: Actually, I use the same strategy for finding secrets, as documented on my
: Rubicon Secrets page. It's interesting that John and I have very different
: interests when it comes to playing a level to the fullest. His goal is to
: pick up all the ammo, and he'll put himself in harms way to do so. No need
: to explore an area of there's no ammo there, but he'll use 20 rounds of
: grenades to pick up one magnum round (perhaps I exaggerate, especially
: since he's a master at fists-only).
Yes, you are exaggerating quite a bit, but I know it's partly in jest. Let me clarify further my approach to a typical level. Anytime I play any level of any scenario, I have four FIRM goals in mind. Those are (1) completely explore the entire level, (2) defeat all enemies....and I mean all...Ticks, Juggs, everything...using NO ammo or as little as possible...(I'll even fist a Jugg till I defeat it, just to avoid using ammo...obsessive I know, but aren't we all to a degree?), (3) collect all ammo, and (4) find all secrets. Now, anyone with a modest amount of Marathon experience knows that it is not possible to complete all four of these goals on every level. Consequently, sometimes I have to relax one or more of these goals in order to complete certain levels. So let me just say this: When playing any level of any scenario, I will do my very best to complete all four of these goals.
: John and I probably both
: explore Come and Take your Medicine fully - John for the ammo and me to
: see what's out there (but I do pick up all the ammo, of course).
Absolutely, that is one of my favorites for exploring. But all four goals are still in mind when playing even this level.
:On the
: other hand, if a particular area in a map is dangerous to explore and ends
: up wasting a ton of ammo to reach, I'll reluctantly skip it, particularly
: if I'm low on ammo. If there's a round to be had, John'll go for it.
Steve is not quite correct in that I will sacrifice almost anything in order to obtain ammo. I cannot think of any scenario in which the creator placed an ammo cache in a location where I have had to use even a modest amount of ammo for the purpose of collecting it (this is assuming that it is even possible to obtain it). If a particular ammo cache is heavily guarded by enemies, then I WILL find a way to grab that ammo without using ammo, or at worst I will end up using a very small amount. Trust me, when it comes to collecting ammo, I know all the tricks in the book. And I will use any means possible (short of cheating) to get it.
