deep hatch
This post is just to expand upon the current balterium interference that already exists in game. Human infantry can use the interference to track down deposits, but for the most part you will use you eyes to search for the silica crystals instead of using the scanner.
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It would be nice if there were smaller deeper deposits with no visible surface markers that early game infantry or even late game can locate and mark with a waypoint or plantable flag or beacon. these deposits would likely have to be half or less the size of standard deposits to prevent an extreme excess of resources. but can give early scouts some gameplay while the base builds up. these deeper deposits can only be mined if they are "discovered" by infantry.
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Balterium is mentioned as a byproduct of the aliens. the large surface deposits could act almost radioactive and do damage over time only to small early game aliens giving early scouts a place to hide. this would only really be useful vs melee aliens such as crabs and wasps. larger aliens such as behemoth and scorpion would be much more resistant, so there use late game is more limited. (the smaller deeper deposits as previously mentioned would not harm the aliens at all). Depleting deposits enough will no longer damage aliens.
2.5) as a counter to point 2 missiles in flight while passing close to deposits with more than 50% of the deposit remaining, such as rocket truck or heavy will have their guidance systems interfered with causing the rockets to lose their lock and spiral out of control. the radius of the effect would only be a smallish bubble around each deposit. but this could add some interesting environmental interactions for players.
misty sleet