Cogmind > Stories

Near miss on -1

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Happylisk:
Had my most successful Alpha 9 run to date (24k score).  It was extremely close to a win but what can you do.  Some spoilers follow, read at your own risk.

My plan was to skip the lower caves and enter the upper caves on -4.  I was hoping to get Warlord for the backup in Research.  Instead I got Zhirov, but those benefits certainly are appreciated.  The reason I skipped lower caves is that I typically come out of there pretty beaten up and I rarely find the trade offs worth it.  I think it's not a coincidence that I did fairly well after avoiding lower caves for once.  Until now I've been going into them every game.

I also changed up my build a bit by going with 6 propulsion slots instead of my usual 2.  This let me use treads as armor and it was very effective.  I attribute getting through Research to this.

Admittedly, I got lucky in Research and found the stairs quickly.  By the time I got to Access, I had 3 Ragnarok launchers, but none of the really good defensive items (improved powered armor, advanced force fields, etc).  With the launchers (plus a matter compressor) I was able to squish all enemies and really rip through Access.  The security level spiked but it didn't matter since I could 2 shot whatever came out of the ARCs.

I went left when I should've gone right and found myself at a locked branch.  Sigh.  Very deflating  I attribute this loss to the unfinished state of the game :)  After a ton of backtracking attrition finally won out and I ate it.  What didn't help is that I saw a B-99, thought I had found the real exit and duked it out, only to find it was just a rando behemoth guarding a hall.  GG Access, you are truly a meat grinder. 

The gory details:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)Cogmind - Alpha 9

Name: Happylisk

---[ CORE DESTROYED ]---

 Performance
-------------
Evolutions (9)             4500
Robots Destroyed (309)     1545
Value Destroyed (16910)    16910
Prototype IDs (23)         460
Alien Tech Identified (2)  400
Bonus (300)                300
              TOTAL SCORE: 24115

 Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity             0/1600
Matter                     211/300
Energy                     212/220
System Corruption          24%
Temperature                Cool (0)
Location                   -1/Access

 Parts
-------
Power (3)
  Micro Fission Core
Propulsion (6)
  Improved Heavy Treads
  Improved Heavy Treads
Utility (11)
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Large Storage Unit
  Large Storage Unit
  Large Storage Unit
  Small Battery
  Advanced Targeting Computer
  Advanced Core Analyzer
Weapon (5)
  (None)
Inventory(22)
  Micro Fission Core
  Light Anti-Matter Reactor
  Light Particle Reactor
  Light Quantum Reactor
  Improved Quantum Reactor
  Medium Treads
  Medium Treads
  Medium Treads
  Durable Medium Treads
  Compact Heavy Treads
  Improved Heavy Treads
  Large Storage Unit

 Peak State
------------
Power
  Light Quantum Reactor
  Light Quantum Reactor
  Light Quantum Reactor
Propulsion
  Centrium Heavy Treads
  High-density Centrium Heavy Treads
  High-density Centrium Heavy Treads
Utility
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Large Storage Unit
  Large Storage Unit
  Large Storage Unit
  Experimental Matter Compressor
  Advanced Targeting Computer
  Advanced Core Analyzer
Weapon
  Gamma Rifle
  Enhanced Nova Cannon
  Railgun
  Linear Accelerator
  Linear Accelerator
Inventory
  Light Quantum Reactor
  Light Quantum Reactor
  Medium Treads
  Medium Treads
  Durable Medium Treads
  Heavy Treads
  Compact Heavy Treads
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Large Storage Unit
  Transdimensional Reconstructor
  Enhanced Quantum Rifle
  Enhanced Nova Cannon
  HERF Cannon
  KE Penetrator
  KE Penetrator
  Linear Accelerator
  Compact Mass Driver
  Neutron Missile Launcher
  Ragnarok Missile Launcher
  Ragnarok Missile Launcher
  Ragnarok Missile Launcher
[Rating: 189]

 Favorites
-----------
Power                      Micro Fission Core
  Engine                   Reinforced Deuterium Engine
  Power Core               Micro Fission Core
  Reactor                  Light Quantum Reactor
Propulsion                 Improved Treads
  Treads                   Improved Treads
  Leg                      Aluminum Leg
Utility                    Large Storage Unit
  Device                   Advanced Heat Sink
  Storage                  Large Storage Unit
  Processor                Advanced Targeting Computer
  Protection               Improved Medium Armor Plating
Weapon                     Heavy Tesla Rifle
  Energy Gun               Heavy Tesla Rifle
  Energy Cannon            Heavy Proton Cannon
  Ballistic Gun            Gauss Rifle
  Ballistic Cannon         Linear Accelerator
  Launcher                 Ragnarok Missile Launcher

 Stats
-------
Bonus Breakdown            300
  Met Zhirov               300
Classes Destroyed          18
  Worker                   16
  Builder                  11
  Tunneler                 5
  Hauler                   2
  Recycler                 8
  Mechanic                 4
  Operator                 2
  Watcher                  2
  Swarmer                  60
  Saboteur                 6
  Grunt                    95
  Brawler                  9
  Duelist                  15
  Protector                2
  Sentry                   19
  Hunter                   21
  Programmer               29
  Behemoth                 3
NPCs Destroyed             0
Best Kill Streak           14
  Combat Bots Only         10
Matter Collected           8151
  Salvage Created          14371
Parts Attached             319
  Power                    47
  Propulsion               42
  Utility                  81
  Weapon                   149
Parts Lost                 115
  Power                    18
  Propulsion               9
  Utility                  36
  Weapon                   52
Average Slot Usage (%)     93
  Naked Turns              4
Spaces Moved               5170
  Fastest Speed (%)        200
  Average Speed (%)        59
  Slowest Speed (%)        47
  Overloaded Moves         0
  Propulsion Burnouts      0
  Targets Rammed           1
  Cave-ins Triggered       0
  Teleports                1
Heaviest Build             169
  Greatest Support         250
  Greatest Overweight (x)  3
  Average Overweight (x)   0
Largest Inventory          28
  Most Items Carried       23
  Average Items Carried    18
Core Damage Taken          2457
Average Core Remaining (%) 87
  Depth 10 Exit            58
  Depth 9 Exit             100
  Depth 8 Exit             97
  Depth 7 Exit             92
  Depth 6 Exit             86
  Depth 5 Exit             93
  Depth 3 Exit             168
  Depth 2 Exit             91
Volleys Fired              547
  Largest                  5
  Hottest                  404
Shots Fired                1398
  Gun                      723
  Cannon                   577
  Launcher                 98
  Special                  0
  Kinetic                  477
  Thermal                  389
  Explosive                92
  Electromagnetic          440
  Entropic                 0
Shots Hit Robots           952
  Core Hits                581
Overload Shots             0
  Energy Bleed             0
  Heat Surge               0
  Short Circuit            0
  Meltdown                 0
Melee Attacks              0
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
Damage Inflicted           53754
  Projectiles              27126
  Explosions               26610
  Melee                    0
  Ramming                  18
  Kinetic                  10661
  Thermal                  9379
  Explosive                25262
  Electromagnetic          8434
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
  Entropic                 0
Self-Inflicted Damage      811
  Shots                    15
  Rammed                   1
Highest Temperature        347
  Average Temperature      72
  Shutdowns                0
  Energy Bleed             0
  Interference             4
  Matter Decay             0
  Short Circuit            0
  Damage (minor)           0
  Damage (major)           0
  Damage (core)            0
Highest Corruption         24
  Average Corruption       8
  Message Errors           60
  Parts Rejected           18
  Data loss (map)          58
  Data loss (database)     29
  Misfires                 8
  Misdirections            18
  Targeting Errors         107
  Weapon Failures          20
  Depth 7 End              1
  Depth 3 End              2
  Depth 2 End              4
Haulers Intercepted        2
Robots Corrupted           22
Robots Melted              0
Power Chain Reactions      9
Tactical Retreats          18
Communications Jammed      0
Parts Field Recycled       0
  Retrieved Matter         0
Parts Merge Repaired       0
Drone Launches             0
  Drone Recoveries         0
Derelicts Assembled        0
Traps Triggered            0
  Indirectly               0
Trap Hack Attempts         0
  Triggered                0
  Disarmed                 0
  Reprogrammed             0
  Reused                   0
Machines Disabled          26
Data Cores Recovered       0
  Used                     0
Machines Hacked            32
  Terminals                22
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          1
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              1
  Garrison Access          1
Total Hacks                69
  Successful               32
  Failed                   30
  Catastrophic             10
  Database Lockouts        0
  Manual                   15
  Unauthorized             0
  Terminals                37
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          2
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              2
  Garrison Access          2
Terminal Hacks             47
  Record                   5
  Part Schematic           4
  Robot Schematic          0
  Robot Analysis           4
  Prototype ID Bank        4
  Open Door                5
  Level Access Points      1
  Branch Access Points     1
  Emergency Access Points  1
  Machine Index            0
  Terminal Index           0
  Fabricator Index         0
  Repair Station Index     0
  Recycling Unit Index     0
  Scanalyzer Index         0
  Garrison Index           0
  Alert Level              0
  Unreport Threat          2
  Locate Traps             0
  Disarm Traps             0
  Reprogram Traps          0
  Dispatch Records         1
  Maintenance Status       0
  Security Status          0
  Surveillance Status      0
  Patrol Status            0
  Transport Status         0
  Investigation Status     0
  Extermination Status     0
  Reinforcement Status     0
  Assault Status           0
  Garrison Status          0
  Intercept Status         0
  Recall Investigation     0
  Recall Extermination     0
  Recall Reinforcements    0
  Recall Assault           0
  Hauler Manifests         0
  Registered Components    0
  Registered Prototypes    0
  Zone Layout              0
  Sector Layout            0
  Machine Controls         0
Hacking Detections         21
  Full Trace Events        1
  Feedback Events          0
  Feedback Corruption      0
  Feedback Part Disabled   0
  Feedback Blocked         0
Trojans Installed          0
  Terminals                0
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          0
Fabricators Overloaded     0
Garrisons Disabled         3
Garrisons Compromised      0
Fabrication Nework Shutdowns0
Robot Schematics Acquired  0
  Robots Built             0
  Total Robot Build Rating 0
  Robot Fabrication Matter 0
  Robot Fabrication Time   0
Part Schematics Acquired   5
  Parts Built              0
  Total Part Build Rating  0
  Part Fabrication Matter  0
  Part Fabrication Time    0
Parts Repaired             1
  Part Repair Time         32
Parts Recycled             0
  Recycled Matter          0
  Retrieved Matter         0
  Retrieved Components     0
Parts Scanalyzed           1
  Part Schematics Acquired 1
  Parts Damaged            0
Robot Analysis Total       4
Robots Rewired             0
Robots Hacked              0
  Non-combat               0
  Combat                   0
  Parse                    0
  Link                     0
  Rebooted                 0
  Overloaded               0
  Assimilated              0
  Manual                   0
  Secondary                0
Robot Hack Failures        0
Allies Hacked              0
Hacks Repelled             0
Total Allies               0
  Largest Group            0
  Highest-Rated Group      0
  Highest-Rated Ally       0
Total Orders               0
  STAY                     0
  GOTO                     0
  ROAM                     0
  FOLLOW                   0
  GUARD                    0
  AID                      0
  BUILD                    0
  TUNNEL                   0
  DROP                     0
  PICKUP                   0
  COLLECT                  0
  EXPLORE                  0
  RETURN                   0
Terraforming Orders        0
  Walls Built              0
  Walls Tunneled           0
Ally Attacks               0
  Total Damage             0
  Kills                    0
Allies Corrupted           0
Allies Melted              0
Peak Influence             3206
  Average Influence        760
  Final Influence          3116
Maximum Alert Level        5
  Low Security (%)         47
  Level 1                  15
  Level 2                  5
  Level 3                  3
  Level 4                  6
  Level 5                  21
Squads Dispatched          48
  Investigation            1
  Extermination            11
  Reinforcement            20
  Assault                  15
  Garrison                 1
  Intercept                0
Derelict Logs Recovered    0
Exploration Rate (%)       18
  Regions Visited          15
  Pre-discovered Areas     2
Garrisons Visited          0
  Relays Disabled          0
  Generators Disabled      0
Network Hubs Disabled      0
Actions Taken              7587
Turns Passed               12135
  Depth 11                 64
  Depth 10                 495
  Depth 9                  343
  Depth 8                  536
  Depth 7                  668
  Depth 6                  682
  Depth 5                  629
  Depth 4                  3276
  Depth 3                  1663
  Depth 2                  435
  Depth 1                  3344
  Scrapyard                64
  Materials                1374
  Factory                  2706
  Research                 1407
  Access                   3344
  Upper Caves              2263
  Proximity Caves          691
  Zhirov                   286

 Prototype IDs
---------------
Heavy Anti-Matter Reactor
Centrium Heavy Treads
High-density Centrium Heavy Treads
Experimental Gravmag System
Experimental Heat Sink
Experimental Matter Compressor
Experimental Optical Array
Experimental ECM Suite
Experimental Utility Shielding
Quantum Shroud
Assault Drone Bay
Improved Spread Laser
Advanced Variable Charge Gun
Precision Phase Gun
Heavy Tesla Rifle
Improved Matter Neutralizer
Heavy Proton Cannon
Compact Mass Driver
Neutron Missile Launcher
Ragnarok Missile Launcher
Tesla Bomb Launcher
Ionic Axe
Vibroblade

 Fabricated
------------
Nothing

 Alien Tech Recovered
----------------------
Transdimensional Reconstructor
Integrated Dissipator

 Route
-------
-11/Scrapyard
-10/Materials (discovered 2 exits: *Mat / [*Min])
-9/Materials
-8/Materials
-7/Factory (discovered 2 exits: *Fac / [*Low])
-6/Factory (discovered 4 exits: *Fac x4)
-5/Factory
-4/Factory (discovered 6 exits: *Res / *Upp x2 / Ext x2 / Arm)
-4/Upper Caves
-4/Upper Caves (discovered 2 exits: *Res / *Zhi)
-4/Zhirov
-3/Proximity Caves
-3/Research (discovered 2 exits: [*Res] / [*Tes])
-2/Research
-1/Access (discovered 1 exit: [*Com])

 Game
------
Seed: 1467155710
^Manual?: 0
Play Time: 123 min
Sessions: 27
Mod: N/A
Game No.: 235
ASCII: 0
Keyboard: 0
Movement: Numpad
Fullscreen: 1
Font: 16/SmallcapsGlow
Map View: 76x56
FOV Handling: Instant


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883

Kyzrati:
A fifth of the run fought at security level 5--definitely going all out! It looks like a relatively large inventory run, too, but that is the safest way to do heavy combat (and make up for a lack of better defensive gear).

There is still some content to add to the lower caves, though it's also worth considering a reduction to their size, as your observations make sense there. However I wouldn't want them to become trivial ways to circumvent the large Factory (-7/-6) maps, so the number of entrances might have to be reduced as well...

Happylisk:
Size isn't really the problem with caves - once I was told to go left before the special branch and then right in proximity caves, I've been able to get through caves quickly.  The thing is, you're still going to take a beating.  Which is fine!  The entire point of branches, if I recall from your blog posts, if branches are meant to be high risk/reward.  Right now however lower caves don't really seem to stack up in the reward department, though that might change once that cave opens up in Zion.

Even though Upper Caves are harder, I don't mind risking it since Zhirov and Warlord's rewards are pretty sweet.   

Kyzrati:
Yeah, as mentioned before I'm somewhat limited in making -7/-6 branches great because it's rather early in the game, which is somewhat at odds with that high risk/reward intent. That said, there is another future addition planned for Zion (other than that entrance you already see) which will make it much more worthwhile. I'll attempt to design it so that it works in the current context. Not yet sure when that will be added...

Happylisk:
If you're worried about buffing up the rewards, you can always make the branch even harder :)

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