Topic: Multiplayer competition (aka Starlance)

[TarMinyatur]

This first cycle ran until March 25th. There was sufficient participation, and the 2nd cycle began on 25 March 2016 and ended 25 April 2016. The 3rd cycle is underway and will end on May 25th. Everyone is welcome to join at any time.

Simple rules:
Game versions are Community Edition 2.679, OP 2.562, EAW 2.036, SFC 1.03 , and the latest SFC3.
 
A player loses if his ship explodes or leaves the map for any reason. The remaining player therefore wins and is awarded 2 points. In a 2v2 or 3v3, the winning team takes all. So that's 2 points for each player on that team.

Each player gets 1 point if the battle crashes or becomes disgustingly laggy after 10 minutes. Everyone's time is valuable, so please turn off all non-essential programs while playing the game.
(However, if a player believes that he was probably going to lose at the time of the crash, he can concede and award his opponent 2 points. Otherwise, the players award each other 1 point.)

Don't launch piloted shuttles. They are annoying, ineffective, and cause lag. They also exploit unsophisticated automated systems. Fighters, scatterpacks, wild weasels, and suicide shuttles are ok.

The 2.679 patch automatically enables hidden Race/BPV. Other game versions should set it in sfc.ini:

[Network]
HideRaceFromOthers=1
HideBPVFromOthers=1

Scoring recap: Win = 2, Crash/Lag = 1, Argument = 0

---------------------------------

First Cycle Standings
Tar: 26
TobinDax: 4
Tus: 14

The First Cycle has concluded. Lots of fun. We're still a bit rusty, but who cares. New Cycle Starts today (25 March).
Some stats...Total battles 22. Total ships 44. Plasma ships 23, Direct-Fire ships 19, Carriers = 0, Escorts = 0, Drone Boats = 0.

Second Cycle Standings
Topic has moved here

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RIP Black Knight

[Tus-XC]

so stock shiplists for stock CE?

[TarMinyatur]

2.677 shiplist and ftrlist for vanilla 2.677 CE (No hex edits)

 

[TarMinyatur]

Here's the first battle...

150 Late, Medium Open Map 

TobinDax in H-APA
Tar in R-KE

Battle length: 2hr 9min!

Recorded. +2 TobinDax.

---
Well fought, Tobin. I haven't been in a battle like that in 15 years.
H-APA used a dozen HETs to bring Hellbores to fire at 60 degrees off centerline, and deployed a well timed WW.
R-KE chased for an hour, then tried to lure the Apache in with cloak, then chased again. King Eagle took over 800 points of shield damage!

Without recharging HETS, I think the King Eagle might win if it focuses its 4 Ph-1's on the Apache's rear shield.

[FPF-Tobin Dax]

Call it DynaLance? At any rate, just so we don't discourage players for instance, just because you show up on evolve, it doesn't mean you have to play a league match. Playing just for fun is still ok.
In my case, League matches will usually be later at night, eastern time zone as I have a specials needs child that comes first. If he's in bed or out with a relief worker, a league match is ok, otherwise it will just be for fun so I can walk away if the need arises.

*Also, what is the CE status on blind space dock race selection? Last night I could not see Tars' race selection, which is fine with me, but the other players I have engaged, we could each see our race choices. The old space dock race shuffle was pretty annoying in StarLance / GamerZ play.

[TarMinyatur]

Tobin, you are right. Just-for-fun battles are fine on Evolve. I figured I'd list our battle to get the ball rolling. (Someone should get points after a two-hour duel.)  Starlance is optional. The main idea is to get people playing again. If a scorecard helps, we have one.

The sfc.ini file should be set to hide race and bpv for good reasons. Looks like one more rule is needed. The next CE patch will hide multiplayer skirmish race and BPV automatically, so there will be no need to edit sfc.ini.

[FPF-Tobin Dax]

Could you tell me which folder has sfc.ini in it please?  I poked around for the first time in years, but could not find it.

*nevermind. I think I got it. 

[FPF-Tobin Dax]

100 Late, asteroids

TobinDax in G-BDD+
Tar in K-F5W

Dax holds off Tar for the win.

[TarMinyatur]

100 Late, asteroids

TobinDax in G-BDD+
Tar in K-F5W

Dax holds off Tar for the win.

Recorded. +2 TobinDax

---
K-F5W vs G-BDD+ is a lively match. The BDD+ doesn't have LS/RS Plas-F, so a chaser at range 5 is in a good position (until the BDD+ does an HET). The F5W has those three RX Ph-2's which act as a battery for the forward-firing Ph-1's.

[Tus-XC]

145 Late Open Small, Tuhs V Tar (R-KE v G-CDD)

Quick slug fest with lots of plasma exchanged and hulls roasted - Tar comes out on top.

[Tus-XC]

220 late, Med Astroids Tus v Tar (R-KCR v H-PAL)

Long drawn out fight, weaving in and out of rocks.  Managed to nearly cripple Tar's PAL, but in my pass his fusions came online to half my power, taking crucial plasmas out of charge.  Fight goes to Tar

[TarMinyatur]

145 Late Open Small, Tuhs V Tar (R-KE v G-CDD)

Quick slug fest with lots of plasma exchanged and hulls roasted - Tar comes out on top.

Recorded. +2 Tar.

---
G-CDD took a serious beating from R-KE's plasma but it was luckily able to land 2 of 3 Suicide Shuttles. Without that good fortune, the King Eagle would have won.

[TarMinyatur]

220 late, Med Astroids Tus v Tar (R-KCR v H-PAL)

Long drawn out fight, weaving in and out of rocks.  Managed to nearly cripple Tar's PAL+, but in my pass his fusions came online to half my power, taking crucial plasmas out of charge.  Fight goes to Tar

Recorded. +2 Tar.

---
Well fought, Tus. Thank the three-armed goddess for opportune Fusion Beams, and F1 view.

[Tus-XC]

130 Late astroids: Tus v Tar (R-SPA v Z-MCC)

Another bout in the rocks, lured out most of the missles and gave Tar some plaz for dinner.  Tus win

100 Late Astroids: Tar V Tus (F-DW v F-DW)

Quick mirror mirror skirmish, tried to Het one to many times to get an advantagous shot, ate a SP, Tar Win

235 Late Open: Tus V Tar (F-BCF v R-CON)

the dice gods were not with me (nor were any phontos magical) and my alpha run failed - Tar Win

155 Late rocks:  Tus v Tar (R-KDD v F-NCA) 

Went in for a kill puch twice and missed timed my charging/arcs - ate to many photons in the exchange - Tar Win

[Tus-XC]

one last one for the night
175 Mid, rocks Tus v Tar (I-CAY v  K-D7C)

Quick bout in the rocks.  Some good exchanges with plaz, got to love ISC arcs, with some PPC follow ups.  ended with a slug fest to see who would break first.  Tus win

[TarMinyatur]

130 Late astroids: Tus v Tar (R-SPA v Z-MCC)

Another bout in the rocks, lured out most of the missles and gave Tar some plaz for dinner.  Tus win

100 Late Astroids: Tar V Tus (F-DW v F-DW)

Quick mirror mirror skirmish, tried to Het one too many times to get an advantagous shot, ate a SP, Tar Win

235 Late Open: Tus V Tar (F-BCF v R-CON)

the dice gods were not with me (nor were any phontos magical) and my alpha run failed - Tar Win

155 Late rocks:  Tus v Tar (R-KDR v F-NCA) 

Went in for a kill punch twice and missed timed my charging/arcs - ate too many photons in the exchange - Tar Win

Recorded. +2 Tus. +6 Tar.

---
The dice were printed with 6's for Tus in his BCF. Bad luck indeed. Z-MCC (w/ slow missiles) vs R-SPA is a good match; some castling, some chasing, eating Plasma 1 by 1 into reinforced shield, and that damn NSM. 

[TarMinyatur]

one last one for the night
175 Mid, rocks Tus v Tar (I-CAY v  K-D7C)

Quick bout in the rocks.  Some good exchanges with plaz, got to love ISC arcs, with some PPD follow ups.  ended with a slug fest to see who would break first.  Tus win

Recorded. +2 Tus.

[Tus-XC]

150 Mid Rocks Tus v Tar (K-D7B v G-CA+)

Twas a dance, w/ crapy arcs on both sides.  Went in for the kill blow, took suicides that ended that - Win Tar


140 Late Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CMP v K-D5Y)

Interseting fight, battle swung early to Klinker with better hits w/ dizzy.  I countered by shutting down non-essential plaz (ie the twin G) and focused on the PPC range game. Tar cloaked and I closed and waited w/ plaz at hand.  Win Tus

230 Late, Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CCZ v H-PAL+)

Intersting fight, both sides kinda hurt after several passes.  again I went in for the kill but  failed to take enough critical systems offline - win Tar

120 Late, blackhold Tus v Tar (L-DWLP v F-DWC) 

Bullrushed this one with 2 OL dizzies and ECG on 0.  hit hard and then kept on hitting.  Win Tus

175 Late, Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CLZ v z CCH)

Bit out tonned here, tried to play the range game w/ underloaded PPC and I plaz on passes - did some damage but not enough.  Eventually went tricky and forgot to retarget at the right moment preventing me from rotating tar into rocks, thus leading me to find a rock w/ tar's tractor - Win Tar

[TarMinyatur]

150 Mid Rocks Tus v Tar (K-D7B v G-CA+)

Twas a dance, w/ crapy arcs on both sides.  Went in for the kill blow, took suicides that ended that - Win Tar


140 Late Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CMP v K-D5Y)

Interesting fight, battle swung early to Klinker with better hits w/ dizzy.  I countered by shutting down non-essential plaz (ie the twin G) and focused on the PPD range game. Tar cloaked and I closed and waited w/ plaz at hand.  Win Tus

230 Late, Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CCZ v H-PAL+)

Interesting fight, both sides kinda hurt after several passes.  again I went in for the kill but  failed to take enough critical systems offline - win Tar

120 Late, blackhole Tus v Tar (L-DWLP v F-DWC) 

Bullrushed this one with 2 OL dizzies and ESG on 0.  hit hard and then kept on hitting.  Win Tus

175 Late, Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CLZ v Z-CCH)

Bit out tonned here, tried to play the range game w/ underloaded PPD and I plaz on passes - did some damage but not enough.  Eventually went tricky and forgot to retarget at the right moment preventing me from rotating tar into rocks, thus leading me to find a rock w/ tar's tractor - Win Tar

Recorded. +4 Tus, +6 Tar

---
The I-CMP vs K-D5Y was a quirky battle. Recommend the D5Y use one scatterpack very precicely when it is time to knife fight. With weakened front shields, the D5Y didn't have enough firepower to stand toe-to-toe with CMP's triple green front shield at range 3. PPD was in myopic zone...but it didn't matter. CMP pounded away with Ph1's.

Some good matchups tonight. The PAL+ was lit up like a Christmas tree at range 2, but it countered with range-zero OL Fusions to turn the tide. K-D7B vs G-CA is a tough one...D7B could use FH Dizzies -- the FA arc isn't ideal for Plasma. My F-DWC got streamrolled by Tus's L-DWLP, fast and deadly little ship.

[Tus-XC]

Match 1: 120 Late Rocks Tus v Tar  (I-CL v L-CW)

Long match with lots of dancing.  I managed to get a good hit early on with two enveloping Gs after pulling out the decoy, took his shields down alot.  underloaded them to Fs and kept slinging when i could.  Tar got some internals through on my rear with dizzies, but I managed to avoid taking to many direct hits and completely avoided the ESG.  Widdled him down until i got a lucky H&R on his ESG, and then tractored and smashed.  Win Tus

Match 2:  175 Late Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CSZ? v I-CAW) 

I took took the light w/ 2 ppd and 2 I, Tar took the bigger, meaner CAW.  I played very aggressive but failed to take out his last S prior to it smacking me hard.  Win Tar

Match 3:  85 Late Rocks Tus v Tar (F-FFD v R-BH)

Went in for a mean alpha, eating plaz on the noses.  Got my mine off and SP out, only to have the SP shot out by a probe.  Never recovered. Win Tar

[TarMinyatur]

Match 1: 120 Late Rocks Tus v Tar  (I-CL v L-CW)

Long match with lots of dancing.  I managed to get a good hit early on with two enveloping Gs after pulling out the decoy, took his shields down alot.  underloaded them to Fs and kept slinging when i could.  Tar got some internals through on my rear with dizzies, but I managed to avoid taking too many direct hits and completely avoided the ESG.  Widdled him down until i got a lucky H&R on his ESG, and then tractored and smashed.  Win Tus

Match 2:  175 Late Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CSZ v I-CAY) 

I took took the light w/ 2 ppd and 2 I, Tar took the bigger, meaner CAY.  I played very aggressive but failed to take out his last S prior to it smacking me hard.  Win Tar

Match 3:  85 Late Rocks Tus v Tar (F-FFG v R-BH)

Went in for a mean alpha, eating plaz on the noses.  Got my mine off and SP out, only to have the SP shot out by a probe.  Never recovered. Win Tar

Recorded. +2 Tus, +4 Tar

---
Tus's I-CL maneuvered to make my L-CW's ESGs useless. Good matchup.
If that probe missed the FFG's scatterpack, game over for the Battlehawk, no doubt. 

[Tus-XC]

150 Mid Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CSP v G-CDD)

Quick match, attempted to get tricky with a HET, got some good PPD action in on the gorn, WW for an S, forgot to turn repel on, met rock - Win Tar

230 Late Neb Tus v Tar (I-CCZ v R-KHK)

Quick matchup, nebs are funky as i learned, espeically in CE where now my plaz can actually deal no damage.  Realized this to late and was pushed into a corner by the khk - Win Tar

Rematch

This one went differently.  After learning the changes I fast charged Fs in my S launchers  and then let Tar chase me to about range 8-9.  This meant that instead of eating 1 torp a turn, I forced him to deal with 2 torps a turn.  ate up his PD quicker that way, got more in on his hull.  he eventually broke of pursuit and i brought my PPD back online, and then tore into him with that at range 15.  few more passes ended the KHK - Win Tus

115 Mid Black hole Tus v Tar (D-5s)

Mirror Match.  Early tide of the battle went to Tar, blowing through my rear shield early on and making me eat dizzies and phasers.  So i danced around the black hole, attempted to switch the flow with out much luck.  With Tar on my ass a second time, i put power into my forward , and turned on the tractor and HETed into him.  We both tractored each other and I don't recall breaking a shield on the first pass.  What did happen though was i went to OL and Tar decided he wanted to try to push me into the blackhole.  I kept him from pushing me quickly that way wiggled a bit, but was able to conitnually pound him with OL dizzies until he backed off.  I finally managed to get a few drones through and w/ he PD set to manual, managed to get 2 through to his hull.  Putting my green shields (LF, LR) toward him I kept the dizzy parade up (only 2 left) and widdled him down.  Wing Tus

150 Mid, Open Tus v Tar (R-KE, H-klinker?)

Fast match.  Wanted to trick him into dropping a ww, failed to keep my R in one piece.  lots of mines in play though... lots and lots of mines.  if only i had het a second time and tractored him... would have been funny.  as it was i ate alot of fusion and HB.  Win Tar

[TarMinyatur]

150 Mid Rocks Tus v Tar (I-CSP v G-CDD)

Quick match, attempted to get tricky with a HET, got some good PPD action in on the gorn, WW for an S, forgot to turn repel on, met rock - Win Tar

230 Late Neb Tus v Tar (I-CCZ v R-KHK)

Quick matchup, nebs are funky as i learned, espeically in CE where now my plaz can actually deal no damage.  Realized this too late and was pushed into a corner by the khk - Win Tar

Rematch

This one went differently.  After learning the changes I fast charged Fs in my S launchers  and then let Tar chase me to about range 8-9.  This meant that instead of eating 1 torp a turn, I forced him to deal with 2 torps a turn.  ate up his PD quicker that way, got more in on his hull.  he eventually broke of pursuit and i brought my PPD back online, and then tore into him with that at range 15.  few more passes ended the KHK - Win Tus

115 Mid Black hole Tus v Tar (K-D5)

Mirror Match.  Early tide of the battle went to Tar, blowing through my rear shield early on and making me eat dizzies and phasers.  So i danced around the black hole, attempted to switch the flow with out much luck.  With Tar on my ass a second time, i put power into my forward , and turned on the tractor and HETed into him.  We both tractored each other and I don't recall breaking a shield on the first pass.  What did happen though was i went to OL and Tar decided he wanted to try to push me into the blackhole.  I kept him from pushing me quickly that way wiggled a bit, but was able to conitnually pound him with OL dizzies until he backed off.  I finally managed to get a few drones through and w/ he PD set to manual, managed to get 2 through to his hull.  Putting my green shields (LF, LR) toward him I kept the dizzy parade up (only 2 left) and widdled him down.  Win Tus

150 Mid, Open Tus v Tar (R-KE, H-D7H)

Fast match.  Wanted to trick him into dropping a ww, failed to keep my R in one piece.  lots of mines in play though... lots and lots of mines.  if only i had het a second time and tractored him... would have been funny.  as it was i ate alot of fusion and HB.  Win Tar

Recorded +4 Tus, +6 Tar

---

Tus wisely adjusted his Plasma arsenal to dump 2 F-torps every turn. No chance for an agressive Killerhawk unless the I-CCZ captain forgets about that red line in space. The KHK could decide to not chase, but then it would say hello to the PPD against thin red shields. Vexing...

Indecision wasn't good for my D5 in the mirror match. I should have gunned it to 30 if my intent was to push Tus's D5 into the whirlpool of death. Instead I got sliced apart by OL Dizzies, eventually withdrew, but couldn't thereafter deal more damage than I would receive in each volley. Good shield management by Tus kept his ship operational after substantial damage in our toe-to-toe. Fun battle.

Tus t-bombed my D7H, and away went a handful of my marines to sabotage the Plasma-R on the King Eagle. Turned the tide as my Anarchist was sitting in a minefield, soon to face an R-torp for 50 or 100 points. Ate an F-torp and some Ph-1's in exchange for an opportune range-zero OL Fusion strike against an uncloaked KE.

[TarMinyatur]

New Cycle

165 early open; Tar (F-CC) vs Tus (F-CC)
Tus started with some Proxies, I closed for an overload Phot strike at range 8, withdrew to rearm. Tus gained initiative for his range 3 Photon strike, I HET'ed to bring Phots to bear, the tbombs were deployed, heavy damage to both. Tar win

200 late rocks; Tar (H-OV) vs Tus (I-CCY)
Tus warmed up my Overlord with PPDs, and I retaliated with R10 Hellbores. Sent out the 5 Hornet.I's which got creamed by his shotgun torps. Kept firing Hellbores at mid range until two shields collapsed on CCY. Ate some Plasma on reinforced shields. Tus tried a HET, which failed and I closed in greedily with OL Fusions, but I didn't get there in time, eating a nasty Plas-S and getting nailed by marines. Win Tus

115 late rocks; Tar (Z-CM) vs Tus (R-K5L)
Tus kept high speed, lobbing Plas-G into reinforced shields. Z-CM just kept firing that 3xDizzy into rear shields. Lots of weaving through rocks as Tus drew slow missiles into roids and tried to use the rocks as shields. Z-CM fired Ph-1 and Dizzies twice at range 8 and dropped weasels for good exchanges. Win Tar

Recorded. +2 Tus, +4 Tar

[TarMinyatur]

115 late rocks; Tus (R-SKA) vs Tar(Z-CM)
Wondering if the SKA is better than the KFL, we tried this matchup. Tus lobbed Plas-F at my Z-CM, but the Kzinti could absorb the damage on side shields and retaliate with Dizzies on the SKA's tail. A couple WW's when needed and the Z-CM took its time, firing away with Disruptors. Got a good Hit&Run on the Skyhawk's last Plasma launcher. Win Tar

115 late rocks; Tus (I-CLGZ) vs Tar(R-SEL)
My turn to struggle at a weak point in BPV for Roms. My frigate tried chasing the much larger light cruiser and took Plas-I on side shields, trying to get close enough for Ph-1's to be effective. Tus wisely sent some energy into his aft shield to mitigate my 3 Ph-1's and pumped up the ECM. Then I tried the cloak to avoid Plas-I, which worked ok, but I wasn't doing more than 3 points of damage to the CLGZ. One last effort to corral Tus into a corner...got to range 2.9 but not close enough to tractor. Tus did an HET after outrunning my three Plasmas and whacked me with Ph-1. Win Tus

Recorded. +2 Tus, +2 Tar

[Tus-XC]

Yea, i think the only way rom frigates win at that BPV is if you limit the choices to frigates...

[TarMinyatur]

115 late, rocks, Destroyer hull max; Tus (R-SKA) vs Tar (F-DWC)

The DWC missed with 2 of 3 OL Phots at range 8.9 or so, and ate the SKA's plasma as it cloaked. DWC flashed and grabbed the Rom, but the Fed's scatterpack was shot down. Skyhawk broke the tractor, kept up good speed, and lobbed plaz from range 10. DWC backed off to range 15 to eventually wear down the SKA's aft shield with the Ph-1 suite. SKA boosted ECM and cloaked. Lots of HETs to maintain positions...SKA got a bit roasted under the cloak but the DWC lost too much power in a twin Plas-F strike to use speed as a plasma defense thereafter. Win Tus


130 mid, open; Tus (R-SPA) vs Tar (G-CC)

Out-tonned, the Sparrowhawk invited the G-CC to chase. The Gorn obliged at speed 31 and absorbed Plas-F onto four side shields and took one on the front. The Rom took minor damage on its aft shield. It would have been certain death to continue in this manner, so the G-CC slowed to 25 and fired Ph1's at range 12 to 25 primarily on the SPA's aft shield, eventually knocking it down. The Rom accelerated but kept getting zapped through the downed shield. The cloak was activated, which led to low-speed walking in footsteps, tense maneuvering, several successful 85%+ HETS, as more damage accumulated on the SPA. The Gorn, in turn, got pounded by a volley of three close-range Plasmas that fortunately collapsed two weakened shields. But the G-CC's thick hull was resilient. The Gorn later landed 3 suicide shuttles on the Rom after it had weaseled, decloaked, and was presumably ready to fire two plasma. Long battle! Win Tar

         

Recorded. +2 Tus,  +2 Tar

[TarMinyatur]

165 Mid rocks: Tus (I-CAY) vs Tar (K-D7C)

Tus kept his speed up around 24 to avoid my staggered drone launches. Six Type-I's were on the map for most of the game but they were not relevant at speed 16. Tus fired the PPD, turned, and dumped PlaS as I chased. My visible  Dizzies did some damage on his #4 shield but I was taking too much damage from the exchange. The ISC could present strong shields when needed. I was able to hit&run the PPD, but it came at a high cost, since the CAY has 8 Ph-1s compared to the D7C's 3 Ph1. Tried in vain to push Tus into a rock, but was facing triple-green shields. Win Tus

165 Mid rocks: Tus (I-CAY) vs Tar (K-FD7)

Plenty of energy for the Klink to outrun Plaz. But it only has 2 Disruptors with FA arcs. Tus warmed up my #5 shield with PPD, then we exchanged Phaser volleys at range 6ish, taking our #2 shields nearly down. Fast Cruiser out ran the PlaS, then said hello to the PPD again in 30 seconds halving my #3 shield. I ate a PlaS to knock out the PPD via marines. But the CAY still has 2 PlaS, 8 Ph1 and a bunch of Ph3 padding to keep me honest. Win Tus

Recorded. Tus +4

---
Tus noted that the Klink has a maneuverability advantage...and perhaps that is the way to crack the CAY nut open. A failed HET by the ISC probably leads to a scatterpack lunch. But can the K-D7 endure the first HET, which is 100%? Then place 5 t-bombs for five volleys of 10 points? A challenging matchup... 

[TarMinyatur]

Perhaps Tus can capture video. My laptop is not capable. The game's native film room has been disabled in CE.

[TarMinyatur]

Correction: The film room works in OP.

[TarMinyatur]

This thread will continue here.

[TarMinyatur]

Cycle 4 has started. Ends June 24th at midnight EDT.

Cycle 5 starts on June 25th and will run to July 31st. Thereafter cycles will coincide with the month.

[TarMinyatur]

memories...

I suppose the galaxy is completely at peace. No battles in years? lol.