Tripwire Interactive Forums
I wanted to ask everyone's opinions on "Combat Medics", which I define as Field Medics that use off-kit weapons (and maybe the MP5), and focus on being a Pointman-styled, trash-clearing, Zed-kiting boss; rather than a pathetic little man cowering behind his mates doing nothing but healing them (exceptionally well, but still).
Now, I don't want opinions of their usefulness on any difficulty greater than Hard, mind.
As for my opinion:
They can be fantastic. They're like a Berserker running around everything like nothing, but they're using guns while they're doing it, which can be more effective than melee depending on situation.
They can set up and camp, because they use guns (unlike Berserker, who would only at best act like a wall or Zed-time extension in this situation) just like you.
They can kite, because they're freakin' Medic. They move quickly, and they even move quicker than others while holding guns. That means that they can kite like a Berserker while shooting backwards into the crowd, unlike a Berserker.
They can be the most versatile, because they can use literally any loadout of any selection of any kit's weapons. You could even use a flamethrower if you wanted. Not that you would...
They can still play Medic, because they can still run over and heal you (It's Super Effective!), and they will generally at least have an MP5 to shoot darts at you with.
However, they do have potential downsides.
They can be rather expensive to maintain, because they get no discount with any weapons they buy themselves (except Medic weapons), and they have to use more ammo than other classes due to doing less damage, so they have to buy more ammo. (Although if your various teammates give you weapons they buy at a discount to you, you bypass expensive weaponry; and if you're playing single player, you're killing everything, therefore you have all the money, therefore you can buy whatever the hell you want.)
They can be rather useless, because they may not be equipped to steamroll over a wave of, say, Scrakes quite the same way any other class could be. (Although on Normal and/or with a lower amount of people (on Hard), a SCAR-H will make quick work of Scrakes, and Pipe Bombs will absolutely destroy any Flesh Pound that goes for you.)
They can be anti-teamplay due to just running off and doing their own thing. I will admit to doing this. (However, I will also admit to regularly murdering enough Zeds to end up in first place, and never leading angry Scrakes and Fleshies to my unprepared team, so it's still okay, because if anything I was actually lessening the load they had to deal with in their camper spot.)
So again, thoughts, lads? I would put up a poll, but I have no idea how that works.
I'm looking for answers that generally fall under:
"I think they're generally useless."
"I think they can be useful, IF they're played right."
"I think they're generally useful."
"Silly Medic, you aren't a Commando; get back behind the team where you belong."
So, yeah, it would be helpful if you started out your post with one of these (and/or taught me how to do a poll).
Now, I don't want opinions of their usefulness on any difficulty greater than Hard, mind.
As for my opinion:
They can be fantastic. They're like a Berserker running around everything like nothing, but they're using guns while they're doing it, which can be more effective than melee depending on situation.
They can set up and camp, because they use guns (unlike Berserker, who would only at best act like a wall or Zed-time extension in this situation) just like you.
They can kite, because they're freakin' Medic. They move quickly, and they even move quicker than others while holding guns. That means that they can kite like a Berserker while shooting backwards into the crowd, unlike a Berserker.
They can be the most versatile, because they can use literally any loadout of any selection of any kit's weapons. You could even use a flamethrower if you wanted. Not that you would...
They can still play Medic, because they can still run over and heal you (It's Super Effective!), and they will generally at least have an MP5 to shoot darts at you with.
However, they do have potential downsides.
They can be rather expensive to maintain, because they get no discount with any weapons they buy themselves (except Medic weapons), and they have to use more ammo than other classes due to doing less damage, so they have to buy more ammo. (Although if your various teammates give you weapons they buy at a discount to you, you bypass expensive weaponry; and if you're playing single player, you're killing everything, therefore you have all the money, therefore you can buy whatever the hell you want.)
They can be rather useless, because they may not be equipped to steamroll over a wave of, say, Scrakes quite the same way any other class could be. (Although on Normal and/or with a lower amount of people (on Hard), a SCAR-H will make quick work of Scrakes, and Pipe Bombs will absolutely destroy any Flesh Pound that goes for you.)
They can be anti-teamplay due to just running off and doing their own thing. I will admit to doing this. (However, I will also admit to regularly murdering enough Zeds to end up in first place, and never leading angry Scrakes and Fleshies to my unprepared team, so it's still okay, because if anything I was actually lessening the load they had to deal with in their camper spot.)
So again, thoughts, lads? I would put up a poll, but I have no idea how that works.
I'm looking for answers that generally fall under:
"I think they're generally useless."
"I think they can be useful, IF they're played right."
"I think they're generally useful."
"Silly Medic, you aren't a Commando; get back behind the team where you belong."
So, yeah, it would be helpful if you started out your post with one of these (and/or taught me how to do a poll).