| Re: Bugs Section (was Re: IT gate scanning and ISB) |
Thu, 05 January 2006 20:53   |
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I do know how the JRC4 patch did and did not fix things - I was part of the JRC4 beta test team.
The minefield bug does still exist - the JRC4 update did address but the problem was not able to eliminate it. This bug still exists and must be banned in games. Effectively what happens is that now, after the 'fix', sometimes fleets hit mines BUT, far less than with normal travel. This has never been quantified but I have seen it and worked with it in real games to see results. (Call this extra beta testing because I have never tried to exploit it - I love this game too much to ever try to cheat anybody - I am also VERY adept at spotting cheaters).
JRC4 also tried to address the issue of the split fleet dodge. I worked a lot in this case with Jeff and the final change was the best that could be done - it is now better than when I discovered the problem. This 'split fleet' case is something that needs to be written up in the new help file and defined (since I know exactly how it works it's quite easy to write up). The split fleet dodge can easily be worked now to the advantage of either player involved.
I stopped playing IT about 4 years ago - it was just too easy for me to win as an IT. I have tromped on killer CA's as IT. I now play lesser PRT's and still am highly competetive, I get more of a challenge this way and have much more fun. I have never had a problem with gate scanning - it is such a monor benefit for the IT. Moving minerals and colonists through gates is the ultimate strength for an IT.
[Beware all of you, look for the new killer WM about to make it's debue (before the final race design tweaks I'll be lucky to win a game - but, we shall see and I will try)]
The ability of gate scanning provides intel, but not a great deal of it. You see the type of orbital (fort or dock, station or ultra) - but, unless you have actually had a battle with that same type of station you don't know its design (heck, you aren't WM asafter all). The only other thing you really get is the planet stats - by the time the /any gates are available most of the universe has already been scanned anyway. The most important thing you really want to see with gate scanning is ships in orbit of the planet. Gate scanning doesn't provide this.
I honestly have no issue with gate scanning - I simply accept the way it works regardless of how it's advertised. When I play an IT I certainly don't build stations for the purpose of seeing gates (other than the ONE 100/any space dock). I build orbitals for building ships and moving pop and minerals. Other than the one off 100/any gate which has ALWAYS shown me every planet in a galaxy with a stargate I never build a station that simply I wanty to scan with gates.
Regarding overall designs and strategies - I truly believe and am willing to pay for the priveledge of penetrating scanners. During attacks this ability saves a minimal of one turn and a potential disaster. Knowing what hte enemy has in orbit as you attack is paramount AND, with penn scanning technology you can keep an eye on planets and better select targets . (NO, Stars! is NOT a game for everybody to pussyfood around diplomacy - Stars! IS a war game. Crush your opponents and take their planets.
BTW, Only an SS can enslave enemy worlds as slave mine labor for minerals (oops - perhaps I shouldn't have given my secret weapon away  )
Ptolemy
[Updated on: Thu, 05 January 2006 21:12]
Though we often ask how and why, we must also do to get the answers to the questions.Report message to a moderator
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