Genestealer suggestions

[silveralen]

I almost started replying to the news topic, but thought it might be more appropriate here. Anyways, suggestions for Genestealers.

First off wall climbing sounds awesome, great for ambushes. However, if Genestealers will by marine sized standing on two legs, the model and animation might be an issue. I still like the idea of a large forward leap with Genestealer, with the option of jumping high and then clinging to the surface.

I also think the leap could make a cool pounce attack. But again, just stuff I making up, wall climbing and sprint+movement speed will be every bit as useful.

[Rekoil]

i was thinking of getting a regeneration trait when you kill a marine it stays true to the name

[silveralen]

I think the devs are staying away from healing at this point, could unbalance things a bit. Also not sure how true that would be to fluff, but a cool idea nonetheless.

[Joven]

Jep, healing in general would be a real balance massacre without giving both sides adequate opportunities. And even then it's complicated and needs exhaustive rebalancing, just think of a fex or termi being healed (even though that wasn't part of your proposition; just to give you an example)

[ChromeAngel]

i was thinking of getting a regeneration trait when you kill a marine it stays true to the name

A kind of vampirism? Taking health from an enemy to yourself?

Not just plain regeneration or healing, the stealer would still need to get into close combat to make the kill.  I kind of like this idea (it's easy to code), but it's not really by the codex.

[Joven]

Well, It's surely a nice mechanic, though it sounds a little bit imba if you consider that the stealer's going to be a fast class. Though I like the Idea of a "front breaker" that is easy to take down unless his claws are in your range =) Would make collecting points for nids easier too.
Well, nevermind. Sounds like Fluff outrage =)

[Valvatorez Jr.Commissar]

Crawling on walls means giving Genestealers flesh hooks so they get a ranged attack in addition to that. Would it also be possible for them to pin down Space Marines like Hunters do to the Survivors in Left 4 Dead? However you should  only do that if it's not too complicated to animate and possible on the version of Source EX2 runs on.

[Farseer]

the idea of a lifestealing thing sounds good actually, its one of those mechanics that increases  survivability for squishy targets.

Although i would suggest making it a per hit lifesteal, a flat percentage. I.e stealer hits for 100, he has a 50% lifesteal, he gets 50 health back. These arent final numbers, just an example. This would make the stealer a class that is both dangerous and not dangerous.

Either you run in and kill the sm if ur skilled, or you die trying. Stealers would become a pesky class, like a scout with mad milk.

A good alternative would be a forward lunge, a la aliens in aliens vs predator 2. If u hit the enemy with it, he takes dmg, if u dont then you just close the distance faster.

Edit: fluffwise it may or may not fit, but i think lifesteal is one of those things that should be allowed to bend the rules a little.