FPS without sacrificing graphics too much, my buddy JiggaJigga whom you all should know joined up. After doing Death Races, I spoke about how putting two tactical shields together to make a full circle can protect from a hammer or dark matter cannon blast (DMCB). This intrigued him to test it out, and I had only read about it so I wanted to try it too. As we did, another player joined by the name of {dc.|t3nkuu.
What it turned out to be was a session of testing the Strogg Oppressor's Tactical Shield, and see what the best tips and tricks are for it. This made me want to make a guide to share our findings with all of you. So here goes, my Tactical Shield Guide (TSG).
*NOTE: The Shields were standard and were not the Improved Tactical Shields that a Level 2 Oppressor has, so the Improved Tactical Shield may have a different affect on protecting yourself than described below.*
Tactical Shield Guide
Hammer and Dark Matter Cannon Blast: The Tactical Shield (TS) can protect against both the Hammer missile and the DMCB. All you have to do is when you see a Hammer coming your direction, or a misfired DMCB (or perhaps a player TeamKilling and being a n00b :P) coming your way, and you're lucky enough to be an Oppressor (one of these fellows: :oppressor:), whip out your Tactical Shield Generator. Fire a shield. When you do, move to the other side to fire another shield so it faces the opposite direction, making a full circle. Step inside and invite any strogg teammates in as well (as many that can fit in) to protect them from the explosion (if any sneaky GDF try to get in, don't try shooting them, because you'll more than likely bring down one of the shields. If they do get inside, don't shoot or you could kill a teammate. Just stand next to the GDF and press 'g,' which "pushes" the player, and you can do that until the explosion. Luckily when it explodes he will be outside the shield and be killed). When the Hammer/DMCB explodes, the shields will be destroyed however everyone who was completely inside will be 100% unharmed.
Double Hammer/Double DMCB or More: You could be so unlucky that two or more Hammers/DCMB's could be coming right at you. The first projectile will destroy both shields, and the second will kill you and your teammates hiding within (because the chances of both hitting at the same exact time is highly unlikely). If two projectiles are coming, tell any other Oppressor's by you to shoot their two shields to fortify your shields. The more shields the better. If you make a full circle of shields on another, most likely you will survive both explosions. If you're so unlucky that 3 projectiles are coming at you, well, 6 total shields might be hard to get at the time, so you might be screwed. But hey, you could get lucky and have a few Oppressor's by you (and maybe they'll actually listen and deploy their shields instead of being nubs :P).
GDF Field Ops Airstrike: This one took a little testing, but we got it. A minimum of 4 Tactical Shields is needed to protect against the GDF Field Ops Airstrike (that means two full circles). However, more than 4 shields is recommended, because 4 shields might not always work. Also, if you want to stop the airstrike completely, place a Tactical Shield over an airstrike canister before the plane comes to drop the bombs, and the airstrike will be canceled.
Strogg Orbital Strike: Yes, sometimes people make mistakes, and that means a misplaced Orbital Strike beacon. You could run, and that's the best idea. Actually, it's really your only idea, because the Tactical Shield isn't going to help as the Orbital Strike continually causes damage until it is gone, and it will go right through your shields to you. So, if your teammate misplaces a beacon, just run, don't try the shields, because if you do, you'll find yourself TKed :).
Artillery/Rocket Artillery/Rail Howitzer/Plasma Mortar: These deployables fire more than one projectile, as you well know, which is why the Tactical Shields won't help against them. If you have other Oppressor's around you, you could try setting up a lot of shields, but it would be better to try and run.
Grenades: One grenade is all that is needed to destroy any Tactical Shields within it's most effective splash damage range (one shield may only be destroyed but it is very possible and common for two or more to be destroyed from the one grenade). Be wary if you see a grenade by your shield.
Bullets: Pretty much any fire from a players weapon, an APT, a mounted MG, etc. can destroy a shield. The Assault Rifle/Lacerator will take longer, but a bigger weapon will destroy it faster. Be wary.
Missiles: A projectile from a tank, the Cyclops, the Desecrator, a Rocket Launcher, etc. will destroy a shield with one shot (if it's dead on) but you will be protected. After that you may have enough time to get to cover or run away while they reload.
Other Uses for the Tactical Shield:
Vehicles: You can put a Tactical Shield on any vehicle, adding protection. However if the shield blocks the vehicles weapons, the weapon will shoot the shield and destroy it, and the splash damage will probably hurt your vehicle, so be careful where you place it.
Some of the best vehicles to put Tactical Shields on are the Icarus and the Husky. These are so small that you can put a full circle on them and have them 100% protected. Why you would put it on a Husky, I don't know, but the Icarus is a good idea if you're not planning on shooting Stroybombs. Something interesting is if you're in your Icarus or Husky and you have a full circle of Tactical Shields, and a Hammer missile or DMCB explodes near or on you, the shields will be destroyed but you and your vehicle will remain 100% fine (unless, of course, you place the shields wrong and there is a gap).
Actually, if you put a full circle on your Icarus and a Hammer missile is coming down towards your team, you could actually save their skins if you aim it just right so you boost yourself high up and the Hammer hits you, destroying your shields but protecting you. If you were high enough up (which really doesn't have to be that high), you could actually save your team if you do not have an Artillery Interceptor Turret up (I do not recommend this however because A) It's pretty difficult and B) You might not always live =D).
Deployables: This is only a good idea if the deployable is disabled and/or you are protecting it from complete destruction, because the shields will not allow the deployable to fire if it is an offensive deployable or any deployable that shoots (I'm not 100% sure on this, we tested it only on GDF deployables but I think it will have the same effect on a Strogg deployable). Nonetheless it will provide great protection. Also, along with deployables being stopped, a base defense turret will also be stopped when a Tactical Shield is placed over it.
Other Various Tips:
-Use the Tactical Shield to provide cover for a Technician to revive one or more unconscious teammates who are in places where the Technician could be shot and killed.
-If being shot at from a sniper, create a full circle of shields. This will provide cover and hopefully give you enough time to find the sniper and get to an appropriate hiding spot, until the shields are destroyed from the sniper's rifle (usually about 3+ shots, depends on how far away he is) or until they simply shut down.
-If there is a doorway where GDF are trying to come through, like in the main room in the Sewer facility, put your Tactical Shield(s) down to block the entrance, so that they may not sit back and shoot you and your team and rush in.
-Don't hog your shield! Allow other teammates to use your shields for protection. There's always room for one more :)
-Fortify a shield by putting another shield right on or in front of it, because one Tactical Shield will actually protect another Tactical Shield.
-Strogg can't shoot through their own Shields, so if you want protection but also want to shoot, stand by the edge of the Shield and press Q or E to lean out and fire, then let go of Q or E to straighten back up and back into the shield. Very useful.
-Making a wall of shields is a good tactic.
-Don't put the shield anywhere where a GDF can use it for his own use.
I hope some of you can get some useful tips for the Tactical Shield next time you play as Oppressor from this guide. If you have any other tips or tricks you know of, post them here on this thread, and if it's okay with you I will add it to my guide.
Thanks to JiggaJigga and {dc.|t3nkuu for a good time today and also a good experiment.
Screenshot of testing Hammer missiles and DMCB's: http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9...ot00060ou7.jpg (Provided by {dc.|t3nkuu)
*Any similarities between my TSG and another's TSG are completely untintentional and I did not try to steal any ideas.*
What it turned out to be was a session of testing the Strogg Oppressor's Tactical Shield, and see what the best tips and tricks are for it. This made me want to make a guide to share our findings with all of you. So here goes, my Tactical Shield Guide (TSG).
*NOTE: The Shields were standard and were not the Improved Tactical Shields that a Level 2 Oppressor has, so the Improved Tactical Shield may have a different affect on protecting yourself than described below.*
Tactical Shield Guide
Hammer and Dark Matter Cannon Blast: The Tactical Shield (TS) can protect against both the Hammer missile and the DMCB. All you have to do is when you see a Hammer coming your direction, or a misfired DMCB (or perhaps a player TeamKilling and being a n00b :P) coming your way, and you're lucky enough to be an Oppressor (one of these fellows: :oppressor:), whip out your Tactical Shield Generator. Fire a shield. When you do, move to the other side to fire another shield so it faces the opposite direction, making a full circle. Step inside and invite any strogg teammates in as well (as many that can fit in) to protect them from the explosion (if any sneaky GDF try to get in, don't try shooting them, because you'll more than likely bring down one of the shields. If they do get inside, don't shoot or you could kill a teammate. Just stand next to the GDF and press 'g,' which "pushes" the player, and you can do that until the explosion. Luckily when it explodes he will be outside the shield and be killed). When the Hammer/DMCB explodes, the shields will be destroyed however everyone who was completely inside will be 100% unharmed.
Double Hammer/Double DMCB or More: You could be so unlucky that two or more Hammers/DCMB's could be coming right at you. The first projectile will destroy both shields, and the second will kill you and your teammates hiding within (because the chances of both hitting at the same exact time is highly unlikely). If two projectiles are coming, tell any other Oppressor's by you to shoot their two shields to fortify your shields. The more shields the better. If you make a full circle of shields on another, most likely you will survive both explosions. If you're so unlucky that 3 projectiles are coming at you, well, 6 total shields might be hard to get at the time, so you might be screwed. But hey, you could get lucky and have a few Oppressor's by you (and maybe they'll actually listen and deploy their shields instead of being nubs :P).
GDF Field Ops Airstrike: This one took a little testing, but we got it. A minimum of 4 Tactical Shields is needed to protect against the GDF Field Ops Airstrike (that means two full circles). However, more than 4 shields is recommended, because 4 shields might not always work. Also, if you want to stop the airstrike completely, place a Tactical Shield over an airstrike canister before the plane comes to drop the bombs, and the airstrike will be canceled.
Strogg Orbital Strike: Yes, sometimes people make mistakes, and that means a misplaced Orbital Strike beacon. You could run, and that's the best idea. Actually, it's really your only idea, because the Tactical Shield isn't going to help as the Orbital Strike continually causes damage until it is gone, and it will go right through your shields to you. So, if your teammate misplaces a beacon, just run, don't try the shields, because if you do, you'll find yourself TKed :).
Artillery/Rocket Artillery/Rail Howitzer/Plasma Mortar: These deployables fire more than one projectile, as you well know, which is why the Tactical Shields won't help against them. If you have other Oppressor's around you, you could try setting up a lot of shields, but it would be better to try and run.
Grenades: One grenade is all that is needed to destroy any Tactical Shields within it's most effective splash damage range (one shield may only be destroyed but it is very possible and common for two or more to be destroyed from the one grenade). Be wary if you see a grenade by your shield.
Bullets: Pretty much any fire from a players weapon, an APT, a mounted MG, etc. can destroy a shield. The Assault Rifle/Lacerator will take longer, but a bigger weapon will destroy it faster. Be wary.
Missiles: A projectile from a tank, the Cyclops, the Desecrator, a Rocket Launcher, etc. will destroy a shield with one shot (if it's dead on) but you will be protected. After that you may have enough time to get to cover or run away while they reload.
Other Uses for the Tactical Shield:
Vehicles: You can put a Tactical Shield on any vehicle, adding protection. However if the shield blocks the vehicles weapons, the weapon will shoot the shield and destroy it, and the splash damage will probably hurt your vehicle, so be careful where you place it.
Some of the best vehicles to put Tactical Shields on are the Icarus and the Husky. These are so small that you can put a full circle on them and have them 100% protected. Why you would put it on a Husky, I don't know, but the Icarus is a good idea if you're not planning on shooting Stroybombs. Something interesting is if you're in your Icarus or Husky and you have a full circle of Tactical Shields, and a Hammer missile or DMCB explodes near or on you, the shields will be destroyed but you and your vehicle will remain 100% fine (unless, of course, you place the shields wrong and there is a gap).
Actually, if you put a full circle on your Icarus and a Hammer missile is coming down towards your team, you could actually save their skins if you aim it just right so you boost yourself high up and the Hammer hits you, destroying your shields but protecting you. If you were high enough up (which really doesn't have to be that high), you could actually save your team if you do not have an Artillery Interceptor Turret up (I do not recommend this however because A) It's pretty difficult and B) You might not always live =D).
Deployables: This is only a good idea if the deployable is disabled and/or you are protecting it from complete destruction, because the shields will not allow the deployable to fire if it is an offensive deployable or any deployable that shoots (I'm not 100% sure on this, we tested it only on GDF deployables but I think it will have the same effect on a Strogg deployable). Nonetheless it will provide great protection. Also, along with deployables being stopped, a base defense turret will also be stopped when a Tactical Shield is placed over it.
Other Various Tips:
-Use the Tactical Shield to provide cover for a Technician to revive one or more unconscious teammates who are in places where the Technician could be shot and killed.
-If being shot at from a sniper, create a full circle of shields. This will provide cover and hopefully give you enough time to find the sniper and get to an appropriate hiding spot, until the shields are destroyed from the sniper's rifle (usually about 3+ shots, depends on how far away he is) or until they simply shut down.
-If there is a doorway where GDF are trying to come through, like in the main room in the Sewer facility, put your Tactical Shield(s) down to block the entrance, so that they may not sit back and shoot you and your team and rush in.
-Don't hog your shield! Allow other teammates to use your shields for protection. There's always room for one more :)
-Fortify a shield by putting another shield right on or in front of it, because one Tactical Shield will actually protect another Tactical Shield.
-Strogg can't shoot through their own Shields, so if you want protection but also want to shoot, stand by the edge of the Shield and press Q or E to lean out and fire, then let go of Q or E to straighten back up and back into the shield. Very useful.
-Making a wall of shields is a good tactic.
-Don't put the shield anywhere where a GDF can use it for his own use.
I hope some of you can get some useful tips for the Tactical Shield next time you play as Oppressor from this guide. If you have any other tips or tricks you know of, post them here on this thread, and if it's okay with you I will add it to my guide.
Thanks to JiggaJigga and {dc.|t3nkuu for a good time today and also a good experiment.
Screenshot of testing Hammer missiles and DMCB's: http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9...ot00060ou7.jpg (Provided by {dc.|t3nkuu)
*Any similarities between my TSG and another's TSG are completely untintentional and I did not try to steal any ideas.*