Topic: Is it possible (need smart people only to read this)

[Hexx]

Is it possible to have the settings set up so that two Empires can be allied- but
not be able to move freely through each others space? So really allied only for drafting purposes.
Have an amusing idea for a 4 power war, but not really sure the missions can handle a 4-way.

[Capt Jeff]

As I understand, if the political tensions are set to ally, you will be allowed to enter their space freely.   You could make everyone enemies, and turn "Hasmustplaymissions" off, but I'm not sure if that would suit your needs....

[Hexx]

Grrrr that's not what I wanted to hear, damn I wish I had some kinda little electro zapper thing hooked up to all your keyboards.
Probably win a few more PVP's as well..

Anyway- if plan A doesn't wok try plan A2- anyone know if those missions with no allies (total war?)
 are stable?

[GDA-S'Cipio]

Is it possible to have the settings set up so that two Empires can be allied- but
not be able to move freely through each others space? So really allied only for drafting purposes.
Have an amusing idea for a 4 power war, but not really sure the missions can handle a 4-way.

It can be done.  (My version of Day of the Eagle actually started this way, by accident.  The Gorn and Feds were allied, but still drew mandatory missions in each other's space.)

I think you turn on "madatory missions", but turn off "mandatory missions only in enemy space".  There is some combination here that works for what you want.

-S'Cipio 

[Hexx]

Is it possible to have the settings set up so that two Empires can be allied- but
not be able to move freely through each others space? So really allied only for drafting purposes.
Have an amusing idea for a 4 power war, but not really sure the missions can handle a 4-way.

It can be done.  (My version of Day of the Eagle actually started this way, by accident.  The Gorn and Feds were allied, but still drew mandatory missions in each other's space.)

I think you turn on "madatory missions", but turn off "mandatory missions only in enemy space".  There is some combination here that works for what you want.

-S'Cipio 

You're such a tease...

[GDA-S'Cipio]

Is it possible to have the settings set up so that two Empires can be allied- but
not be able to move freely through each others space? So really allied only for drafting purposes.
Have an amusing idea for a 4 power war, but not really sure the missions can handle a 4-way.

It can be done.  (My version of Day of the Eagle actually started this way, by accident.  The Gorn and Feds were allied, but still drew mandatory missions in each other's space.)

I think you turn on "madatory missions", but turn off "mandatory missions only in enemy space".  There is some combination here that works for what you want.

-S'Cipio 

You're such a tease...

I don't mean to be, but I'd have to go home and experiment to find out for sure how to make it work again.

I suppose I should also add the caveat that I got it to work in EAW.   (I think Skull and Jones had a few servers set this way as well.)  I presume that it will work the same in OP, but I guess you never know until you try.

-S'Cipio

[Bonk]

Just put in lots of Monster and Diplomatic missions..   Presto! Mandatories everywhere!

[NuclearWessels]

Grrrr that's not what I wanted to hear, damn I wish I had some kinda little electro zapper thing hooked up to all your keyboards.
Probably win a few more PVP's as well..

Anyway- if plan A doesn't wok try plan A2- anyone know if those missions with no allies (total war?)
 are stable?

Not sure about this, but the last NW total war missions probably aren't - they haven't been updated in yonks.  If you want to pick a batch of preferred missions from the current set I can create an updated total war version within a week or so (it's not that tough a change, I really should get on that anyway).

dave

[NuclearWessels]

Actually, it should be possible with .gf settings as well, if you didn't mind drawing planet/base assaults when you were in allied space

In the MissionMatching.gf you should be able to alter
LookingForEnemyHexInAlly         =-10000
to a positive value (1000 or whatever) to trigger enemy missions in allied space.

I think (don't quote me on this) the DV shifts should still go the right way, you'd just be attacking enemy installations appearing in missions in allied space.  (Have appropriate psychiatric help on hand for the hardcore realists.)

dave

[Hexx]

<sigh>
people

I appreciate all the techno stuff but you must understand

A Hexx Brand server^TM consists of..

1) Some genius idea I have for sides to fight usually centered around some
    new rule that I like, but can't really explain.

2) Me changing stuff around until I fool people into thinking it might be a
    cool server

3) Me scrambling to get a map together and shuffling everything off to someone
   else (usually DH.. but I'm flexible) along with a PM saying "make this work"

4) Sulking over people complaining about minutiae such as they have no ships in the yards,
   no planets, their Empire is missing etc. rather than heaping praise on me for all my hard work.


In other words, I have no idea what you're saying.
But if you think it can work I'll consider that a legally binding answer from all of you.

Thanks all!

[Capt Jeff]

HasMustPlayMissions               =1      // (1) Server will dispense must play missions
MustPlayOnlyOnEnemyHex            =0      // (0) Server ignores mission script settings and will only set must plays when player is in an enemy hex (HasMustPlayMissions must be set!)


LookingForAllyHexInAlly            =1000
LookingForEnemyHexInAlly         =-10000



Those are the stock settings.    I would say some tweaking of these settings could get you what you want.   Forgot about some of these in my earlier post.  I would try setting "MustPlayOnlyOnEnemyHex" to 1 first, and see what happens...LOL

[Riskyllama]

Actually, it should be possible with .gf settings as well, if you didn't mind drawing planet/base assaults when you were in allied space

In the MissionMatching.gf you should be able to alter
LookingForEnemyHexInAlly         =-10000
to a positive value (1000 or whatever) to trigger enemy missions in allied space.

I think (don't quote me on this) the DV shifts should still go the right way, you'd just be attacking enemy installations appearing in missions in allied space.  (Have appropriate psychiatric help on hand for the hardcore realists.)

dave

so what you're saying is an empire would have to defend their OWN planets?

[NuclearWessels]

Actually, it should be possible with .gf settings as well, if you didn't mind drawing planet/base assaults when you were in allied space

In the MissionMatching.gf you should be able to alter
LookingForEnemyHexInAlly         =-10000
to a positive value (1000 or whatever) to trigger enemy missions in allied space.

I think (don't quote me on this) the DV shifts should still go the right way, you'd just be attacking enemy installations appearing in missions in allied space.  (Have appropriate psychiatric help on hand for the hardcore realists.)

dave

so what you're saying is an empire would have to defend their OWN planets?

<scratches head and ponders for a moment>

<ponders a moment longer>

<gives up>

Hang on a sec, I'm gonna go try it and see what happens 

EDIT:  OK, just confirmed, here's the idea

(Techno details included to bug Hexx: with mandatories on, mandatories-only-in-enemy space off, LookingForEnemyHexInAlly set to 1000 instead of the usual -10000)

Suppose I'm flying Lyran (yay) in a Lyran/Klingon versus Mirak/Hydran campaign.

If I'm flying around in allied Klingon space then I'll constistently be getting mandatory missions against the Mirak or Hydrans, and if I fly into a Klingon base (or planet) hex then I'll actually draw assault missions against Mirak/Hydran bases (or planets) ... that's the unrealistic part.  To answer your question (I know it took me awhile to get there) as an ally I could still boost the DV of klingon hexes, but I'd do it with successful assault missions instead of defense missions.

Drafting would be normal, so if I plugged my way through allied space to reach a klingon base then a klingon player could draft me to help them in planet defense missions, since the klingon would be getting normal mission offerings for klingon space.

I'm sure there's a better way to phrase all that.   Hmmm ...

   Then thou shalt be offered a mission mandatory
   Mandatory shall be the missions to be offered
   And the missions to be offered shall be mandatory
   Optional missions shalt thou not be offered
   Nor shalt thou be offered allied defense, excepting that thou have been drafted by thy ally
   Base defenses are right out...

So Hexx - YES, it is possible, I'd stake your life on it  

And if anything fails then (of course) it's Fluf's fault.

dave

[Hexx]

Grrrr that's not what I wanted to hear, damn I wish I had some kinda little electro zapper thing hooked up to all your keyboards.
Probably win a few more PVP's as well..

Anyway- if plan A doesn't wok try plan A2- anyone know if those missions with no allies (total war?)
 are stable?

Not sure about this, but the last NW total war missions probably aren't - they haven't been updated in yonks.  If you want to pick a batch of preferred missions from the current set I can create an updated total war version within a week or so (it's not that tough a change, I really should get on that anyway).

dave

Hmmm, unfortunately as mentioned before I usually have my lackey's handle the details.. so I'm not even sure what missions we use,
I suppose simply having you update every single mission you've ever done (oooh with randomly appearing black holes!!) to the Total war mission
pack would be to much work eh?
<sigh>

Now I'm going to actually have to do some work and figure this out ... such a state the D2  is in these days...

[NuclearWessels]

...snip...

Hmmm, unfortunately as mentioned before I usually have my lackey's handle the details.. so I'm not even sure what missions we use,
I suppose simply having you update every single mission you've ever done (oooh with randomly appearing black holes!!) to the Total war mission
pack would be to much work eh?
<sigh>

Now I'm going to actually have to do some work and figure this out ... such a state the D2  is in these days...

No sweat at all Hexxipoo, just a couple of things I need to know -- nothing major, but they'll help a lot.

(1) your bank account details, as up to date and extensive as possible please (including the ones for the Lyran  kickback I mean warfund accounts)  your accountant might object, but you know how ridiculously picky they are - just send me the information and I'll make sure it's used appropriately

(2) your ip, account names, passwords, firewall and router details (again, it's not possible to get too detailed, just have one of your lackeys send me everything and don't fret over it)

(3) a signed affidavit asserting that, should any strange behaviour occur related to (1) or (2) you would never ever stoop to the use of lawyers, barristers, politicians, thugs, hitmen, televangelists etc.  I know, I know, you're above that kind of thing,  I just have to get it in writing for technical reasons, really - it's amazing the effect that kind of thing has on the code.

and just remember,

trust me

dave

[KAT Chuut-Ritt]

4) Sulking over people complaining about minutiae such as they have no ships in the yards,
   no planets, their Empire is missing etc. rather than heaping praise on me for all my hard work.

Damn, the Romulans have really been inproving that cloaking device!