Enemy movement (turn-based)

Emperor Zodd · #1 February 4th, 2001, 10:18 PM

Think of it as "The fog of war".

ColdSteel · #2 February 5th, 2001, 02:07 AM

Actually, you know, after thinking about it some more, if I was just able to get an additonal log message somethng like "Phong fleet of 12 ships exited system via Jinook warp point", then I could easily live with it as it is. I like fog of war but with cloaked ships, storms, etcetera entering into it as well, it sure makes a mess for tracking enemy movements without at least some point of reference entering and leaving a system.

In fact, I think adding a new cloaked "sensor base" that you could build on warp points that would give you the above log message would be pretty cool and add something to the game. Maybe MM envisions the drones doing something functionally similar eventually in scouting out enemy positions, I don't know. As any good general knows, without good, fairly recent intelligence on the positions of enemy forces, you're dead meat. And I worry about these things.

Zanthis · #3 February 5th, 2001, 03:51 AM

I kinda like the larger storms idea. Log Messages would work for me. Especially log anything wierd, like "Phong fleet of 12 ships self-destructed in Yoshi system". Would be annoying to have a fleet disappear and get no log message. I'd be thinking, "I thought he didn't have cloaking?"

BTW, anyone else wish you could tell your ships to "block" your so-called "allies"? I had a ship on a WP and a Trade Alliance with the Phong and he slipped a Colony ship past me and grab a world. Pissed me off. I don't want to fight him, just not let him past. And don't suggest diplomacy, I'd already had him agree to forgo his claim on the system, but since the ship was already enroute, it ignored the agreement. *grrr*

Barnacle Bill · #4 February 5th, 2001, 09:44 PM

I agree you should have some info as to where the other side went. "Igo-ugo" is an abstraction but in "real life" you would know where they were when they dropped off your radar. That was the gist of my comment - that if you saw them enter a storm & didn't see them come out, you would know they're in there (asuming they didn't cloak & come then out or something like that). So, the only way you could "hide in a storm" to the extent nobody knows you are in there is if you went in when nobody was there to see.

I totally agree on the "allies" thing. This is probbly my #1 pet pieve about SE4 as it exists today (and about SE3 before it). "Allies" should not be able to claim or colonize in a system you already claim, unless it was already "contested" at the time the treaty was signed. You should be allowed to fight in that sort of contested system, regardless of what treaty applies elsewhere.

Nitram Draw · #5 February 7th, 2001, 02:30 AM

Speaking of allies, will they fight on your side in a battle?

ColdSteel · #6 February 7th, 2001, 01:30 AM

You can demand that your allies declare war against the enemy. Often they will. They also often appear to be able to ignore you totally if they so wish. In my own experience, they will declare war but do very little actual fighting. Just as I would in their place.

[This message has been edited by ColdSteel (edited 07 February 2001).]

rdouglass · #7 February 8th, 2001, 07:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ColdSteel:
....

In fact, I think adding a new cloaked "sensor base" that you could build on warp points that would give you the above log message would be pretty cool and add something to the game....

I currently use cloaked sat's for this function, but I do agree with everyone on the idea of logging enemy movements between turs - at least when its a "now you see 'em, now you don't" kinda' thing. I like the method of "Phrong fleet exited System Xy at Warp Point 6,6" or something like that - maybe using the "Go To" button or something...