[Epyon MX]

Touch return isn't really the deal breaker that indestructible vehicles is. In both cases, I don't really get what Bungie was thinking when they set up the way they did.

In both cases, it is possible to have a good CTF match without them working. The indestructible vehicles thing especially. On a 4v4, it's not a big deal having an extra warthog. Using 2 Warthogs means that you have everyone in a Warthog and no one defending. But on 6v6 or 8v8, having 2 Warthogs is a major advantage.

Touch return can stay or go. My opinion of it varies for each map. On bigger maps, it's a real plus for me. But on a smaller map like Valhalla (Valhalla, btw, is like half the size of Blood Gulch), it can just be painful.

It's all moot, because EPIC CTF really requires a large map with bases and a lot of players. Something we have neither of at the moment. I have faith that we can get the players, but the maps are still lacking (literally ZERO big maps). Hopefully, Rat's Nest in the Heroic pack satisfies that. All the same, I have to wonder how many people will buy the map pack when there are so many other great games out right now.

It's extremely obvious that Bungie has no intention of recreating the feel of Halo 1 in any of their Halo 3 maps. Halo 3 is all about non-stop action. Never take a breath, never release the trigger. All the maps are smaller and there are no big traditional maps. (Even Halo 2 had Waterworks and Coagulation was big.) These changes to the vehicles and touch return highlight that. They are designed to keep the game quickly progressing to the end. Vehicles respawn back at your base with full-health and ready for duty. Blahblahblah.

Here's my problem (and why I'm so dysfunctional about all this trivial stuff): Normally, if you don't like a sequel, then you can just go back and play the original. The original isn't broken, it's still functional. So for all the times I complain about Halo 3 I still go back and play Halo 1. I do this a lot. But I can only do that for the Campaign. I wouldn't complain so much about Halo 3 if I could still get a good network game of Halo 1 going. Unfortunately, the days are over when I could round up 10-15 people for a good LAN session of Halo. Halo 3 is my only option, and it's turning into a non-option.

Oh well. If that's the way it is, then that's the way it is.

Conclusion: EPIC FLAG is going to be a lot different than I wish it would be, but I'm certain we can still find a good working variant.

P.S. I will probably continue to complain in this thread, but hopefully no where else. So if you don't like my whining, then go somewhere else.