Greetings from the CO Guild of the Russian "Marines 220" server!

General Discussion
1

I greet everyone here on behalf of our group. Many of us, myself included, have only recently earned our major’s insignia, and compared to you, we are still young and inexperienced.

That is why I come to ask the local Commanding Officers to share their wisdom and knowledge with the new generation. We would greatly appreciate any information—whether it be strategic map screenshots with classic attack routes, war stories, a CO code of conduct, or any other valuable advice and legends you may have.

Thank you for your attention.

21 Likes
2

Здравствуйте,

Hello from English CM-SS13. I am a recent Commanding Officer player here. This is a fun exchange. I will share some of my own thoughts to the role. I do not know how different Commanding Officer is on Marines 220. Please share your stories.

On CM-SS13 Commanding Officer is a roleplay job that focuses on leading the marines both on the ship and on the ground. Our ship is called the Almayer. Do your Commanding Officers stay on your ship or go to the ground? On CM-SS13 Commanding Officer players have different preferences. Some Commanding Officer players stay on the ground, some stay on the ship.

How do you find balancing the ship and the ground? Are your Commanding Officers more combat or roleplay focused? What maps do you share with us? Our maps can be found here:

You call yourself a CO Guild? Is this a type of whitelist or forum group? Do you have a written down Code of Conduct for the job? I am interested in how the role is different and where it is the same.

The CM-SS13 Commanding Officer Code of Conduct can be found here:

https://cm-ss13.com/wiki/Commanding_Officer_Code_of_Conduct

For advice, I think you would have similar games to us. Sometimes the marines are bad. Sometimes the xenomorphs are bad. To give advice, focus on the fun. Try to make every round memorable if you can.

We joke here about Commanding Officer as a hero job, ‘protag’, but the marine players are what is important. Sometimes you will do everything you can to win and you will still lose. That is okay, focus on making that loss fun.

Eagerly awaiting your answers and thank you for reaching out.

10 Likes
3

This is very neat exchange.

1 Like
4

I’ll be happy to answer.

The first important thing to note is that for the Russian community, Marines were mostly something entirely new. When the server first opened, around 90% of the players had no prior experience with the mechanics or even basic understanding of the game. (At least now, we’ve reached around a 40-60% ratio, lol.) Due to TTS and several popular streamers who regularly play, our prime-time population is insanely high. A stable 260+ players, pushing 300 at times—along with server issues and lag, of course.

You have to imagine the chaos when 260 people arrive on the Almayer, most of whom don’t even know how to use a gun. Cargo queues lasting until the 22-minute mark, supply orders that take an eternity, OBs that kill more Marines than Xenos, and a Xeno win rate of 90%—that’s how our first months looked.

But we’re learning and improving. Entry into the “Guild” is technically done via whitelist, but in reality, it’s more of a case of: “Do you have experience in CM-13? Do you generally know where to click? Do you have a good reputation in the community? Alright, you’re in.” Right now, there are about 20 of us.

As for officers, around 60% drop to the ground, while the rest (especially if the CIC is half-empty) stay and function as Overwatch+. Sometimes, with 200+ people, we only have one CO and, if we’re lucky, two lieutenants—so it can be a real grind.

We also have a question regarding OBs. Some of our officers have learned to use the web map to calculate precise coordinates and land highly accurate OBs, which can completely change the course of a battle. This has sparked a debate: some consider it fair game, while others think it’s an unfair advantage, disrupting balance and RP. How do your COs and admins view this?

Also, if possible, how do you handle good briefings, map prep, and battle strategies? I’d especially appreciate any example screenshots if you have them.

And of course, the memes:

Alpha – wolves, guaranteed to die first.

Bravo – FOB enthusiasts.

Delta – the most popular squad, thanks to streamers.

Charlie – wears stockings.

5 Likes
5

Some things are the same even in other dimensions.

15 Likes
6

Our maps change their coordinates each time we play the map, this is done automatic. This prevents any pre calculations and causes CIC to request them from groundside squadleaders. This can lead to fun situations where bad coordinates get given to CIC and blows up the front.

3 Likes
7

Just like with us, but coordinates can still be calculated.

Each map has a random number added to its coordinates. For example, when a CL calls in an cords, you can see exactly where they send the coordinates—let’s say they give 450.-250.-6.

Now, we check the same location on the web map, and there it’s listed as 50.50.0.

We subtract 50.50 from 450.-250, which gives us 400.-300—this is the variable that simply needs to be added. Since altitude remains static, no further adjustments are needed.

2 Likes
8

I belive we actually don’t want people using the webmaps for coords on this server. It has been given leeway with doing the math on the spot, but otherwise webmaps aren’t ment for coords.

3 Likes
9

@dancetoforget Welcome friends. It is always great to meet new people with the same hobby.

10

For the most part this. Someone developed a Python script for calculating the In-Game coordinates after setting up the offset. It was initially developed for mortar use and because of that admins reluctantly gave it the thumbs up.
We’ve yet to see what happens if the script or the idea of coord calculation gets used on something as hard-hitting as an OB. Most we’re doing right now is just offsetting the coords maybe +/- 10 meters after someone tells through comms good OB coords depending on what happens on the ground.

2 Likes
11

You can absolutely use calculators to instantly get coordinates anywhere on the map in CM13, it’s totally legal. You won’t be banned or get into any trouble for using them, because to be frank, a child with primary school math, and a pen and paper can do exactly the same thing the coordinate calculator does. It’s first grader math, not rocket science.

It’s frowned upon by a sizable portion of the community because they perceive it as unfair, and there have been a few people who openly use it, but staff don’t take action on it.

Why? Because honestly, the impact of using webmaps to get coordinates is a non issue because 95% of players who use the mortar and get coordinates acquire them purely through rangefinders. I could count the number of people who use math to calculate coords on one hand.

If webmap coordinate calculators make OBs and mortars trivial, why don’t more people do it then?
Because even if it’s just basic addition and subtraction, the average SS13/14 player would rather suffer in agony and die rather than do math.

5 Likes
12

260 to 300 players? That sounds difficult to manage. How many marines do you see in each squad in round? How many xenomorphs do you typically have in a round? It sounds like the maps would be crowded. Do you do briefings? What times do you do briefings if you do?

I am surprised to hear you still have few Command players despite the population. Why do you think this is?

We do know about using coordinates via the webmap. I believe it is allowed still but I do not do it. The calculations take too much time and I prefer to give Squad Leaders their moment. People mostly think the calculations are unfair when I have spoken to them but others do not care much.

I typically do briefing by 0:17 into the round to give people time to decide on equipment. Some people have early briefings, or do briefings in CIC. I am lazy and do it in the briefing room. I do not often deploy at the start of the round because I like to see how an XO is doing first. Some of our XOs are inexperienced first time playing so I do not think it is fair.

Our squad memes are similar.

Alpha - New, inexperienced Will follow orders. Will shoot you in the back.
Bravo - FOB enthusiasts. They like to hug barricades.
Delta - First to rush in. First to die. They pretend to be stupid marines.
Charlie - Roleplay focused squad, they sometimes skip briefing to eat breakfast.

image
image856×908 170 KB

For strategy? Make sure the marines know what they need to know and have what they need to have.

As long as people are having fun, know what you want them to do and have the supplies to do it you’ll go a long way.

What maps are popular for Marines 220 players? LV 624 and Hybrisa Prospera are voted often here. What maps are not popular for Marines 220 players? Shivas Snowball and Fiorina Prison are not very popular here. Some people like these maps though.

Looking forward to your response.

3 Likes
13

Charlie also has the “wears stocking” meme here too, let’s be real.

4 Likes
14

IMG_2750
IMG_2750601×510 61.4 KB

enjoy our finest CM memes

7 Likes
16

Greetings,
In regards to this issue: We’ve been told by management that an OB coordinates calculator, deriving from coordinates in the webmap, is allowed. While not specified, I’m sure this extends to changing the coordinates displayed in webmap through altering the HTML code in the site itself.

I’m a long timer in the SL role and I haven’t yet encountered a situation where I couldn’t achieve the same result through basic math or my own methods, like grafting coordinates. While the webmap could theoretically offer an advantage by allowing you to place OBs in “fallback” positions that aren’t visible, ensuring you avoid walls, I personally don’t find it a game-changer as long as protections such as hive-core and pylons are in place at your server. I believe the use is more limited, at least for OB placement, than most people think it is.

The only real issue would be if people are using their ghost time to check where the hivecore protection ends, and then using an HE OB in that exact spot (through coordinates from the webmap) to destroy hive, as HE OB wave can hit beyond the hivecore. But that’s metagaming, it’s a different issue.

Summary

fdsf
fdsf901×670 90.4 KB

This is an example of an usage of webmap to get the perfect OB in a possible xeno retreat, hitting the exit area of two fall back points. Still could be done by adding 15 N from the middle of the dropship, a quick glance at the tacmap could’ve given you the same answer.

I hope I helped you tackle the issue. I’d like to get the opinions of Alan Jones in this topic, since it’s one of the few players I can trust with their opinions on OBs.

4 Likes
17

How dare you.

1 Like
18

When we just started playing on server, many XO’s just keep traditions about squad’s goals. If it works - why would I change it?

They really like to play Trijent Dam. And, dear God, every time I’m begging them to stop. This one is really hard for any pop.

Fun fact - almost every single round, the Delta squad has twice as many people as any other squad.
When we got a lot players (for now, we got a cap for 265, because if more - server dies (we have TTS, btw)), our brief starts by 0:20. Sometimes, 0:22. Even then, some of CO/XO says to just ignore brief, because some of us can’t handle req/med lines quick.

Many people here is just beginners, it’s alright.

About CO deployment. Well, ya see, a lot of time, there is not a full CIC. Even on highpop. Many people just don’t want to/too scared to/just unexpierenced well to play as SO. And… it’s hard. With this numbers of marines grounside, WITH TTS FROM ALL CHANNELS (it’s melting brains, I swear), with req, who is just started to learning things - it’s phew. Feels like ya playing piano at the first time.

I’d like to remark, that our CO whitelist was A LOT easier to get than yours. I think, there wouldn’t be even a ONE new CO, if we would use your WL tests and stuff (we just started to playing it, so, I get it).
But, at least, we still do split drop sometimes, like a Bob.
And sometimes, it works. (not because its very smart tactical move, but because if ya wouldn’t split two drops with 300+ pop, server dies).

2 Likes
19

For 150-200 marines, there are usually 30-50 xenos on average. Briefings usually take place at 19:00, with deployment at 22:00. The longest wait, of course, is in cargo, where marines typically spend 60% of their time on the Almayer.

The briefing room is almost always occupied, but the best part is still the flight on Alamo—especially when there’s a tank. It feels like being packed into a Tokyo subway during rush hour.

Since these are test runs (250+ players in high-pop, 150-180 in low-pop), they are held based on announcements, usually in the evening, with 2-5 games per day. I suspect that’s why there’s no urgent need for a large number of COs just yet.

The most played maps are Solaris, The Dam, and LV-624. The last one is both loved and hated—most players started on it, and the first server launches were there, giving it a cult status.

Also, thank you, Oswald Aalto, for taking the time to answer our questions. Many in our guild hold you in high regard.

By the way, is there any possibility of an internship? We’d love to observe and gain experience, perhaps as a junior lieutenant or adjutant. My English isn’t perfect, but it’s enough for reading and understanding situations in-game.

And yeah, the Charlie squad going for breakfast—funny enough, they recently started doing the same thing on our server, lol.

P.s. and pls , do not ask about stocking on Xeno…

image-222
image-222616×755 83.9 KB

3 Likes
20

Greetings,

Most of our players obviously came from inside this server, yoinking the greatest of memes (especially squad designations and common hate of Chance Claim with copypastas of it being translated into OOCs there) as well as getting our first memes ourselves, like one Queen player being called “geostrategist” of doing constant flanking tactics around the caves (legend says he once outflanged himself)

Our most popular (aka most played) maps are LV624 (because server starts always put it in first), Dam (the classic) and Hybrisa (because it is BIG)

As for our experience, it’s either “hard to win” or “Semi-RP” approach of COs (being CO in first-ever battle round, later becoming staff member, watching from ghosts, taking notes and cognitive analysis of other COs playing to find out who’s good who’s bad)

As for server structure, we have almost same build as yours with some tailored additions to meme/be closer to other build in infrastructure (TTS and turnable Xeno customisation (for streamers only to look at T3s in stockings is fun)).

But to answer questions - We are trying to be close in atmosphere with all of you, trying to keep it close with few Slavic additions in local memes.
But I hope that our communities will prosper together and will share funny stories between each other!

And question to you: we’ve lately encountered rounds, where it comes to stalemate around 75-90 minutes, where xenos afraid of the “white flame” and marines afraid of Queen+King combo. What was your experiences to deal with it? Both sides welcome to answer

3 Likes
21

Do you have the nuclear bomb? We usually save tech points for it when rounds look like they are going to drag on that long.

Sometimes you just can’t break either side and the stalemate continues. When this happens I usually deploy everyone I can and set an objective like getting to communications. I make it clear to every player on the marine side that we complete the objective or evacuate.

Games that go past 3+ hours are very tiring and at that point people just want the round to end.

White flame is something we argue over here. Queen+King is very very difficult to beat. I have seen Queen+King combo dealt with a few times before but it is a difficult one. Generally you want to kill the Queen first, then the hive, then the King.

Stimulants, Green Xenomorphs, White Flame are all very popular stalemate beakers with research players. Xenomorph players don’t have as many ways to break stalemates outside of King.

I am open to more specific questions over Discord if you have access to it.

If you see me in game feel free to ask questions also.

I like to make time to help CIC players understand what we are doing and why.

This is very very funny.

1 Like