Today I finished my own first run of Alpha 12, played off and on for the past couple days.
I won
Alpha 12 is definitely easier, but I still can't say my run went super smoothly. I almost died several times throughout the early and mid-game, probably because I was taking it too lightly
The early game was mostly me running for my life, even having to duck into the Mines to avoid being cored, only to run into an infestation which I then dodged just as the Demolishers showed up from the other direction.
Rebuilding in the mid game was tough, and with a stash of Gravmag Arrays I ended up as a hybrid hovering combat bot! Two Adv. Hacking Suites plus copious grenades, until later on switching to my weapon of choice, a Molecular Scythe with which I reaped many a Programmer who got in my way.
Then I unexpectedly came across the Extension entrance all the way up in -4. I freed some buddies and O7 was nice enough to unlock the Enhanced Grunts for me after we pummeled the Cetus Guard. (At this point I'd used all the fallen Extension bots to put myself back on legs again.) I helped R17 out, and that made -3/Research a breeze... There I found the entrance to Testing, but decided not to go in because I already felt powerful enough to take on Access and didn't want to lose my already excellent gear.
In -2 I did jump into Quarantine, but chickened out and didn't grab anything more than a Core Reset Matrix (which I used) before leaving. I could've done some nice stuff there, and honestly could've even taken a shot at Command, but I decided that I wanted to get a safe Alpha 12 win on the leaderboard first. Next time I'll be more adventurous
Despite wreaking havoc in Access, I still didn't even get the alert level up to 5. In the latest release I nerfed the alert level in a way that's not represented in the public changelog, and that apparently made a huge difference, so I'm going to tweak that again in the next release, but for now Alpha 12 is going to be a good bit less harsh on super-powerful builds, for better or worse
Interestingly, except for a Prc. Grenade Launcher and Hvy. Rocket Launcher early on, I spent the rest of the game without any AOE weapons. Normally that spells doom for a combat build, but the changes to the alert behavior kept the pressure relatively loose.
Throughout much of my run I was using the same Imp. Weapon Cycler. Man those things are good.
I ended up with a mix of weapons pretty much the whole time, KI/TH/EM, so I didn't get a chance to do any melting (which generally requires a full thermal volley). I'll aim to do a thermal focus next run.
I also played with more inventory space than I'm used to. I just couldn't leave behind all the extra amazing loot I kept finding! An entire stockpile of Adv. Powered Armor? Yes, please!
Some shots from the run:
Cogmind - Alpha 12
Name: Kyzrati
---[ ESCAPED! ]---
Performance
-------------
Evolutions (9) 4500
Robots Destroyed (402) 2010
Value Destroyed (19973) 19973
Prototype IDs (19) 380
Alien Tech Recovered (1) 200
Bonus (12468) 12468
TOTAL SCORE: 39531
Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity 44/1600
Matter 284/300
Energy 187/190
System Corruption 33%
Temperature Cool (2)
Location Surface
Parts
-------
Power (2)
Light Quantum Reactor
Propulsion (6)
Biometal Leg
Utility (13)
Advanced Heat Sink
Advanced Heat Sink
Advanced Coolant Injector
Large Storage Unit
Advanced Visual Processing Unit
Advanced Targeting Computer
Advanced Targeting Computer
Advanced Target Analyzer
Advanced Target Analyzer
Advanced Target Analyzer
Propulsion Shielding
Weapon (4)
(None)
Inventory (10)
Light Quantum Reactor
Reinforced Quantum Reactor
Advanced Heat Sink
Advanced Heat Sink
Advanced Heat Sink
Advanced Sensor Array
Peak State
------------
Power
Light Antimatter Reactor
Quantum Reactor
Propulsion
Myomer Leg
Myomer Leg
Myomer Leg
Biometal Leg
Biometal Leg
Biometal Leg
Utility
Advanced Cooling System
Advanced Cooling System
Large Storage Unit
Large Storage Unit
Large Storage Unit
Advanced Targeting Computer
Improved Weapon Cycler
Centrium Medium Armor Plating
Centrium Medium Armor Plating
Centrium Medium Armor Plating
Advanced Powered Armor
Improved Hacking Suite
Experimental Hacking Suite
Weapon
Advanced Variable Charge Gun
Enhanced Nova Cannon
Railgun
Improved KE Penetrator
Inventory
Quantum Reactor
Quantum Reactor
Enhanced Flexi-carbon Leg
Enhanced Flexi-carbon Leg
Myomer Leg
Myomer Leg
Advanced Myomer Leg
Biometal Leg
Biometal Leg
Biometal Leg
Advanced Signal Interpreter
Advanced Powered Armor
Advanced Powered Armor
Advanced Powered Armor
Advanced Variable Charge Gun
Advanced Variable Charge Gun
Enhanced Nova Cannon
Enhanced Nova Cannon
Enhanced Nova Cannon
Enhanced Nova Cannon
Light Antimatter Cannon
Light Antimatter Cannon
[Rating: 180]
Favorites
-----------
Power Micro Fission Core
Engine Ion Engine
Power Core Micro Fission Core
Reactor Quantum Reactor
Propulsion Myomer Leg
Treads Light Treads
Wheel Wheel
Leg Myomer Leg
Hover Unit Gravmag Array
Utility Large Storage Unit
Device Advanced Heat Sink
Storage Large Storage Unit
Processor Advanced Targeting Computer
Hackware Improved Hacking Suite
Protection Centrium Medium Armor Plating
Weapon Enhanced Nova Cannon
Energy Gun Advanced Variable Charge Gun
Energy Cannon Enhanced Nova Cannon
Ballistic Gun Railgun
Ballistic Cannon Light Antimatter Cannon
Launcher Precision Grenade Launcher
Slashing Weapon Molecular Scythe
Special Melee Weapon Mining Laser
Stats
-------
Bonus Breakdown 12468
Met Data Miner 300
Built Enhanced Grunts 300
Met R17 at Cetus 500
Used Core Reset Matrix 3000
Met R17 at Research 2000
Win 3000
Win Speed 3368
Classes Destroyed 20
Worker 21
Builder 21
Tunneler 4
Hauler 7
Recycler 44
Mechanic 3
Operator 4
Watcher 6
Swarmer 50
Saboteur 5
Grunt 88
Brawler 11
Duelist 15
Protector 9
Sentry 27
Demolisher 2
Hunter 27
Programmer 52
Behemoth 5
Assembled 1
NPCs Destroyed 0
Best Kill Streak 12
Combat Bots Only 9
Matter Collected 12650
Salvage Created 26299
Parts Attached 450
Power 42
Propulsion 124
Utility 149
Weapon 135
Parts Lost 172
Power 15
Propulsion 53
Utility 50
Weapon 54
Average Slot Usage (%) 92
Naked Turns 2
Spaces Moved 8563
Fastest Speed (%) 200
Average Speed (%) 92
Slowest Speed (%) 40
Overloaded Moves 0
Propulsion Burnouts 0
Targets Rammed 23
Cave-ins Triggered 0
Heaviest Build 167
Greatest Support 167
Greatest Overweight (x) 17
Average Overweight (x) 0
Largest Inventory 22
Average Capacity 15
Most Carried 22
Average Carried 14
Final Capacity 10
Final Carried 6
Core Damage Taken 2794
Average Core Remaining (%) 69
Depth 11 Exit 91
Depth 10 Exit 75
Depth 9 Exit 26
Depth 8 Exit 27
Depth 7 Exit 74
Depth 6 Exit 99
Depth 5 Exit 96
Depth 4 Exit 81
Depth 3 Exit 100
Depth 2 Exit 96
Depth 1 Exit 2
Volleys Fired 877
Largest 4
Hottest 380
Shots Fired 2751
Gun 1804
Cannon 905
Launcher 42
Special 0
Kinetic 1591
Thermal 732
Explosive 42
Electromagnetic 400
Shots Hit Robots 1820
Core Hits 848
Critical Hits 344
Kills 124
Parts Destroyed 165
Overload Shots 2
Energy Bleed 0
Heat Surge 0
Short Circuit 0
Meltdown 0
Melee Attacks 75
Impact 0
Slashing 61
Piercing 0
Damage Inflicted 61911
Projectiles 54844
Explosions 4061
Melee 2913
Ramming 93
Kinetic 29088
Thermal 18896
Explosive 3556
Electromagnetic 7701
Impact 0
Slashing 2577
Piercing 0
Overflow Damage 358
Projectiles 7
Explosions 114
Melee 237
Self-Inflicted Damage 357
Shots 10
Rammed 23
Highest Temperature 450
Average Temperature 75
Received Heat Transfer 4556
Shutdowns 1
Energy Bleed 3
Interference 0
Matter Decay 0
Short Circuit 1
Damage (minor) 1
Damage (major) 0
Damage (core) 0
Highest Corruption 33
Average Corruption 10
Message Errors 83
Matter Fused 51
Heat Flow Error 29
Energy Discharge 32
Parts Rejected 26
Data loss (map) 0
Data loss (database) 50
Misfires 21
Misdirections 38
Targeting Errors 297
Weapon Failures 63
Depth 7 End 1
Depth 4 End 3
Depth 1 End 33
Haulers Intercepted 7
Robots Corrupted 9
Parts Fried 52
Robots Melted 0
Parts Melted 46
Heat Transferred 19656
Parts Self-Destructed 25
Prevented 2
Power Chain Reactions 4
Tactical Retreats 34
Communications Jammed 0
Parts Field Recycled 0
Retrieved Matter 0
Parts Merge Repaired 0
Drone Launches 6
Drone Recoveries 0
Derelicts Assembled 0
Traps Triggered 2
Indirectly 0
Trap Hack Attempts 0
Triggered 0
Disarmed 0
Reprogrammed 0
Reused 1
Traps Extracted 3
Installed 0
Triggered 1
Machines Disabled 24
Data Cores Recovered 2
Used 1
Machines Hacked 31
Terminals 27
Fabricators 0
Repair Stations 0
Recycling Units 0
Scanalyzers 0
Garrison Access 0
Total Hacks 94
Successful 39
Failed 51
Catastrophic 12
Database Lockouts 0
Manual 37
Unauthorized 25
Terminals 71
Fabricators 0
Repair Stations 0
Recycling Units 0
Scanalyzers 0
Garrison Access 0
Terminal Hacks 52
Record 12
Part Schematic 2
Robot Schematic 3
Prototype ID Bank 3
Open Door 3
Level Access Points 2
Branch Access Points 2
Unreport Threat 2
Hauler Manifests 1
Zone Layout 3
Hacking Detections 23
Full Trace Events 3
Feedback Events 0
Feedback Corruption 0
Feedback Part Disabled 0
Feedback Blocked 0
Trojans Installed 6
Terminals 6
Fabricators 0
Repair Stations 0
Recycling Units 0
Scanalyzers 0
Garrison Access 0
Fabricators Overloaded 0
Garrisons Disabled 1
Garrisons Compromised 0
Fab Network Shutdowns 0
Robot Schematics Acquired 3
Robots Built 0
Total Robot Build Rating 0
Robot Fabrication Matter 0
Robot Fabrication Time 0
Part Schematics Acquired 2
Parts Built 0
Total Part Build Rating 0
Part Fabrication Matter 0
Part Fabrication Time 0
Parts Repaired 0
Part Repair Time 0
Parts Recycled 0
Recycled Matter 0
Retrieved Matter 0
Retrieved Components 0
Parts Scanalyzed 0
Part Schematics Acquired 0
Parts Damaged 0
Robot Analysis Total 0
Robots Rewired 14
Robots Hacked 0
Non-combat 0
Combat 0
Robot Hack Failures 0
Allies Hacked 0
Hacks Repelled 0
Total Allies 29
Largest Group 8
Highest-Rated Group 325
Highest-Rated Ally 65
Total Orders 17
STAY 7
FOLLOW 6
COLLECT 4
Terraforming Orders 0
Walls Built 0
Walls Tunneled 0
Ally Attacks 243
Total Damage 6955
Kills 52
Allies Corrupted 2
Allies Melted 0
Peak Influence 1548
Average Influence 446
Final Influence 1423
Maximum Alert Level 4
Low Security (%) 43
Level 1 17
Level 2 9
Level 3 16
Level 4 13
Level 5 0
Squads Dispatched 74
Investigation 5
Extermination 18
Reinforcement 23
Assault 21
Garrison 7
Intercept 0
Derelict Logs Recovered 4
Exploration Rate (%) 22
Regions Visited 19
Pre-discovered Areas 1
Garrisons Visited 0
Relays Disabled 0
Generators Disabled 0
Network Hubs Disabled 0
Actions Taken 11430
Turns Passed 14844
Depth 11 112
Depth 10 274
Depth 9 875
Depth 8 419
Depth 7 1814
Depth 6 799
Depth 5 289
Depth 4 1898
Depth 3 560
Depth 2 1138
Depth 1 6666
Scrapyard 112
Materials 1418
Factory 1249
Research 1348
Access 6666
Mines 150
Lower Caves 1333
Proximity Caves 424
Data Miner 132
Extension 1252
Cetus 410
Quarantine 350
Prototype IDs
---------------
Light Antimatter Cannon
Fabricated
------------
Nothing
Alien Tech Recovered
----------------------
Core Reset Matrix
Route
-------
-11/Scrapyard
-10/Materials
-9/Materials
-9/Mines
-8/Materials
-7/Factory
-7/Lower Caves
-7/Lower Caves
-7/Data Miner
-6/Proximity Caves
-6/Factory (discovered 2 exits: *Fac / [*Low])
-5/Factory (discovered 5 exits: *Fac x4 / [*Upp])
-4/Factory
-4/Extension (discovered 2 exits: *Res / *Cet)
-4/Cetus (discovered 2 exits: *Res / [*Arc])
-3/Research (discovered 4 exits: *Res / Arm / Tes x2)
-2/Research (discovered 2 exits: *Qua x2)
-2/Quarantine
-1/Access
Surface
Game
------
Seed: 1479901307
^Manual?: 0
Play Time: 309 min
Sessions: 13
Mod: N/A
Game No.: 2
Lore%: 4
Gallery%: 18
ASCII: 1
Keyboard: 1
Movement: Numpad
Fullscreen: 2
Font: 20/SmallcapsGlow
Map View: 66x50
FOV Handling: Fade In
Check out how many turns I spent in Access
(The seed wasn't up when I started, otherwise I would've done that--this was a random seed.)
@Sherlockkat: I only just now noticed that you saw a Superbehemoth--missed that the first time. I guess you didn't wake it up, eh?