Really? Were are they? I don't see them on the 'weapons' page, which I guess was where I was looking...

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Saturday, December 04, 2010 - 09:06 am: Edit

I was being a bit ironic. But look in Board/Charts-tables/Misc.chart

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Saturday, December 04, 2010 - 06:44 pm: Edit

These points below are the proverbial pebble in the shoe, and while there are solutions or fixes to most of them these don't help all the way:/

1. Forgetting that speed change.

2. Looking at the wrong range bracket when calculating phaser fire.

3. Launch expendable, but getting stuck because forgetting to load it in the expendables window.

4. Using the range tracker every game, but the client don't think it is a setting needing to save:P

It would nice to get these out of the shoe

By Peter Thoenen (Eol) on Saturday, December 04, 2010 - 08:56 pm: Edit

Carl:

1: It warns you, you can also setup manually notifications / alerts if you wish.

2: Nothing can be done about this one

3: ??

4: Amen to that one.

But minus all above, really just wish Paul would fix:

1: The annoying zoom bug that was introduced last year

2: The client still doing the auto advance/reverse impulse on join sometimes.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Saturday, December 04, 2010 - 11:41 pm: Edit

Is there a zoom bug??? Ah, you mean it won't zoom centered on your ship. Well, it still better than having no zoom at all, using the re-size cells function instead:P But improvements would certainly be welcome

As for #2 I have long wanted an automatic damage calculator.
Or as simple solution till then; a way to change color to the range bracket columns. At least that would help the eye ball a little bit.

By Peter Thoenen (Eol) on Sunday, December 05, 2010 - 02:38 pm: Edit

Carl:

No I mean that annoying bug where you join a room and ship counters visually show up in the wrong place (often top left corner) though internally the client knows what hex the ship is actually in. If you zoom in and out (or out and in) the ship visually moves back to the correct hex. Only happens on initial room join or setup.

Agree on automatic damage calculator though should be an optional setting .. most of us like rolling dice . The reason I say this because I am thinking on the programming mechanics / UI side of this. I think the only way this could happen is if the client also automatically rolled the dice so you get into a scenario where your choices are:

1: Manually [like it is now]
2: Auto [you select weapons, client auto rolls and adds them all up]

You don't get:

3: You select weapons, you roll dice, client adds them all up. This could be done but the kludge and UI to make it happen would end up with something harder to use and taking longer than doing it manually.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Sunday, December 05, 2010 - 05:59 pm: Edit

Ah. Yeah, I have noticed that one. So it is conected to the zoom?

I figured the calculator would be either manual or auto. Those who want an auto would probably not mind that the client handles all of it. And why not? Tactics is not rolling dice to us

By Barry Kirk (Barrykirk) on Sunday, December 05, 2010 - 06:16 pm: Edit

Problem with auto damage calculator is the following.

What happens if there are die roll modifiers?

There are too many things that could cause them that it would be a nightmare for the client to determine which ones to use if any.

By Peter Thoenen (Eol) on Sunday, December 05, 2010 - 06:37 pm: Edit

Barry:

Not really outside of terrain as you set EW on the ships. Also in those cases just manual it.

Carl-Magnus: Not sure if it's connected to zoom or not, I just know that fixes it

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Sunday, December 05, 2010 - 07:32 pm: Edit

My viewpoint is always from the Tourney perspective. Maybe there will eventually be differences to the client depending what type of SFB you play. After all the needs are different.

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Monday, December 06, 2010 - 09:06 am: Edit

1. If you use the Speed Plot. It currently reminds of the speed change at the start of the impulse. You still need to being up the Activity window and actually announce the speed. This is done so that if you want you can change the speed plot before hand.

2. I am not sure what can be done about this. I might be able to add a Range selector. But I would need to look at the chart to see if the client can know what the range brackets are on a chart.

3. This is a user issue. Since the window is not modal, (i.e. stops you from modifying expendables) you can set the expendable type that is loaded and then switch back to the window. Just switch to a different segment and back to force a re-load of the expendable types. (My assumption is that you are complaining about Plasma here)

4. The range tracker settings are saved. The only one is whether it is open or not. Everything else is saved.

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Monday, December 06, 2010 - 09:21 am: Edit

Peter,
That issue actually occurred this year (i.e. around June/July) when I introduced the memory optimization on drawing the counters. Previously, the client would store up to 7 versions for the counters (i.e. one for each direction plus one for the initial image).

I am not sure what the cause is. Another way to force the client to "fix" the position is to click on the piece and when it complains just click "Ok" (if it is warning that you that you are not the owner) or click "Cancel" (if it warns you that you are moving again).

By Andy Vancil (Andy) on Monday, December 06, 2010 - 12:57 pm: Edit

In tournament games, I would like to see the range tracker come up with the range between the two ships by default. Every game, I have to set this.

But that's not my biggest annoyance with the client at this time. My biggest problem is speed plots for shuttles. You need to be able to set them in EA. For Admin shuttles, the speed plot is supposed to be committed at that time. For fighters, you should be able to set the initial speed for your speed announcement.

Currently, it works like this: You launch a shuttle or fighter, and just enter a speed; it has no speed plot. If I have a speed plot for my Admin, I enter it in the notes, but that only works for the first turn the shuttle is on the board. The first time the shuttle or fighter changes speed, I set the speed plot. (I suppose I could enter the speed plot the impulse after I launch the unit, but that is distracting.)

Next turn, I can't access the speed plots during EA, so the speed announced for the shuttle or fighter ends up being the first speed I entered in its speed plot for the previous turn. For example, I a launch a fighter at speed 15. It later slows to 14, then goes back to 15 (to get that extra hex of movement). At the beginning of the next turn, when I announce speeds, it will come up as speed 14. I can manually change it to 15, but I can't adjust the speed plot until impulse 1 has been announced. At that point, I can only change the speed plot for impulse 2 and onward.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Monday, December 06, 2010 - 02:10 pm: Edit

Paul, for #1 the speed change reminder is a real help, but it easy to forget to make the announcement after having done movement. Distractions, like surprise moves by the opponent, doesn't help either
The reason for this is because the reminder pop up first in the impulse so you close it and then get on to movement.
One possible solution is to also have a reminder at end of the impulse, perhaps triggered by failure to change. Or the window could stay open, but not interfering with the use of the clients other functions, until you make a speed change (which would close he window).
Note that this need to work even when using the function to cancel a speed by making a new speed plot using reservepower.

3. Yeah, it is definitely a user issue. Fleet or sqdrn battle players might find it very useful to have a tool to keep track of all the expendables but I find little need for it in tourney play. The status of plasma and shuttles are set in the EAF, and to also keep these in the expendables window is a case of double book-keeping which I find to be an annoyance, not an help.

Tnx for listening to my whining

By Peter Thoenen (Eol) on Monday, December 06, 2010 - 08:41 pm: Edit

Paul:

Range Ring modification request:

1: Allow you to set the colors

2: Allow you to toggle them off. I.e. if my opponent is using a range ring (I am fine with me seeing them by default) I would like to be able to make them invisible so they will quit bothering me cluttering up my screen.

3: Instead of full hex make them LOS wide and have it draw from center of one hex to next hex to next hex .....

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Tuesday, December 07, 2010 - 10:10 pm: Edit

Andy,
I will think about how I have it so that you can specify speed plots for non-ship units.


Carl,
"One possible solution is to also have a reminder at end of the impulse, perhaps triggered by failure to change. Or the window could stay open, but not interfering with the use of the clients other functions, until you make a speed change (which would close he window).
Note that this need to work even when using the function to cancel a speed by making a new speed plot using reserve power. "

Reminder at the end of the impulse is kinda of useless and more to the point if you are not controlling having a reminder is just the same (for the most part) of what happens now. (i.e. you say oops I forgot to change speed and have the controller go back by one impulse).

When it comes to having a constantly floating window as a reminder, that might work. The question is would people just click the close "X" or button and forget about the speed change anyway? I think it is a better solution from the first one.

When it comes to the expendables/EA disconnect. Yes, this is a problem but I have not figure out how to give the flexibility that the current EA gives and still decrease the pain point of maintaining the plasma/suicide shuttle status.


Peter,
1. When it comes to colors. Do you mean per unit or just an overall "board" specific color?

2. I could do this. Just remember the whole idea for the range rings is a way to implement ESGs in the client.

3. Changing it draw a line through the hex is a tough thing. I will look into this.

Paul Franz

By Peter Thoenen (Eol) on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 01:13 am: Edit

Paul:

1: Color per range circle.

2: Agree but I keep seeing folk use them instead of the range tracker and it drives me crazy.

3: TY!, if tough no worries, figure it was easy.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 06:04 am: Edit

Paul, I just got a good idea, I think; why not make the expendables window an option like game control? It is play aid after all, and not is not required for play.
Those that want it can then use 'save settings' to have it up every game, and vice versa.
That would be better solution IMO than to remove plasma, WW, and SS from the window.

As for the speed change thing I agree; a floating window is probably the better solution.
The risk that someone click 'OK' and the forget about it would be less if the window did not pop up in the center of the screen.
Secondly I am not sure the OK button is needed. I have no idea how much work it would be but ideally the window would disappear when the player have announced the speed change, or made a new speed plot. However like in the previous section I think minimalist solutions is the way to go

Oh, while I am at it I can bring up a simpler request. I'd like to have a way to easily see my speed plot displayed on a impulse chart during the game turn.
Currently I often use the function for changing speed in midturn (right click/change speedplot) to see that, or goes to my EA and use the 'set speed plot' but these solutions are a bit awkward.

Btw, the function for changing speed in midturn (right click/change speedplot) is very handy but can you give it a memory?
Sometime you need to go back and see what the plot was before the change, and also the cost of the change you made (mostly because you forgot how much the speed change cost in reservepower).

By Barry Kirk (Barrykirk) on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 06:54 pm: Edit

Couple of requests for the next client update.

1. For all of the Omega phaser types, currently there is no way to downfire them.

Can you add the ability to fire Omega Phaser ones and twos as a phaser three. Note that none of the Omega Phaser twos can fire as ones or vice versa.

The LMC lasers are already correctly handled.

2. Can you add Dark Matter damage procedures? With dark matter damage, all cargo, hull, barracks, repair, fabrication, and works hits are treated as hit once, but don't actually damage any systems.

Example, a Dark Matter Torpedo hits a Fed CA and does 3 internals to it. All three damage rolls are 7. The first hit is to cargo, but since there is no cargo that is skipped and goes to Forward hull. Forward Hull is not damaged by dark matter damage, but the hit is "used" up.

The second and third rolls of 7 go to the next column which is battery and two batteries are destroyed.

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Thursday, December 09, 2010 - 11:27 pm: Edit

Carl,
I have an idea about how to help with the expendables and EA. That is allow the right-clicking on the line in the EA to specify the status of the plasma or shuttle.

I could add the speed plot to the impulse chart. Though, I would need to think about coloration. (i.e. showing the current speeds vs. the speed plot of the ship being shown). And easy way would be a toggle of what to show.

BTW, the function for changing speed already shows you the cost of making the speed change. Except for the instance when you are changing the speed plot, I don't see a reason to show the initial speed plot. Is this what you are asking? (i.e. a way to see what the speed plot was before you made the current changes).

By Chad Carew (Blackhawkckc) on Friday, December 10, 2010 - 12:55 am: Edit

Would it be possible to set up a filter for POT and POS markers, or just a button for "show\hide"? I like having them when I play, but they crowd things when I observe.

By Chad Carew (Blackhawkckc) on Friday, December 10, 2010 - 01:25 am: Edit

Actually I guess what I am asking for would be the "show\hide" idea. Something for the map, not the piece list.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Friday, December 10, 2010 - 02:22 am: Edit

Paul, yeah to see the initial plot before changes, including the cost for the change. This to double check no errors were made (usually this turn up when I change the amount of reservepower I have left. "Did the speed change cost 2, or 3 points? DOh, can't remember!"

By Barry Kirk (Barrykirk) on Saturday, December 11, 2010 - 01:41 pm: Edit

Any way to add the following to the client.

1. In the graphical ship definition tool can you add checkboxs in the EAF editing section to disable the automatic inclusion of

a. Phaser system... if unchecked than all references to phasers in the EAF are not there. Useful for Alunda and all LMC.

b. Battery system... if unchecked than all references to batteries are not there. Useful for Alunda.

2. For adding lines to the EAF form. You have buttons for

a. Add Weapon Line
b. Add Non-Weapon Line

Could you add the following.

c. Add Capacitor system Line ( This would be useful for adding LMC bank boxes, ESG, Particle Cannon, Alunda Bio Bolts, Alunda A-Batteries... basically anything run off a capacitor system.... This would actually add three lines per system, one for adding power during EA, one for removing power during a turn, and one for showing the current balance.... Very similar to the way Batteries are handled now.

d. Add a Reserve Power Line... useful for marking power expenditures during a turn. This creates a line that can only be edited during a turn but not during EA, basically a labeled note line. Useful for things that can only use reserve power such as fast load plasma and converting plasma whip to whip crack torpedoes.

e. Add a EA Note... a line that is only editable during EA but does not use power. Useful for marking shield facing assignments for Souldra Soul Shields. Would be nice to make this revealable when revealing initial speeds by pressing the EW/delta V button.

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Sunday, December 12, 2010 - 08:12 pm: Edit

Barry,
1. No. Currently, this is done via selecting the type of EA. Tell me what you need for a race and I will be happy to create a EA template for that race/kind of ship. For example, there is an Andromedan EA which removes all references to shields and adds PA Panel lines.

2.
c. This is possible. But it will take a bit of work.
d. I see no reason for this. There is a plan in the works for a reserve power tracking system that will track all reserve power expenditures. Also, there is already a reserve power used line that can be used.
e. This is possible. The keys to this one would be making so it is on the EA but not part of the EA (i.e. considered as part of an energy allocation expenditure)