I decided to finally try pistol starting maps. I think I get it now.

[Yasha]

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuussssss christ

 

 

Even on HNTR this map is insane. I am not ashamed to admit I savescummed my life out to beat the surprise monster closet room.

[Lucius Wooding]

Yeah I mean, that one in particular puts everything that came before to shame difficulty wise. It's fairly tough and intricate, and the last fights are definitely unforgiving and big. Incredible atmosphere and music though. I've only played a bit of it and haven't made a serious attempt at learning it properly, but I know what lies ahead. It's the first legit monster in the wad. Maps of this length are especially tough on me as well, even with saves I think it's possible to screw yourself with supply management.

[Mike Stu]

Pistolstarting turns every map into gungame, and gungame is great.

 

...Anyway I just do it if the mapper specifically recommends it, since it is not quite the standard. Otherwise I'll just be second guessing myself on whether I was supposed to be pistol starting at all when faced with suspiciously truncated encounters. Was this not tested with pistol? Do I suck? idk