Ultimate Strategies Mod - Suggestions Wanted!

[Fyron]

Would you like to submit your custom formations?

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

[Fyron]

Check out the latest news here.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Thanks goes to Will for helping Fyron out with some javascript problems.

Carefull, Fyron. Next thing you know, you'll build a giant death ray and demand 'one meelion dollars!'

[Atrocities]

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 ]

[narf poit chez BOOM]

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

[QBrigid]

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?

[Slick]

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.

[Fyron]

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?

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.

Originally posted by Slick:
Admittedly, I am not sure if I downloaded the current Version. The Version I have is somewhat old (1.01.00).

That is the most recent Version.

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.

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?

[Kana]

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.

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

[Fyron]

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.