Icbm

d=me · January 14, 2004, 23:38

Why can't the missiles in alpha centauri fly across the map in one turn? Aren't they ICBMs (espically the nukes)? We had the technology in the 60's. And how do they land?

Barinthus · January 15, 2004, 00:02

I'm not sure what you mean by landing. I suppose just fly the missile to one of your own bases before its fuel goes out.

That's the annoying thing about missiles - if you directed a missile toward a target and one of your bases happen to be in the line, the missile would stop into that base automatically.

d=me · January 15, 2004, 00:49

No, I am not asking about how to land the missile, I'm saying how does it supposed to work? (Drones?)

Cookie Monster · January 15, 2004, 11:16

Quote:

Originally posted by d=me
No, I am not asking about how to land the missile, I'm saying how does it supposed to work? (Drones?)

Not sure what you mean by Drones here. If a Planet Buster or conventional missle moves into a tile that contains either an enemy city or unit it will explode and "nuke" the area around it. That is how they land.

Thalan · January 15, 2004, 11:33

I think that he meant by "drones" that each missile is flown by a drone

Flubber · January 15, 2004, 12:12

sorry double post

Flubber · January 15, 2004, 12:12

I think I understand the question. If missiles on earth could hit pretty much any place on earth, why do planet busters have some limited range on Alpha Centauri. Should not the technology allow them to strike anywhere or fly over that annoying line of ships erected as a barrier ??

I agree that the technology SHOULD allow that but for gameplay reasons I am glad it does not. I like the fact that players can create areas that are safer from PBs and that players have to plan how to deploy their missiles.

For the purposes of the game, lets pretend that the lack of GPS positioning sattelite or a lack of resources or whatever does not permit factions to build or control ICBMs with sufficient accuracy

Cookie Monster · January 15, 2004, 16:12

Now I understand why nukes work the way they do in Civ3.......

Barinthus · January 15, 2004, 17:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Flubber
For the purposes of the game, lets pretend that the lack of GPS positioning sattelite or a lack of resources or whatever does not permit factions to build or control ICBMs with sufficient accuracy

Personally I blame the gravity, those missiles just can't enter the inner space in order to travel to their destinations faster and across shorter distance.

I'll never forget how one time in Civ2, an AI nuked me. I was stunned, I didn't think it'd happen ha. It has not happened to me in SMAC yet but who knows? Definitely not in the current game.

Lazerus · January 15, 2004, 17:39

Quote:

And how do they land?

they weren't armed, just stuck on a jet/loaded on a ship/strapped to a big rover and moved to the next site.

Sarxis · January 15, 2004, 17:47

I think this is one of those 'use your imagination' type scenarios.

d=me · January 16, 2004, 01:06

Quote:

Originally posted by DataAeolus

Personally I blame the gravity, those missiles just can't enter the inner space in order to travel to their destinations faster and across shorter distance.

They should have the technology to push it into orbit. (or else how did they build the space elevator?)

Illuminatus · January 16, 2004, 15:05

A faction can achieve Clinical Immortality, build Space Elevator, discover Matter Transmission and Matter Editation, manipulate gravity - but cannot extend range of PB. No sense at all - but who cares? It works this way just fine.

Jamski · January 16, 2004, 18:14

The Ai cheats on the range anyway

-Jam

Lazerus · January 16, 2004, 18:20

Sparse fuel ? as Santi put

Darsnan · January 16, 2004, 19:36

Here's a PB that I dubbed ICMB for the PBEM game "Last Sentient Standing":

ICBM, Missile, Planet Buster,Scout, 0, 0, 0, HAL9000, -1, 01000000000000000010000010000

Essentially its got Drop Pods (Low Orbit capability), Fuel Nanocells (2nd stage rocket), and Antigrav Struts (3rd stage rocket), and the unit has a range of 30 tiles, give or take. Of course, if you detonate the ICBM on the same turn you used the Drop Pod capability, why you will only have half your attack capability (i.e. 49 instead of 99). Also, you can't "drop" the unit onto a sea tile - its a hardcoded feature of the game. FYI.

D

d=me · January 17, 2004, 01:18

I will definitely accept this as a game play reason.

Alinestra Covelia · January 21, 2004, 19:12

So what happens with the strength of 49? Does the Planet Bust still happen as normal?

Adalbertus · January 21, 2004, 21:00

So, jam said it. An ICBM has an infinite range IF you agree to give your sentience to a computer. In other words: AI PB's have an infinite range, your own have a range of 16 tiles (IIRC).
OTOH, I think for gameplay reasons it is ok. You can cause enough havoc with drop units of an infinite range which are possible for a human player.
Anyway, I think it is impossible to match the movement speed of any strategy game to the city development or the speed of research without breaking the game into three. You can walk around earth in five years if you have decently paved ways. This would give you just a few city/base improvements and just one single important scientific breakthrough (if any). Its best just to live with it as a game.

Frankychan · January 22, 2004, 00:00

I would rather NOT have a Planet Buster that can fly across the whole map the same turn it is created....

Although if I'M the one building it, then it's a different story.

The Mad Monk · January 22, 2004, 03:57

Since planet busters become available with "orbital spaceflight", I have no problem with them being trully orbital. Of course, I don't use them, the AI already has them, and I only play solo, so it's a moot issue for me.

OTOH, I may enter that design into the lists for the tectonic missles.

BTW -- does the AI ever use those?

Frankychan · January 22, 2004, 04:38

'Busters or Tectonic missiles?

I can say first hand that Miriam likes to use her planet busters.

Suffice it to say that I lost a smackload of special projects in THAT game.

The Mad Monk · January 22, 2004, 05:54

Oh, I've read all about buster-happy players -- human and AI alike.

When have you seen tectonics used, and in what way?

Enigma_Nova · January 22, 2004, 07:06

They're great for instant land bridges.
With a few infantry transports and rover formers, you're 4 squares forward in any direction through the sea in one turn.

Late game, it's nice to see a magtube spring from nowhere using these missles.

Lazerus · January 22, 2004, 07:50

i just like to cover morgan in fungus for a laugh and let the worms eat him

The Mad Monk · January 22, 2004, 08:20

Yes, but has the AI ever used them?

Hercules · January 22, 2004, 09:56

Darsnan:

Quote:

Here's a PB that I dubbed ICMB for the PBEM game "Last Sentient Standing":

ICBM, Missile, Planet Buster,Scout, 0, 0, 0, HAL9000, -1, 01000000000000000010000010000

Essentially its got Drop Pods (Low Orbit capability), Fuel Nanocells (2nd stage rocket), and Antigrav Struts
(3rd stage rocket), and the unit has a range of 30 tiles, give or take. Of course, if you detonate the ICBM
on the same turn you used the Drop Pod capability, why you will only have half your attack capability (i.e.
49 instead of 99). Also, you can't "drop" the unit onto a sea tile - its a hardcoded feature of the game. FYI.

.

Holy s**t I am in that game.

Hercules · January 22, 2004, 10:01

Iirc, Pbs can move along the magtube network without loss of a movement point. In SP games this could come in quite handy if your PB was stationed at the other side of your empire.

Enigma_Nova · January 22, 2004, 12:22

If not, my carrier infantry transport should take care of it!

Darsnan · January 22, 2004, 12:59

Quote:

Originally posted by Hercules
Darsnan:
.

Holy s**t I am in that game.

Could you, by chance, open an interdimension portal and transfer one to my Peace Keepers in AXT056? I could really use one right about now...

Anyways, yes, you are right: I did include this design in the "Last Sentient Standing" PBEM. Should be interesting to see if it ever comes into play or not. It may be humanities last hope for survival in this one....

D