While working on Project: Gauss I discovered many ways to block the powerful gauss cannon that can shoot through most objects in the game. While this glitch has made for some interesting mini-games, it is hardly enjoyable in a competitive map, so it is best to use these methods if a Gauss Hog is on your map. This discussion will be in two parts, the first listing all parts that absorb the shots alone and the second on how to proof other parts so they are safe as well. 1. Parts that Block Shots: –Rocks –Thick Glass (glass on blocks does not count.) –Traffic Cones –Anything in the "Toys" category, including Tin Cups and die. –Grids –Sandbags –Power-ups (Camo, Overshield, Custom) –Shield Doors and 1-Way Shields –Any Natural Terrain (Ground, Rock, Trees, etc...) Notes: It should be said that while overshields block the shots, they will not save you when picked up. On normal gametypes you may survive a shot or two from temporary invincibility, but the actual shielding will not save you. Parts put inside others or between two walls will absorb the shot while still looking good. For example: a grid placed in the space between the bases on a sidewinder like map would stop the shots after they go through the coliseum walls on each side. 2. Doubling-Up parts: While shooting with the Gauss Hog a while back I noticed that as I shot at two large braces at a 90 degree angle I could shoot through them everywhere besides where they merged. Testing this theory, I found that Any Merged area between two pieces of any kind will stop a gauss shot. That means to cheaply proof a wall simply put another part inside it that will merge with it all the way across. Often it is best to use the same part again, but often you can use a large part to proof several walls or other areas. For example, if you have a floor of brace_large's you want to proof of gauss shots, and you don't care how it looks from the bottom or you can make it work, simply put a coliseum wall or a grid merging into them that won't show above. This is a great solution and one that can be used in many maps. Unfortunately, all of this makes fighting framerate much harder, as your map will likely feature more glass and merged parts in order to stop the shots going through. However, with a lot of budgeting and careful choices it is still very possible to make it run smoothly. Dig deep and decide which parts you really need and think hard about what you can do to make it work better! Edit: It seems certain parts merged together (especially ones of very different thickness) may not stop the shots. However, this is still under scrutiny and should be looked into and tested on your own map.
When I tested this, a 5x5 flat merged entirely inside a coliseum wall did not block the gauss shots, but two 5x5s merged together did. Also coliseum windows did not block the shots.
The glass on coliseum windows should, I tested those and they did block it shooting at their glass. Interesting about the 5 x 5 and the coliseum wall, I didn't think that would be an issue. Are you absolutely sure you hit it? I know a coliseum wall and a brace large works fine, as I am using it now.
I'm positive in both cases. I put a fusion coil behind, shot at the fusion coil, and there was an explosion. The map I was working on was about where kiparis was in case that is a problem.
Hmm. Well, sometimes parts let a little damage through, but it probably did then. Weird exception I suppose. I still want to test this with two people to make sure.
I am assuming that if you use two identical objects and merge them together, that you can move one ever so slightly so that you eliminate z-fighting?
Yes, I have had no problem making parts merge with no z fighting and still looking like a single part.
This really should be added to the tips and tricks thread, it could be useful in actually making the gauss, well.. useful.