And then the sequel rolls around.
Like I said it could be an interesting story, but if the discussion is "don't make the Predators OP" it's a temporary fix. I'm trying to talk about making the whole concept more engaging for both.
In the interest of actually providing thoughts and not just saying "no, not like that":
How to make it less one sided:
Understand their different hunting approaches and play with it.
Predators hunt like humans - lures, artificial camouflage, specialised weapons.
Aliens hunt like animals - lying in wait, stalking, attacks of opportunity.
Predators like high vantage points and open space to move around. They attack from above, often wounding at range but will come in for the kill.
Aliens like enclosed spaces, tight environments, attacking from any direction but from close proximity.
Give a location that allows both to be in their element - and have each try to draw the other to their home turf. Predators lose advantages when they are enclosed, Aliens are susceptible to being shot in the open.
Minimise wrestling matches. This isn't WWE. Let them stalk and hunt each other. The last act of Predator should be used as reference - cat and mouse tit for tat, but the Predator is now in Dutch's shoes.
Predators should try to keep Aliens at a distance. The problem is Aliens are really good at closing that distance, without them knowing. See also, getting the Predators into tight spaces.
Both creatures can always see each other. Invisibility means nothing to Aliens, Predators have multiple vision modes. Distance and visual obstruction are necessary for both to effectively stalk the other. The Alien wins out here with its preference for tight spaces.
Hand to hand fights should be short, brutal, and in the Alien's favour. They're both strong, but Aliens have the advantage of not giving a f**k. They're unrestrained, while the Predator is worrying about acid blood.
Predators want trophies. This should disadvantage them as they try to not just shoot everything in the head.
Predators like to get in close for the kill after maiming from a distance - this should be a mistake.
A Predator vs more than one Alien in an enclosed space is a dead Predator unless some serious effort is put into the fight choreography. And not without serious injury to the Predator.
The longer the hunt goes, the worse it gets for the Predators. Damaged or depleted weapons, wounds, exhaustion. Aliens don't tire and they heal quickly.
