Difference between revisions of "Warmer"

Revision as of 18:58, 28 April 2008

Warmer is a rope-based scheme initially used in preparation for Roper and later Rope Race matches. On WormNET this is commonly known as "warming up", explaining the origin of the scheme's name. It has been popular throughout the history of all three second generation Worms games, sometimes called "rope fun" (as opposed to rope ladder) on Worms 2.

Uses & Mentality

While still played, online and offline, as a prelude to league and other serious games involving roping today, the Warmer scheme owes its significant position in the history of WormNET to the dedicated followers playing it withthe intention of having fun, showing off their style and improving their roping skills. The ratio between these goals naturally varies from one player to another depending on their level of experience as well as their personality and even current mood, but all three aspects are observed in those most renown for their achievements in the scheme.

The vast majority of Warmer enthusiasts are reasonably competent in Roper and RR games (and vice versa) because of the relatively similar nature of the schemes at first glance, but the differences between them become quite resounding at close inspection or once a certain level of dedication and expertise is achieved. If most other roping schemes focus primarily on efficiency and consistency, stylish inserts and creativity in them perceived as over-the-top bonuses in the best of cases (brain-dead tempting of fate in the worst), Warmer is their polar opposite. In order to fully enjoy the scheme, developing your own style is key, so attempts at craziness no one has ever done before, at speeds no one has ever reached before, are commonplace during games, making them an impressive sight for everyone involved. Perhaps the most evident example of the creativity is the large number of roping tricks and combos that have been, and continue to be invented by ropers associated with the Warmer following.

When not merely used to warm up for something else, the scheme easily lasts longer than any other played on WormNET. A game length of over an hour is not uncommon, with the alleged records reaching thrice that length and more. Patience is therefor a commendable quality of anyone taking part and it is in fact not unheard of to have a gentlemanly Warmer partner skip a go in case you crash 2 seconds into your turn.

Rules

The laid back concept of the Warmer scheme requires no rules as such, although it is worth pointing out that killing and blocking other players' worms, as well as wasting turn time not roping (or doing anything else equally entertaining) will get you kicked out of any future games hosted by your victims before you can say "Oijogja". An obvious solution to intentional hecklery is taking Girders, Longbows and Nukes out of your scheme, and making worms invincible, even though that doesn't prevent all possible abuse. Only knowing the people you're playing with well does that.

Another guideline rather than actual rule, especially when not everyone in a game with many players is laden with patience, is to make sure the skill level of the ropers taking part is at least approximately equal. That way nobody has to wait for their turn disproportionately long, removing potential frustration. This of course doesn't apply when a new player is being shown the ropes, but that's best done with few other players anyway.

Schemes

A multitude of Warmer schemes exist, ranging from the minimalist variation which only includes the Parachute and Ninja Rope at power 5, to ones including all or most of the weapons available in the game, save for the rest of the F8 row as to not interfere with the selection of the essential Chute and Rope. The most commonly encountered variation, however, is simply a Roper scheme with a longer turn time (usually 45, 60 or 90 seconds, toggled in relation to the number of players in the game) and fall damage turned off. The Invincible Worms setting is optional; the extra security it offers comes at the cost of being able to see how much damage attacks cause.

On Worms World Party, the scheme is more often than not played with the Sticky Wormpot mode enabled, rendering most would-be fatal mistakes harmless, much to the chagrin of any snobby Worms Armageddon ropers within noticing distance. The consensus, though, is that the state of affairs is not catastrophic as long as the Super Rope mode remains disabled.

To download the scheme variations, scroll down to the Resources section.

Maps

The maps used are normally regular Roper maps consisting of two randomly generated islands, either edited or not, enclosed within a border and with the water level set to water drop. Although attempts to create maps specifically targeted at the scheme, which are usually lower and sometimes include RR sections, have been made with some success, they are mostly frowned upon by experienced ropers with the justification that random shapes feel more natural, offer more variety and thus stay interesting and challenging longer.

Examples of maps associated with the Warmer scheme can be found in the Resources section.

History

For a long time period, beginning before the official rankings were taken down on Worms Armageddon already, a player's overall reputation depended largely on their skill with the Rope (unless of course you socialised exclusively with default scheme extremists who at the time valued BnG and Elite skill above all else). The Warmer scheme, with its sandbox design and freestyle mentality, is perfect for showcasing said skill and was hence played by the vast majority of the game's most notable players during those, considered by many golden years.

However, most likely because of the scheme's goallessness in the eyes of those too accustomed to having a clear objective in sight, Warmers have suffered gaps in mass popularity, especially in more recent times. In an attempt to repopularise the scheme during one such gap by appealing to the competitive players, the roping style contests were born. Despite being a logistical nightmare to host and not exactly based on an objective system, the roping community's reception was warm and over ten [Exact number, anyone?] tournaments have been hosted since the idea's conception by X-Worms, mostly by them but by other groups of individuals and leagues as well.

Notable People Associated With the Scheme

• Anubis: Controversial, but highly skilled and recognised Warmer player. Legendary taps.
• c0o1: Nigh unlimited imagination on the rope. No trick is impossible.
• Flex: X-Worms judge with a unique, connected roping style full of long trick combinations and precise bounces.
• FlowingWater: X-Worms member, author of many roping maps and the first roping movie. Amazingly fluent style.
• IllAzz: Furiously fast.
• IllBeBack: Created the XRT and the most remixed (roping) map ever, 2Hooks.
• Jmoberg: Highly respected, often impersonated gentleman of the scheme. Legendary scrolls!
• Komodo: Played Warmers almost exclusively until controversially switching to BnG. Double-handed tapping.
• Mablak: X-Worms judge and one of the most highly acclaimed Warmer players. Blindingly quick.
• Marco: Founding member of X-Worms, mentor and inspiration to many exceptional ropers and RR'ers.
• OutofOrder: Dedicated, stylish Warmer player. Made many maps. Long time ambassador of the mentality.
• Pure: An extremely fast and fun roper, remembered also for his RR maps, many nicknames and the qp alias clan.
• Ropa: Winner of several style contests, known for being able to adopt entirely different roping styles. Cough.
• Saltyk9: Great Roper player, but quite spectacular in Warmers when in the right mood, too.
• TheOne: One of Marco's most prominent disciples. Allegedly holds the record of most pixel kicks in a row.
• Volrin: Widely appreciated roper whose skill is often recalled and celebrated. Even by those who never met him!
• Wargod: X-Worms judge and an exceptionally creative Warmer and RR player.

Resources

Here you can get your hands on everything needed to host a game of Warmer. Have fun.

Scheme Variations

• Warmer (WA) (Invincible Variation)
• Warmer (WA) (Minimalist Variation)
• Warmer (WA) (Roper Variation)

• Warmer (WWP) (Invincible Variation)
• Warmer (WWP) (Minimalist Variation)
• Warmer (WWP) (Roper Variation)

Maps & Map Packs

• The Evolution of a Roper Map 1: A compilation dating back to the early days of roping. Details in the comments.
• Roper Map Pack by Franz: His third collection, previous two have been used in X-Worms style contests.
• NS + OS Warmer Map Pack by AutoFord: A modern yet strangely nostalgic pack of textured BIT maps.

... add more maps at will, but they should be either of high quality or somehow relevant for the article. Best is both.