Messages

I recently got into a really bad spot and found myself with low core integrity on -7. Of course, given my luck, I wound up in the Caves instead of -6, and managed to hobble my way to Data Miner with NINE core integrity. I of course mined the data and it was glorious.

NINJA EDIT:

Spoiler

'mining the data' means connecting to all the terminals; I wasn't ambitious enough to try to evict the DM.

[close]

After raiding the terminals, I went through the exit, expecting to enter -6/Prox Caves reinvigorated with an evolution. Indeed, after leaving Data Miner I found myself on -6, one level higher than where I was. But alas, I didn't evolve. Instead, I was surrounded by hostiles, and died on literally my next turn.

Major question: when do evolutions happen? Do they occur in branches, or only when you reach the next level of Complex 0b10?

Also, a couple of minor questions over things I noticed:

• How exactly do I use the access codes Data Miner gives me? I've surmised that the one on the terminals is intended for the Recycling entrance, but I'm not sure what the God Mode code is for. Where do I punch it in--any 0b10 terminal, any Data Miner terminal, or some special machine?
• Do Force Fields stack?

Morgue: (you'll also notice I built up a lot... of heat...)

Spoiler

Code Select Expand

Cogmind - Alpha 8

Name: mathSq

---[ CORE DESTROYED ]---

Performance
-------------
Evolutions (3)             1500
Robots Destroyed (66)      330
Value Destroyed (1651)     1651
Prototype IDs (7)          140
Alien Tech Identified (0)  0
Bonus (300)                300
              TOTAL SCORE: 3921

Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity             0/700
Matter                     297/300
Energy                     50/50
System Corruption          0%
Temperature                Cool (0)
Location                   -6/Proximity Caves

Parts
-------
Power (3)
Propulsion (2)
Utility (5)
Weapon (3)
  Makeshift Spear
  Autogun

Inventory
-----------
Gravmag System
Makeshift Spear
Makeshift Spear
Enhanced Flamer

Peak State
------------
Power
  Improved Deuterium Engine
Propulsion
  Gravmag System
  Gravmag System
Utility
  Force Field
  Force Field
  Force Field
  Matter Filter
  Matter Filter
Weapon
  Makeshift Spear
  Enhanced Flamer
  Enhanced Flamer
[Rating: 39]

Favorites
-----------
Power                      Light Ion Engine
  Engine                   Light Ion Engine
  Power Core               Light Nuclear Core
Propulsion                 Aluminum Leg
  Treads                   Light Treads
  Leg                      Aluminum Leg
  Hover Unit               Gravmag System
Utility                    Large Storage Unit
  Device                   Force Field
  Storage                  Large Storage Unit
  Protection               Light Armor Plating
Weapon                     Makeshift Spear
  Energy Gun               Advanced Beam Rifle
  Energy Cannon            Beam Cannon
  Ballistic Gun            Light Assault Rifle
  Special Weapon           Enhanced Flamer
  Piercing Weapon          Makeshift Spear

Stats
-------
Bonus Breakdown            300
  Met Data Miner           300
Classes Destroyed          9
  Worker                   2
  Builder                  1
  Hauler                   2
  Recycler                 3
  Watcher                  1
  Swarmer                  28
  Grunt                    22
  Brawler                  2
  Sentry                   5
NPCs Destroyed             0
Best Kill Streak           4
  Combat Bots Only         4
Matter Collected           1123
  Salvage Created          2174
Parts Attached             76
  Power                    14
  Propulsion               17
  Utility                  15
  Weapon                   30
Parts Lost                 58
  Power                    12
  Propulsion               11
  Utility                  15
  Weapon                   20
Average Slot Usage (%)     66
  Naked Turns              2
Spaces Moved               2467
  Fastest Speed (%)        200
  Average Speed (%)        123
  Slowest Speed (%)        41
  Overloaded Moves         0
  Propulsion Burnouts      0
  Targets Rammed           2
  Cave-ins Triggered       0
  Teleports                0
Heaviest Build             82
  Greatest Overweight (x)  25
  Average Overweight (x)   0
Largest Inventory          10
  Most Items Carried       10
  Average Items Carried    6
Core Damage Taken          1351
Average Core Remaining (%) 42
  Depth 10 Exit            29
  Depth 9 Exit             35
  Depth 8 Exit             62
Volleys Fired              253
  Largest                  3
  Hottest                  166
Shots Fired                429
  Gun                      343
  Cannon                   80
  Launcher                 0
  Special                  6
  Kinetic                  200
  Thermal                  214
  Explosive                0
  Electromagnetic          15
Shots Hit Robots           274
  Core Hits                108
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           4287
  Projectiles              4118
  Explosions               159
  Melee                    0
  Ramming                  10
  Kinetic                  1436
  Thermal                  2611
  Explosive                0
  Electromagnetic          230
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
Self-Inflicted Damage      61
  Shots                    1
  Rammed                   2
Highest Temperature        1051
  Average Temperature      186
  Shutdowns                20
  Energy Bleed             12
  Interference             6
  Matter Decay             5
  Short Circuit            7
  Damage (minor)           9
  Damage (major)           30
  Damage (core)            3
Highest Corruption         5
  Average Corruption       1
  Message Errors           1
  Parts Rejected           2
  Data loss (map)          4
  Data loss (database)     2
  Misfires                 0
  Misdirections            1
  Targeting Errors         2
  Weapon Failures          1
  Depth 10 End             4
  Depth 8 End              5
Haulers Intercepted        2
Robots Corrupted           0
Robots Melted              0
Power Chain Reactions      0
Tactical Retreats          23
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
Data Cores Recovered       0
  Used                     0
Machines Hacked            10
  Terminals                4
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          0
Total Hacks                37
  Successful               22
  Failed                   9
  Catastrophic             1
  Database Lockouts        0
  Manual                   4
  Unauthorized             0
  Terminals                11
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          0
Terminal Hacks             42
  Record                   10
  Part Schematic           2
  Robot Schematic          3
  Robot Analysis           0
  Prototype ID Bank        3
  Open Door                2
  Level Access Points      0
  Branch Access Points     1
  Emergency Access Points  0
  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              1
  Unreport Threat          0
  Locate Traps             0
  Disarm Traps             0
  Reprogram Traps          0
  Dispatch Records         0
  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         4
  Full Trace Events        2
  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         0
Garrisons Compromised      0
Robot Schematics Acquired  3
  Robots Built             0
  Total Robot Build Rating 0
  Robot Fabrication Matter 0
  Robot Fabrication Time   0
Part Schematics Acquired   2
  Parts Built              0
  Total Part Build Rating  0
  Part Fabrication Matter  0
  Part Fabrication Time    0
Parts Repaired             0
  Part Repair Time         0
Parts Recycled             0
  Recycled Matter          0
  Retrieved Matter         0
  Retrieved Components     0
Parts Scanalyzed           0
  Part Schematics Acquired 0
  Parts Damaged            0
Robot Analysis Total       0
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             295
  Average Influence        125
  Final Influence          0
Maximum Alert Level        1
  Low Security (%)         72
  Level 1                  27
  Level 2                  0
  Level 3                  0
  Level 4                  0
  Level 5                  0
Squads Dispatched          11
  Investigation            3
  Extermination            1
  Reinforcement            7
  Assault                  0
  Garrison                 0
  Intercept                0
Derelict Logs Recovered    5
Exploration Rate (%)       24
  Regions Visited          10
  Pre-discovered Areas     3
Garrisons Visited          0
  Relays Disabled          0
  Generators Disabled      0
Network Hubs Disabled      0
Actions Taken              3285
Turns Passed               3781
  Depth 11                 60
  Depth 10                 936
  Depth 9                  573
  Depth 8                  768
  Depth 7                  1443
  Depth 6                  1
  Scrapyard                60
  Materials                2173
  Factory                  277
  Mines                    104
  Lower Caves              1116
  Proximity Caves          1
  Data Miner               50

Prototype IDs
---------------
Heavy Deuterium Engine
Experimental Cesium-ion Thruster
Heavy Particle Gun
Advanced Beam Rifle
Heavy EM Shotgun
Precision Rocket Launcher
Combat Drone Bay

Alien Tech Recovered
----------------------
None

Route
-------
-11/Scrapyard
-10/Materials
-9/Materials
-9/Mines
-8/Materials
-7/Factory
-7/Lower Caves
-7/Lower Caves
-7/Data Miner
-6/Proximity Caves

Game
------
Seed: 1464582480
^Manual?: 0
Play Time: 61 min
Sessions: 1
Mod: N/A
Game No.: 6
ASCII: 0
Keyboard: 0
Movement: Numpad
Fullscreen: 1
Font: 12/Crisp
Map View: 83x54
FOV Handling: Fade In


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03

[close]

Woah, lots of useful info! I'll go through it individually.

Good ole Waste. 

If you want to avoid it: you can do terminal hacks to detect nearby traps; you can kill operators, whose datacore that they drop on death can reveal traps; you can prioritize flying/hovering over walking/treading, which have a much lower chance of setting off traps.  Also, if you use EM weapons and corrupt enemies, they have a chance to trigger traps.

I presume these strats are more useful for a hacking or stealth build, which doesn't describe me yet (I'm sticking with combat for now)?

If you find yourself in waste: if you're a combat cogmind, standing your ground and fighting will usually lead to death.  The one time I was able to take on the compactors was when I had a really good launcher and some matter containers.  EM weapons are borderline useless against them due to their EM resistance.  Flight is usually the answer.

Yeah, I followed the lead of the other bot in there and tried to fight it out. Didn't end well XD

I noticed that there seemed to be only one path through Waste for a good length, long enough for the Compactors to cut off my only route of escape. However, I did dilly-dally a bit (tried to equip a prototype, only to realize that it was of course broken); maybe that was why I got cut off. Is it possible to avoid the Compactors if I'm fast enough, even on treads?

Spoiler time:

Spoiler

Occasionally, there is a secret derelict army in waste.  If you go into the nooks you can sometimes find it.  They'll shred the compactors for you.  You can't rely on this though, it's rare.

Also, note that sometimes you'll want to go into Waste deliberately.  Going there resets the alert level to zero.

Thanks for the tip.

[close]

You can also equip a structural analyzer, which will reveal some of the traps sooner.

In theory.

In practice, you can't really afford to detect traps, if you're going for a combat build. Your odds of retrieving a datacore on a floor is very low. The same for EM weapons revealing a trap. Terminals are best used to purge the alert and find the exit. You're not going to be flying/hovering much. And you don't want to waste a slot on a structural analyzer.

So, what's the solution? Carry 3 hover units with you until you leave factory. If you get dumped in Waste (or go there voluntarily, which is a good idea on -4), equip your hover units, remove/drop your heaviest weapons, and you'll make it out with most of your stuff. To be able to carry 3 hover units without crippling yourself, you will need a large inventory. Low inventory builds are overrated

Oh, so you're Three Large Storage Units Guy

I did actually have two large storage units onboard, but I didn't have enough utility space to add a third (or maybe I wasn't using it optimally). And would three hover units be able to carry enough of my stuff?

@mathSq: Congratulations!

Thanks

Note that you'll be able to outmaneuver them with most forms of propulsion, even legs as long as you're not overweight. Only super slow builds have much to worry about, or due to the width of the tunnels if you attract too many at once they can pin you in and make it harder to escape without taking a hit or two, which can be nasty.

Yeah... I was on treads (I think, maybe legs?) and overweight... and I definitely noticed their ability to fill a hallway.

Also, it's true they have a fairly low ID number compared to their ability, but they are technically a non-combat robot (and happen to be the one with the highest number). Their actual threat rating (an internal number that determines robot shade or color and threat targeting priority) is 4, which is the second to highest level (5).

Non-combat... I like the way you think. XD

I fell down there not too long ago with a weapon-heavy build with a bunch of cannons and punched right through them, so that definitely works if you've got the resources.

Thanks... I guess I'll need to learn to judge whether I can take on the Compactors.

Once you've got the Waste survival tactics down, getting sucked down there isn't too bad unless your core was already low at the time and you have to head back to the Factory and can't find another exit quickly enough.

One of the other methods to avoid traps that wasn't mentioned: If you get an Operator ally they will instantly identify all traps that come into view.

The thing about treads is, they have a 100% chance to trigger traps, so if you're going to drive around as a battle tank, just expect that it's inevitable you'll eat some explosions and other unexpected effects along the way.

I suppose I'll have to accept that... maybe in future stealth runs I'll try to focus more on not falling down random holes in the floor.

Low inventory builds are overrated

I heard that

Thanks, y'all!

In my fourth-ever run today, I hit Factory for the first time! Yay!

However, I quickly stumbled upon a Chute Trap on -7, found myself in a mysterious wing of the complex, and watched my newfound buddy get annihilated by C-40 Compactors. (Why are they only threat level 40? They sever like three parts per hit...) Those of you who have been down there know the rest...

I did escape with my life, by hitting GO NAKED and making a mad dash for the exit. Then I barely survived -7 again, accidentally wound up in the Lower Caves, got a bit too curious about a treasure room, awakened the bots inside, and got mauled to death trying to outrun a squad of angry S-class robots.

Anyway, it seems like the only way to get out of Waste alive is to leave your stuff to rot in the junkyard and outrun (I guess outhover) the Compactors. Is there another way to get out of there, preferably with most or all of my stuff? How can I avoid Waste entirely, other than hacking to find/disable/reprogram Chute Traps?

Welcome, mathSq!

/r/roguelikes is one of the main communities where you might come across Cogmind in the wild, so that's likely

If you've gone back to read nearly three years of blog posts, you are very well versed in the history of the game! I'm curious if down the road you'll be able to do better at Cogmind than DCSS, but either way it usually takes a little getting used to at first.

Yeah, it probably was /r/roguelikes. I don't have a Reddit account, but I enjoy lurking there.

And let's hope that curiosity becomes reality... My first run just ended on -10/Materials after fending off an endless stream of hostiles and having no clue how the whole "positioning" thing works. My score: 620

[How did you learn about Cogmind?]

Hey, everyone!

How did you learn about Cogmind?

I learned about it a while back, browsing some roguelike-related website (was it /r/roguelikes?). From there I casually kept up with the game's development. One day I got really interested in the game; from there I binge-read all of the devblog posts, watched a few video LPs, and finally couldn't resist buying it

What other roguelikes do you enjoy?

I'm pretty busy during the academic year, but I enjoy playing games when I get the chance.

On the more traditional side, I kinda hop between roguelikes; the ones I keep coming back to are DCSS (I play on akrasiac every so often) and Brogue. I think the farthest I've gotten in DCSS is to the bottom of Lair and Dungeon, but I don't recall ever having gotten a rune. I haven't played either of those in a while, though.

On the roguelite side, FTL has got to be my favorite. I've beaten it once or twice on Easy, but never on Normal.

What are your other favorite games?

Because of the whole "busy" thing, I keep on coming back to Super Hexagon, mostly because I can play it in a minute. I've beaten all six levels.

I used to play Minecraft (mostly PvP) and CS:GO when I had a better computer.

What do you do for fun when you're not playing games?

I study Computer Science, so that takes up a lot of my time. Other than that, I just watch people play games--or read about games. I usually know way too much about a game by the time I actually buy it

Overall, I'm happy to join this community, and I'm pretty excited to launch into Cogmind for the first time! (And probably die in -10/Materials, but we'll see...)