Proportions mod 1.5.3 released

[PvK]

Ok, I didn't get 1.6 ready yet. I got a bunch done, and found several little silly issues with the AI running 1.5.3, so there will be a 1.5.4 and then a 1.6, now hopefully tomorrow.

PvK

[PvK]

Here, at least, is a foretaste of what I've changed in 1.6 and fixed in 1.5.4, so far:


Version 1.6:

* Phased polaron beams extended with seven new lower-strength and
intermediate marks, and reduced in research difficulty from 1.5's
high cost.
* Added distribution centers, which are space ports with storage
depots in one facility. This should help compensate the AI for its
investment in redundant space port construction.
* Numerous adjustments to cultural modifiers. They are now almost
all mostly balanced, in theory, including "Neutral" culture.
* Increased cost of Natural Merchants trait to account for the extra
cultural center it generates.


Version 1.5.4:

* Corrected typo in the names of the Organic Generation Facilities.
* Stopped AI from illegally using satellite armor on non-satellites.
This shouldn't have happnened, but was mainly a cosmetic issue.
* Corrected tech requirements of AFV DUC's.
* Reduced shield generation on cultural facilities.
* Improved Amon'krie weapon selection.
* Fixed some apparently benign typos in Weapon Platform Computer Cores.
* Cosmetic fix - added troop tech requirements to AFV components.


PvK

[Aub]

PvK,

you wanted to reduce the size of self-defense cannons to make them an attaractive choice, didn't you? And I don't see it in your release notes... Sorry for being nitpicky; I want this to be a perfect mod! I think their size should be 10 kT (compared with 20 kT for PDCs) because they only stop missiles and are not effective against fighters.

Aub

[PvK]

Yes, Aub, I agree. The previous message just listed the things I finished Last night, but I'm not quite done. The PD and a few other things, I mean to add/adjust. This is a good moment to make suggestions.

Below are other things I may do if I get time tonight. This is my TDB list, though I may not get to it all tonight. Maybe I'll just do the things that affect early-game, and put the others in 1.6.1.

* Only allow homeworlds to start in planet-rich systems. Add some system types where this is not necessarily true, or where the reverse is true.
* Greatly increase non-domed planet capacities (by x 10 ?). (This was in Foundations but I just noticed it's not in Proportions yet, except for the extra cargo space of some facilities like cultural centers.)
* Adjust/spread fighter electronic warfare comps.
* Review and perhaps adjust some fighter weapons, high-energy weapons, temporal weapons, psychic weapons.
* Perhaps add yet another PD weapon, an anti-fighter beam with high to-hit but lower damage than PDC, and reduce to-hit bonus of PDC.
e.g.:
PDC 20kt, +40, cost ++
SDC 10kt, +?
LBC 15kt, +70, dmg --
* Add some shield/regen variants.
* Add some levels to ancient techs and require research to build them after discovery.
* Tweak AI some more.
* Tweak system abilities and system types some more.


PvK

[Aub]

Another suggestion: could you include the "to-hit" bonus a weapon has ("Weapon Modifier") to its description? Otherwise, the only way to learn that, for example, Wave-Motion Guns have a +30 modifier is to look at the data file

Wow, a lot of stuff gets added. My only worry is that some of it is going to throw the mod off balace somehow... I guess I am a conservative here...

Aub

[PvK]

Oh, yes, I meant to review all the to-hit mods and get them in the descriptions. I try to always add these, but there are a lot from the original SE4 set that never had any sign except in the data files (all high energy weapons, pdc, energy magnifier, etc.).

Hopefully the changes are improving the balance rather than making it worse - that's what they're all supposed to do - fix/reduce balance problems, rather than create them.

Do point stuff out if you see specific issues, please.

PvK

[oleg]

Long time ago (2 years in fact !) and Galaxy far, far away (SE IV 1.0), both ships (with ion engines) and seekers have speed 3. It was not good and gradually seekers got up to speed 4 and then 5. Now, in Proportions, frigate with ion engines can have the battle speed of 5. Obviously, seekers need some boost too.

[ 29 March 2002: Message edited by: oleg ]