EPTHistory
Not too long before broodwar was released, KnIgHtCoM (with the slight help of others) created a UMS map named V-tec. This map was a pioneer, if not the very first, of the paintball genre. For those who are not familiar, the object of paintball maps is simple - reach a certain kill score before the other team using a variety of units. V-tec introduced a system of play that included a flag, however, it retained its paintball nature and did not become a full \'capture-the-flag\' game. Rather, the flag was instead only used as a catalyst for action. This was a huge developement for the genre. As broodwar came into existance, the game\'s focus slowly changed from a spells type of micro into a more fast-paced mechanical/positioning battle.
Around this time is when V-tec experienced its golden years with the forming of multiple clans on multiple servers, and always with USEast sporting the top players. Even to this day, there is still a rivalry between East players (Easties) and West players (Westies).
With the rise of other popular copycat maps (*cough*Snipers*cough*), sport maps, and other various competative games (TMA anyone?), V-tec lost its popularity with the masses. A solid base of around 30 players, however, still played frequently (often at Op V-tec @ USEast). Today this base has dropped to around 15-20 players, or so, and games are usually arranged via AIM.
Rules
Taken from the mission briefing of Enhanced:
In this scenerio, the objective is to accumulate a total team score of 25-100 kills. You will start with a Terran Civilian that can be morphed by walking up to one of the green tubes in your team base. The tubes consist of Protoss, Zerg, and Terran characters. You can only morph when you are a Terran Civilian. The Young Chrysalis growing near your team flag beacon changes your units back into a Terran Civilian.
To earn extra units, capture your opposing team's flag and return the flag carrier back to your team beacon. This game includes many upgrades starting at 5 kills and increasing up to 20 kills. The Upgrade Center is located at the left-center section of the map. This map also contains an anti-camping system.
To earn extra units, capture your opposing team's flag and return the flag carrier back to your team beacon. This game includes many upgrades starting at 5 kills and increasing up to 20 kills. The Upgrade Center is located at the left-center section of the map. This map also contains an anti-camping system.
At first glance, the rules are fairly simple. In a 1v1 game be the first team to reach 25 kills, in a 2v2 game be the first team to reach 50 kills, ect.. Return the flag and get another unit to use to help kill your opponents.
However, in tournament play (as well as high level casual games), a set of unwritten rules were always observed in the best manner possible.
The first unwritten rule is no camping. While, the game has a built in \'no-camping\' trigger for the base, it is still possible to abuse it and achieve cheapness. Also, you can camp the upgrade area to prevent the other team from upgrading, making the game totally broken. The solution is simple - just be manner at the upgrade area and wait your turn (done by moving your unit around to prevent a fire or mashing stop as fast as possible) as well as dont abuse the base triggers. If a kill is made accidently, offer a sacrifice back to even the score.
The second is concerned with unit balance. When a person has captured the flag, that unit turns into a \'flag carrier\'. While having low health, this unit does excellent damage and can easily overpower unupgraded units. The rule is this: simply return to your base asap after turning into the flag carrier and only attack in self defence. You are able to do whatever is necessary to survive, however, even if this means not returning asap... just dont abuse this powerfull unit.
The third also is concerned with balance. It is seen as bad manners to use more than 2 units per player to attack with at a time, as well as upgrading to a mutalisk (15 kills) before the opposing team can upgrade to its counter, the ghost (10 kills).
The fourth is team killing. While it was an abusable issue in the earlier versions of the game, the newer versions have fixed this issue. Just don\'t do it and everything is fine.
Usually a breach of any of these rules results in the forfeit of the game by whomever broke them.
Basic Strategy
The strategy and depth of v-tec is vast and comes mostly from experience, so I offer just some basic advices.
The start of the game operates on a basic rock/paper/scissors system, with the diagram like this: Marine>Zergling>Dragoon>Marine. However, with proper micro and positioning, this system can be broken.
Not all units are created equall. Some can only fill specific roles, while others can be seen as a more general unit. For example, a firebat is generally only good vs zerglings and a templar (tassadar) only generally good vs marines. Of course situations will arise that can change all of this, but generally it is right.
Every unit has a different upgrade, but they all come at specific times. The first is at 5 kills, the next at 10, the next at 15, and the final at 20. For the 10 and 20 mark, only one or two units get an upgrade change while the rest stay the same.
Timing is very important. Attacking the flag while the other team is upgrading will result in less defence at the flag. Counter-flagging may give your team the edge necessary to kill their flag carrier. Attacking while the opponent is respawning will allow you to overpower the remaining defenders/ect..
Future
Right now, the future for V-tec looks very bleak. Most of the regular players are gone, and the ones that are still around dont game often. Hopefully this thread will revitalize the scene a bit. Perhaps if there is enough interest, a tournament of sorts could be arranged ^^ There is always a channel open for people wanting to play (Op V-tec @USEast), but maybe we could get a few games going in Op TL-West ^^
Alright, thats it. If you want more info as well as the maps, you can go to the humble v-tec site http://www.members.shaw.ca/v_tec/ or you can give me a pm with your questions --. The current map we play is Enhanced, although we occasionally game on Evolutions.
oh, and hurray colts!~
