Eight Emerald Legs

[Felipe dos]

It is with great pride that, at long last, I present to the Forge Hub community my second playable aesthetic map.

Download

This map has been featured on Forge Hub's front page
Click here to view the thread.

COMPATIBLE WITH ALL GAMETYPES
RECOMMENDED 6-14 PLAYERS

Backstory
This rig was once inhabited by the several men and women sent to extract the earth’s final oil reserves in the freezing arctic climate. Due to the sub-zero temperature, the unexplored region was deemed it unfit for sustaining animal life. One species of spider, however, thrived in the cavernous ice. Their growth unrestricted by predators or a small habitat, they became immense. Many grew larger than the oil rig itself. The curious beasts found themselves attracted to the commotion of the operating workers, who were unable to escape the gargantuan arthropods.

One spider remains atop the rig today, keeping claim to its new prize.

Eight Emerald Legs is quite the one-of-a-kind Blackout map. It combines gameplay from the original geometry with the advent of a structure built outside of the map’s elastic barrier. Gameplay is very unique in that it creates a major threat from above, rather than providing a completely horizontal battlefield. Blackout’s many levels are perfectly suitable for giving cover from overhead fire.

All surfaces atop the spider provide excellent platforms for combat and maneuvering. Here lie the sentinel beam, 2 carbines, 2 plasma grenades, and a bubble shield.

In all asymmetric and most symmetrical gametypes, attackers will start inside of the spider while defenders find themselves below on Blackout.

Here in the attackers’ starting point (in the back of the spider) lie 2 frag grenades, a brute shot, and an active cammo powerup.

Near the defenders' base are a shotgun, a battle rifle, 2 plasma grenades, 2 SMGs, and an overshield.

Four teleporters inside of the spider’s legs link the original map with the structure standing above. Each of these teleporters will only take players from Blackout to the structure, as it is entirely possible to jump from the spider, pass through the elastic barrier, and land below on the original map.

Many surfaces on Blackout that are now accessible have homicidal tendencies. These surfaces are covered in shield doors. If players happen to find themselves atop any surface such as this, 3 seconds will follow before instant death by the guardians is inflicted. Players have these three seconds to jump free of the shield doors.

It is understandable that this map would not remain original in the least if most gameplay was centered around Blackout, an already existing map. To combat this weapons and spawns have been rearranged, map flow is intended to lead to the spider, and the spider itself changes the geometry of original Blackout.

Gameplay inside of the spider, much like the inside of Blackout, is intended for close-quarters combat. An SMG, a spiker, and a trip mine reside here.

Here is a great overview of the entire spider, courtesy of Debo37.

Action shots

Carbines lie atop many of the spider's legs

A sentinel beam is found near the spider's head

The beam rifle can be easily utilized by those on the spider

The spider's geometry creates very interesting gameplay in King of the Hill and Territories

The custom gametype, Jumping Snipers, provides some of the best experiences the map can offer.

The room inside of the spider can be difficult to infiltrate

The rockets lie in default shotgun spawn, next to a teleporter bringing any player to the spider for an aerial attack, such as Debo37 owning Grif and I in a game of territories.

Weapons and Equipment
5 Battle Rifles (2 spare clips, 45 second respawn)
4 Assault Rifles (1 spare clip, 45 second respawn)
3 SMGs (2 spare clips, 60 second respawn)
2 Carbines (2 spare clips, 45 second respawn)
1 Needler (2 spare clips, 90 second respawn)
1 Rocket Launcher (1 spare clip, 180 second respawn)
1 Shotgun (1 spare clip, 120 second respawn)
1 Beam Rifle (120 second respawn)
1 Brute Shot (2 spare clips, 120 second respawn)
1 Sentinel Beam (120 second respawn)
1 Spiker (2 spare clips, 60 second respawn)

8 Plasma Grenades (10 second respawn)
4 Frag Grenades (10 second respawn)
2 Bubble Shields (60 second respawn)
1 Trip Mine (60 second respawn)
1 Regenerator (60 second respawn)
1 Overshield (120 second respawn)
1 Active Cammo (120 second respawn)

Recommended Gametypes
Jumping Snipers
Territories
One flag
One bomb
Team Slayer

Special Thanks
Debo37
Badkarmacoble
Linubidix
Scarfac3d
xSharpsooter94
Mr McHaggis1
CaMOfo
Evilvillager
Playerhata27
HighImpact1
Paulie Walnuttz
BuddhaCrane
Rafael Romulo
Chipsinabox
Trace007
And many more

Download Eight Emerald Legs
Download Custom Gametype Jumping Snipers

[Debo37]

Felipe, I'm extremely happy that this is finished and out there. You've put so much time and effort into it that it's simply astounding. You should have kept track of all the hours spent making this like the Castlanche guy did! Haha. Anyway, this map is not only my favorite aesthetic map ever, but it's one of my favorite playable ones as well. The gameplay on this thing is incredible, especially considering how difficult it must have been to balance the gigantic spider towering over Blackout with the rest of the map. When I first thought up the idea for a giant spider this summer when we were doing volunteer work I honestly didn't think it was possible, but you've soundly proven me wrong.

Massive kudos to you for actually building something breathtaking. Maps with a "WOW" factor are seldom seen these days, and it's really refreshing to see one. When I first loaded up your map and looked into the sky I pretty much shat my pants. This is by far the biggest (and most badass) aesthetic structure ever created! Nothing even remotely compares to the size of this spider, and the fact that you've created it with Blackout's terrible Forge palette goes to show just how innovative a Forger you are and have become. Few maps can impress total Forge-nubs like this one can. Many times when total strangers have joined my testing parties they've freaked out and exclaimed things like "Is this even possible?!" and "Holy crap!! It's a giant spider!"

This map will definitely be an inspiration to aesthetic map creators now and in the foreseeable future. 8 Emerald Legs will go down in Forge history along with End of the Line as one of the aesthetic maps that just plain blew everyone away. I wouldn't doubt a Feature (and you attaining Premium) or even a BoF nomination for this map. It's seriously that good. Excellent job!

[evilvillager]

Simply amazing. One of the very best playable aesthetic. This is even better than the maps that just use blackout as a floating map template. This map incorporates with the default blackout. CTF, bomb, territories, and jumping snipers are definitely the most fit gametypes for this map. Being able to go from the spider to the map and vice versa is absolutely amazing, it definitely adds a twist in gameplay. There are several places from the spider in which you are able to drop down into blackout making territories more interesting. And traveling across the spider during bomb and CTF gives the players a lot more options than just going through normal blackout.

this map is a definite DL for all players. and i agree with debo37, this map needs a feature.
P.S. thanks for including me in the special thanks list, and woot, i see me and my guest in the jumping snipers picture
P.P.S. sorry, you won't have my download for this since we already played this map together. (meaning i already got this map and gametype from the recent games thingy)

[sam007halo23]

wow amazing,
and it's playable this should be featured

On to the map:
Nice geomerging and a good use of interlocking. I like the bit where the stairs are geomerged into the wall.

I think one flag plays the best
but I haven't tryed jumping snipers

overall 5/5

[KevinXI]

wow dude this looks really cool, I just downloaded it and cant wait to test it out. I'm still confused on how someone would get to the top of the spider from below, but i'm sure you explained it in your description somewhere and i'm too tired to see it. ok, off to bed for me.

[Vorpal Saint]

Talk about a funky name. lulz. You should have called it The Ider of Spider. lolololol. But no really, looks godly felipe! This is truly a work of masterly forge. I can not WAIT to try this out. I'm so going to get a game on it later today when I'll be on. :D

I'll be back with a report. ;)

[unholy3x900x]

this map is very very good and playable

[HydroZoid]

holy shit....

alright im officially un-grounding myself so i can go play this ASAP

*distant noise in the backround*.....SHUT UP DAD!!!


LOLOLOL...vorpal...ider of spider XD --it's VORPAL not VORPRAL. D:< -Vorpal.

EDIT: aaaaaaaaw crap! this means i missed debo night huh...... =(

EDIT: hey felipe, next time you make a fantastic asthetic map, dont take screenies of it...
your recent screenshots were just waaaay too tempting not too check out....

[GD 27 Sh0ckWave]

Wow. I remember when Ire Of Fire was featured a while ago. You are truly skilled with making aesthletic maps play well. The spider is amazing and the fact that you didn't do it on Avalanche is evan better. Does this use the budget glitch? Because I would like to see it there :)

I think Mr. Philipe Dos is going to get premium! Great job, your work shows!!

[Kion FH]

I think this needs to be featured. This is an amazing map. The spider not only looks good but blocks off entrances, completly changing the gameplay of the map. It looks like it plays exellently. Incredible asthetics! 5/5