Deep Core, Map 3 - lava obstacle course - why?

[urpiano]

Can someone explain exactly what the point of the terrain obstacles is in map 3 of the Deep Core campaign? Trying to take rookies -- and this is meant as a campaign for rookie jocks, isn't it? -- through these things just ends in damage and death. Especially the lava. Two of my titans have jump jets so I guess they can make it past the lava, probably. The other two will die. It reminds me of when you're playing and enjoying an FPs and some bl***y annoying jumping puzzle pops up and you have to cheat code past it. Which to be honest is what I feel like doing here. I mean, I've already got the general idea that water and lava and jumping off hills are generally bad things for rookies to do, thakns very much. I don't need an obstacle course that kills my jocks -- right at the start of their career -- just to reinforce the point.

Difficulty in combat is fine. You try and find ways round it. You use your wits. It's *interesting*. And you dont' mind failing. But what exactly are you supposed to do when it comes to getting through lava? Are there tactics involved? Is there actually anything you can do to avoid a) falling down and b) blowing up? (if you don't have jump jets). Or is it just luck of the draw?

Surely the point of these obstacles is that they present you with battlefield choices. Force you to make tactical decisions. On this map they're just tedious, I'm afraid.

Good game by the way. Addictive (up till now).

cheers

Urpiano

[Burzmali]

You can walk through lava if you are willing to take a little heat. Those ATs aren't made of cheap plastic, they will stand up to it for a little while at least. The trick is to WALK into the lava (maximizing the target for the balance roll) and run out (spending the least feasible time in the lava) while not turning at all (minimizing the number of balanec rolls you have to make). The same goes for water, swamp, acid, and quicksand. Anyways, I am pretty sure that there is an armor bay and a repair bay on that map somewhere so you should be fine.

EDIT: Makes more sense now

[urpiano]

hi,

Thanks for the advice. Gave it a go -- still ended up with exploding Titans. Should I really expect that my rookie Jocks in their recon Titans should be able to get through this? They can sometimes get through the first lava hex, but never all three of them. Skill checks are never higher than 50% or so, and once they're down and taking damage and heat they drop even lower. (And I'm waiting for heat to go down to zero when I come out of the lava before moving on).

I'm just baffled that a campaign aimed at rookies should have such a feature. With more advanced Jocks -- skill checks in the 70s or 80s -- sturdier Titans -- I might take a chance on it. As it is I think I'll go back to my saved games and give Deep Core a miss. Playing this map is just a way of cutting my squad in half.

cheers

Urpiano

[LarkinVB]

Why don't you just try it with one jock capable of jumping ? Sorry, no idea here, I never played this campaign.

[Sleeping_Dragon]

Don't remember this particular mission, but...

What are victory conditions? move to a location? or defeat enemies?

Also is there the possibility that there is another path where there's no lava?

3 lava hexes for recons and rookies does seem a bit too much.

One tip for moving through lava, make sure your heat is at 0 before moving into a lava hex, some of the recons will build up heat if they run on a core map. If nothing else, Larkin's suggestion of doing the mission with only one or a couple of jump capaible titans should get you through the mission and back to more 'typical' missions.

[Reliable Royce]

ORIGINAL: LarkinVB
Why don't you just try it with one jock capable of jumping ?

I like to make sure all my Jocks have sufficient Jump Skill and all Titants have Jump jets before starting this map. Sometimes it means playing a few random skirmishes first before attempting this Campaign... Building up money to buy jump capable Titans.

ORIGINAL: LarkinVB
I never played this campaign.

Bad Larkin! Bad!

Royce

[Thorgrim]

ORIGINAL: Reliable Royce

I like to make sure all my Jocks have sufficient Jump Skill and all Titants have Jump jets before starting this map. Sometimes it means playing a few random skirmishes first before attempting this Campaign... Building up money to buy jump capable Titans.

Or you could just go to the factory and modify your squad titans to have JPs 1, probably dropping systems or a weapon. It'll be cheaper, and you can return them to their original config whenever you want.