Lethal Company, the co-operative horror shooter, throws players into a desperate fight for survival against grotesque monstrosities on a hostile alien moon. While teamwork and strategic use of weapons are paramount, a controversial strategy known as “rail cheese” has sparked debate within the Lethal Company community.
This article dives into the world of rail cheese, exploring its mechanics, the arguments for and against its use, and the developer’s stance on this slippery tactic.
The Sticky Situation: Understanding Rail Cheese
Rail cheese refers to exploiting specific environmental features, particularly railings, to gain an unfair advantage against the game’s enemies. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
Safe Haven: Certain railings become impenetrable barriers for some enemies, particularly the slow-moving Thumpers and the leaping Threshers. Players can stand on or jump onto these railings, essentially creating a safe zone where enemies cannot reach them.
Poke and Pummel: From this safe haven, players can attack enemies with impunity using melee weapons or ranged zap guns. Since some enemies struggle to target players on railings, they become easy prey.
Cheese or Strategy?: While effective, rail cheese can be seen as an exploit that bypasses intended enemy mechanics. This raises the question: is it a clever strategy or a cheap tactic?
The ease with which rail cheese allows players to dispatch enemies has made it a popular topic of discussion among Lethal Company players.
The Great Rail Debate: Arguments For and Against
The use of rail cheese in Lethal Company sparks heated discussions. Here are the main arguments from both sides:
For Rail Cheese:
Survival Strategy: Lethal Company is a brutal game. Using any available means to survive and complete objectives can be seen as a valid tactic.
Limited Resources: Ammo and weapon durability are precious commodities in Lethal Company. Rail cheese allows players to conserve resources, making it crucial on higher difficulty levels.
Inconsistent AI: Enemy AI in Lethal Company can be unpredictable at times. Rail cheese offers a reliable way to deal with certain threats.
Against Rail Cheese:
Exploiting the System: Rail cheese takes advantage of a design oversight, trivializing enemy encounters and undermining the intended challenge.
Reduced Engagement: Relying solely on rail cheese discourages players from mastering other combat techniques, reducing the overall gameplay experience.
Lack of Teamwork: Cheesing can become a crutch, discouraging players from developing communication and coordination skills necessary for effective teamwork.
The debate highlights the tension between player ingenuity and developer-intended gameplay. Where some see a clever strategy, others see a cheap exploit that diminishes the challenge.
The Developer’s Dilemma: Balancing Cheese and Challenge
The developers of Lethal Company haven’t explicitly addressed rail cheese in developer updates. However, some community discussions suggest their stance might lean towards discouraging it:
Patch Notes: Certain patches have subtly adjusted enemy AI or level design, making some previous rail cheese tactics less effective. This suggests an intention to nudge players towards more varied combat approaches.
Alternative Strategies: The developers have included various weapons and gadgets that encourage different combat styles. This creates a variety of ways to overcome challenges besides simply cheesing on railings.
While no official statement exists, the developers’ subtle actions suggest an effort to steer players away from relying solely on rail cheese.
Beyond the Cheese: Alternative Strategies for Lethal Company Veterans
If you’re looking to master Lethal Company beyond the cheese, here are some alternative strategies to consider:
Master Weapon Handling: Learn the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon. A well-placed shotgun blast can be more effective than endlessly poking a Thumper with a shovel on a railing.
Environmental Awareness: Utilize the environment to your advantage. Lure enemies into environmental hazards or create choke points to control the flow of combat.
Together, we can achieve our goals: cooperation and communication are essential. Develop strategies with your teammates, utilizing each character’s strengths to overcome different enemy types.
Embrace the Challenge: While rail cheese offers a seemingly easy way out, resist the temptation. Mastering the core mechanics and adapting to different situations provides a more rewarding and ultimately more satisfying gameplay experience.
Lethal Company is a game about survival and resourcefulness. While the “rail cheese” strategy offers a shortcut, it’s ultimately up to the player to decide whether they prioritize raw effectiveness or a more dynamic and engaging combat experience.
FAQs
In the unforgiving world of Lethal Company, a co-op horror shooter, the “rail cheese” tactic dominated strategies for a while. This FAQ tackles everything you need to know about this infamous cheese, its fate, and alternative tactics.
What is Rail Cheese in Lethal Company?
Rail cheese was a tactic where players would jump onto specific rails scattered throughout the levels. Once on the rail, certain enemies, particularly Slimes and Thumpers, couldn’t reach them, offering a safe haven to deal damage.
Why was Rail Cheese so Popular?
Lethal Company throws challenging enemy hordes and limited resources at you. Rail cheese provided a safe zone to fight back, making survival and scrap collection easier, especially for new players.
Did Rail Cheese Get Patched?
Yes! A major update in Lethal Company (version 45) nerfed the “rail cheese” tactic. Players can no longer exploit most rails for complete safety.
Why Did They Patch Rail Cheese?
While offering a safe zone, rail cheese arguably undermined the core gameplay loop of resource management, strategic movement, and teamwork. The developers likely aimed to encourage more dynamic and engaging combat encounters.
Is Rail Cheese Completely Dead?
Not entirely! While some rails no longer offer complete safety, some might provide a temporary advantage or cover during fights. However, relying solely on this tactic is no longer viable.
What are Some Alternatives to Rail Cheese Now?
Teamwork: Coordinate with your fellow Shovel Warriors! Distract enemies while others flank or unload firepower.
Movement and positioning: Learn enemy attack patterns and exploit their weaknesses. Utilize cover effectively.
Shovel Power: The trusty shovel remains a powerful tool for crowd control and dispatching enemies.
Thumper Tech: Unlock and utilize Thumper Tech weapons like the Thumper Grenade Launcher for area-of-effect damage.
Where can I see videos of the “good old days” of Rail Cheese?
Search for “Lethal Company Rail Cheese” on YouTube. You’ll find gameplay videos showcasing the tactic before the patch.
Remember:
The developers are constantly updating Lethal Company, so strategies and enemy behaviors might evolve. Adapt, improvise, and overcome with your fellow Shovel Warriors!
To read more, Click Here.
Leave a Reply