#battlemode

Iron Giant Battle Mode by Sentinel

Taken by nuo2x2 with Sony ZV1

demonic presence detected 

After the last post I have been binge-playing Battlemode in Eternal now (also progressing in the campaign on Nightmare), trying different demons, the Slayer, being paired up with different people etc. Here are some more thoughts:

1. As the Slayer I come to find that just because I am able to progress on hard difficulty in the campaign does not automatically guarantee that I will do well in Battlemode. Which is to say, it’s still difficult for me as the Slayer when the demons know what they are doing. Still results in long, tense fights though. Would have probably won more if it weren’t for the resurrect thing and a certain tendency among players to turn tail and run when their teammate dies. Not even so much trying to keep hurting - just running.

1.1 I am aware of the well-loved SSG-Ballista combo. Or tactical scope + Ballista. I am making use of these and other weapons plus mods, depending on the situation. The order of weapons when I mouse-scroll them is different from the campaign’s though, which can be irritating. Been able to beat the Marauder in the campaign on Nightmare much faster than in my first UV run just switching between SSG and Ballista, but I can’t do that quite as well in Battlemode... yet.

1.2 I do like how I feel encouraged to switch between the weapon mods. In the campaign, there is one for each weapon I prefer to stick with, but in Battlemode it can depend on the opponents’ playstyle. So I find myself using the Remote Detonation more often actually, compared to campaign, where I usually go for lock-on for the Rocket Launcher.

2. Please don’t leave mid-match and leave your poor teammate alone. 

3. I definitely think Battlemode could benefit from a separate level/ranking system. Not even dependent on the Slayer level because a) a high level does not guarantee that the player is well-acquainted with any of the demon playables, and b) anything above 20 indicates that player has already gone through the campaign, which from then on says little about their actual skill. In my experience so far anyway. Just a separate ranking system dependent on your performance in Battlemode.

3.1 I feel like this would help the whole balancing debate too. 

4. I found I love playing as the Archvile. I think it’s going to be my main :3 Though for the sake of achievements and such I will be playing other demons as well, which also depends on what my teammate picks (no two Archviles). 

5. There is this persisting glitch with the summon wheel when you start a new round that I sure hope will get fixed. The noise it makes kinda hurts.

6. Apparently, disabling the weapon skins and setting them to default will fix that issue where your demon skin won’t show properly. Should be fixed too. I’d love to use the different weapon skins AND the demon skins XP Hipster Archvile I’m coming!

Despite my heart pounding like crazy every time I go to battlemode in DOOM Eternal, I actually convinced myself to try it out a few times. Still fairly new to it - I played two matches as demon (Archvile and Revenant) and a few as Slayer. Been winning and losing.

Contrary to what a lot of people say (so it seems), I actually find Battlemode enjoyable? I am not going to say it’s flawless, and I haven’t been in a ton of matches yet, but I think it’s a creative idea and offers interesting dynamics (as long as everyone is engaged equally). It could definitely benefit from more maps and perhaps new demons in the future (I understand the proper implementation of new player types takes time, especially when you want to consider balancing).

As far as balancing is concerned, it’s... difficult to tell. Whenever I played as Slayer so far there were two scenarios: either I lose terribly 3-1 or I own the place with 3-0. And this depended on how well the demon players were coordinated (and experienced to some degree too, definitely) and how well they knew to use their abilities. Perhaps I need to “git gud” myself even when I have finished the game on UV and now am going through Nightmare. But every battle gives experiences and forces you to change your strategy.

As demon... my own chances were better actually, but I have been watching videos for it to get a better grasp on the mechanics and tactics. Strategic placement of summons and hazard/health goes a long way, as does situational awareness. I suppose the advantage is definitely on the demons’ side if they communicate somehow, but when this option is not given, you just have to keep an eye out on what your demon partner is doing and adapt.  And most importantly, don’t just leave your teammate alone in the middle of a match. It’s just unfair imo. And pay attention and don’t target your Marauder partner instead of the Slayer.

Overall, I think I like it even when I am not always winning, and I am having hopes that the mode will be expanded in the future for more variety.