Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

I am making a collection of all available Formations and Movement/Firing strategies. This is going to work somewhat similar to the Images Modpack.

So far, this collection will include the following files:

Formations.txt
Default_AI_Strategies.txt

This is what I have at this point:

Formations.txt

I am going to make a credits.txt for this as soon as I get a chance to.

If you want to submit stuff to this collection, please do so.

Any original submission is accepted, assuming that it:
</font>

• <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">is reasonably neat. (To make the compilation easier)</font>
• <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">contains an appropriate credit.txt. (Indicating any parties who should be credited with the work)</font>

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">

[ July 30, 2004, 07:15: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

BUMP

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

3WFormation.txt

I'll try to make some more later http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

I am going to resurrect this mod. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ultimate Strategies Mod v1.00.00

New Mod!

This mod makes alterations to the strategies and formations in SEIV Gold. The goal is to expand upon the strategic choices available to the player.

Because formations are controlled by a data file and not changeable from within the game, this mod will allow PBW and PBEM Users to play otherwise normal games with custom formations.

This mod also modifies the DefaultColonyTypes and DefaultDesignTypes files, to create more variety in the default selections.

USMv10000.zip - a 123 KB download

Here's the Readme:

Readme.txt

New sumbissions (especially to the Strategies) are always welcome (and somewhat needed http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ).

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

updated my old formation:

PUKE
0000000001111111111
1234567890123456789
01
02
03
04
05
06 L3 6 9 B GJX
07 M 5 O Q S V
08 14 P R T E HKY
09 N 7 A UD W
10 2 8 C F ILZ
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

Name := PUKE
Description := Puke's "Parade of Victory" Formation
Leader Position Xpos := 2
Leader Position Ypos := 6
Leader Design Type := Any
Number of positions := 35
Position 1 Xpos := 2
Position 1 Ypos := 8
Position 1 Type := Any
Position 2 Xpos := 2
Position 2 Ypos := 10
Position 2 Type := Any
Position 3 Xpos := 3
Position 3 Ypos := 6
Position 3 Type := Any
Position 4 Xpos := 3
Position 4 Ypos := 8
Position 4 Type := Any
Position 5 Xpos := 4
Position 5 Ypos := 7
Position 5 Type := Any
Position 6 Xpos := 7
Position 6 Ypos := 6
Position 6 Type := Any
Position 7 Xpos := 7
Position 7 Ypos := 9
Position 7 Type := Any
Position 8 Xpos := 8
Position 8 Ypos := 10
Position 8 Type := Any
Position 9 Xpos := 9
Position 9 Ypos := 6
Position 9 Type := Any
Position 10 Xpos := 9
Position 10 Ypos := 9
Position 10 Type := Any
Position 11 Xpos := 12
Position 11 Ypos := 6
Position 11 Type := Any
Position 12 Xpos := 12
Position 12 Ypos := 10
Position 12 Type := Any
Position 13 Xpos := 13
Position 13 Ypos := 9
Position 13 Type := Any
Position 14 Xpos := 14
Position 14 Ypos := 8
Position 14 Type := Any
Position 15 Xpos := 14
Position 15 Ypos := 10
Position 15 Type := Any
Position 16 Xpos := 17
Position 16 Ypos := 6
Position 16 Type := Any
Position 17 Xpos := 17
Position 17 Ypos := 8
Position 17 Type := Any
Position 18 Xpos := 17
Position 18 Ypos := 10
Position 18 Type := Any
Position 19 Xpos := 18
Position 19 Ypos := 6
Position 19 Type := Any
Position 20 Xpos := 18
Position 20 Ypos := 8
Position 20 Type := Any
Position 21 Xpos := 18
Position 21 Ypos := 10
Position 21 Type := Any
Position 22 Xpos := 2
Position 22 Ypos := 7
Position 22 Type := Any
Position 23 Xpos := 2
Position 23 Ypos := 9
Position 23 Type := Any
Position 24 Xpos := 7
Position 24 Ypos := 7
Position 24 Type := Any
Position 25 Xpos := 7
Position 25 Ypos := 8
Position 25 Type := Any
Position 26 Xpos := 9
Position 26 Ypos := 7
Position 26 Type := Any
Position 27 Xpos := 9
Position 27 Ypos := 8
Position 27 Type := Any
Position 28 Xpos := 12
Position 28 Ypos := 7
Position 28 Type := Any
Position 29 Xpos := 12
Position 29 Ypos := 8
Position 29 Type := Any
Position 30 Xpos := 12
Position 30 Ypos := 9
Position 30 Type := Any
Position 31 Xpos := 17
Position 31 Ypos := 7
Position 31 Type := Any
Position 32 Xpos := 17
Position 32 Ypos := 9
Position 32 Type := Any
Position 33 Xpos := 19
Position 33 Ypos := 6
Position 33 Type := Any
Position 34 Xpos := 19
Position 34 Ypos := 8
Position 34 Type := Any
Position 35 Xpos := 19
Position 35 Ypos := 10
Position 35 Type := Any

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Could you upload it in a text file instead, to preserve the spaces?

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

I am the thing that goes BUMP in the night.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Great idea. Sadly, i have not one good strategy for it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Yeah, I don't have many either. I was hoping some people would be willing to help out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Nice. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Not sure what one COULD do about the strategies though. I never use them myself (addicted to tactical combat, I want to SEE the enemy get crushed, hehe).

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

there are only a few stratigies i use

passive blocade (dont fire on non-combattants or planets)
active blocade (dont fire on planets)
stand-off (max range/dont get hurt)

I also have some variants on capture planet, capture ship, and ram.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Well, post them then! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

I am the thing that goes BUMP in the night.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

But you can't do tactical in PBW. And tactical is unfair to the AI, because no matter how good a strategy someone gave the AI, you can analyze it and kick the pants off the poor computer even when fairly outnumbered. At least its better than SE3, though, where you could win consistently with 2 to 1 and sometimes with as bad as 3 to 1 odds against you (not counting the madness when you have better ship designs). However, the AI gameplay is much better in SEIV, i have to hand it to Aaron. A human player willing to spend the time to micromanage should in general beat the AI, at least when the playing field is level and the human has played enough to be familiar. Every strategy has a weakness, and the AI is not quite dynamic enough to adapt to someone exploiting its weak points.

Edit: this was in response to LostCommander

[ January 07, 2003, 22:22: Message edited by: Gwaihir ]

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Gwaihir, you could post some new strategies that have different weaknesses then. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Or maybe some that exploit these weaknesses in the default strategies. And besides, playing against Humans is a lot more fun than against AIs. Humans are capable of responding to your strategies. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Ultimate Strategies Mod v1.00.01

New Version!

This mod makes alterations to the strategies and formations in SEIV Gold. The goal is to expand upon the strategic choices available to the player.

Because formations are controlled by a data file and not changeable from within the game, this mod will allow PBW and PBEM Users to play otherwise normal games with custom formations.

This mod also modifies the DefaultColonyTypes and DefaultDesignTypes files, to create more variety in the default selections.

USMv10001.zip - a 124 KB download

Here's the Readme:

Readme.txt

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

And who let this one slip to the second page? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Which AIs have heavily modded Strategies?

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Ultimate Strategies Mod v1.01.00

New Version!

This mod makes alterations to the strategies and formations in SEIV Gold. The goal is to expand upon the strategic choices available to the player.

Because formations are controlled by a data file and not changeable from within the game, this mod will allow PBW and PBEM Users to play otherwise normal games with custom formations.

This mod also modifies the DefaultColonyTypes and DefaultDesignTypes files, to create more variety in the default selections.

USMv1.01.00.zip - a 126 KB download

Here's the Readme:

Readme.txt

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

How to use strategies in a game using unmodded SE4 or a different mod that does not have the racial traits or characteristics modded:

Create your empire with USM loaded up. Then, start the game. Hit the end turn button. Then, go to the file menu and save your empire file. Now, it will save all the custom design types, repair priorities, and strategies with your empire file.

[ July 21, 2003, 02:14: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sweet.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Any new formations or strategies?

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

There have not been quite enough discussions of strategies themselves on these forums of late... so, lets start up some discussion. What is a good setup for a strategy that you have discovered (and the situation(s) it is used in)? Are there any strategies in this mod that you think are crap and need improvement? How so? If you are one of the few people that have actually used this mod (even if it is in another mod that this has been incorporated into), which strategies have you found to be useful, and how?

[ January 09, 2004, 23:34: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Bumpy bumpy.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Fyron, I have used some of the strategies in the mod and they work both better and worse than expected.

Personally I have had good luck moving from point blank to max range as the situation dictates.

In one game I was getting creamed while using point blank. A quick analysis showed I was hitting almost every shot, but my opponent was hitting well too. Not as often as me, but because of the designs we were using he was winning the battles. By moving to max range, I was still hitting about half the time, but he was hardly hitting at all! This turned the tide in future battles.

One strategy I am not happy with is "Avoid". I designed this one so I won't be stepping on any toes when I criticize it. This strat is designed to let an unarmed ship flee battle unless it is cornered and has no choice. It should head to the corner and stay there until the enemy closes in and it has nowhere to go. It should then attempt to ram.

It doesn't work! If a ship with avoid orders is at a disadvantage-- alone, or with other ships but outgunned--, it will not attack. If it has the advantage-- with a strong fleet-- it will stay in the battle and attempt to ram.

This could be a perfect order for a repair ship or minesweeper. A ship you want to keep, but no good in battle. It should stay out of the battle and only ram in desperation. But like I said, it doesn't work that way.

One strat I do like is "Satellite". This was designed to get satellites to optimize their shots, by shooting at the nearest target. Since satellites can't move, it behooves them to get their shots in while they can since ships often move into range, then out of range and usually the most dangerous ship to the stack (and easiest to hit) is the nearest ship! Serendipidously this strat works well with any stationary weaponry: weapon platforms and bases.

Recently I have revamped all my strats with a few ideas from USM but mostly my own ideas. The general theme is giving several different strats at each range so the various designs are choosing different targets instead of all shooting at the same ship.

I have also designed a new formation called "Perimiter". It is simply a large circle of ships empty in the center. I designed it for warp point defense. I've only had a few chances to use it but so far the formation is placed so far off center, its purpose is defeated. I will continue trying it to get a better statistical sample.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Probably about time to update this mod to the 1.91 data files... so, anyone have any suggestions, new strategies/formations, complaints, etc.? Please voice them now!

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Why has this mod been downloaded 404 times (lol nice number) from SE.net, and yet there is so little discussion? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">404'd

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

The USM is one of the those MUST HAVE MODs. It is just so extremely valuable that games without it are just hurting.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

The problem is I can't use the mod in most PBW games because the formations are native to the Version being played. Only if the USM mod is being used in the game can you use the USM formations.

Strategies do work perfectly, however I'm using my multiple strats system I talked about a few Posts down the page. It works most wonderfully! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Would you like to submit your custom formations?

If you request that the game use USM before it starts, the custom formations become available.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Check out the latest news here.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Carefull, Fyron. Next thing you know, you'll build a giant death ray and demand 'one meelion dollars!'

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Aaahhem, that is not very much money in this day and age Evil Doctor Narf.

EDIT: Added the word Evil.

[ July 30, 2004, 07:21: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Yes, and beelion has a nice ring to it to.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

I don't use USM because I like differant strats, for example. I do not want my ships with {optimal range strat} to chase fighters and get pounded by enemy ships.
I dont want my fighters to just bLast planets I only want Planet Bombers to do this. It is not that hard to form a blockaid just give the ships in and that fleet {dont get hurt) and it needs a pure interception ftr vs ftr strat.

It is cool what you have done, but it is not for me and my style of play. It is easier to make my own and save it to an empire.
Question: In a multiplayer game do ALL the DATA files have to be the same. If one likes USM DefaultStrategies.txt data file, do all players have to have the same file in the group?

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Admittedly, I am not sure if I downloaded the current Version. The Version I have is somewhat old (1.01.00). My request would be that there be a readme on what each strategy is intended to be used for. Most of the strategy names are self explanatory, but others are not clear to me. Examples of unclear ones to me are: max missile strong, max missile weak, optimal missile strong, optimal missile weak, passive blockade, active blockade, picket, standoff, etc.

Now, based on the names, I can kinda guess at what the strategy is intended to be used for and, of course, I can look at how it is set up. What I'd like to see in the readme is what the strategy is intended to do by the author, how well it works if has been tested, what kind of targets it is good/poor against, and what corresponding ship/fleet strategies should it be used with, again from the author's intent. Knowing this, we could use/edit them appropriatedly.

Slick.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Nope. The DefaultStrategies.txt file is only read when you create your empire file. It is never read after turn 1. You can stick it in any mod and use the strategies from it, even. Then, create your empire. Hit begin game. Process one turn. Save your empire file. This will ensure that you get the custom strategies available in the multiplayer game. If the game is actually using USM, this procedure is unnecessary. It is only needed if the game is using a different mod or no mod.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">That is the most recent Version.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Most of the strategies were borrowed from other mods or from various AI files, so I do not really know the author's intents. I will try to whip something up, but it will take some time. Anyone want to volunteer to take a few strategies to test out and write such reports on?

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">So if you don't have USM installed in your folder when you create the Empire file, then you can't add in after the PBW game has started...Is this correct?

Kana

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Essentially. You could still add strategies manually via the in-game strategies window, however. Somewhat of a hassle, so just add the ones you want, when you want them.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I also use JUST your (USM) DefaultStrategies.txt file copied to the MOD DATA folder I am currently playing - AND IT HAS BEEN GREAT FYRON http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

THANKS http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ August 01, 2004, 00:15: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I believe I tried this...I tried to run my PBW game and it said that the date files were not the ones the game was started with. Did you do this to a game alredy in progress?

Kana

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Fyron how can you expect to improve on something as perfect as this mod?

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I believe I tried this...I tried to run my PBW game and it said that the date files were not the ones the game was started with. Did you do this to a game alredy in progress?

Kana </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">It only works for new games. However, it should not have done that for the strategies file... did you place the Formations.txt file in there as well?

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">More formations, more strategies, tweaks to existing stuff to make it better, etc. The mod is far from perfection. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Well if it only works with new games...then that is the problem. This is an currently running game. So I can't add these new files then...

Kana

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Well, I'm been *****ing about this before http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

What about a set of formations with Reversed placement?
As it is all formations places the oldest ships in front and the newest in the back. Sometimes the fleet composition is such that the opposite way around would do much better.

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Hmm... not a bad idea. Any formation in particular, or should I just use a Phalanx formation to get the most ships clustered together as possible?

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Phalnax, Arrowhead and a big (double, triple) wall would cover all my needs. But if only one; the Phalnax would be the best choice http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Any other suggestions/requests/etc.?

Re: Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!
 

Is there a Maximum Spread? Useful for my tiny weaponless ships set to avoid combat. Tactical for just trying to get a ship past a fleet to see whats over there. Make the enemy chase me all over the screen.

[ August 03, 2004, 19:02: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]