Why doesn't anyone defend anymore?

[Matt_Black 203]

I have noticed a distinct lack of players defending in MM CTF and Rugby lately.

 

Okay so it's not the most glamorous role but a good defender or two can make all the difference.

 

Now it's like watching 6 year olds play football, everyone is attacking.

 

My theory is that it's because of the monthly challenges. Defenders don't get many stars unless they are pretty good.

( I usually play defense with Titan/Vulcan M4 and completed last moth's challenge with 10 days to go) so it can be done. But it's hard being the only defender with the whole opposition attacking!

 

Another theory is that it might be down to the players online. Late at night (GMT) some good games can be had but late afternoon and early evening is very poor.

[Benefactor 6,888]

I defend. But my team gets mad at me for not attacking because of the equipment I have. A lot of times the opposing side throws insults at me when I camp aiming my turret at my own flag - that only tells me I am doing my job. But now, with MM and Magnum, it makes defending a bit more difficult.

[SporkZilla 1,775]

I've done quite well defending (with Smoky) in some recent CTF / Rugby games (but not playing very often at the moment), especially on the red team in Year 2042 where there's a camping spot that covers all of the approaches to your flag.

 

It is hard being the only defender though. 

[loginci 877]

Because they want to get more scores to get more stars. It's clear.

 

I currently play Tanki X and %70 of the MM battles are CTF, and I always defend because a tie is already enough for getting Reputation Points, which gets you into the higher league. And also, it's not only me defending, but my team too. 

Edited July 10, 2019 by loginci

[DieselPlatinum 5,121]

They say that offense is the best form of defense.

[wolverine848 13,097]

Because they want to get more scores to get more stars. It's clear.

 

I currently play Tanki X and %70 of the MM battles are CTF, and I always defend because a tie is already enough for getting Reputation Points, which gets you into the higher league. And also, it's not only me defending, but my team too. 

DinG! DING! DING!

 

I've been saying for a while - the Challenges and "WARS" have been leading to low-quality battles.  Players don't care about the battle-mode.

[The-Operator219 1,929]

Because from Magnum, Striker, and certain overdrives being added camping in one spot just isn't that viable of a strategy. If you're gonna defend, hold the middle of the map where the supplies are.

[lssimo 1,559]

In MM battles, aka GVN battles, if you're not playing in groups you're likely playing with the noobs, and that's when you see those things.

 

Sometimes I have to travel half the map or so to defend a flag or prevent a score, while the rest just spawn and go on the attack.

 

Then there's little incentives to play as team. And who wants to defend and be one shot by Hornets with Shafts, Gausses and Rails.

 

So I play 4 or 5 GVN battles and then go to PRO.

[Maf 32,300]

Okay so it's not the most glamorous role but a good defender or two can make all the difference.

So in that case you can be the good defender and make a difference, right?  :rolleyes:

[The-Operator219 1,929]

I kinda wish defenders got a better end of the proverbial stick. Attackers/cappers will always score more inevitably but you need both in order to perform.

[u812ic 1,629]

They should rename all the battle modes.

 

CTFTDM

CPTDM

RGBTDM

ASLTDM

 

Most battles I see any more takes place at a team's base. I've seen CPs in the opposing team's color, but the losing team does nothing to change them. Instead they are playing TDM and ignoring the objectives. In ASL, CTF and RGB, no one is defending the base and the opposing team is stealing the flag, making touchdowns, and successfully attacking the base (ASL). On the other hand, I've also seen the opposing team playing the battle mode (scoring) while the entire losing team is in their own base and ignoring the fact that the flag is being stolen (Mammoths stealing the flag and returning to their base without activating any supplies, not even SB, and not getting shot at :angry: for example and repeating it several times). ASL Forest, blue on ground level shooting at anything that moves even if that tank has no flag, but the red team is scoring left and right. 

 

If one or two people on the same team are actually trying to play the battle mode, they get no team support.

 

It would seem part of the Game Rules is being broken (highlighted):

 

2.1.5. Sabotage — Any acts or omissions aimed at creating obstructions for the team where the User is a member, including in CTF, TDM and CP modes, fighting against the team of which you are a member (intentional selection of weak equipment, frequent pauses, inactivity or intentional failure to comply with map’s or game mode’s requirements, imitation of issues with internet connection), damaging/destroying an ally’s tank, fighting in the interest of the opponent’s team (conspiracy);

 

Or does this apply only to individuals and not to entire teams?

 

I started seeing this after the merge and several players commented on the way the Russians play the game, so different from the way we played. After the introduction of "stars" the problem escalated to the point where there is only one game mode...TDM. Yes, occasionally, you will find a good battle where wits, skill and fast fingers are matched on both teams, but these battles are getting more rare. The Devs have put a great emphasis on obtaining stars and not on the battle objectives. 

 

So, where do we put the blame? Devs for putting a great emphasis on stars? The players who are trying to obtain more and more stars to get the Grand Prize? The losing team tries to make stars by making the most kills. The winning team tries to make more stars by achieving the objective.

 

Okay, I'm taking my soap box and going home.....for now.

Edited July 11, 2019 by u812ic

[FrozenRailgun 1,771]

I have noticed a distinct lack of players defending in MM CTF and Rugby lately.

I defend when there is no defender in my team.

[DieselPlatinum 5,121]

They should rename all the battle modes.

 

CTFTDM

CPTDM

RGBTDM

ASLTDM

 

 

 

So, where do we put the blame? Devs for putting a great emphasis on stars ? The players who are trying to obtain more and more stars to get the Grand Prize? The losing team tries to make stars by making the most kills. The winning team tries to make more stars by achieving the objective.

 

Okay, I'm taking my soap box and going home.....for now.

THIS

[Evanescence 100]

1 flag captured = 100 points

1 flag returned = 5 points

[Matt_Black 203]

Yes as a seasoned defender you can make a difference but when your team is playing TDM at the other end but you opposition is playing rugby it's very hard. I've started quitting games like that. Why should I expend my supplies helping a team that plays that way.

 

What upsets me is when I successfully defend the base the entire game, stopping people taking our flag, and covering out players returning with the flag by getting between them and the incoming fire and get nothing for it!

 

I had the weirdest and shortest game that also proves my point about poxy small maps and the favored turrets. Highland and the opposition had a 50 /50 split of hammer and freeze all on viking. I don't think the game lasted more than a minute for 5 goals! Both still massively OP for ages but when Vulcan gets an insane buff it get's ultranurfed instantly.

 

The players are getting ruder too. If I happen to be in a spot another player wants They'll push me off either over the edge of something or into fire. And I've lost count of the number of times I'm heading for a health box for a newly spawned player to take it even though they are already on full health. 

[Matt_Black 203]

Oh yeah I forgot. Arseholes on our team blocking our flag carrier from capping.

[u812ic 1,629]

 

Yes as a seasoned defender you can make a difference but when your team is playing TDM at the other end but you opposition is playing rugby it's very hard. I've started quitting games like that. Why should I expend my supplies helping a team that plays that way.

 

What upsets me is when I successfully defend the base the entire game, stopping people taking our flag, and covering out players returning with the flag by getting between them and the incoming fire and get nothing for it!

 

I had the weirdest and shortest game that also proves my point about poxy small maps and the favored turrets. Highland and the opposition had a 50 /50 split of hammer and freeze all on viking. I don't think the game lasted more than a minute for 5 goals! Both still massively OP for ages but when Vulcan gets an insane buff it get's ultranurfed instantly.

 

The players are getting ruder too. If I happen to be in a spot another player wants They'll push me off either over the edge of something or into fire. And I've lost count of the number of times I'm heading for a health box for a newly spawned player to take it even though they are already on full health.

 

I saw a spot that looked good for sniping. No one had taken that spot all game. I got a few kills. Then a teammate decides he wants it and started pushing me. An opposing Railgun saw the commotion and a double kill from one shot....we were the target. After respawning, the teammate went back to that spot and got a double dose of two railguns. He still didn't learn his lesson and went back again....but not for long. 

 

When I would see teammates grabbing supplies they didn't need I figured they were trying to complete a mission. Now, using your own supplies counts towards the mission so there's no excuse. 

 

There used to be teamwork, but very little of that any more. There are individuals on a team, but they are not a team. 

[DieselPlatinum 5,121]

1) I saw a spot that looked good for sniping. No one had taken that spot all game. I got a few kills. Then a teammate decides he wants it and started pushing me. An opposing Railgun saw the commotion and a double kill from one shot....we were the target. After respawning, the teammate went back to that spot and got a double dose of two railguns. He still didn't learn his lesson and went back again....but not for long. 

 

2) When I would see teammates grabbing supplies they didn't need I figured they were trying to complete a mission. Now, using your own supplies counts towards the mission so there's no excuse. 

 

3) There used to be teamwork, but very little of that any more. There are individuals on a team, but they are not a team.

 

1) yep, there are people like that in real life too. Reminds me of when I put $20 Bill in vending machines and get rewarded with $18 worth of quarters. And I still do that. :mellow:

 

2) I only activate speed boost and pick up a speed boost box just to get it done faster, and because I don't really use the speed boost very often besides the mission. I mean it's only natural for me to have 14k speed boosts, right?

 

3) I kinda noticed that teamwork is starting to make a comeback somewhat for the past four days, but during the early hours of the server restart.

[FrozenRailgun 1,771]

Oh yeah I forgot. Noobz on our team blocking our flag carrier from capping.

Real annoying. But I sit on the flag when protecting it (even as a Hornet). When flagger come, me move a bit from our flag that he/she can secure that cap.

 

One time I protected a Hornet-Railgun (did not have Eagle equipped) who was carrying the flag, literally running. That was in Sandal blue team, me in signature setup. A Shaft (did not have any protection module/s equipped), was about to kill him/her with Double Power. Unexpectedly, instead of hitting the flagger, that sniper shot killed me instead.

 

Dang, taking that bullet for my teammate was not easy.

 

Not to mention that XP did secure that cap! *Proud*! :ph34r:

Edited July 13, 2019 by FrozenRailgun

[Guest]

What upsets me is when I successfully defend the base the entire game, stopping people taking our flag, and covering out players returning with the flag by getting between them and the incoming fire and get nothing for it!

 

 

 

The players are getting ruder too. If I happen to be in a spot another player wants They'll push me off either over the edge of something or into fire. And I've lost count of the number of times I'm heading for a health box for a newly spawned player to take it even though they are already on full health. 

Yup... been there too man. An MM Parma CTF, I was with rico/titan defending the flag while the rest of my team was attacking. I actually prevented a fair amount of enemies from entering, and someone even offered the flag once to me. End of match I get 175 crystals for being an important asset to my team instead of mindlessly attacking?

 

The toxicity has been growing since MM, and I believe it's because of the separation between players that MM causes. You're thrown into a 5 (let's be real here lol) minute battle with a bunch of random people who are only concerned with completing missions or earning stars.

 

[th]

          I cannot stress enough about how right you are with this whole subject. No one cares for the objective, it's all about the kills and placement on the scoreboard. Team loses? Who cares, as long as I get first place I'll get my 3 stars! Team is getting spawncamped? Lemme sneak out and play TDM on the other side of the map instead of helping my team so I can get the next Tier in the Challenge! You see? It's the Challenges, the Star Weeks before them, and even the good ol' Crazy Weekends (which were actually good imo because they lasted for 2 days only.) that caused this lack of teamwork in battles; the fact that they're 7 minutes makes it even worse because you can't get immersed and start learning the other team's strategy and outwitting them. I'm not going to discuss MatchMaker, because all what it's done is pour gasoline on the fire at this point.

Edited July 13, 2019 by Guest

[The_Pakistani 16,768]

Boring modes after hunter n mammoth ODs. So boring

[Pythor 1,354]

Team players defend.. Nowadays everyone is only thinking about themselves. How can I get the most xp/stars - to attack.

[kaisdf 3,320]

Battle fund increases with kills, so therefore things like DD and going all out attack mean more crystals for everyone, while DA and defending decreases crystals..

 

Battles are 6 minutes long (by the time I manage to join), there’s literally no point spending time getting to know my teammates or typing out strays. In CSGO, for example, forty minute games and easy voice chat means it’s too easy not to call a stray each round.

 

Also, if I defend, no one on my team can cap a flag. If I want to win, my only option is to attack.

[N3tralRE 282]

Personally, I think the random team depth generated by the MM system hurts team defense further.  For every team with coordination, effective offense, and strong defense, there's a team that is good but with flaws and (too often for me) a team whose members do their own thing and are easily exposed by better teams.  It's this randomness that has prompted me, a longtime CTF player, to ditch CTF as my main mode.  After all, why should I bother playing consecutive CTF matches if I'll only get placed in two or three meh teams awaiting slaughter?

[Potdindy 866]

Another thought. Defending means you will go te to toe with the enemy teams best players and will experience their overdrives. Attacking means you can pick whom you engage and whom you avoid