The Tank/Witch Problem?

[RedLeafedWonder]

So I've had some time to let the last patch sink in and have decided that I pretty much like everything they changed. Or I can at least live with everyting they have changed. Except the new spawn rules for the Tank/Witch. I like the fact that we get equal % spawn for each team. What bothers me is the fact that they spawn in the exact same place each time. It's like a built in unfair advantage for those who play survivors 2nd. What do you think?


(yes yes there is a spelling error in my pool question. I don't know how to edit it.)

[FFa1nt]

We'll it isnt fair for the ones who were first because the second group knows what to expect, but on the other hand you can still fail. We had to deal with 2 witches which we passed ( they were in the same room :O ) and then we had one tank. We just made it, but the second team didnt even make the tank, they really screwed up by the witches. So actually it depends on the time moest of the time

[Kamakertai]

unless I'm mistaken, doesn't the new patch (yet to come to the 360) make it so that the losing team gets to be survivors second, giving them knowledge of the tank and thus an advantage and better chance to even out the score?

[Chr0n1c]

yeah one of the changes was that witch/tank spawns will slightly differ each time. Also, the team that wins last round plays as survivors first.

[Zombie Hunter]

the team that plays surivor second is the losing team, so they kinda need that advantage even if its only by a few 100 points

[H4yd3n]

I do think it is unfair, but it's a much better option than having the tank spawn for one team right after they get tier 2 weapons and a molotov and the other team getting it the second they leave the saferoom. Witch is perfectly fine tbh since she is so easy to kill, maybe if they give her a much needed buff...

[Farewell2Kings9]

i was playing last night and we were infected 2nd. the other team knew where the tank was going to spawn and i actually spawned as the tank on fire.... WTF i'm on fire b4 i even start playing

[_toolnumber5]

i was playing last night and we were infected 2nd. the other team knew where the tank was going to spawn and i actually spawned as the tank on fire.... WTF i'm on fire b4 i even start playing

Yeah, I've noticed that the Tank will now spawn as AI and then switch to human controlled. I've become the Tank and a survivor was already firing at me and no, I didn't take over after another player lost control.
OT: I voted NO because the losing team gets to play as survivors 2nd and therefore probably need the advantage. It really sucked before the patch when a good team was able to play as the infected 1st every round.

[RedLeafedWonder]

OT: I voted NO because the losing team gets to play as survivors 2nd and therefore probably need the advantage. It really sucked before the patch when a good team was able to play as the infected 1st every round.
This hasn't taken effect for 360 Yet. I might feel differently about the whole tank/witch thing when it does.

[Nemesis_vs_Leon]

They're preset in the same locations on the same maps now though. Everything should be preset in competitive multiplayer.

[erislover]

Most of the time the tank spawns before the survivors are close enough to do anything. Your team can agree on a new location for the tank. Move the tank there and let control run out. When the second player takes over, this player also lets control run out. Then, AI-controlled tank at a different location, and your team gets to be all infected.

Problem: AI tank focuses on one person, even if they are incapped. Still, it can make a difference.

[erislover]

Also, wrt the "unfair advantage" issue, it may help with the witch, but it helps the infected with the tank more than it helps the survivors. I consider it a wash. As infected, you get to plan managing the tank/witch just as much as the survivors do.

[Nartiq]

The advantage goes both ways, the prepared infected team can make sure that everyone is ready to vom/pounce the survivors as soon as the tank arrives. I don't think it's a serious advantage one way or the other.

Mainly, like everything else in the game, it benefits the well prepared team.

[RedLeafedWonder]

Most of the time the tank spawns before the survivors are close enough to do anything. Your team can agree on a new location for the tank. Move the tank there and let control run out. When the second player takes over, this player also lets control run out. Then, AI-controlled tank at a different location, and your team gets to be all infected.

Problem: AI tank focuses on one person, even if they are incapped. Still, it can make a difference.

This is called "Tank Parking". Though it can be quite effective it's also illegal on Gamebattles and other team matching sites.

[xADFx]

This is called "Tank Parking". Though it can be quite effective it's also illegal on Gamebattles and other team matching sites.

Uhh....no it's not illegal. Stupid, but legal. Although I guess you would know that now after we played and we killed your computer tank on NM2 with ease and the one on NM4 ran off the roof :)

[UKMD Elmo]

It does and it doesn't. Let me explain:

The second team do indeed know where the tank and witch will spawn and can therefore prepare for it. However, Valve makes the better team from the previous round go first as survivors which gives the weaker team a slight chance to even things out. Although this gives thema slight advantage it helps to make things less suicidal for them if they are clearly a lot worse than the other team and also adds an additional challenge to the better team.

And then again, the spawns for the tank and witch (the tank especialy) are so damn predictable that even if you ARE survivors first you're probably ready for them anway! I can't think of another way Valve could work this to be fairer as any other way is just a LOT more biased in one or the other teams favour. It's not perfect, but it's the probably the best system available.

[echuck66]

I happen to think that the game was much more fun before the last 'patch'. True, there were a few problems with players blocking the paths, but on the whole, it was more random and a lot more fun because of the randomness and unpredictability of it all.

Now, with the tank and witch spawning at the same location each time for both teams, the game has become too predictable.

I really don't understand why so many people complained so much about the game before the patch. The element of suprise was what made this game so much more fun than other games I've played.

[RedLeafedWonder]

Uhh....no it's not illegal. Stupid, but legal. Although I guess you would know that now after we played and we killed your computer tank on NM2 with ease and the one on NM4 ran off the roof :)

Right you are sir my mistake. I do take issue with the your opinion of tank parking being "stupid". A well parked tank with a precise ambush built around it can end a team. Especially if you're on the top floor of NM4. Most teams worth their salt just run into the vents. Parking is pretty much your best option at that point.