Game Mode
From NS community wiki
Natural Selection currently has two forms of gameplay. Each is easily identified by the map's heading prefix. Combat maps begin with "co_", whereas Natural Selection maps begin with "ns_".
Natural Selection
The NS game mode, also known as 'Classic', combines first person action with unique strategy elements. The Frontiersmen (TSA) must work with their commander and each other to secure resources and defeat the enemy--the commander provides them with equipment and researches new technology on the tech tree. The Kharaa must secure resources to build new hives, which increase their power and abilities, all while hunting Frontiersmen. To achieve victory, each team must destroy their enemy's ability to respawn. There is no time limit on NS games. This mode is well suited for medium-to-large numbers of players.
This is the original gameplay. It revolves around a resource system, in which both conflicting teams must fight for control over the map and the resource nozzles. The Marine Team begins in a static location known as "Marine Start", while the Alien Team begins at one of the multiple hives spread throughout the map. The average number of hives in a NS game is three.
For further information, see Game Mode:NaturalSelection.
Combat
Combat is a fast and furious alternate gameplay mode, where waves of marines and aliens fight each other in short, intense games. It forgoes the strategy elements (most notably the Commander, resources, and tech tree) of the NS game mode. Players are rewarded for kills by gaining access to better weapons and equipment (marines), or abilities and lifeforms (aliens). The marines win by killing the alien hive; the aliens win by killing the marine command console.
This gameplay mode is well suited for small numbers of players, and players who are unfamiliar with the (more complex) NS game mode. If you're a new player, give Combat a try first. It's based around a experience point system, which allows for a wider range of abilities. Through this, players can try new combinations of upgrades and skills allowing themselves to familiarize with the variety of options presented.
For further information, see Game Mode:Combat.
