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26

Stories / Re: Funny conversation with the Derelicts

« on: March 05, 2017, 08:15:25 PM »

Happened to me too. I was sad the noncombatant bot did not stay home.

27

Ideas / Re: Dealing with the Hackware Snowball Effect

« on: January 14, 2017, 08:31:02 PM »

My peak actually was +200% offense. Data Miner can go whine in a corner. That was on last factory floor if I remember correctly. It was a golden period of treating terminals like buffet tables. Take what you want in whatever amounts. At one point I was collecting schematics until I got bored by straining to remember part names to target. I think I was waiting for database lockout or for tracing to finally kick in so that investigation squad gets called to make use of compromised garrison access. Made me wish for Force(whatever) for terminals...

Okay, I am now convinced the numbers are too high and result in boredom. Or too much flexibility for someone who would not spend nearly all utility slots on hackware but put them to more optimal use elsewhere. On the other hand if progression will be slowed then the extra awesome rare hackware may get greater increase than normal.

Perhaps use this progression:
+8, +12, +16 ,+20, +25, +30
Makeshift could be +15. edit: or +10.

It looks nicer and does not make getting seveal Hacking Suite drops from material floors operator bots into as big impact as it is now.

28

General Discussion / Re: New here, some questions about time/energy :)

« on: January 13, 2017, 05:57:11 PM »

You may wish to pay a visit to RogueBasin if you have not done so already. It has a small collection of articles on this subject:
http://www.roguebasin.com/index.php?title=Articles#Time_management

29

Competitions / Re: Weekly Seed #71 [Alpha 12] [Seed: War Drums]

« on: January 13, 2017, 05:53:02 PM »

Congratulations!

I went the combat route because I let the Assembled and demolisher squad duke it out in the mines. In the debris I found three combat jets and two mini-grenade launchers there. Hurrah for having rating 5 parts at -10! Then I played way too aggressively and met my demise at Storage/-9.

Soon, 4 sentries were chasing after me while the pests kept harassing wherever I go. Unfortunately, my only weapon for them is a mini grenade launcher, so even though pests are weak against them, their dropped loots were easily destroyed upon splash damage. And if I tried to pick up the remaining ones, sentries were already at my face, so I had to run.

Consider carrying a tractor beam for such occasions.

Hacking became so easy after I scanned and fabricated a bunch of adv. hacking suite. Even manual hacking Access(Main) was easily successful upon first try (something I never achieved before).

Feels good, eh? My best snowball to date had 100% chances for such hacks at security 3 terminal.

I won't spoil how I got to the surface (Kyzrati might kill me for that!), but I will say that it was a scary experience. But once I got to the top, I was so happy. I hope I can win again, maybe with a combat build, or through Command, but it will certainly be tougher after the alert bug is removed.

Congrats again. For especially spoily details there is spoler tag naturally. Still, it is wise not to go overboard with spilling everything.

30

Ideas / Countdown timer for unstable machnes analyzed by structural scanner

« on: January 13, 2017, 05:42:05 PM »

With structural scanner equipped destabilized volatile machines pulsate satisfying red, which is a promise of a nice boom. Just watch that adjacent grunt trembling at what is to come. How about giving them the same kind of visible timer interactive machines get? Right now I need to view it to see this information.

31

Ideas / Re: Dealing with the Hackware Snowball Effect

« on: January 13, 2017, 05:38:41 PM »

I was so surprised I briefly skimmed the thread again but no, there is no mention of this approach. What you suggest might be succesful, although I am unsure what to think about it. Certainly something to keep in mind though.

32

Ideas / Re: Targeting Overhaul

« on: January 11, 2017, 02:57:57 AM »

Does targeting a space override autotargeting even if only a melee weapon is employed? If so it sounds great.

33

Ideas / Re: Dealing with the Hackware Snowball Effect

« on: January 09, 2017, 12:23:56 AM »

General suggestions:
Programmer's chance to deflect hack attempts on allies should be triggered before menu of options is presented. This makes them more of a threat to combat hackers and improves quality of life somewhat. It is a bummer to choose something and then be notified your choice effectively did not matter.

That's... possible, simply implying they're preventing you from accessing the system in the first place. (Although I don't see how it changes their threat in any way.) One drawback: You won't get to see the percentages (or is that what you mean by an increased threat???).

Sorry, I should have written perception of threat. Having hacks be defended immediately creates appearance of competent enemy. The effect is clouded by annoyance when it happens after making an irrelevant choice. I view not seeing percentages each time hack attack is thwarted as actually good.

34

Fixed Bugs & Non-Bugs / Double "the" in Analysis(B-99 Colossus)

« on: January 09, 2017, 12:19:10 AM »

"As the the most powerful ... "

I remember you saying analyses will be put to spell checker but there is no typo so it might get away. I am reporting this just to be on the safe side.

35

Ideas / Re: Dealing with the Hackware Snowball Effect

« on: January 08, 2017, 03:30:33 PM »

• There was a particular datajack introduced in one of the last few alphas which sparked serious interest in combat hacking (I'm guessing you didn't find it or didn't exploit it to its full potential because it's nuts and you would be raving about it).

Spoiler: that one datajack? (click to show/hide)

Are you thinking of guided remote datajack? I lost that one in delayed machine explosion. I assumed it was stable because it did not blow up for like five turns. It sure was nice for a short time while it lasted. Most probably it has far greater potential than I see there because I was only slightly impressed.

A small-time hacker shouldn't be able to have a chance of assimilating an Alpha 7. You should need to have +100 to hacking success to have any hope of assimilating it. Etc.

I think this is best approach.

The main problem with this is the instant kill mechanic. Lighter version of core overload could deliver damage to the core itself.(...)

I don't like this so much. It makes combat hacking more like actual combat. However, maybe it could be a time bomb of sorts? Or perhaps, if overloading gave 1000 heat to the target or something?

It is true my suggestion kicks hard into the overload hack feeling. On the other hand one shot kill is way too reliable to leave it without consequences.

Another thing is that combat hacking is weak against large groups of enemies, such as swarmers. You have to deal with them one by one. You can increase the incidence of these enemies to have a subtle effect on combat hacking.

Indeed, it will be subtle. Typically I wait until sufficient robot fodder to shield me is available. Then those are attacked first providing cover and ample opportunity to convert first swarmer/grunt. I choose one closest to me so that only a few enemies have chance to target me. The converted one will become next target so I concentrate on hacking another one but choose one with highest core integrity from now.

Having a limit of some kind on number of allies might be interesting. However, having allies impact the alert level more would achieve the same effect and would be cooler I think. You might have to face an altogether different kind of snowball: the alert snowball! Not seen since alpha 11! In one of my alpha 11 runs, and the first time anyone had really tried combat hacking much, I assembled a nice army in testing, but the alert level got out of control and I had to bail in a hurry:

Agreed, having alert rise high would solve all that much better. No matter how strong Cogmind's forces eventually MAIN.C will prevail like it did with Sigix.

Also, I think the effect of allied operators on hacking success could be nerfed, at least to diminishing returns like botnets.

Is this not the case already? I read somewhere the bonus is +10, +5, +2, +1, +1, +1, +1, ...
All I can find now is changelog entry for bugfix in Alpha 4 saying Operators after the fourth were giving nothing instead of +1.

I don't see a problem with ARCs being unhackable. They're probably the most thematic bots of the game to make unhackable. At least you can let them unload and hack the bots that come out.

If you look at it that way ARC could be regarded as a dumb vehicle whose core has no autonomy. Makes sense to forbid hacking but in that case you are right reprogram trojan should either not work or have ARC carry allies.

Slowing down the snowball is desirable, as it's easily the most reliable way to win right now, even if you ignore combat hacking entirely. I suggested a small change rather than a large one because snowballing hackware is actually quite fun and we wouldn't want to completely get rid of it I would think.

Increasing hackware rating will shift a) from early/mid factory to mid/late factory which will slow the build down significantly. Flight units are getting nerfed, so that will probably have an impact on fab meta game. Increasing the datajack rating will definitely affect how quickly the build comes online.

Hmm. Improved tier has rating four which makes it available at -7 where fabrication first becomes available. At the extreme this means fabbing regular system shields and hacking suites could be skipped entirely at lowest factory level. If improved hackware (and subsequently advanced and experimental tiers) were shifted to higher rating this would leave makeshift hackware to fit very nicely at rating four. I like this! Color me convinced.

36

Fixed Bugs & Non-Bugs / Scan window does not update if standing in place has effect

« on: January 08, 2017, 02:48:13 PM »

This might be most trivial bug found to date. Wishing to draw on contents of my high capacity matter pod I dropped it and waited a turn for the extraction to take place. I had no intention of attaching it because combat was not prolonged enough to warrant dedicating a slot for this. Scan windows seems not to update after waiting in place because it still displayed full matter pod.

37

Confirmed Bugs / Re: Armory marked yellow on world map

« on: January 08, 2017, 09:25:45 AM »

Armory should naturally disappear from the AREA box as soon as you enter it, and it changed color as you simply entered the same depth it was on?!

I just tried to repeat this a couple times by running a route similar to your own and everything worked normally, so we'll have to see if and when this pops up again. I did make a couple of adjustments to the world map code based on your other related reports, so maybe that already had some effect? Not sure.

The first part is from memory. It might have changed color earlier but for some time it was actually red.
One thing I am fairly sure of: you need to discover armory first. Probably then hub and lastly the factory there, all before reaching this depth. Will keep a save file next time I manage to get that far.

You're definitely the first player to use the world map so much--most people don't bother, or don't even know it exists

Ha, I even got a bit impatient waiting for the route animation to finish. A world map was one of the features planned for old PRIME before I went for full engine replacement. Cogmind happens to fulfill this dream. 

38

Ideas / Re: Dealing with the Hackware Snowball Effect

« on: January 08, 2017, 09:19:45 AM »

I agree with the strategy being severely overpowered to the point of becoming killjoy. I was nearly invulnerable since end of floor -6 and if I had read the thread earlier I presumably could come close to this on end of -7. The problem is not really limited to late game. It simply reaches absolutely ridiculous proportions there.

Vectis explained why this has been unnoticed for quite some time very well. Datajacks' low chance of successful penetration causes most people to ignore them. If datajacks quality (negatively) affected hacking chance instead of accuracy people would have more fun using them and such things would have been noticed earlier, possibly before becoming so large problem.

For the original suggestions:

• Hackware integrity is very gradually lowered over time as a result of successful hacks. (Not as easy to explain thematically, but that's not too important here.)
• Increase mid/high-tier hackware ratings, thereby raising the depths at which they can be fabricated (fabrication being the most common way to obtain hackware).
• Using multiple hackware has diminishing benefits (i.e. each additional hackware's effect is reduced more than the last). (This puts a general cap on what is possible and makes high-end hacking that much easier to balance.)
• Hacking gets harder across the floor as more of it is successful, essentially introducing another form of clock. (This one's pretty in theme.)

Decomposing hackware would affect the well balanced machine hacking. I am afraid it would also suck mightily. Decomposing datajacks sound interesting but those can be farmed from programmers making it hardly a limited resource.

A slight increase of ratings accomplishes only slowing down the snowball without really addressing the core problem. It will make it more difficult to get the ball rolling but overpowering effect is going to remain. I think this is not what you want. On the other hand big increase severely limits the hacking game for machines.

Diminishing returns could work well, although I do not think you want this to kick in directly for the hackware itself. Mixed feelings here but this is my favorite option from those stated.

Hacking getting progressively harder is in theme but is also somewhat likely to suck some fun from the game for Cogminds with only some hacking capability. Meh.

• Make some of the very high tier special robots non-hackable (as Behemoths are now). (<-already planned for Alpha 13)
• Add at least one more higher difficulty tier for robot hacking. (<-already planned for Alpha 13)
• Put a hard cap on overload and assimilation chances, regardless of hacking capabilities.

Making robots unhackable is a sad solution and I despise it very much. It is good to know you also dislike taking options away.

Higher tier hacking difficulty is fine! I would also make converting programmers a tad more difficult. I think a base -5% would be just right.

Putting a hard cap is already there - the 95% maximum chance. Lowering it further may end up seeming like a crude approach. Avoid?


Here comes some more food for thought!

Overload:
The main problem with this is the instant kill mechanic. Lighter version of core overload could deliver damage to the core itself. Maintenance bots should succumb completely each time from a single hit as everything currently does. Others might take a constant damage. For example around 20 points should be nice. Maybe add single point to this for each 10% over 100% chance. This would allow you to make Behemoths hackable again! Overloading them becomes possible but requires sizable matter supply for remote datajacking. Still a workable plan but no longer an easy kill.

I think swarmers should also go down in a single hit that way.

Assimilate:
ADOM's bard has a similar thing. They have music skill which works as "make pets from any kind of animal fast" card. It requires high skill levels but it is very easy to attain on purpose. The problem of ally army is solved by having a maximum number of pets. Presumably the number is determined by character's charisma. The more pets you have the more difficult is to have another one join you. Otherwise the animal is pacified but not made pet.

You might like to use something similar here with some in-game rationale. Suppose the Cogmind when reprogramming Identify Friend or Foe database has to encode there every signature of ally formerly assimilated. This makes assimilation progressively more difficult. Also it would make sense to vary the effect depending on "signature complexity".

Below when using rating I refer to schematic rating, not effective sum of part ratings.
* 1% times rating for every noncombat bot assimilated. This means you hardly feel the effect of assimilating some maintenance entities as cannon fodder. Operators, researchers, machinists and other such noncombat bots will make a dent in your assimilation chances as their ratings are higher.
* 2% times rating for every regular combat bot reprogrammed. The better your army the harder is to have more. As it should be. Assimilating a bunch of bots is still doable but this cannot become a huge army. A cohort, yes.
* 3% times rating for every specialist class combat bot in your entourage. They should be special! Their equipment is also so well chosen it deserves an upgrade.
* 4% times rating for prototype robot assimilated. It definitely should be possible to have an Alpha 7 or Stiker serve you. First time this happens it feels so good it would be a shame to make those unhackable. Two such bots for good hackers and three or four with some luck for elite hackers. If someone goes evolving utility slots for hackware only it could be more but such Cogmind opens itself up so much in other departments it could be excusable.
* A flat 50% for behemoths? Behemoths should be difficult to assimilate.

New suggested options:
Format hack for robots. This essentially wipes their IFF database turning them berserk, attacking everything in sight. They could also switch targets at random every turn. If robot is corrupted have the corruption amount dictate chance for turning neutral. Robots without weapons will not attack anyone but will still be considered enemies by the AI.

General suggestions:
Programmer's chance to deflect hack attempts on allies should be triggered before menu of options is presented. This makes them more of a threat to combat hackers and improves quality of life somewhat. It is a bummer to choose something and then be notified your choice effectively did not matter.

Currently unhackable bots:
I can't quite figure out why, but no one's ever managed to hack a MAIN.C Builder or Armored Robot Carrier.
Zionite K7-V23YC

Builder: I figure you forbade hacking them to avoid assimilation and using build command to for example wall off exits and garrisons to completely own the place. A sensible goal but in that case only disallow assimilate leaving other options open. Optionally have builders' analysis mention something along this:

"Due to plethora of architectural schematics required to be embedded in builder memory I needed a compromise in design to keep fabrication costs down. Model 05 features no IFF database because it can perform well enough without one and as a result Derelicts have been unable to reprogram it in the field. Unfortunate side effect is groups of U-05 Engineer keep eagerly working in the middle of combat zones until they attract enemy fire. Currently most of my research effort is dedicated elsewhere thus as temporary compensation for this flaw distress signals sent by U-05 are prioritized by reinforcement dispatch center."

Weak point of this explanation is when unaware accidentally shoot builders no reinforcement squads are dispatched.

ARC: I actually have successfully reprogrammed this one. Hint: garrison trojan. After trojan installation bait MAIN.C to send you an Assault squad. :-) You can take this as a bug report but I wish you turned this into a feature. Allow hacking ARCs please!

Overload: In low effort version standard overload is followed with bot unload. This neither leaves four doors on ground nor additional matter. Instead you can harvest the wheels (man, I like armored wheels!), engine and storage unit.
In greater effort version bots inside escape with ~90% chance otherwise getting blown up in core meltdown. For those who escape have non-fliers and non-hoverers fall taking strong impact hit. Even some fliers/hoverers could have some chance to take impact damage. Start off all surviving bots at warm temperature.

Assimilate: Works as it currently does with the difference it is explicitly allowed. This means when it deploys you still get hostile unaware! It is on Cogmind to push it down a chute or hide it somewhere so it does not unload. Even then a stray patrol might find it and boom! Two patrols.

39

Fixed Bugs & Non-Bugs / Sealing a garrison disarms nearby traps

« on: January 08, 2017, 05:51:15 AM »

I acted especially naugty and installed a segregator trap right in front of a garrison entry point in case my attempt to seal it failed. I succeeded but upon disconnect I noticed the trap was no longer there (Cogmind was not standing on it)! A bug or did I have a perception glitch? The garrision was one with two-square long "wings". No screenshot available right now but will save a picture when I find another one.

40

Confirmed Bugs / Armory marked yellow on world map

« on: January 08, 2017, 05:45:06 AM »

Screenshot provided. At first I discovered its location via tunnelling and then it was properly red. As soon as I entered factory level where it was located it turned yellow, as if Hub04(d) had infected it with its yellowness. Entering armory itself did not fix it.

41

Fixed Bugs & Non-Bugs / Tunnelling may double up world map unvisited markers

« on: January 08, 2017, 05:42:27 AM »

The screenshot attached mostly explains it. Let me comment though I am fine with tunnelling recovering same information twice in a row. It is very much in theme. Besides, we are speaking abount a brute force hack there. It has no finesse. Also information about floors below Cogmind's current location is fine as well. "Ah, so that was the depth Storage was at! No wonder I could not find it".

The world map should not accept duplicates (I see it already protects against this in case of branch areas) and it should reject registering areas already visited. If mines at -10 are revealed and you visited them but are at -8 for example these would still register.

edit: When you find a derelict log which grants you information about location already present on your world map could you please modify the message to say "Wolrd map data confirmed" instead of "World map updated"?

42

Fixed Bugs & Non-Bugs / At 0b10/-X, security level 0 required

« on: January 08, 2017, 05:25:20 AM »

I think some information is deemed valuable enough by the AI that it is unaccessible by indirect hacking. The bug is in message given which is pretty much bogus. Two screenshots attached.

43

Fixed Bugs & Non-Bugs / Re: Option "show map intro" influences autosave

« on: January 08, 2017, 05:13:52 AM »

saving has to also save the UI state of your parts, and that can't be done until all of your parts are loaded into the UI list...

So it's actually unrelated to whether you've taken a turn or not (and unrelated to that option setting), but is instead triggered once the UI has finished animating on startup. Nothing I can do about this one except force the player to wait until the UI completely finishes animating before taking any action, which is probably worse!

When the option is off and after next level loads you can wait however long you please (last test was 30 minutes) and "Data saved" does not appear until you take a time consuming action. UI actions like sorting your parts and inventory do nothing for that. Forcing wait until UI loads would be much shorter delay in this case.

44

Stories / A stealth win with a little help from Warlord tinkerers

« on: January 08, 2017, 04:40:43 AM »

This was my first victory. It was in stealth mode. Access exit to surface is well protected and my last three successful runs which ended up at -1 were stopped right at the exit. The solution this time:

Spoiler: a way to break the barricade (click to show/hide)

Warlord's tinkerers presented me with some Vortex technology based cannons. In firefight during defencse of the base I missed badly and hit the heavy blast doors. That entropic cannon just broke through two squares of heaviest reinforced possibe thing like it was butter! Impressed I saved one until the very end so I could reliably get in. Plan was to approach from terminal side but to ignore the machine and make big gaping hole in the blast door instead. No weapon at end log because having lots of core integrity I "tested" it at one of colossi there.

Zipping around very fast is quite fun but one should be wary of swarmers. These can be outrun too at speed 10 but a strong explosive launcher is a good option too. A rocket launcher allowed me to fight everything in lower caves without taking a scratch.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Cogmind - Alpha 12

Name: Widmo

---[ ESCAPED! ]---

 Performance
-------------
Evolutions (             4000
Robots Destroyed (137)     685
Value Destroyed (4151)     4151
Prototype IDs (44)         880
Alien Tech Recovered (0)   0
Bonus (10362)              10362
              TOTAL SCORE: 20078

 Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity             1470/1600
Matter                     177/300
Energy                     1084/1100
System Corruption          6%
Temperature                Hot (267)
Location                   Surface

 Parts
-------
Power (3)
  Singularity Reactor
Propulsion (10)
  Biomechanical Wings
  Field Propulsion Array
  Field Propulsion Array
  Diametric Drive
  Q-thruster
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Cooled Q-thruster
  Cooled Q-thruster
Utility (10)
  Experimental Heat Sink
  Large Storage Unit
  Experimental Optical Array
  SHELL Armor
  Hacking Suite
  Improved Hacking Suite
  System Shield
Weapon (2)
  Shock Maul
Inventory (10)
  High-powered Disruptor Cannon
  Micro-nuke Launcher
  Neutron Missile Launcher
  Fusion Bomb Launcher
  SGEMP Prototype

 Peak State
------------
Power
  Graviton Reactor
  Graviton Reactor
  Quantum Reactor
Propulsion
  Biomechanical Wings
  Field Propulsion Array
  Diametric Drive
  Q-thruster
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Impulse Thruster Array
  Cooled Q-thruster
  Cooled Q-thruster
Utility
  Experimental Heat Sink
  Advanced Cooling System
  Large Storage Unit
  Experimental Matter Compressor
  Experimental Optical Array
  Stasis Canceller
  SHELL Armor
  System Shield
Weapon
  High-powered Disruptor Cannon
Inventory
  Quantum Reactor
  Nuclear Pulse Thruster
  Field Propulsion Array
  Vortex Driver
  Micro-nuke Launcher
  Neutron Missile Launcher
  Shock Maul
  SGEMP Prototype
[Rating: 212]

 Favorites
-----------
Power                      Cooled Ion Engine
  Engine                   Cooled Ion Engine
  Power Core               Light Nuclear Core
  Reactor                  Reinforced Antimatter Reactor
Propulsion                 Carbon-fiber Leg
  Wheel                    Wheel
  Leg                      Carbon-fiber Leg
  Hover Unit               Gravmag Array
  Flight Unit              Nuclear Pulse Thruster
Utility                    Large Storage Unit
  Device                   Advanced Cooling System
  Storage                  Large Storage Unit
  Processor                Enhanced Optical Array
  Hackware                 Improved System Shield
  Protection               Hardened Light Armor Plating
Weapon                     Improved EM Shotgun
  Energy Gun               Improved EM Shotgun
  Energy Cannon            Advanced Beam Cannon
  Ballistic Gun            Heavy Battle Rifle
  Launcher                 Heavy Rocket Launcher
  Impact Weapon            Shock Maul

 Stats
-------
Bonus Breakdown            10362
  Met Warlord at Base      500
  Acquired SGEMP           2000
  Win                      3000
  Win Speed                4862
Classes Destroyed          17
  Worker                   9
  Builder                  4
  Tunneler                 4
  Hauler                   5
  Recycler                 9
  Operator                 4
  Drone                    1
  Watcher                  5
  Swarmer                  38
  Grunt                    29
  Brawler                  2
  Duelist                  4
  Protector                2
  Sentry                   15
  Hunter                   3
  Programmer               2
  Mutant                   1
NPCs Destroyed             0
Best Kill Streak           8
  Combat Bots Only         7
Matter Collected           3420
  Salvage Created          4676
Parts Attached             243
  Power                    30
  Propulsion               63
  Utility                  76
  Weapon                   74
Parts Lost                 50
  Power                    3
  Propulsion               22
  Utility                  13
  Weapon                   12
Average Slot Usage (%)     95
  Naked Turns              1
Spaces Moved               12818
  Fastest Speed (%)        1000
  Average Speed (%)        378
  Slowest Speed (%)        22
  Overloaded Moves         0
  Propulsion Burnouts      0
  Targets Rammed           0
  Cave-ins Triggered       0
Heaviest Build             114
  Greatest Support         142
  Greatest Overweight (x)  36
  Average Overweight (x)   0
Largest Inventory          10
  Average Capacity         8
  Most Carried             10
  Average Carried          8
  Final Capacity           10
  Final Carried            7
Core Damage Taken          996
Average Core Remaining (%) 84
  Depth 11 Exit            100
  Depth 10 Exit            97
  Depth 9 Exit             20
  Depth 7 Exit             67
  Depth 6 Exit             94
  Depth 5 Exit             100
  Depth 4 Exit             95
  Depth 3 Exit             100
  Depth 2 Exit             85
  Depth 1 Exit             91
Volleys Fired              464
  Largest                  2
  Hottest                  176
Shots Fired                627
  Gun                      410
  Cannon                   133
  Launcher                 84
  Special                  0
  Kinetic                  41
  Thermal                  216
  Explosive                84
  Electromagnetic          249
  Entropic                 37
Shots Hit Robots           395
  Core Hits                255
Critical Hits              74
  Kills                    25
  Parts Destroyed          26
Overload Shots             0
  Energy Bleed             0
  Heat Surge               0
  Short Circuit            0
  Meltdown                 0
Melee Attacks              102
  Impact                   102
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
Damage Inflicted           14122
  Projectiles              7864
  Explosions               4158
  Melee                    2100
  Ramming                  0
  Kinetic                  401
  Thermal                  2454
  Explosive                3831
  Electromagnetic          3389
  Impact                   2100
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
  Entropic                 1947
Overflow Damage            127
  Projectiles              75
  Explosions               27
  Melee                    25
Self-Inflicted Damage      359
  Shots                    13
  Rammed                   0
Highest Temperature        439
  Average Temperature      59
  Received Heat Transfer   1471
  Shutdowns                1
  Energy Bleed             0
  Interference             2
  Matter Decay             0
  Short Circuit            0
  Damage (minor)           1
  Damage (major)           0
  Damage (core)            0
Highest Corruption         6
  Average Corruption       1
  Message Errors           3
  Matter Fused             2
  Heat Flow Error          3
  Energy Discharge         3
  Parts Rejected           0
  Data loss (map)          0
  Data loss (database)     4
  Misfires                 3
  Misdirections            5
  Targeting Errors         2
  Weapon Failures          0
  Depth 2 End              1
  Depth 1 End              6
Haulers Intercepted        5
Robots Corrupted           3
  Parts Fried              17
Robots Melted              1
  Parts Melted             9
  Heat Transferred         4940
Parts Self-Destructed      95
  Prevented                11
Power Chain Reactions      8
Tactical Retreats          39
Communications Jammed      0
Parts Field Recycled       0
  Retrieved Matter         0
Parts Merge Repaired       0
Drone Launches             11
  Drone Recoveries         0
Derelicts Assembled        0
Traps Triggered            11
  Indirectly               0
Trap Hack Attempts         0
  Triggered                0
  Disarmed                 0
  Reprogrammed             0
  Reused                   10
Traps Extracted            21
  Installed                0
  Triggered                11
Machines Disabled          55
Data Cores Recovered       0
  Used                     0
Machines Hacked            74
  Terminals                47
  Fabricators              1
  Repair Stations          1
  Recycling Units          7
  Scanalyzers              3
  Garrison Access          7
Total Hacks                227
  Successful               93
  Failed                   126
  Catastrophic             28
  Database Lockouts        0
  Manual                   53
  Unauthorized             7
  Terminals                162
  Fabricators              6
  Repair Stations          2
  Recycling Units          8
  Scanalyzers              14
  Garrison Access          13
Terminal Hacks             85
  Record                   14
  Part Schematic           16
  Robot Analysis           2
  Prototype ID Bank        3
  Open Door                8
  Level Access Points      1
  Branch Access Points     3
  Terminal Index           3
  Scanalyzer Index         1
  Alert Level              3
  Unreport Threat          3
  Locate Traps             1
  Dispatch Records         3
  Maintenance Status       1
  Recall Reinforcements    1
  Zone Layout              6
  Machine Controls         2
Hacking Detections         55
  Full Trace Events        12
  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
Fab Network Shutdowns      0
Robot Schematics Acquired  0
  Robots Built             0
  Total Robot Build Rating 0
  Robot Fabrication Matter 0
  Robot Fabrication Time   0
Part Schematics Acquired   19
  Parts Built              0
  Total Part Build Rating  0
  Part Fabrication Matter  0
  Part Fabrication Time    0
Parts Repaired             1
  Part Repair Time         26
Parts Recycled             0
  Recycled Matter          0
  Retrieved Matter         0
  Retrieved Components     0
Parts Scanalyzed           4
  Part Schematics Acquired 3
  Parts Damaged            0
Robot Analysis Total       2
Robots Rewired             8
Robots Hacked              0
  Non-combat               0
  Combat                   0
Robot Hack Failures        0
Allies Hacked              1
Hacks Repelled             0
Total Allies               19
  Largest Group            4
  Highest-Rated Group      154
  Highest-Rated Ally       78
Total Orders               7
  COLLECT                  7
Terraforming Orders        0
  Walls Built              0
  Walls Tunneled           0
Ally Attacks               38
  Total Damage             1246
  Kills                    10
Allies Corrupted           1
Allies Melted              0
Peak Influence             963
  Average Influence        210
  Final Influence          13
Maximum Alert Level        3
  Low Security (%)         68
  Level 1                  15
  Level 2                  2
  Level 3                  13
  Level 4                  0
  Level 5                  0
Squads Dispatched          46
  Investigation            12
  Extermination            2
  Reinforcement            20
  Assault                  8
  Garrison                 3
  Intercept                1
Derelict Logs Recovered    5
Exploration Rate (%)       32
  Regions Visited          24
  Pre-discovered Areas     10
Garrisons Visited          0
  Relays Disabled          0
  Generators Disabled      0
Network Hubs Disabled      0
Actions Taken              14654
Turns Passed               10282
  Depth 11                 81
  Depth 10                 847
  Depth 9                  2733
  Depth 7                  2976
  Depth 6                  1344
  Depth 5                  157
  Depth 4                  955
  Depth 3                  172
  Depth 2                  648
  Depth 1                  369
  Scrapyard                81
  Materials                918
  Factory                  1446
  Research                 523
  Access                   369
  Mines                    238
  Storage                  1720
  Recycling                704
  Waste                    108
  Lower Caves              1056
  Upper Caves              270
  Proximity Caves          874
  Zion                     1085
  Warlord                  645
  Testing                  245

 Prototype IDs
---------------
Heavy Ion Engine
Cooled Ion Engine
Graviton Reactor
Improved Quantum Reactor
Singularity Reactor
Enhanced Biometal Leg
High-density Centrium Wheel
Cooled Aerolev Unit
Improved Flight Unit
Biomechanical Wings
Improved Diametric Drive
Cooled Q-thruster
Advanced Power Amplifier
Experimental Thermal Converter
Experimental Heat Sink
Experimental Matter Compressor
Gravity Neutralizing Apparatus
Experimental Optical Array
Advanced Salvage Targeting Computer
Experimental Melee Analysis Suite
Experimental Core Analyzer
Precision Matter Filter
SHELL Armor
Quantum Shroud
Experimental Field Recycling Unit
Improved Medium Laser
Precision Beam Rifle
Advanced Beam Rifle
Cooled Pulse Rifle
Enhanced Force Rifle
Warp Gun
Vortex Rifle
Heavy Quantum Rifle
Improved EM Shotgun
Advanced Beam Cannon
Vortex Driver
High-powered Disruptor Cannon
Improved Assault Rifle
Helical Railgun
Guided Missile Launcher
Rocket Array
Neutron Missile Launcher
Advanced EMP Blaster
Shock Maul

 Fabricated
------------
Nothing

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

 Route
-------
-11/Scrapyard
-10/Materials (discovered 2 exits: *Min x2)
-10/Mines
-9/Materials
-9/Storage (discovered 2 exits: *Mat / *Rec)
-9/Recycling
-7/Factory
-7/Lower Caves
-7/Lower Caves
-7/Zion
-6/Proximity Caves
-6/Factory
-6/Waste
-6/Factory
-5/Factory (discovered 3 exits: [*Fac] / Upp x2)
-4/Factory
-4/Upper Caves
-4/Upper Caves
-4/Warlord
-3/Proximity Caves
-3/Research
-2/Research
-2/Testing
-1/Access (discovered 2 exits: *Sur / [*Com])
Surface

 Game
------
Seed: 1482862763
^Manual?: 0
Play Time: 233 min
Sessions: 1
Mod: N/A
Game No.: 65
Lore%: 56
Gallery%: 73
ASCII: 1
Keyboard: 1
Movement: Numpad
Fullscreen: 1
Font: 16/Terminus
Map View: 50x54
FOV Handling: Fade In

45

Stories / [Brutal spoilers] Exploited hackware snowball effect

« on: January 08, 2017, 04:28:13 AM »

Reading the thread about hackware snowball effect I wondered if it is really that bad. All my previous experiments with datajack turned out to be thorough waste of time. Not only the datajack seldom works but then you also have to do it successfully several times in order to do anything useful. In meantime maintenance bots flee from you and combat bots shoot at you. Bleh!

From this point on spoilerific part starts. If you can follow this recipe Cogmind can be beaten with 100% certainty.

To check it out I turned my current game into datajack wielding nightmare. It really does snowball. First you get a single hackware which allows you to fabricate additional ones more easily. When you pile up on those you can use them to obtain advanced schematics to get even more mileage of your utility slots.

Then the datajack starts to be useful when it happens to work meaning you can minimize matter losses on remote attacks. When you get some meatshield grunts on your side they can take the heat while you convert the opposition to your cause. With ever-growing entourage you actually have surplus matter from the bots you did not convert in time and your destroyed followers.

Next cheesy tactics like garrison camping start to be viable. Challenges get turned upside down: you want yourself to be scanned by researchers so that you can have stronger followers. Soon you have army of prototypes on your side: Striker, Lightning, Executioner, Alpha 7 ... nothing can stand your might except artificially immune Behemoths. If (when?) you get the guided datajack you can oneshotconvert any enemies to your cause. Operators reveal all hazards which usually is a prize for worthy achievement of outsmartnig one but now this is trivial. Oh, an operator on radar? Zapp! Welcome to our army. No, there is no need to worry about that terminal.

With influence staying mostly low because you are not destroying robots the game becomes a walk in the park. I lost my guided datajack in an explosion of a machine which did slow things down but nothing too bad. I once let a behemoth destroy half my utilities because of boredom. I rebuilt pretty quickly. You can see some advanced hackware because there was little incentive to upgrade them.

The final verdict? 100% chances on very difficult hacks like recall assault are nowhere as breaking as 95% chance on robot assimilation. There is database lockout plus fabricator lockout to limit ordinary exploits. At access I had option of venturing to command but I was so thoroughly tired by the unexciting game I went straight for the exit. My run is currently at the top ot high scores anyway.

Soon I am going to make my way over to the snowball thread. There are a few thoughts I wish to share but not before I put here my other win though because this one is unworthy. It did not require much effort or skill. As the warrior said "I am disgraced by letting this score sheet be automatically submitted".

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Cogmind - Alpha 12

Name: Widmo

---[ ESCAPED! ]---

 Performance
-------------
Evolutions (9)             4500
Robots Destroyed (637)     3185
Value Destroyed (22366)    22366
Prototype IDs (140)        2800
Alien Tech Recovered (14)  2800
Bonus (22995)              22995
              TOTAL SCORE: 58646

 Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity             1561/1600
Matter                     300/300
Energy                     850/850
System Corruption          0%
Temperature                Cool (0)
Location                   Surface

 Parts
-------
Power (2)
  Quantum Reactor
  Reinforced Quantum Reactor
Propulsion (7)
  Electron Diverter
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Improved Q-thruster
  Improved Q-thruster
Utility (14)
  Coolant Network
  Large Storage Unit
  Experimental Targeting Computer
  Advanced Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Advanced System Shield
  Advanced System Shield
  Quantum Router
Weapon (3)
  Advanced Remote Datajack
  Centrium Greatsword
Inventory (10)
  Transdimensional Reconstructor
  Transdimensional Reconstructor
  High-powered Transdimensional Reconstructor
  Core Reset Matrix
  Core Reset Matrix
  Subatomic Replicator
  SGEMP Prototype

 Peak State
------------
Power
  Quantum Reactor
  Reinforced Quantum Reactor
Propulsion
  Electron Diverter
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Improved Diametric Drive
  Improved Q-thruster
  Improved Q-thruster
Utility
  Coolant Network
  Large Storage Unit
  Experimental Targeting Computer
  Advanced Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Experimental Hacking Suite
  Advanced System Shield
  Advanced System Shield
  Quantum Router
Weapon
  Advanced Remote Datajack
  Centrium Greatsword
Inventory
  Quantum Reactor
  Transdimensional Reconstructor
  Transdimensional Reconstructor
  High-powered Transdimensional Reconstructor
  Core Reset Matrix
  Core Reset Matrix
  Subatomic Replicator
  SGEMP Prototype
[Rating: 209]

 Favorites
-----------
Power                      Reinforced Ion Engine
  Engine                   Reinforced Ion Engine
  Power Core               Micro Fission Core
  Reactor                  Fusion Reactor
Propulsion                 Wheel
  Treads                   Medium Treads
  Wheel                    Wheel
  Leg                      Improved Aluminum Leg
  Hover Unit               Cooled Aerolev Unit
  Flight Unit              Improved Diametric Drive
Utility                    Large Storage Unit
  Device                   Long-range Sensor Array
  Storage                  Large Storage Unit
  Processor                Improved Targeting Computer
  Hackware                 Advanced Hacking Suite
  Protection               Improved Light Armor Plating
  Artifact                 Stasis Generator
Weapon                     Improved Remote Datajack
  Energy Gun               Improved EM Shotgun
  Energy Cannon            Beam Cannon
  Ballistic Gun            Coil Gun
  Ballistic Cannon         Mini Assault Cannon
  Launcher                 Grenade Launcher
  Special Weapon           Improved Remote Datajack
  Impact Weapon            Great Maul
  Slashing Weapon          Plasma Sword
  Piercing Weapon          Lance
  Special Melee Weapon     Advanced Datajack

 Stats
-------
Bonus Breakdown            22995
  Met Data Miner           300
  Found Hidden Lab         3000
  Used Core Reset Matrix   3000
  Hacked Protovariant      500
  Acquired SGEMP           2000
  Met Sigix                2000
  Activated Exoskeleton    3000
  Escaped with Sigix       5000
  Win                      3000
  Win Speed                1195
Classes Destroyed          21
  Worker                   101
  Builder                  56
  Tunneler                 16
  Hauler                   26
  Recycler                 51
  Minesweeper              1
  Mechanic                 2
  Operator                 24
  Watcher                  26
  Swarmer                  78
  Saboteur                 1
  Grunt                    161
  Brawler                  8
  Duelist                  5
  Protector                2
  Sentry                   37
  Hunter                   15
  Programmer               16
  Behemoth                 1
  Compactor                3
  Assembled                7
NPCs Destroyed             0
Best Kill Streak           15
  Combat Bots Only         8
Matter Collected           29578
  Salvage Created          20937
Parts Attached             755
  Power                    80
  Propulsion               189
  Utility                  217
  Weapon                   269
Parts Lost                 177
  Power                    22
  Propulsion               53
  Utility                  40
  Weapon                   62
Average Slot Usage (%)     94
  Naked Turns              1
Spaces Moved               37508
  Fastest Speed (%)        714
  Average Speed (%)        265
  Slowest Speed (%)        13
  Overloaded Moves         19
  Propulsion Burnouts      0
  Targets Rammed           3
  Cave-ins Triggered       3
  Teleports                1
Heaviest Build             96
  Greatest Support         150
  Greatest Overweight (x)  20
  Average Overweight (x)   0
Largest Inventory          16
  Average Capacity         11
  Most Carried             16
  Average Carried          10
  Final Capacity           10
  Final Carried            8
Core Damage Taken          4133
Average Core Remaining (%) 48
  Depth 11 Exit            100
  Depth 10 Exit            24
  Depth 9 Exit             19
  Depth 8 Exit             54
  Depth 7 Exit             2
  Depth 6 Exit             13
  Depth 5 Exit             35
  Depth 4 Exit             61
  Depth 3 Exit             56
  Depth 2 Exit             72
  Depth 1 Exit             97
Volleys Fired              2858
  Largest                  3
  Hottest                  199
Shots Fired                3543
  Gun                      1559
  Cannon                   781
  Launcher                 677
  Special                  526
  Kinetic                  916
  Thermal                  811
  Explosive                439
  Electromagnetic          864
Shots Hit Robots           1680
  Core Hits                1025
Critical Hits              253
  Kills                    82
  Parts Destroyed          103
Overload Shots             21
  Energy Bleed             0
  Heat Surge               0
  Short Circuit            0
  Meltdown                 1
Melee Attacks              1229
  Impact                   398
  Slashing                 495
  Piercing                 288
Damage Inflicted           58561
  Projectiles              22598
  Explosions               25234
  Melee                    10706
  Ramming                  23
  Kinetic                  11451
  Thermal                  10964
  Explosive                17561
  Electromagnetic          7856
  Impact                   1908
  Slashing                 7576
  Piercing                 1222
Overflow Damage            559
  Projectiles              156
  Explosions               378
  Melee                    25
Self-Inflicted Damage      1429
  Shots                    56
  Rammed                   3
Highest Temperature        529
  Average Temperature      64
  Received Heat Transfer   5574
  Shutdowns                1
  Energy Bleed             2
  Interference             5
  Matter Decay             0
  Short Circuit            0
  Damage (minor)           0
  Damage (major)           4
  Damage (core)            1
Highest Corruption         19
  Average Corruption       4
  Message Errors           106
  Matter Fused             86
  Heat Flow Error          40
  Energy Discharge         42
  Parts Rejected           30
  Data loss (map)          0
  Data loss (database)     69
  Misfires                 14
  Misdirections            101
  Targeting Errors         79
  Weapon Failures          10
  Depth 10 End             11
  Depth 8 End              3
  Depth 7 End              14
  Depth 5 End              1
  Depth 4 End              15
  Depth 3 End              19
  Depth 2 End              1
Haulers Intercepted        26
Robots Corrupted           13
  Parts Fried              61
Robots Melted              0
  Parts Melted             19
  Heat Transferred         16274
Parts Self-Destructed      55
  Prevented                3
Power Chain Reactions      36
Tactical Retreats          58
Communications Jammed      0
Parts Field Recycled       0
  Retrieved Matter         0
Parts Merge Repaired       0
Drone Launches             4
  Drone Recoveries         0
Derelicts Assembled        0
Traps Triggered            27
  Indirectly               7
Trap Hack Attempts         0
  Triggered                0
  Disarmed                 0
  Reprogrammed             0
  Reused                   7
Traps Extracted            64
  Installed                10
  Triggered                10
Machines Disabled          507
Data Cores Recovered       3
  Used                     1
Machines Hacked            276
  Terminals                146
  Fabricators              25
  Repair Stations          30
  Recycling Units          23
  Scanalyzers              18
  Garrison Access          21
Total Hacks                1517
  Successful               1297
  Failed                   204
  Catastrophic             26
  Database Lockouts        10
  Manual                   508
  Unauthorized             173
  Terminals                996
  Fabricators              79
  Repair Stations          123
  Recycling Units          93
  Scanalyzers              77
  Garrison Access          82
Terminal Hacks             871
  Record                   92
  Part Schematic           111
  Robot Schematic          19
  Robot Analysis           51
  Prototype ID Bank        56
  Open Door                11
  Level Access Points      11
  Branch Access Points     9
  Emergency Access Points  23
  Machine Index            11
  Terminal Index           3
  Fabricator Index         1
  Scanalyzer Index         1
  Garrison Index           1
  Alert Level              45
  Unreport Threat          80
  Locate Traps             32
  Disarm Traps             22
  Reprogram Traps          8
  Dispatch Records         38
  Maintenance Status       5
  Security Status          2
  Surveillance Status      3
  Patrol Status            5
  Transport Status         3
  Extermination Status     1
  Reinforcement Status     2
  Intercept Status         1
  Recall Investigation     20
  Recall Extermination     9
  Recall Reinforcements    18
  Recall Assault           7
  Hauler Manifests         10
  Registered Components    6
  Registered Prototypes    9
  Zone Layout              43
  Machine Controls         81
  Protovariant Controls    2
  Activate Exoskeleton     1
Hacking Detections         183
  Full Trace Events        24
  Feedback Events          1
  Feedback Corruption      1
  Feedback Part Disabled   0
  Feedback Blocked         0
Trojans Installed          127
  Terminals                49
  Fabricators              9
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          6
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          63
Fabricators Overloaded     1
Garrisons Disabled         18
Garrisons Compromised      0
Fab Network Shutdowns      6
Robot Schematics Acquired  19
  Robots Built             0
  Total Robot Build Rating 0
  Robot Fabrication Matter 0
  Robot Fabrication Time   0
Part Schematics Acquired   157
  Parts Built              31
  Total Part Build Rating  170
  Part Fabrication Matter  7620
  Part Fabrication Time    2104
Parts Repaired             51
  Part Repair Time         1884
Parts Recycled             4
  Recycled Matter          6896
  Retrieved Matter         6154
  Retrieved Components     33
Parts Scanalyzed           26
  Part Schematics Acquired 25
  Parts Damaged            2
Robot Analysis Total       51
Robots Rewired             13
Robots Hacked              261
  Non-combat               53
  Combat                   208
  Parse                    1
  Link                     5
  Overloaded               5
  Assimilated              246
  Secondary                4
Robot Hack Failures        45
Allies Hacked              25
Hacks Repelled             6
Total Allies               288
  Largest Group            36
  Highest-Rated Group      1635
  Highest-Rated Ally       97
Total Orders               26
  GOTO                     1
  FOLLOW                   10
  TUNNEL                   11
  COLLECT                  4
Terraforming Orders        0
  Walls Built              0
  Walls Tunneled           0
Ally Attacks               1480
  Total Damage             53037
  Kills                    295
Allies Corrupted           27
Allies Melted              1
Peak Influence             1076
  Average Influence        253
  Final Influence          425
Maximum Alert Level        3
  Low Security (%)         42
  Level 1                  37
  Level 2                  17
  Level 3                  2
  Level 4                  0
  Level 5                  0
Squads Dispatched          194
  Investigation            57
  Extermination            33
  Reinforcement            72
  Assault                  11
  Garrison                 13
  Intercept                8
Derelict Logs Recovered    12
Exploration Rate (%)       50
  Regions Visited          30
  Pre-discovered Areas     27
Garrisons Visited          0
  Relays Disabled          0
  Generators Disabled      0
Network Hubs Disabled      0
Actions Taken              46572
Turns Passed               41809
  Depth 11                 90
  Depth 10                 3877
  Depth 9                  3957
  Depth 8                  6367
  Depth 7                  10267
  Depth 6                  2640
  Depth 5                  5143
  Depth 4                  5246
  Depth 3                  1630
  Depth 2                  2030
  Depth 1                  562
  Scrapyard                90
  Materials                13936
  Factory                  16272
  Research                 1748
  Access                   562
  Mines                    265
  Storage                  1508
  Waste                    443
  Lower Caves              421
  Upper Caves              1179
  Proximity Caves          723
  Data Miner               54
  Zhirov                   729
  Armory                   1750
  Lab                      217
  Quarantine               472
  Testing                  615
  Section 7                825

 Prototype IDs
---------------
Mini Fusion Reactor
Compact Particle Reactor
Cooled Antimatter Reactor
Improved Quantum Reactor
Singularity Reactor
Centrium Heavy Treads
Experimental Myomer Leg
High-density Centrium Leg
Experimental Biometal Leg
High-density Centrium Wheel
Cooled Gravmag System
Cooled Antigrav System
Electron Diverter
Improved Diametric Drive
Improved Q-thruster
Cooled Q-thruster
Advanced Power Amplifier
Experimental Power Amplifier
Experimental Thermal Converter
Coolant Network
Improved Energy Well
Experimental Energy Well
Advanced Matter Compressor
Inertial Stasis Machine
Quantum Shading Machine
Dimensional Manipulator
Advanced Salvage Targeting Computer
Experimental Targeting Computer
Experimental Melee Analysis Suite
Experimental Core Analyzer
Precision Matter Filter
Femtoactuators
Advanced Overload Amplifier
Advanced Overload Regulator
Experimental Cloaking Device
Experimental Focal Shield
Beam Splitter
EM Dispersion Field
Advanced Remote Shield Generator
Experimental Hacking Suite
Experimental System Shield
Quantum Router
Advanced Dynamic Insulation System
Experimental Reclamation Unit
Precision Phase Gun
Heavy Dispersion Rifle
Heavy Tesla Rifle
Hypervelocity EM Gauss Rifle
Light Antimatter Cannon
Compact Mass Driver
Compact Linear Accelerator
Graviton Cannon
Tiamat Missile Launcher
Advanced Micro-nuke Launcher
Tactical Quantum Warhead
Ragnarok Missile Launcher
Guided Micro-nuke Launcher
Enhanced Gamma Bomb Array
Shock Maul
Plasma Sword
Centrium Greatsword
Nanosword
Kinetic Spear

 Fabricated
------------
1x Hacking Suite (-6/Factory)
1x Hacking Suite (-6/Factory)
1x Hacking Suite (-6/Factory)
1x Imp. Hacking Suite (-6/Factory)
1x Imp. Hacking Suite (-5/Factory)
1x Adv. Hacking Suite (-5/Factory)
1x Adv. Hacking Suite (-5/Factory)
1x Adv. Hacking Suite (-5/Factory)
1x Adv. System Shield (-4/Factory)
1x Adv. System Shield (-4/Factory)
1x Adv. System Shield (-4/Factory)
1x Adv. Hacking Suite (-4/Factory)
1x Adv. Hacking Suite (-4/Factory)
1x Adv. Hacking Suite (-4/Factory)
1x Adv. Hacking Suite (-4/Factory)
2x Diametric Drive (-4/Armory)
2x Diametric Drive (-4/Armory)
1x Exp. Hacking Suite (-4/Armory)
1x Exp. System Shield (-4/Armory)
1x Exp. System Shield (-4/Armory)
1x Exp. Hacking Suite (-4/Armory)
1x Exp. Hacking Suite (-3/Testing)
1x Exp. Hacking Suite (-3/Testing)
1x Exp. Hacking Suite (-2/Research)
1x Exp. Hacking Suite (-2/Research)
1x Exp. Hacking Suite (-2/Research)
1x Exp. Hacking Suite (-1/Access)
1x Exp. Hacking Suite (-1/Access)
1x Imp. Q-thruster (-1/Access)

 Alien Tech Recovered
----------------------
Dimensional Node Initializer
Transdimensional Reconstructor
Core Reset Matrix
Core Expander
Integrated Dissipator
Integrated Reactor
Stasis Generator
Core Stripper
Sigix Broadsword
Terrabomb
Integrity Redistributor
Integrated Singularity Reactor
Matter Drive
LRC Energy Well

 Route
-------
-11/Scrapyard
-10/Materials (discovered 4 exits: *Mat x3 / *Min)
-10/Mines
-9/Materials (discovered 4 exits: *Mat x2 / *Min x2)
-8/Materials (discovered 3 exits: *Fac x3)
-7/Factory
-7/Waste
-7/Factory (discovered 6 exits: *Fac x3 / *Sto / *Low x2)
-7/Storage (discovered 2 exits: *Fac / [*Rec])
-6/Factory (discovered 6 exits: *Fac x4 / *Low x2)
-6/Lower Caves
-6/Lower Caves
-6/Data Miner
-5/Proximity Caves
-5/Factory (discovered 3 exits: Fac x3)
-5/Waste
-5/Factory (discovered 6 exits: Fac x4 / *Upp x2)
-5/Upper Caves
-5/Upper Caves (discovered 2 exits: *Fac / *Zhi)
-5/Zhirov
-4/Proximity Caves
-4/Factory (discovered 9 exits: *Res x4 / *Upp x2 / *Ext x2 / *Arm)
-4/Armory (discovered 3 exits: *Res x2 / *Lab)
-4/Lab
-3/Research (discovered 5 exits: *Res x3 / *Tes x2)
-3/Testing
-2/Research (discovered 5 exits: *Acc x3 / *Qua x2)
-2/Quarantine (discovered 2 exits: *Acc / *Sec)
-2/Section 7
-1/Access
Surface

 Game
------
Seed: 1483627336
^Manual?: 0
Play Time: 888 min
Sessions: 9
Mod: N/A
Game No.: 83
Lore%: 66
Gallery%: 80
ASCII: 1
Keyboard: 1
Movement: Numpad
Fullscreen: 1
Font: 16/Terminus
Map View: 50x54
FOV Handling: Fade In

46

Fixed Bugs & Non-Bugs / Browsing world map with keyboard mode influences targeting

« on: January 05, 2017, 11:30:07 AM »

This one was actually very funny to find out. It is specific to keyboard mode.

1) Make sure no enemies are in view.
2) Target a machine and fire at it. Still no enemies should be in view.
3) Open world map and browse around.
4) Close world map.
5) Fire again expecting previous spot will be targeted.
6) Profit ... for your enemy.

I unintentionally shot at a wall blowing off my hard earned grenade launcher that way.

47

Ideas / Arrow key support for option screen

« on: January 05, 2017, 11:22:54 AM »

The option screen is all nice and fine but it would be good to support arrow keys so keyboard players can read option descriptions without toggling it. Especially important for tutorial option which cannot be undone once reset.

48

Fixed Bugs & Non-Bugs / Re: Refit stays disabled after taking up part for repairs

« on: January 05, 2017, 11:20:59 AM »

*sees email notification that looks like a report, guesses it's Widmo*

*opens forums, not surprised*

At this point even Notoriety(Purge) is not going to help me surprise you.

I think Widmo needs an award for being the Cogmind to use Repair Stations more than anyone in history, especially under interesting circumstances.

Oh, I see a nice tiny companion besides the badges. Cool, thank you!

Repair Units always have the stuff I need. Whether it is a rare prototype, a combat airjet obtained from demolisher in mines or a fancy stuff found down some dirty chute there is one go-to place for getting it fixed. Incidentally this is the only machine where I prefer System Shield to Hacking Suite. It is more beneficial to have more repairs than bumping already good success chance for most items. On the other hand even offensive hackware opens a nice option - refitting. My speed builds often can make use of some backup propulsion. Basically, the Repair Unit is so well balanced it is a pleasure to toy with it.

49

Fixed Bugs & Non-Bugs / Refit stays disabled after taking up part for repairs

« on: January 03, 2017, 09:03:09 PM »

When a repair unit takes your only power source for repairing the refit option should become available if it was not previously, same for similar situations. This inconsistency rarely comes into play and costs just a few keystrokes to work around. Having my Cooled Ion Engine badly damaged I gave it away for fixing but a backup power source would not hurt meantime (I was not being traced yet) because a band of grunts was after my baterry juices. Huh, refit unavailable? I pondered a manual hack but choose to disconnect and reconnect first. Bingo, the option is active!

50

Ideas / Re: Auto-replacement Priorities

« on: January 02, 2017, 01:30:13 AM »

However, when you are going to permanently destroy-replace a processor, doesn't the UI already warn you which item will be removed with a text message?

No, it does not. It tells you what type of the item is going to be discarded. This is sufficient to deduce which one is exactly being meant but parsing this requires some effort. Why put that burden on player and interrupt the smooth game flow? As you can see understanding the algorithm failed in that regard because I am too lazy to check integrities.

Having the precise item being pointed out right there in equipment eliminates the whole issue. Improving the message to contain slot letter will also lessen cognitive burden but in my opinion not as well as marking the part directly.

(...) only processors would flash in that case? (Because for any other items to flash first that would mean the swap couldn't take place immediately.)

How about a color change of the item instead of flash so playing speed can be kept uninterrupted? Have it stay red for as long as the confirmation grace period is active. Giving the colon in front of prcessor item a way to stand out more than usual in this case to accentuate its meaning is welcome.

Also agreed about the subject of the topic being really much more about processors than anything else. As you wrote yourself price for mistake in other cases is usually some matter. Unless a compactor is nearby.