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[Joshua]

My first win (stealth, of course).

This wouldn't have been possible without several pieces of luck and spoilers. So the rest of this post contains considerable spoilers.

The first one I don't think should really be a spoiler:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

it's possible to bust through walls with non-explosive weapons, as long as they're powerful enough. You just can't see how much is enough without using keyboard mode (which also makes it easier to aim at walls). It also doesn't help that most weapons in the early game tend not to be powerful enough to do this -- by the time I get to the midgame I don't want to experiment so much since it can be dangerous and attract the wrong kind of attention.

Score sheet:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: [Select]

Cogmind - Beta 2.1 @@@ ROGUELIKE MODE

Name: Joshua

---[ ESCAPED! ]---

 Performance
-------------
Evolutions (9)             4500
Robots Destroyed (98)      490
Value Destroyed (3301)     3301
Prototype IDs (28)         560
Alien Tech Used (3)        600
Bonus (8947)               8947
              TOTAL SCORE: 18398

 Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity             1276/1600
Matter                     193/300
Energy                     155/1240
System Corruption          2%
Temperature                Cool (22)
Location                   To Epsilon Eridani

 Parts
-------
Power (2)
  Micro Fission Core
  Micro Fission Core
Propulsion (4)
  Field Propulsion Array
  Q-thruster
  Improved Q-thruster
Utility (15)
  Medium Storage Unit
  Experimental Energy Well
  Experimental Optical Array
  Advanced Signal Interpreter
  Improved Melee Analysis Suite
  Advanced ECM Suite
  Improved Remote Shield Generator
  Advanced Hacking Suite
  Advanced Hacking Suite
  System Shield
  System Shield
  System Shield
  Ghost Barrier
Weapon (4)
  Enhanced Quantum Rifle
Inventory (8)
  Micro Fission Core
  Diametric Drive
  Advanced Cryofiber Web
  Advanced Sensor Array

 Peak State
------------
Power
  Micro Fission Core
  Micro Fission Core
Propulsion
  Field Propulsion Array
  Q-thruster
  Improved Q-thruster
Utility
  Advanced Cryofiber Web
  Medium Storage Unit
  Medium Storage Unit
  Experimental Energy Well
  Experimental Optical Array
  Experimental Sensor Array
  Advanced Signal Interpreter
  Improved Melee Analysis Suite
  Advanced ECM Suite
  Advanced Hacking Suite
  Advanced Hacking Suite
  System Shield
  System Shield
  System Shield
  Ghost Barrier
Weapon
  Gamma Rifle
  Enhanced Quantum Rifle
  Enhanced Quantum Rifle
  Lance
Inventory
  Micro Fission Core
  Diametric Drive
  Advanced Sensor Array
  Improved Remote Shield Generator
  Improved Remote Shield Generator
  Transdimensional Reconstructor
  Terrabomb
  Gamma Bomb Array
  Lance
[Rating: 158]

 Favorites
-----------
Power                      Micro Fission Core
  Engine                   Cooled Ion Engine
  Power Core               Micro Fission Core
Propulsion                 Field Propulsion Drive
  Treads                   Compact Heavy Treads
  Leg                      Improved Aluminum Leg
  Hover Unit               Antigrav System
  Flight Unit              Field Propulsion Drive
Utility                    Hacking Suite
  Device                   Advanced Sensor Array
  Storage                  Medium Storage Unit
  Processor                Advanced Signal Interpreter
  Hackware                 Hacking Suite
  Protection               Improved Power Shielding
Weapon                     Axe
  Energy Gun               Gamma Rifle
  Energy Cannon            Nova Cannon
  Ballistic Gun            Autogun
  Launcher                 Mini Grenade Launcher
  Slashing Weapon          Axe
  Piercing Weapon          Spear

 Stats
-------
Bonus Breakdown            8947
  High Alert Combat Kills  44
  Met Zhirov               300
  Win                      3000
  Win Speed                5603
Classes Destroyed          14
  Worker                   4
  Builder                  2
  Hauler                   4
  Recycler                 3
  Operator                 2
  Drone                    2
  Watcher                  11
  Swarmer                  25
  Grunt                    23
  Brawler                  2
  Duelist                  1
  Sentry                   7
  Hunter                   4
  Programmer               8
Major NPCs Destroyed       0
Best Kill Streak           7
  Combat Bots Only         5
Best States                0
  Heat Dissipation         52
  Energy Capacity          1240
  Matter Capacity          300
  Sight Range              23
  Robot Scan Range         30
  Terrain Scan Range       12
  Terrain Scan Density     60
  ECM Strength             3
  Jamming Range            16
  Cloak Strength           2
  Power Amplification      30
  Base Temperature (-)     200
  Armor Coverage (%)       39
  Power Shielding          66
  Propulsion Shielding     90
  Evasion (%)              64
  Melee Accuracy           12
  Offensive Hacking        28
  Defensive Hacking        50
Matter Collected           2824
  Salvage Created          3904
Parts Attached             154
  Power                    9
  Propulsion               34
  Utility                  62
  Weapon                   49
Parts Lost                 58
  Power                    5
  Propulsion               14
  Utility                  17
  Weapon                   22
Average Slot Usage (%)     87
  Naked Turns              2
Spaces Moved               8020
  Fastest Speed (%)        344
  Average Speed (%)        157
  Slowest Speed (%)        52
  Overloaded Moves         0
  Propulsion Burnouts      0
  Targets Rammed           1
  Targets Kicked           1
  Targets Crushed          0
  Cave-ins Triggered       1
  Teleports                1
Heaviest Build             60
  Greatest Support         85
  Greatest Overweight (x)  19
  Average Overweight (x)   0
Largest Inventory          16
  Average Capacity         8
  Most Carried             16
  Average Carried          8
  Final Capacity           8
  Final Carried            4
Damage Taken               7809
  Core                     1422
  Absorbed by Shields      20
Average Core Remaining (%) 82
  Depth 11 Exit            100
  Depth 10 Exit            32
  Depth 9 Exit             88
  Depth 8 Exit             82
  Depth 7 Exit             98
  Depth 6 Exit             96
  Depth 5 Exit             100
  Depth 4 Exit             71
  Depth 3 Exit             83
  Depth 2 Exit             79
  Depth 1 Exit             79
Volleys Fired              245
  Largest                  3
  Hottest                  263
Shots Fired                506
  Gun                      464
  Cannon                   15
  Launcher                 27
  Special                  0
  Kinetic                  386
  Thermal                  79
  Explosive                19
  Electromagnetic          22
  Secondary Targets        0
Shots Hit Robots           345
  Core Hits                179
  Critical Hits            6
  Critical Kills           3
  Critical Parts Destroyed 3
Overload Shots             0
  Energy Bleed             0
  Heat Surge               0
  Short Circuit            0
  Meltdown                 0
Melee Attacks              202
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 72
  Piercing                 130
  Sneak Attacks            7
  Follow-up Attacks        1
Damage Inflicted           8899
  Projectiles              4203
  Explosions               2622
  Melee                    2074
  Ramming                  0
  Kinetic                  2653
  Thermal                  1495
  Explosive                2080
  Electromagnetic          597
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 937
  Piercing                 1137
Overflow Damage            100
  Projectiles              0
  Explosions               100
  Melee                    0
Self-Inflicted Damage      322
  Shots                    16
  Rammed                   0
Highest Temperature        742
  Average Temperature      118
  Received Heat Transfer   906
  Energy Bleed             1
  Matter Decay             1
  Short Circuit            1
  Damage (minor)           1
  Damage (core)            1
Highest Corruption         16
  Average Corruption       4
  Corruption Purged        0
  Message Errors           18
  Matter Fused             14
  Heat Flow Error          5
  Energy Discharge         5
  Data loss (database)     5
  Misdirections            11
  Targeting Errors         4
  Weapon Failures          1
  Depth 4 End              7
  Depth 3 End              16
  Depth 2 End              4
  Depth 1 End              2
  Impact Corruptions       0
Haulers Intercepted        4
Robots Corrupted           4
  Parts Fried              1
  Impact Corruptions       0
Robots Melted              0
  Parts Melted             4
  Heat Transferred         1608
Parts Sabotaged            0
Parts Stolen               0
Parts Stripped             0
Parts Self-Destructed      1
  Prevented                0
Power Chain Reactions      1
Communications Jammed      0
Times Spotted              163
  Peak Tracking Total      9
  Tactical Retreats        19
Parts Field Recycled       0
  Retrieved Matter         0
Parts Merge Repaired       0
Drone Launches             7
  Drone Recoveries         0
Traps Triggered            5
  Indirectly               0
Trap Hack Attempts         0
  Triggered                0
  Disarmed                 0
  Reprogrammed             0
  Reused                   1
Traps Extracted            0
  Installed                0
  Triggered                1
Machines Disabled          6
Machines Sabotaged         0
Data Cores Recovered       0
  Used                     0
Machines Hacked            65
  Terminals                41
  Fabricators              5
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              4
  Garrison Access          5
Total Hacks                254
  Successful               148
  Failed                   96
  Catastrophic             23
  Database Lockouts        0
  Manual                   127
  Unauthorized             71
  Terminals                160
  Fabricators              13
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              12
  Garrison Access          11
Terminal Hacks             138
  Record                   39
  Part Schematic           5
  Robot Analysis           4
  Prototype ID Bank        4
  Open Door                1
  Level Access Points      2
  Branch Access Points     1
  Terminal Index           7
  Fabricator Index         1
  Alert Level              3
  Unreport Threat          5
  Locate Traps             8
  Zone Layout              10
Hacking Detections         47
  Full Trace Events        4
  Feedback Events          0
  Feedback Corruption      0
  Feedback Hackware Fried  0
  Feedback Blocked         0
Trojans Installed          41
  Terminals                39
  Fabricators              1
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              1
  Garrison Access          0
Fabricators Overloaded     0
Fabricator Schematic DLs   0
Garrisons Disabled         5
Garrisons Compromised      0
Fab Network Shutdowns      0
Robot Schematics Acquired  0
  Robots Built             0
  Total Robot Build Rating 0
  Robot Fabrication Matter 0
  Robot Fabrication Time   0
Part Schematics Acquired   9
  Parts Built              1
  Total Part Build Rating  5
  Part Fabrication Matter  285
  Part Fabrication Time    50
Parts Repaired             0
  Part Repair Time         0
Parts Recycled             0
  Recycled Matter          0
  Retrieved Matter         0
  Retrieved Components     0
Parts Scanalyzed           4
  Part Schematics Acquired 4
  Parts Damaged            0
Robot Analysis Total       4
Robots Rewired             0
Robots Hacked              0
  Non-combat               0
  Combat                   0
Robot Hack Failures        0
Allies Hacked              0
Hacks Repelled             0
Total Allies               7
  Largest Group            4
  Highest-Rated Group      192
  Highest-Rated Ally       48
Total Orders               8
  STAY                     1
  EXPLORE                  7
Terraforming Orders        0
  Walls Tunneled           0
Ally Attacks               0
  Total Damage             0
  Kills                    0
Allies Corrupted           0
Allies Melted              0
Peak Influence             496
  Average Influence        72
  Final Influence          45
Maximum Alert Level        2
  Low Security (%)         90
  Level 1                  8
  Level 2                  0
  Level 3                  0
  Level 4                  0
  Level 5                  0
Triggered High Security    0
  Turns                    0
Squads Dispatched          21
  Investigation            6
  Extermination            6
  Reinforcement            7
  Assault                  0
  Garrison                 2
  Intercept                0
Derelict Logs Recovered    3
Scrap Searched             4
Exploration Rate (%)       26
  Regions Visited          17
  Pre-discovered Areas     3
Garrisons Visited          0
  Relays Disabled          0
  Generators Disabled      0
Network Hubs Disabled      0
Actions Taken              9699
Turns Passed               8922
  Depth 11                 91
  Depth 10                 963
  Depth 9                  614
  Depth 8                  935
  Depth 7                  381
  Depth 6                  689
  Depth 5                  557
  Depth 4                  1474
  Depth 3                  1935
  Depth 2                  927
  Depth 1                  356
  Scrapyard                91
  Materials                2512
  Factory                  2318
  Research                 1314
  Access                   356
  Upper Caves              578
  Proximity Caves          776
  Zhirov                   205
  Quarantine               61
  Testing                  711

 Prototype IDs
---------------
Cooled Ion Engine
Cooled Antimatter Reactor
Advanced Myomer Leg
Improved Flight Unit
Diametric Drive
Improved Q-thruster
Advanced Power Amplifier
Experimental Heat Sink
Experimental Energy Well
Quantum Shading Machine
Experimental Optical Array
Spectral Analyzer
Experimental Sensor Array
Experimental Melee Analysis Suite
Experimental Core Analyzer
Precision Matter Filter
Experimental ECM Suite
Experimental Propulsion Shielding
Experimental Thermal Defense Suite
Experimental Force Field
Improved Quantum Shroud
Ghost Barrier
Experimental Field Recycling Unit
Assault Drone Bay
Gamma Rifle
Proton Burst Cannon
Enhanced Autogun
Molecular Scythe

 Fabricated
------------
1x Exp. Sensor Array (-2/Research)

 Alien Tech Used
-----------------
Integrated Reactor
Transdimensional Reconstructor
Terrabomb

 Route
-------
-11/Scrapyard
-10/Materials (discovered 2 exits: *Mat / [*Min])
-9/Materials
-8/Materials (discovered 2 exits: *Fac x2)
-7/Factory (discovered 5 exits: *Fac / *Sto x2 / Low x2)
-6/Factory
-5/Factory
-4/Factory (discovered 3 exits: *Res x2 / *Upp)
-4/Upper Caves
-4/Upper Caves (discovered 2 exits: *Res / *Zhi)
-4/Zhirov
-3/Proximity Caves
-3/Research
-3/Testing
-2/Research
-2/Quarantine
-1/Access
To Epsilon Eridani

 Challenges
------------
None

 Game
------
Seed: PrecisionTargetingCleaver
  Manual?: 0
Play Time: 199 min
  Cumulative: 3340 min
Sessions: 6
Easy Mode: 0
Game No.: 49
  Easier: 0
  Easiest: 0
Win Type: 0
  Total: 1
  Types: 1/0/0/0/0/0/0
Lore%: 42
Gallery%: 53

 Options
---------
ASCII: 0
Keyboard: 1
Movement: Vi
Fullscreen: 1
Font: 12/Smallcaps
Map View: 83x54
FOV Handling: Fade In


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Write-up:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I started out using legs and guns, as demonstrated in mtf's combat hacker videos. I didn't plan to switch to flight but took the opportunity when I found a couple cesium-ion thrusters and an imp.  flight unit (I think on -8). I also found the right info warfare equipment, running into several advanced sensors and an enhanced optical array. I also found a couple hacking suites early on, which probably helped more than I realize - just enough to tip the easier hacks over the point where they're mostly possible without triggering an alarm.

I then went pretty much straight up, avoiding branches where possible, until I was cornered on -4 and ended up going to caves, hoping for W to help on -2. Instead I found Zhirov and he gave me... legs. At that point I only had two flight units left and they were pretty much blown off in the prox caves on the way back, right as I reached the exit. I also lost all power but found a bunch of lances and a fabricator next to where I started on -3. No luck with the fabricator, though, I still couldn't manage to load my schematic onto it.

I then went to testing (even though I didn't want to), where I think I found flight units again, along with power, and I used the mini grenade launcher I got way back to blow through a wall to escape a hunter.  Surprise, the other side of the wall had the exit, which was a stroke of luck.

On -2 I found a fabricator and finally managed to build my exp. sensor array, but a group of hunters came by while I was waiting for it to build. It wasn't too hard to take of them with the nice EM launcher I found.

The next stroke of luck was going to quarantine, which I didn't want to go to, but gave me an item I knew (from being spoiled) would let me get to the surface, if I could find the stairs. It was pretty easy to find the stairs here, not many enemies around. I did also find a couple corpses, but not knowing what to do with them and not being willing to give up any of my inventory left them alone.

Finally on -1, I managed to hack the main stairs from a terminal (I think on my second try), kill two hunters and escape the third that had chased me there, run to near the exit, get through the walls, use my very damaged one remaining weapon (enh. quantum rifle) and blast through the shield, and the rest, as they say, is history...

I still have no idea how to escape -1 without a special item or overwhelming firepower (probably in the form of an army). When I've done previous stealth runs and gotten to -1 I end up wandering around until an army of 20-30 grunts and programmers corners me.

Lessons learned:

I am beginning to appreciate the strategic depth involved in early-mid game decisions. Waiting around on -10 and -9 until you find what you want for your build is usually worth it if you can avoid aggroing too many enemies.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Once you get to -8/-7 it starts to matter what you use your hacks for, if you want to fabricate anything it's best to get schematics ASAP because fabricators are hard to come by. I think I got the exp. sensor array schematic on -5 (manual hack) but I failed to load it in to 3-4 fabricators on the following floors until -2.

If I sacrifice too many parts from the early build to escape to the next floor I tend to regret it later.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

It is also pretty hard to do a pure stealth build, I've learned from previous runs where I got to -1 that it helps to invest a little in combat at the end of the game: not enough to take on the entire complex, but to take out one or two followers if possible. I am learning not to be too afraid of taking on one or two enemies. Unlike the Sil stealth game, it's simply not possible to avoid every enemy completely (unless you get luckier than I have been so far), so it's best to be able to take them out with a minimum of fuss, especially programmers.

I had an adv. ECM suite for significant portions of the game but it's hard to tell whether it really helped or not. Hunters seem to either pursue you for a very long time, even with ECM, or they can see through walls, or both.

Letting enemies (especially sentries) spot you and kiting them around to get past them is very useful when you move faster than they do. I do feel like it's not fair for them to have perfect tracking of you once you're out of their line of sight.

trojan(track) is quite useful at the beginning and the end of the game (for hunters).

Oddity noted:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In the caves on the way to Z I found a derelict log purporting to tell me the location of Armory (-4), if I recall correctly. At that point it was not helpful since I was past the point of no return, and it did not draw on the world map.

[Kyzrati]

Congratulations! Not even an optimal stealth slot distribution, but with quite a utility loadout.

The first one I don't think should really be a spoiler

Yeah that's common knowledge and fairly easy to discover. Other than explosives, you can do that with pretty much any melee weapon or non-EM cannon. In fact, for cannon-reliant combat runs that reliability can actually become a problem when you're fighting in close quarters and accidentally blow open lots of walls which let in more hostiles

And gotta love those lucky exit finds when you most need it

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

There are lots of ways to escape -1, you'll find them with time, although yeah it's such a huge area that when visiting you can spend a while getting to an exit in the first place. It's best to have a way to know where it is rather than trying to stumble upon it.

I am beginning to appreciate the strategic depth involved in early-mid game decisions.

Excellent! Though it's not necessary, players who like to go for specific late-game plans definitely tend to start aiming for them very early on. Many branches will make the end game easier, but come with their own risks in the first place.

I think I got the exp. sensor array schematic on -5 (manual hack) but I failed to load it in to 3-4 fabricators on the following floors until -2.

Some hackware is almost always required for anything but the simplest fabrication (though even then you can also just get unlucky ).

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Lessons learned:
It is also pretty hard to do a pure stealth build, I've learned from previous runs where I got to -1 that it helps to invest a little in combat at the end of the game: not enough to take on the entire complex, but to take out one or two followers if possible. I am learning not to be too afraid of taking on one or two enemies. Unlike the Sil stealth game, it's simply not possible to avoid every enemy completely (unless you get luckier than I have been so far), so it's best to be able to take them out with a minimum of fuss, especially programmers.

Normally stealth is also combined with extreme speed and, as you were using, an ECM. So you can just race right by enemies and they'll never catch you anyway, and eventually lose track of you. Hunters are the most difficult to escape from, though! (Still, the most experienced flight players can get away from them, and everything, without a fight.)

I do feel like it's not fair for them to have perfect tracking of you once you're out of their line of sight.

All enemies can do this for a certain limited amount of time, just by guessing where you went within the local area. It's just how their robot AI works--it's in the lore. And ECM (among other things) counters it.

Oddity noted:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In the caves on the way to Z I found a derelict log purporting to tell me the location of Armory (-4), if I recall correctly. At that point it was not helpful since I was past the point of no return, and it did not draw on the world map.

Notice that the world map does not draw any unvisited maps at or below your current depth (because there wouldn't always be enough room to display them). They are instead shown in the box at the bottom right when you have your current depth selected--all known-but-unvisited maps for that depth are listed there by letter.

Unvisited maps at depths above your own are listed directly on the world map as normal.

[Sherlockkat]

Nice win!!

Yeah, like Kyzrati said, melee is the preferred weapon of choice for wall busting. The early game katana can chop through pretty much all of the factory walls and it only gets better from there. The only melee weapons that don't help with wall busting are the hammer and the maul (I think).

Hacking/Fabrication is exceptionally strong. There are tons of utilities that can be fabricated that would let you stealth more effectively. Stuff like good terrain scanners/processors and transmission jammers are really strong. If you visit the data miner in the lower caves branch, you don't even need to hack the schematics of those utilities, he gives it to you for free!!

You also don't need to rely on trojan(track). Exp. sig interpreters will let you see all the hunters.

Access is hard if your stealth build is more stealthy but not hacky enough. If you have enough hacking (say +40~60 to offense), you can index(terminals), and that just gives you significant floor control via access to Zion hacks, more access(main) opportunities, more recall opportunities etc etc. You can also layout(zone) to plan your paths more effectively. Without hacking, you probably need a powerful terrain scanner/processor combo along with sensors just so that you can navigate more effectively. By access, you also should have enough slots to stack some armor which buys a lot more time.

Some of the stuff from Quarantine nearly guarantees escape, like the ones that you used. Matter drive is also really good.

"I am beginning to appreciate the strategic depth involved in early-mid game decisions. Waiting around on -10 and -9 until you find what you want for your build is usually worth it if you can avoid aggroing too many enemies."

My favorite thing to do in materials is to kill haulers, get the transport network coupler and stack 3 lrg storage units and build up for flight transition in factory. It lets you see all the haulers in the map. It almost guarantees that you will end up solid flight units before factory rather than relying on swarmer crap.