MedBall

[Null Parameter]

MedBall
Original Idea By: Null Parameter (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=2)
Created By: Null Parameter (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=2), Shellshock (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=13) & Thomas (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=1)
Testers: MovingTarget602 (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=135), Morphine (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=84) & Denominator (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=25)

What is MedBall?

MedBall is a new Gametype devoted to bringing a new feature into Team Slayer games.

While there are Oddballs involved, if nobody were to touch the Oddballs, it would play out almost exactly like Team Slayer.

With the addition of the balls though, the game gets far more tactical.

What does the MedBall do?

As you may have figured out, MedBall is short for Medicine Ball. Which makes sense, since the MedBall ends up acting like a super powered Med-Kit. The person who holds the MedBall gets Overshields, so you are at a big advantage to control a MedBall. But don't go running around with it, because killing isn't as easy when you do less damage with the ball.

How do I play MedBall?
We will be posting the MedBall Gametype in the very near future, along with a lot of the maps reworked to better support the gametype.
Although, it should be playable on any default map.

MedBall is usually played with multiple Oddballs, but that also depends upon the Team Settings.

MedBall works well for almost any number of players. We've had fun with FFA and Multi-Team, and I would love to see a good BTB game going.

More MedBall to Come....
Shellshock will be posting here sometime later today with a lot more exact details, including......


Gametype Settings
Acceptable Weapon & Equipment Sets
Weapon Respawn Settings
Directions on how to make almost any map into a perfect setting for MedBall

And we'll also update to include downloads for the Gametype and a rework for some of the default Halo 3 maps, to make them ideal for MedBall!


We'll be playing this a lot in the near future, to hopefully expand its fan base and perfect the gametype. Hope to see you guys enjoying this.

[Null Parameter]

MedBall Gametypes
Team MedBall (http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=69184249)



MedBall Map Variants
Guardian Med (http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=69176927)
Medsolation (http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=69176891)
Cold Med (http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=69176855)
Medout (http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=69184310)
Ghostly Med (http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=69184333)

[Shell]

Alright, it's time for me to step in and play my part.

Gametype Settings

So, MedBall is really simple to set up, even if you don't have the correct Gametype. Now, here are the basic settings you want to edit.


Change score to (20/50) based on amount of players.
Change ball carrier traits to "75% Damage" and "2x Overshields".
Change oddball settings to (2/3) oddballs based on amount of people.
Make sure it is Team Enabled.
Make sure you don't get any points for holding the ball, only for kills.


Now, for the amount of players and the oddball amount and score settings is simple.


2v2: 20 points; 1/2 oddballs
2v2v2: 50 points; 2 oddballs
3v3: 50 points; 2 oddballs
2v2v2v2: 50 points; 3 oddballs


Weapon/Equipment Settings

Now, this is where the fun stuff happens. I get to tell you what to use when you make your map. Here's the list:

Assault Rifle - 30 second respawn, 2 extra clips
Battle Rifle - 30 second respawn, 2 extra clips
Brute Shot - 120 second respawn, 0 extra clips
Carbine - 30 second respawn, 2 extra clips
Magnum - 30 second respawn, 2 extra clips
Mauler - 60 second respawn, 1 extra clip
Needlers - (Large Maps Only) 120 second respawn, 0 extra clips
Plasma Pistol - 120 second respawn
Plasma Rifle - 90 second respawn
Rockets - 150 second respawn, 0 extra clips
Sniper - 120 second respawn, 2 extra clips
Spiker - 45 second respawn, 2 extra clips
Sub-Machine Gun - 30 second respawn, 2 extra clips
----
Beam Rifle - DO NOT DO!
Energy Sword - DO NOT DO!
Flame Thrower - DO NOT DO!
Fuel Rod Cannon - DO NOT DO!
Gravity Hammer - DO NOT DO!
Sentinel Beam - DO NOT DO!
Shotgun - DO NOT DO!
Spartan Laser - DO NOT DO!
Turrets - DO NOT DO!


Now, for equipment:

Bubble Shield - 90/120 second respawn; 120 for small maps, 90 for large
Flare - 60 second respawn
Gravity Lift - 60 second respawn
Invisibility - Replace with Power Drain
Over Shield - Replace with Bubble Shield
Power Drain - 90/120 second respawn; 120 for small maps, 90 for large
Teleporters - Not recommended
Tripmine - 60 second respawn
----
Deployable Cover - DO NOT DO!
Flame Grenades - DO NOT DO!
Radar Jammer - DO NOT DO!
Regenerator - DO NOT DO!

Making a map perfect for MedBall

This part is REALLY simple. To make a perfect map for MedBall, just follow these rules:


Make sure your map is large enough to be played on with 2v2v2v2, but make sure it's small enough for 2v2.
Follow all the above weapon rules; although, feel free to experiment.
Make sure that there are 3 oddballs spawns, within equal walking distance of each team
Maps where you can jump off cliffs (to your death) are much more tactical.
If you do decide to put teleporters, make sure they aren't campable.
Make sure that there are no places people can camp.


Tips, Tricks, Strategies, and Techniques.

Now, lastly, I'm going to put a section here at the bottom for techniques and strategies for playing MedBall. If you have one, just post it and I will update this post with it.


Dropping the MedBall from high up to the ground doesn't sound like a great idea, especially if you drop it in front of the enemy team. Although, if you manage to drop it, then stick it, it'll kill the person who picks it up instantly, and the ball will then be thrown across the map.
Dropping the ball off the edge is a good strategy if you know you're going to die and you have no team mates around.
You can use the ball as bait. Put it down every once in a while and let it sit there or make it reset when you know that you can pull off some shots on whoever would be close enough to pick it back up.
If you shoot a player before they pick up the MedBall, their shields won't go up to 2x Overshields immediately. Use this to your advantage!

[GodlyPerfection]

I think it needs quite some work after playing i yesterday... I do like the concept and hopefully we can mold it into somethign great in the future...

[Thomas]

I think it needs quite some work after playing i yesterday... I do like the concept and hopefully we can mold it into somethign great in the future...
Medball works better in a Multi-Team scenario... not the 5v5 that we played yesterday and High Ground isn't suited for Medball, in general.

[GodlyPerfection]

I seriously think that the following changes need to be made and why:

Auto-Pickup... during combat if you are being shot at you don't have time to hold down RB to pick up the medball... you should be able to touch, hold, and drop right away and continue your fire... adding the time it takes to hold down RB to the waiting of the shields recharging is too much of a wait in the middle of combat, remove that extra waiting time by doing auto-pickup.

Slow Regen... You don't want people running around helplessly the whole round, waiting for the ball. Reward players for staying alive longer...

Have extremely low damage resistance for ball carreir, so yeah... sure you get your extra shields but you loose shields 3Xs as fast if you don't drop the ball... it will resemble the player being vulnerable while patching themselves up...

[Shell]

I seriously think that the following changes need to be made and why:

Auto-Pickup... during combat if you are being shot at you don't have time to hold down RB to pick up the medball... you should be able to touch, hold, and drop right away and continue your fire... adding the time it takes to hold down RB to the waiting of the shields recharging is too much of a wait in the middle of combat, remove that extra waiting time by doing auto-pickup.

Slow Regen... You don't want people running around helplessly the whole round, waiting for the ball. Reward players for staying alive longer...

Have extremely low damage resistance for ball carreir, so yeah... sure you get your extra shields but you loose shields 3Xs as fast if you don't drop the ball... it will resemble the player being vulnerable while patching themselves up...

Auto-Pickup failed during play testing. It was far too hard to get rid of the ball.

Slow Regen will be tested.

Low damage resistance will be tested as well.

[Morphine]

Auto-Pickup... during combat if you are being shot at you don't have time to hold down RB to pick up the medball... you should be able to touch, hold, and drop right away and continue your fire... adding the time it takes to hold down RB to the waiting of the shields recharging is too much of a wait in the middle of combat, remove that extra waiting time by doing auto-pickup.

Slow Regen... You don't want people running around helplessly the whole round, waiting for the ball. Reward players for staying alive longer...

Have extremely low damage resistance for ball carreir, so yeah... sure you get your extra shields but you loose shields 3Xs as fast if you don't drop the ball... it will resemble the player being vulnerable while patching themselves up...

Your auto pick up idea doesn't work, basically if you try to pick up the ball during combat, there is no possible way to regain your shields. There is an automatic timer from the last time you get shot to when you can start getting your shields back, regardless of what the regeneration speed is. Not to mention if you walk over the ball in combat with no intention to pick it up, you don't really have an option.

I actually suggested the low damage resistance when I was playing this the other day. And I agree there needs to be something to allow weakened players to regain their shields other than the oddball. But rather than encouraging them to hind for extended periods of time, I think that some kind of shield leech would be more appropriate. This way the player is still trying to engage in combat in order to regain their health.

[Null Parameter]

Auto-Pickup failed during play testing. It was far too hard to get rid of the ball.

Slow Regen will be tested.

Low damage resistance will be tested as well.
I agree that Auto-Pickup is fail. The extra 1/4 second it takes to pick it up is a part of the time it takes for your shields to recharge anyway. And I hate the whole throwing the ball at your attacker strategy, it is just stupid.

Slow Regen is a must.

Still need to test Low damage resistance.

[GodlyPerfection]

It just feels like the combat isn't smooth... it feels clunky when being forced to pick up the ball... and I never said anything about throwing the ball at your attacker strategy... but I do like the idea of grabbing the ball real quick while you duck behind cover, then tossing it to a partner while he is firing, so that he doesn't have to focus on picking up the ball... it's just that picking up the ball in combat is very clunky in combat flow... that's just how I feel... just because it is hard to get rid of the ball doesn't mean that it shouldn't be in it... I think it needs to be fully tested with test groups that aren't biased on either side... (I'm a big fan of auto pickup...)

[Null Parameter]

I guess I've never had trouble running through and grabbing the ball on the go.

And like I said, whether we want the ability there or not, people are going to throw the ball at people to screw them up, and I think that is the lamest thing in the world.

[GodlyPerfection]

It's not that bad... if you end up getting the ball just keep pulling the trigger... it drops by trigger pulling... but regardless of how either of us feels, it's the community that decides which is better :P so we gotta test it...

[Thomas]

Auto-Pickup... during combat if you are being shot at you don't have time to hold down RB to pick up the medball... you should be able to touch, hold, and drop right away and continue your fire... adding the time it takes to hold down RB to the waiting of the shields recharging is too much of a wait in the middle of combat, remove that extra waiting time by doing auto-pickup.

Medball doesn't work like this. The only time that you can get shields is out of combat and when your normal shields would recharge... there is still a delay. I think it's fine how it is since I don't want to run around forcing myself to drop the medball when it should've been dropped the first time I hit the trigger.


Slow Regen... You don't want people running around helplessly the whole round, waiting for the ball. Reward players for staying alive longer...
The slowest you can go is 50%... which isn't slow enough for it to count, IMO. It still works, though.


Have extremely low damage resistance for ball carreir, so yeah... sure you get your extra shields but you loose shields 3Xs as fast if you don't drop the ball... it will resemble the player being vulnerable while patching themselves up...
Sounds good.

AZN, the only time that I know of when you played this was on an unsupported map (High ground will never be supported... too many weapons are on the "Do NOT!" list.) with over the recommended amount of people on 2 teams instead of 4. I mean we can still test some of this stuff, but the biggest one that you're trying to get is instant pickup, which is massively fail if it's TS with a perk.

[Null Parameter]

Okay, Shellshock was finally able to get me the Gametype along with some updated maps.

You can find them all in the 2nd Post.

The Gametype is Team MedBall.

The maps are all standard Halo 3 maps with updates to better support MedBall. You can probably figure out the base map from the name of each one.


Shellshock will hopefully be posting the rest of his information soon.

Until that time, play away, and come back with any ideas or suggestions.

I know one idea that has been brought up is Shield Regeneration. Right now, shield regeneration is off for normal players, and you only gain shields by holding the ball. So, try switching back and forth between No Shield Regen and Slow Shield Regen and tell us which you like more.

[Thomas]

One thing to note, though, is you need to adjust the score and amount of oddballs for different party sizes. This gametype is intended for a Multi-Team (2v2v2v2) scenario.

If you have 3 teams of 2, have 2 oddballs. If you have 2 teams of 2, have 1 oddball. If you have 2 teams of 3+, have 2 oddballs. There will be a table (or something similar) to help with this issue, but after you play it for a while, you'll just be able to tell.

[Null Parameter]

There's now some more constructive MedBall info that can be found in the 3rd Post (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/showpost.php?p=16471&postcount=3).

Thanks Shellshock!

[Forge]

ok so the medball is pretty much like a weapon that u can pick up to use. It's like a powerup with your shields, but sucks as a weapon, thats cool

[Null Parameter]

ok so the medball is pretty much like a weapon that u can pick up to use. It's like a powerup with your shields, but sucks as a weapon, thats cool
Yep, the MedBall doesn't even necessarily act as a weapon. We gave it the name MedBall, because it tends to act more like a Pumped Up MedKit from other games.

[thatdamnhippie]

sounds fun :D
I'll be shure to in my next map make it playable for Med Ball :P

[DeathDriver86]

This is a very good game type. Challenging and frantic at the same time.

[Null Parameter]

This is a very good game type. Challenging and frantic at the same time.
Glad you like it, especially since it is the first gametype in the 2v2 Tourney. ;)

[DeathDriver86]

Glad you like it, especially since it is the first gametype in the 2v2 Tourney. ;)
Which is why I stated just that. At first it didn't do much, but it grew on me man...it grew.

[MNM1245]

I still haven't played this for the 2v2 yet. Me and Shell were supposed to practice at 4 on thursday he never came :(

I need to practice this tonight

[DeathDriver86]

Too bad for you. Better get practicing soon man, it's almost time!

[GodlyPerfection]

Sharp and I will get some practice today... should be fun... :) I hope the gametype works out like we hope it will...

[Thomas]

Sharp and I will get some practice today... should be fun... :) I hope the gametype works out like we hope it will...
It's kind of odd to play on Medout because there are sections of the map that are somewhat camped. There are a few other maps that play a lot better for Medball.

[MNM1245]

Ya me and Shell need some practice this weekend

[Shell]

It's kind of odd to play on Medout because there are sections of the map that are somewhat camped. There are a few other maps that play a lot better for Medball.

But the other ones that we tested weren't as good as Medout for 2v2..

[American10]

This looks very imteresting, I will have to try this out.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Time Glitch]

I haven't played this yet, and i want to, but just an idea:

If possible, what if the ball carrier also gave people around him a slight boost in damage resistance? It might add an interesting dynamic to the game, and more of an incentive for a team to hold onto one of the balls.

It probably works just fine, but this might be an interesting twist.

[Null Parameter]

If possible, what if the ball carrier also gave people around him a slight boost in damage resistance? It might add an interesting dynamic to the game, and more of an incentive for a team to hold onto one of the balls.
There's proximity traits for the ball carrier?!

Also, there is incentive to hold it already, because if you don't, your shields drain down from the Overshield that is given.

[Time Glitch]

Thats why I said "If possible". I haven't even glanced at Oddball's gametype options.

I understand the incentive to hold on to it by yourself, but its more of an individual option than a team option. Proximity would allow more of the team to want the ball rather than a single person.

[Null Parameter]

Thats why I said "If possible". I haven't even glanced at Oddball's gametype options.

I understand the incentive to hold on to it by yourself, but its more of an individual option than a team option. Proximity would allow more of the team to want the ball rather than a single person.
I can see your point, but still your whole team is going to want the ball, because having 2+ people with Overshield is better than having just one with overshield. You have to work together and pass it back and forth to make the best use of it.

[Time Glitch]

Me and American were looking into gametypes the other day...

No proximity for oddball...or assault...or flag...

This made me sad.

[Null Parameter]

Me and American were looking into gametypes the other day...

No proximity for oddball...or assault...or flag...

This made me sad.
Yeah, that's what I assumed. It would make a great addition to the options, but now we have something to hope for in Halo 4 other games. ;)

[Time Glitch]

Yeah, that's what I assumed. It would make a great addition to the options, but now we have something to hope for in Halo 4 other games. ;)


I'm thinking about getting a group together on B-net to try and get Bungie to release Halo: Multiplayer. All it'd be is like streamlined multiplayer, and it'd include the weapons and modes from every single game, so you have all the multiplayer styles from each game packed into one, with super upgraded graphics.

They'd have a map editor (full like far crys), superforge, and every single gametype option you could possibly think of.

Think of how incredibly awesome that would be =).

[Null Parameter]

Think of how incredibly awesome that would be =).Very awesome, but a little difficult since Microsoft now controls the IP for Halo, not Bungie.

[Null Parameter]

I would just like to say that we just got done playing a few games of MedBall, and we had an AMAZING time. One for the 2v2 and a few more, just because everybody was having so much fun!

Thanks to Defiance, DimmestBread and Bazza for having a great time with this.


One thing I think we are going to do with this though is make a Hardcore and a Regular version, the only difference being Shield Recharge. In Hardcore (as it is now), shields don't recharge unless you have the ball. This makes particular weapons even more devastating. For instance, the sniper rifle is a two body shot kill, no matter how long between the two shots you wait, unless they are able to get a hold of the ball.

In the "Regular" version, shields will recharge at the slowest rate possible when you don't have the ball.


I'm also going to suggest that Sniper Rifles are used with caution because of this. If one team has the ball and the sniper, the other team can have a difficult time advancing without shield regen.

[Fenian Bhoy]

yeah it was great fun but for the team that is against Defiance watch out he's got a good aim with a sniper trust me i know and im gonna try and nominate this for a feature

[Boston]

I would just like to say that we just got done playing a few games of MedBall, and we had an AMAZING time. One for the 2v2 and a few more, just because everybody was having so much fun!


Dang. This sounds fun and I wish I knew about the tourney at an earlier date. Would have loved to play this. Oh well I'll download it and get some customs going...or maybe during WoW we can play this. Sounds real fun.

[Fenian Bhoy]

hey bos are you on the now?

[Null Parameter]

Dang. This sounds fun and I wish I knew about the tourney at an earlier date. Would have loved to play this. Oh well I'll download it and get some customs going...or maybe during WoW we can play this. Sounds real fun.
Yep, we'll definitely play some games of this in my party at least, but I'm still not sure what day I'm going to be hosting customs instead of playing Team Melee. But, if you see me in customs, feel free to join and we'll get some MedBall going. :D

[Boston]

hey bos are you on the now?

Nah I'm at work til 11. I'll be on tonight though at around 11:45ish and later though if that helps.

Oh and yeah Null if I see you on I'll just join your party or whatever. Lol

[Fenian Bhoy]

HeyBos i posted my map if you wanna DL it but i cant its 1am in Scotland

[DimmestBread]

This is possibly the most fun I have had in a game in a while. It was amazingly fun and very competitive when we played Null and bazza.
Here is why:

-The ball is like a power weapon, so it is essential to control and its like an objective so it adds objective ideas to a slayer game.
-The ball encourages lots of teamwork.
-you can still win without the ball if you play smart.
-it is still slayer so the main thing is killing

This is a great gametype overall.

One thing I was thinking about. It would be interesting to add a custom powerup, maybe two of them on high respawn that will recharge your shields so every say 3 minutes, they would come up and you could set them to not spawn at start. Just a thought.

[Shell]

One thing I was thinking about. It would be interesting to add a custom powerup, maybe two of them on high respawn that will recharge your shields so every say 3 minutes, they would come up and you could set them to not spawn at start. Just a thought.

Sounds interesting, we'd have to try it out.

[Null Parameter]

Sounds interesting, we'd have to try it out.
Yeah, that's actually a really good idea. I think you could use that to really encourage not camping. If you identify one or two areas that people tend to stick around when they have the ball and put a custom powerup in other areas to help improve rotation of locations around the map.

[Boston]

Yeah, that's actually a really good idea. I think you could use that to really encourage not camping. If you identify one or two areas that people tend to stick around when they have the ball and put a custom powerup in other areas to help improve rotation of locations around the map.

Yeah that would help prevent campers a bit, at least for the most part. Dang this game type sounds really fun I want to play it bad now haha

[Defiance]

This gametype has been the most fun since MLG ;D

[Null Parameter]

This gametype has been the most fun since MLG ;D
OMG! Dylan Posted! This must be the best gametype in the world of Halo if it invoked such a reaction. ;)


On a more serious note, this is the best gametype in the world of Halo.... ;)

[Boston]

Calm down guys...you are only making me salvitate even more haha

[Fenian Bhoy]

I wouldnt say best null but yeah its highly competetive and addictive and i think that is an idea

[Null Parameter]

Calm down guys...you are only making me salvitate even more haha
TWSS

[DeathDriver86]

This is more strategic then anything. I'm losing my mind waiting for our match.

[Fenian Bhoy]

haha lol and yeah it is really strategic but me and Null didnt use strategy but it wouldnt have changed the outcome

[Null Parameter]

but me and Null didnt use strategy but it wouldnt have changed the outcome
Fix'd


And yeah, it wouldn't have changed the outcome because of Defiance not being able to be killed. When my Wife calls bullshit on somebody not dying, you know it is apparent. :p

[Fenian Bhoy]

well i didnt hear you saying lets stick together and your right about Holly calling bullshit lol but Defiance killed me a lot when i was too slow and lost him then i get assassinated

[Boston]

Looks like I'll be playing afterall =P Hopefully I don't suck and get murdered haha

[Boston]

Just played this and won. I like this gametype lol

[Defiance]

OMG! Dylan Posted! This must be the best gametype in the world of Halo if it invoked such a reaction. ;)


On a more serious note, this is the best gametype in the world of Halo.... ;)

Somedays I just want to beat you up ;P

[Pocket Syndrome]

wow, sounds really interesting. I might give this a DL sometime later when I get the time to play Halo 3

[Boston]

Haven't seen this in a while. I'm actually wanting to get in a game of this sometime soon! :)