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[zxc]

\m/

This week's seed: Heavy Metal


The Weekly Seed is open to anyone. High scores are not the only feature of the runs and the main reason for putting this together is to share our experiences, stories, and tactics over the course of your run.

Rules are as follows:

• The Weekly Seed begins from the date this thread is posted and lasts about seven days.
• Make sure you are running the correct version of Cogmind (see thread subject).
• Enter the seed and abort your current game to initiate the seed (more details are below).
• Verify you are not running the tutorial and that the screenshot below of the Scrapyard and Level -10 matches your seed
• Play through the game once. This is a friendly competition and we are all honest people.
• When finished post your scoresheet here (it should be the newest file in /scores) and any other screenshots/stories/strategies you wish to share with the community.
• Due to the spoilerific nature of this thread do not read the comments if you are intending to participate and haven't played your run!
• Any scoresheets submitted after seven days will not be included.
• Good luck!

HOW TO ENTER A SEED

Press F1 to go to the MENU, select OPTIONS, select Seed, and enter this week's seed:




Select GAME, select ABORT:




If you have followed the steps [Manual seed applied: Heavy Metal] should display in the log window.

Congratulations on entering the seed, now get in there!

[Kyzrati]

I think I'll skip streaming this week since my wife's been sick for the past week and I need to use as much time as possible to keep development on schedule, having had to allocate time elsewhere for a while now

I'll probably still run the seed gauntlet myself, though, and I'm sure it'll be awesome and I'll wish I was streaming it

[zill]

I got a score of 7775, made it to -5.  I found a lot of good stuff for a stealth run, I may play the seed again and try that instead of combat.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Cogmind - Alpha 4b

Name: zill

---[ CORE DESTROYED ]---

 Performance
-------------
Evolutions (5)             2500
Robots Destroyed (107)     535
Value Destroyed (4380)     4380
Prototype IDs (18)         360
Alien Tech Identified (0)  0
Bonus (0)                  0
              TOTAL SCORE: 7775

 Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity             0/1000
Matter                     39/300
Energy                     50/50
System Corruption          2%
Temperature                Cool (9)
Location                   -5/Factory

 Parts
-------
Power (2)
Propulsion (3)
Utility (9)
  Experimental Terrain Scan Processor
Weapon (3)

 Inventory
-----------
Improved Medium Armor Plating
Improved Deuterium Engine
Proton Missile Launcher

 Peak State
------------
Power
  Enhanced Fission Core
  Fission Core
Propulsion
  Improved VTOL Module
  Improved VTOL Module
  Improved Nuclear Pulse Thruster
Utility
  High-capacity Storage Unit
  Hardened Light Armor Plating
  Advanced Weight Redist. System
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Improved Core Analyzer
  Advanced Targeting Computer
  Advanced Targeting Computer
  Improved Shock Absorption System
Weapon
  Anti-matter Cannon
  Anti-matter Cannon
  Heavy Phase Cannon
[Rating: 74]

 Favorites
-----------
Power                      Heavy Ion Engine
  Engine                   Heavy Ion Engine
  Power Core               Light Nuclear Core
Propulsion                 Light Treads
  Treads                   Light Treads
  Wheel                    Wheel
  Hover Unit               Airjet
  Flight Unit              Improved VTOL Module
Utility                    High-capacity Storage Unit
  Device                   Advanced Weight Redist. System
  Storage                  High-capacity Storage Unit
  Processor                Advanced Scan Processor
  Protection               Hardened Light Armor Plating
Weapon                     Light Assault Rifle
  Energy Gun               Precision Beam Rifle
  Energy Cannon            Plasma Cannon
  Ballistic Gun            Light Assault Rifle
  Ballistic Cannon         Light Cannon
  Launcher                 Proton Missile Launcher
  Impact Weapon            Shock Maul

 Stats
-------
Classes Destroyed          13
  Worker                   4
  Builder                  6
  Tunneler                 2
  Hauler                   7
  Recycler                 10
  Watcher                  6
  Swarmer                  15
  Grunt                    24
  Brawler                  3
  Duelist                  3
  Sentry                   18
  Hunter                   4
  Programmer               5
NPCs Destroyed             0
Best Kill Streak           8
  Combat Bots Only         7
Matter Collected           3038
  Salvage Created          4943
Parts Attached             158
  Power                    19
  Propulsion               28
  Utility                  64
  Weapon                   47
Parts Lost                 54
  Power                    7
  Propulsion               6
  Utility                  29
  Weapon                   12
Average Slot Usage (%)     96
  Naked Turns              50
Spaces Moved               3439
  Fastest Speed (%)        222
  Average Speed (%)        114
  Slowest Speed (%)        50
  Overloaded Moves         0
  Propulsion Burnouts      0
  Targets Rammed           10
  Cave-ins Triggered       0
  Teleports                0
Heaviest Build             85
  Greatest Overweight (x)  8
  Average Overweight (x)   0
Largest Inventory          20
  Most Items Carried       13
  Average Items Carried    9
Core Damage Taken          1753
Average Core Remaining (%) 76
  Depth 10 End             100
  Depth 9 End              83
  Depth 8 End              68
  Depth 7 End              53
  Depth 6 End              79
Volleys Fired              284
  Largest                  3
  Hottest                  178
Shots Fired                568
  Gun                      325
  Cannon                   203
  Launcher                 40
  Special                  0
  Kinetic                  407
  Thermal                  98
  Explosive                0
  Electromagnetic          63
Shots Hit Robots           412
  Core Hits                195
Overload Shots             0
  Energy Bleed             0
  Heat Surge               0
  Short Circuit            0
  Meltdown                 0
Melee Attacks              0
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
Damage Inflicted           10164
  Projectiles              8164
  Explosions               1959
  Melee                    0
  Ramming                  41
  Kinetic                  6327
  Thermal                  1792
  Explosive                34
  Electromagnetic          1970
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
Self-Inflicted Damage      261
  Shots                    13
  Rammed                   10
Highest Temperature        420
  Average Temperature      72
  Shutdowns                0
  Energy Bleed             0
  Interference             5
  Matter Decay             0
  Short Circuit            0
  Damage (minor)           1
  Damage (major)           0
  Damage (core)            0
Highest Corruption         7
  Average Corruption       3
  Message Errors           19
  Parts Rejected           8
  Data loss (map)          28
  Data loss (database)     17
  Misfires                 6
  Misdirections            10
  Targeting Errors         14
  Weapon Failures          1
  Depth 8 End              5
  Depth 7 End              7
  Depth 6 End              2
Haulers Intercepted        7
Robots Corrupted           4
Robots Melted              0
Power Chain Reactions      0
Tactical Retreats          15
Communications Jammed      0
Parts Field Recycled       0
  Retrieved Matter         0
Parts Merge Repaired       0
Drone Launches             0
  Drone Recoveries         0
Derelicts Assembled        0
Traps Triggered            5
  Indirectly               5
Trap Hack Attempts         0
  Triggered                0
  Disarmed                 0
  Reprogrammed             0
  Reused                   0
Machine Familiarity        10
  Terminals                8
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          2
Machines Hacked            10
  Terminals                8
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          2
Total Hacks                25
  Successful               5
  Failed                   20
  Catastrophic             8
  Database Lockouts        0
  Manual                   11
  Unauthorized             0
  Terminals                23
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          0
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          2
Terminal Hacks             5
  Record                   2
  Part Schematic           0
  Robot Schematic          0
  Robot Analysis           0
  Prototype ID Bank        0
  Open Door                0
  Level Access Points      0
  Branch Access Points     0
  Emergency Access Points  0
  Machine Index            0
  Terminal Index           0
  Fabricator Index         0
  Repair Station Index     0
  Recycling Unit Index     0
  Scanalyzer Index         0
  Garrison Index           0
  Alert Level              0
  Unreport Threat          0
  Locate Traps             1
  Disarm Traps             0
  Reprogram Traps          0
  Dispatch Records         0
  Maintenance Status       0
  Security Status          0
  Surveillance Status      0
  Patrol Status            0
  Transport Status         0
  Investigation Status     0
  Extermination Status     0
  Reinforcement Status     0
  Assault Status           0
  Recall Investigation     0
  Recall Extermination     0
  Recall Reinforcements    0
  Recall Assault           0
  Hauler Manifests         1
  Registered Components    0
  Registered Prototypes    0
  Zone Layout              0
  Sector Layout            1
  Machine Controls         0
Hacking Detections         13
  Full Trace Events        3
  Feedback Events          0
  Feedback Corruption      0
  Feedback Part Disabled   0
  Feedback Blocked         0
Garrisons Disabled         1
Garrisons Compromised      0
Robot Schematics Acquired  0
  Robots Built             0
  Total Robot Build Rating 0
  Robot Fabrication Matter 0
  Robot Fabrication Time   0
Part Schematics Acquired   0
  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
Parts Scanalyzed           0
  Part Schematics Acquired 0
  Parts Damaged            0
Robot Analysis Total       0
Robots Rewired             0
Robots Hacked              0
  Non-combat               0
  Combat                   0
  Parse                    0
  Link                     0
  Rebooted                 0
  Overloaded               0
  Assimilated              0
  Manual                   0
  Secondary                0
Robot Hack Failures        0
Allies Hacked              0
Hacks Repelled             0
Total Allies               0
  Largest Group            0
  Highest-Rated Group      0
  Highest-Rated Ally       0
Total Orders               0
  STAY                     0
  GOTO                     0
  ROAM                     0
  FOLLOW                   0
  GUARD                    0
  AID                      0
  BUILD                    0
  TUNNEL                   0
  DROP                     0
  PICKUP                   0
  COLLECT                  0
  EXPLORE                  0
  RETURN                   0
Terraforming Orders        0
  Walls Built              0
  Walls Tunneled           0
Ally Attacks               0
  Total Damage             0
  Kills                    0
Allies Corrupted           0
Allies Melted              0
Peak Influence             779
  Average Influence        232
  Final Influence          284
Maximum Alert Level        3
  Low Security (%)         47
  Level 1                  29
  Level 2                  18
  Level 3                  3
  Level 4                  0
  Level 5                  0
Squads Dispatched          21
  Investigation            3
  Extermination            4
  Reinforcement            7
  Assault                  0
  Garrison                 7
Exploration Rate (%)       20
  Regions Visited          7
Garrisons Visited          0
  Relays Disabled          0
  Generators Disabled      0
Turns Passed               6814
  Depth 11                 135
  Depth 10                 1262
  Depth 9                  814
  Depth 8                  1621
  Depth 7                  1850
  Depth 6                  764
  Depth 5                  368
  Scrapyard                135
  Materials                3697
  Factory                  2982

 Prototype IDs
---------------
Heavy Ion Engine
Heavy Deuterium Engine
Enhanced Fission Core
Improved Airjet
Improved Gravmag System
Improved VTOL Module
Biomechanical Wings
Improved Nuclear Pulse Thruster
Improved Medium Laser
Heavy Particle Gun
Precision Beam Rifle
Enhanced Autogun
Precision Assault Rifle
Anti-matter Cannon
Advanced EMP Blaster
Heavy Proton Missile Launcher
Shock Maul
Experimental Terrain Scan Processor

 Alien Tech Recovered
----------------------
None

 Game
------
Seed: Heavy Metal
^Manual?: 1
Play Time: 87 min
Sessions: 1
Mod: N/A
Game No.: 104
ASCII: 0
Keyboard: 0
Movement: Arrows
Fullscreen: 1
Font: 18/Cogmind
Map View: 76x50


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11811968811682881

[Decker]

I had some big plans for this seed. Several of my combat runs lately ended ignominiously on the second floor of Research. I noticed a common pattern. My stash of exotic items - targetting computers, armors, force fields - would be long gone by the time I entered the second floor of Reseach, leaving me with useless utility slots.

Clearly, I needed to trim more fat from my combat build. So I did. This was my plan for -2.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

2 power sources.
2 weapons.

5 storage units of various sizes.
2 heat sinks OR sensor array + signal interpreter.
1 extra: targetting computer OR armor OR terrain scanner.

4 hover units.
7 treads/legs.
2 more threads/legs on Access.

This way, I have the firepower/resilience of a combat bot and the mobility/awareness of a stealth bot. In stealth mode, I replace the two heat sinks by the sensor and interpreter, and optionally the extra slot by the terrain scanner.

Whenever combat looms, I hurry to swap back my combat utilities. This is costly in time/matter (and tedious), but it is completely necessary. Fighting with fragile utilities means you'll lose them sooner or later, and finding replacements in Research is difficult.

The two power sources provide just enough power in both modes. Combat needs juice for 2 weapons, 2 heat sinks and possibly for the targetting computer or armor. I don't use force fields. Stealth needs juice for speed up to 45 and the sensor suite. Even low-grade power sources are sufficient for that.

This build weights around 100 and four high-grade hover units are generally sufficient to lift half the mass. If I run out of hover units, I can switch to legs/treads until supply improve. Until that time, something magical happen: I don't have fragile parts anymore! Then, the value of armor/coverage goes down and the value of integrity goes up. To wit (per slot):

Propulsion legs/treads: 80-100 coverage, 150-600 integrity, no weight/heat/power, propulse you, commonly available.
Storage units: 50 coverage, 150-400 integrity, no heat/weight, crit-immune, store items, can find replacements by murdering collectors. Downside: heavy.
Armor: 150-400 coverage, 60-400 integrity, weight/heat/power, hard to replace, serve no higher purpose.

So, ideally I would wear a targetting computer and armor would be my consolation prize if I ran out of targetting computers.

That was the plan, anyway. I got in serious trouble on -5. I had to fight several ARCs, the alert level went up, and those bastard programmers/scouts just wouldn't lend me their hover units! I was forced back on legs, which is really dangerous in those circumstances.

Still, not everything was bleak. I had found several HCP and large storage units, so I had a high inventory from only 4 storage units. I also had an experimental terrain processor and an improved terrain scanner, plus some good hackware. I swapped on the sensor, interpreter, processor and scanner. This is an highly effective combination!

I mapped the place, hacked, followed the countour of the map, observed the direction of incoming ARCs. Nu-uh, no exit for me. At 300 HP, I cut my losses, and went down a chute I had spotted earlier with only 3 hover units. Fortunately, the compactors were disabled. I recovered and sailed through to Research, mostly in stealth mode.

The first floor of Research was anticlimatic. I hacked the exit locations right way, and one was nearby. I fought a little and got closer. I got stymied by a corridor that didn't lead to the exit directly. Painful past experience taught me that Research is highly segmented, so I just carved my way through the rock for about 8 slots with my cannons and cleared the bots guarding the exit.

Burrowing through rocks seem to be highly exploitable.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

For one thing, the engineers seal you back in your tunnel, so you can avoid pursuers. Potential cheese: cocoon in there until you've purged yourself of corruption.

A more legitimate thing I want to try is to carve a tunnel when I'm trailed by 20+ bots. Sure, digging takes time and I'll get hurt by falling rocks, but so will those 20 bots on my tail! Plus, I can fight off those bots individually, which is a lot harder to pull off outside a tunnel.

So, on to that thrice-cursed second Research floor. I find a terminal on entry and another next to it. Both level 2. I slap on my hackware, install botnets, and milk them 3 times each for the exit. Bang, nearest exit halfway down. I purge the alert back to low security. Programmers come in for a chat and leave me with good hover units. I make my way to the exit with hardly a fight.


Mmmph.

All that preparation, all that scheming, for naught. I was denied of my rightful challenge. Mmm. I am feeling a little frustrated. Angry, even. Those damn bots! Always picking on me. Never cooperating. It's their fault. It's all their fault. I will show them. I WILL SHOW THEM ALL!

First, the theme song.


Now. The master plan. Climb to Access. Find a terminal. Hack the garrison access points. Keep the alert level low, bust the garrisons. Purge the corruption. And then... Heh heh. Heh heh heh heh heh!

So, I embark on my journey. I locate several terminals. All level 3, none will pip out the garrison locations. I find one garrison and disable it. I also find the exit.

I locate another garrison, and make a huge mistake. While breaching the room containing the garrison, programmers find me. Reinforcements get summoned right from the garrison, my hover units get shot off, and I'm caught out in the open and attacked from multiple sides. I dispatch the lot but I lose a lot of health in the process. I'm down to 1100. I restock propulsion and guns, but my storage units are in critical state. I destroy the garrison and another two right next to it.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I get pinned down for a long time in the middle of the map. Patrols everywhere. I hide in a wall and kill 3 programmers dispatch plus an ARC. They seem to be coming from the south, which makes sense since I explored almost all of the top third of the map.

Heading down, I get a stroke of luck. 2 HPC storage units, plus a garrison close to it. Jackpot!

Then something weird happens. I get bogged in a fight that should have ended quickly in a tight corridor. I actually kill 8 waves in that place. I get stripped because I can't replace items as they vanish in the tight corridor. The ARCs are coming from the north?! I get out, restock a bit, but things are clearly going south.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I clear a huge batch with launchers. I'm completely stripped and out of power. I take out the last terminator on self power. I'm down to 25 HP.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I die to falling rocks trying to avoid that programmer. Oops.

Final score. Peak influence: 2463.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Cogmind - Alpha 4b

Name: Decker

---[ CORE DESTROYED ]---

 Performance
-------------
Evolutions (9)             4500
Robots Destroyed (443)     2215
Value Destroyed (19926)    19926
Prototype IDs (37)         740
Alien Tech Identified (0)  0
Bonus (0)                  0
              TOTAL SCORE: 27381

 Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity             0/1600
Matter                     300/300
Energy                     104/120
System Corruption          46%
Temperature                Cool (2)
Location                   -1/Access

 Parts
-------
Power (2)
  Micro Fission Core
Propulsion (13)
  Improved Anti-Grav System
  Improved Anti-Grav System
  Biometal Leg
  Anti-Grav Array
  Biometal Leg
  Improved Anti-Grav System
Utility (
  High-capacity Storage Unit
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Long-range Sensor Array
  Advanced Signal Interpreter
Weapon (2)
  Gamma Rifle

 Inventory
-----------
Flak Gun
Railgun
Hypervelocity Gauss Cannon
Heavy Missile Launcher
Large Matter Storage Unit
Long-range Sensor Array
Improved Terrain Scanner
Experimental Terrain Scan Processor
Gamma Rifle

 Peak State
------------
Power
  Micro Fission Core
  Light Particle Reactor
Propulsion
  Myomer Leg
  Improved Anti-Grav System
  Medium Treads
  Improved Anti-Grav System
  Biometal Leg
  Biometal Leg
  Improved Anti-Grav System
  Durable Medium Treads
  Centrium Wheel
  Improved Anti-Grav System
  Improved Anti-Grav System
  Improved Anti-Grav System
  High-density Centrium Leg
Utility
  Experimental Terrain Scan Processor
  Long-range Sensor Array
  Large Storage Unit
  High-capacity Storage Unit
  High-capacity Storage Unit
  Large Storage Unit
  Advanced Heat Sink
  Advanced Heat Sink
Weapon
  Enhanced Quantum Rifle
  Enhanced Nova Cannon
[Rating: 148]

 Favorites
-----------
Power                      Micro Fission Core
  Engine                   Light Angular Momentum Engine
  Power Core               Micro Fission Core
  Reactor                  Light Anti-Matter Reactor
Propulsion                 Improved Anti-Grav System
  Treads                   Medium Treads
  Wheel                    Centrium Wheel
  Leg                      Myomer Leg
  Hover Unit               Improved Anti-Grav System
  Flight Unit              Improved Flight Unit
Utility                    High-capacity Storage Unit
  Device                   Advanced Heat Sink
  Storage                  High-capacity Storage Unit
  Processor                Experimental Terrain Scan Processor
  Hackware                 Deep Network Scanner
  Protection               Improved Light Armor Plating
Weapon                     Plasma Cannon
  Energy Gun               Enhanced Quantum Rifle
  Energy Cannon            Plasma Cannon
  Ballistic Gun            Light Assault Rifle
  Ballistic Cannon         Improved Light Cannon
  Launcher                 Precision Grenade Launcher

 Stats
-------
Classes Destroyed          16
  Worker                   40
  Builder                  32
  Tunneler                 4
  Hauler                   29
  Recycler                 46
  Operator                 7
  Watcher                  11
  Swarmer                  40
  Grunt                    91
  Brawler                  8
  Duelist                  4
  Protector                6
  Sentry                   33
  Hunter                   38
  Programmer               53
  Compactor                1
NPCs Destroyed             0
Best Kill Streak           23
  Combat Bots Only         19
Matter Collected           10945
  Salvage Created          25444
Parts Attached             830
  Power                    52
  Propulsion               179
  Utility                  385
  Weapon                   214
Parts Lost                 199
  Power                    23
  Propulsion               86
  Utility                  52
  Weapon                   38
Average Slot Usage (%)     95
  Naked Turns              4
Spaces Moved               9366
  Fastest Speed (%)        400
  Average Speed (%)        131
  Slowest Speed (%)        6
  Overloaded Moves         12
  Propulsion Burnouts      0
  Targets Rammed           0
  Cave-ins Triggered       3
  Teleports                0
Heaviest Build             117
  Greatest Overweight (x)  39
  Average Overweight (x)   1
Largest Inventory          44
  Most Items Carried       34
  Average Items Carried    26
Core Damage Taken          3346
Average Core Remaining (%) 72
  Depth 10 End             92
  Depth 9 End              22
  Depth 8 End              55
  Depth 7 End              91
  Depth 6 End              80
  Depth 5 End              28
  Depth 4 End              94
  Depth 3 End              94
  Depth 2 End              97
Volleys Fired              1265
  Largest                  2
  Hottest                  350
Shots Fired                2183
  Gun                      858
  Cannon                   1246
  Launcher                 79
  Special                  0
  Kinetic                  438
  Thermal                  1030
  Explosive                51
  Electromagnetic          664
Shots Hit Robots           1359
  Core Hits                716
Overload Shots             51
  Energy Bleed             1
  Heat Surge               1
  Short Circuit            0
  Meltdown                 1
Melee Attacks              0
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
Damage Inflicted           54513
  Projectiles              41863
  Explosions               12650
  Melee                    0
  Ramming                  0
  Kinetic                  5933
  Thermal                  21085
  Explosive                9222
  Electromagnetic          18273
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
Self-Inflicted Damage      1130
  Shots                    36
  Rammed                   0
Highest Temperature        472
  Average Temperature      71
  Shutdowns                2
  Energy Bleed             2
  Interference             1
  Matter Decay             0
  Short Circuit            2
  Damage (minor)           0
  Damage (major)           0
  Damage (core)            0
Highest Corruption         46
  Average Corruption       13
  Message Errors           86
  Parts Rejected           29
  Data loss (map)          104
  Data loss (database)     57
  Misfires                 18
  Misdirections            52
  Targeting Errors         200
  Weapon Failures          37
  Depth 7 End              2
  Depth 6 End              2
  Depth 5 End              14
  Depth 4 End              7
  Depth 2 End              6
Haulers Intercepted        29
Robots Corrupted           68
Robots Melted              3
Power Chain Reactions      0
Tactical Retreats          35
Communications Jammed      0
Parts Field Recycled       0
  Retrieved Matter         0
Parts Merge Repaired       0
Drone Launches             2
  Drone Recoveries         0
Derelicts Assembled        0
Traps Triggered            1
  Indirectly               1
Trap Hack Attempts         0
  Triggered                0
  Disarmed                 0
  Reprogrammed             0
  Reused                   0
Machine Familiarity        35
  Terminals                34
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          1
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          0
Machines Hacked            35
  Terminals                34
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          1
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          0
Total Hacks                107
  Successful               26
  Failed                   80
  Catastrophic             34
  Database Lockouts        0
  Manual                   80
  Unauthorized             26
  Terminals                105
  Fabricators              0
  Repair Stations          2
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              0
  Garrison Access          0
Terminal Hacks             15
  Record                   3
  Part Schematic           0
  Robot Schematic          0
  Robot Analysis           1
  Prototype ID Bank        0
  Open Door                0
  Level Access Points      3
  Branch Access Points     0
  Emergency Access Points  0
  Machine Index            0
  Terminal Index           0
  Fabricator Index         0
  Repair Station Index     0
  Recycling Unit Index     0
  Scanalyzer Index         0
  Garrison Index           0
  Alert Level              1
  Unreport Threat          5
  Locate Traps             0
  Disarm Traps             0
  Reprogram Traps          0
  Dispatch Records         0
  Maintenance Status       0
  Security Status          0
  Surveillance Status      0
  Patrol Status            0
  Transport Status         0
  Investigation Status     0
  Extermination Status     0
  Reinforcement Status     0
  Assault Status           0
  Recall Investigation     0
  Recall Extermination     0
  Recall Reinforcements    0
  Recall Assault           0
  Hauler Manifests         0
  Registered Components    0
  Registered Prototypes    1
  Zone Layout              0
  Sector Layout            1
  Machine Controls         0
Hacking Detections         56
  Full Trace Events        3
  Feedback Events          0
  Feedback Corruption      0
  Feedback Part Disabled   0
  Feedback Blocked         0
Garrisons Disabled         9
Garrisons Compromised      0
Robot Schematics Acquired  0
  Robots Built             0
  Total Robot Build Rating 0
  Robot Fabrication Matter 0
  Robot Fabrication Time   0
Part Schematics Acquired   0
  Parts Built              0
  Total Part Build Rating  0
  Part Fabrication Matter  0
  Part Fabrication Time    0
Parts Repaired             1
  Part Repair Time         30
Parts Recycled             0
  Recycled Matter          0
  Retrieved Matter         0
Parts Scanalyzed           0
  Part Schematics Acquired 0
  Parts Damaged            0
Robot Analysis Total       1
Robots Rewired             2
Robots Hacked              0
  Non-combat               0
  Combat                   0
  Parse                    0
  Link                     0
  Rebooted                 0
  Overloaded               0
  Assimilated              0
  Manual                   0
  Secondary                0
Robot Hack Failures        0
Allies Hacked              0
Hacks Repelled             0
Total Allies               4
  Largest Group            4
  Highest-Rated Group      39
  Highest-Rated Ally       20
Total Orders               4
  STAY                     0
  GOTO                     0
  ROAM                     1
  FOLLOW                   0
  GUARD                    0
  AID                      0
  BUILD                    0
  TUNNEL                   0
  DROP                     0
  PICKUP                   0
  COLLECT                  0
  EXPLORE                  3
  RETURN                   0
Terraforming Orders        0
  Walls Built              0
  Walls Tunneled           0
Ally Attacks               12
  Total Damage             161
  Kills                    0
Allies Corrupted           0
Allies Melted              0
Peak Influence             2463
  Average Influence        581
  Final Influence          1719
Maximum Alert Level        5
  Low Security (%)         38
  Level 1                  17
  Level 2                  9
  Level 3                  16
  Level 4                  12
  Level 5                  6
Squads Dispatched          79
  Investigation            7
  Extermination            21
  Reinforcement            25
  Assault                  18
  Garrison                 8
Exploration Rate (%)       23
  Regions Visited          15
Garrisons Visited          0
  Relays Disabled          0
  Generators Disabled      0
Turns Passed               15418
  Depth 11                 54
  Depth 10                 369
  Depth 9                  1006
  Depth 8                  967
  Depth 7                  641
  Depth 6                  1562
  Depth 5                  3429
  Depth 4                  1533
  Depth 3                  476
  Depth 2                  628
  Depth 1                  4753
  Scrapyard                54
  Materials                2342
  Factory                  6682
  Research                 1104
  Access                   4753
  Waste                    483

 Prototype IDs
---------------
Heavy Ion Engine
Compact Particle Reactor
High-density Centrium Leg
Improved Airjet
Experimental Airjet
Improved Gravmag System
Aerolev Unit
Experimental Gravmag System
Improved Medium Laser
Advanced Beam Rifle
Cooled Pulse Rifle
Heavy Gatling Laser
Advanced Variable Charge Gun
Heavy Dispersion Rifle
Heavy Tesla Rifle
Advanced Beam Cannon
Cooled Particle Cannon
Cooled Proton Cannon
Precision Assault Rifle
Improved Heavy Machine Gun
Compact Linear Accelerator
Precision Grenade Launcher
Advanced EMP Blaster
Heavy Proton Missile Launcher
Enhanced Gamma Bomb Array
Experimental Cooling System
Experimental Terrain Scan Processor
Advanced Particle Charger
Particle Accelerator
Quantum Router

 Alien Tech Recovered
----------------------
None

 Game
------
Seed: Heavy Metal
^Manual?: 1
Play Time: 471 min
Sessions: 11
Mod: N/A
Game No.: 11
ASCII: 0
Keyboard: 1
Movement: Numpad
Fullscreen: 1
Font: 18/Terminus
Map View: 66x50


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Question: can ARCs come out from garrisons once they got destroyed and repaired by engineers?

[zxc]

Great writeup

So many propulsion slots... I have no idea what to think.

[Kyzrati]

Wow, thanks for the entertaining writeup, Decker.

Very interesting to see such a unique slot distribution. All that propulsion, and only 2 power. I think this type of strategy really became more viable with the massive integrity boost to propulsion that enables you to essentially use them as armor instead of, you know, actual armor . We'll see how uses of this strategy pan out in the future.

"Question: can ARCs come out from garrisons once they got destroyed and repaired by engineers?"

Nope. Garrison Access cannot be repaired. At present no machines are repaired, nor are their plans to make it so. If you can take out all the Garrisons they can no longer reinforce from them.

This run was replete with vengeance, indeed!

I must admit that after reading all that, I broke out laughing at

"I die to falling rocks trying to avoid that programmer."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Burrowing through rocks seem to be highly exploitable. For one thing, the engineers seal you back in your tunnel, so you can avoid pursuers.

This is the only way someone managed to beat the 7DRL, the latter few floors of which were especially difficult (= imbalanced and practically impossible). It's certainly something I attempted to directly address by adding cave-ins to discourage players from doing it too much. If it turns out to still be exploitable, further adjustments might be necessary.

[Enno]

not much time this week...i reached research for the first time in a weekly seed. sad to say that i have no scoresheet for this run. i played on my linuxpc and i don't no why but my scores-folder was named with 3 -_- now it works again but the run is done. i think research and round about 8000.

[Happylisk]

Pretty ho hum run.  I had a great build entering factory, but then managed to delete my game rather than save it.  I didn't have much enthusiasm after that (knowing the layout of Materials felt like cheating), so I decided to see how angry the AI gets if you destroy every machine you come across.  The answer is very angry. 

[Kyzrati]

Argh, I was going to play this one tonight but all the time got sucked away by an important family-life-direction conversation with my wife. Bleh.

How'd you manage to delete your run, Happylisk? Their anger = Your points

Respectable runs Enno and zill. What took you out, zill? Looks like you were doing just fine for pretty much the whole run, and even your final influence wasn't too high.

[Happylisk]

How'd you manage to delete your run, Happylisk? Their anger = Your points

Not sure.  I just got a new latop (Lenovo Y50 with 16 GB of RAM w000t) to replace my old piece of shit.  Cogmind was the first game installed on it, natch.  The seed run was my first time playing cogmind on it and I took a break in the middle.  When I came back the save was gone.  It's possible I hit the delete button instead of save; it took me a few tries to import my settings and get away from the tutorial start, so it's possible I was too use to hitting delete save and that's what happened. 

I haven't had time to play since that seed run, so I'll keep an eye out for anything (the new OS is windows 10 which is a fucking abomination).   

[Kyzrati]

Okay, sounds like you just hit the wrong button then. I press Ctrl-Shift-Alt-s if I want to stop to come back later. No chance of losing the run there

(The other possibility is that you haven't given Cogmind permissions to write to its own directory, which will cause both saving and changes to settings to fail! This is always a possibility on a new system, though Cogmind worked fine in a fresh install of Win10 I tried it on a couple months back.)

About Win10, I totally need a new laptop myself--my dev machine is ancient now--but Win10 is terrible, which is the sole reason I'm not upgrading now. I'm still using 7, which has been wonderful. It's like XP all over again and I'd love to keep using it for years to come (like XP =p), but I use a laptop rather than a desktop now, and installing an alternative/older OS is a bad idea on laptops...

[Happylisk]

Good call on the permission thing.  I'll play a level tonight, save it, come back, and see what happens.  If it's an authorization problem, easily fixed. 

[karlnp]

Misremembered this week's seed as this one. Still my best s/core yet.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Cogmind - Alpha 4b

Name: karlnp

---[ CORE DESTROYED ]---

 Performance
-------------
Evolutions (3)             1500
Robots Destroyed (106)     530
Value Destroyed (3175)     3175
Prototype IDs (          160
Alien Tech Identified (0)  0
Bonus (0)                  0
              TOTAL SCORE: 5365

 Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity             0/700
Matter                     72/300
Energy                     160/240
System Corruption          5%
Temperature                Cool (2)
Location                   -7/Factory

 Parts
-------
Power (2)
  Improved Deuterium Engine
Propulsion (5)
  Durable Treads
  Durable Treads
Utility (4)
  System Backup Module
Weapon (2)
  Mini Assault Cannon
  Heavy Assault Rifle

 Inventory
-----------
Light Nuclear Core
Light Nuclear Core

 Peak State
------------
Power
  Nuclear Core
  Nuclear Core
Propulsion
  Improved Titanium Leg
  Improved Titanium Leg
  Carbon-fiber Leg
  Durable Treads
  Durable Treads
Utility
  Hacking Suite
  Maneuvering Thrusters
  Improved Reclamation Unit
  System Backup Module
Weapon
  Heavy Assault Rifle
  Mini Assault Cannon
[Rating: 44]

 Favorites
-----------
Power                      Ion Engine
  Engine                   Ion Engine
  Power Core               Light Nuclear Core
Propulsion                 Aluminum Leg
  Treads                   Light Treads
  Leg                      Aluminum Leg
  Hover Unit               Improved Hover Unit
Utility                    High-capacity Storage Unit
  Device                   Improved Heat Sink
  Storage                  High-capacity Storage Unit
  Processor                Improved Targeting Computer
  Hackware                 Hacking Suite
  Protection               Insulated Medium Armor
Weapon                     Assault Rifle
  Energy Gun               Advanced Beam Rifle
  Energy Cannon            Advanced Beam Cannon
  Ballistic Gun            Assault Rifle
  Ballistic Cannon         Light Cannon
  Launcher                 Rocket Launcher

 Stats
-------
Classes Destroyed          12
  Worker                   8
  Builder                  2
  Hauler                   4
  Recycler                 5
  Watcher                  5
  Swarmer                  25
  Grunt                    31
  Brawler                  1
  Duelist                  2
  Sentry                   17
  Hunter                   4
  Programmer               2
NPCs Destroyed             0
Best Kill Streak           13
  Combat Bots Only         9
Matter Collected           2876
  Salvage Created          3733
Parts Attached             160
  Power                    27
  Propulsion               42
  Utility                  52
  Weapon                   39
Parts Lost                 60
  Power                    13
  Propulsion               16
  Utility                  14
  Weapon                   17
Average Slot Usage (%)     90
  Naked Turns              8
Spaces Moved               4065
  Fastest Speed (%)        250
  Average Speed (%)        108
  Slowest Speed (%)        16
  Overloaded Moves         0
  Propulsion Burnouts      0
  Targets Rammed           2
  Cave-ins Triggered       0
  Teleports                0
Heaviest Build             50
  Greatest Overweight (x)  11
  Average Overweight (x)   0
Largest Inventory          20
  Most Items Carried       12
  Average Items Carried    8
Core Damage Taken          1250
Average Core Remaining (%) 58
  Depth 10 End             91
  Depth 9 End              32
  Depth 8 End              53
Volleys Fired              305
  Largest                  2
  Hottest                  136
Shots Fired                556
  Gun                      394
  Cannon                   149
  Launcher                 13
  Special                  0
  Kinetic                  326
  Thermal                  191
  Explosive                13
  Electromagnetic          26
Shots Hit Robots           388
  Core Hits                187
Overload Shots             0
  Energy Bleed             0
  Heat Surge               0
  Short Circuit            0
  Meltdown                 0
Melee Attacks              0
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
Damage Inflicted           7744
  Projectiles              6829
  Explosions               915
  Melee                    0
  Ramming                  0
  Kinetic                  4046
  Thermal                  2578
  Explosive                889
  Electromagnetic          231
  Impact                   0
  Slashing                 0
  Piercing                 0
Self-Inflicted Damage      80
  Shots                    4
  Rammed                   2
Highest Temperature        408
  Average Temperature      45
  Shutdowns                0
  Energy Bleed             0
  Interference             0
  Matter Decay             0
  Short Circuit            0
  Damage (minor)           0
  Damage (major)           0
  Damage (core)            0
Highest Corruption         5
  Average Corruption       2
  Message Errors           5
  Parts Rejected           2
  Data loss (map)          8
  Data loss (database)     5
  Misfires                 2
  Misdirections            1
  Targeting Errors         6
  Weapon Failures          0
  Depth 9 End              1
Haulers Intercepted        4
Robots Corrupted           0
Robots Melted              0
Power Chain Reactions      0
Tactical Retreats          7
Communications Jammed      0
Parts Field Recycled       0
  Retrieved Matter         0
Parts Merge Repaired       0
Drone Launches             0
  Drone Recoveries         0
Derelicts Assembled        0
Traps Triggered            0
  Indirectly               0
Trap Hack Attempts         0
  Triggered                0
  Disarmed                 0
  Reprogrammed             0
  Reused                   0
Machine Familiarity        23
  Terminals                14
  Fabricators              2
  Repair Stations          3
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              1
  Garrison Access          3
Machines Hacked            23
  Terminals                14
  Fabricators              2
  Repair Stations          3
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              1
  Garrison Access          3
Total Hacks                73
  Successful               44
  Failed                   29
  Catastrophic             2
  Database Lockouts        0
  Manual                   2
  Unauthorized             0
  Terminals                55
  Fabricators              2
  Repair Stations          4
  Recycling Units          0
  Scanalyzers              2
  Garrison Access          10
Terminal Hacks             37
  Record                   17
  Part Schematic           2
  Robot Schematic          0
  Robot Analysis           0
  Prototype ID Bank        0
  Open Door                0
  Level Access Points      0
  Branch Access Points     2
  Emergency Access Points  4
  Machine Index            0
  Terminal Index           1
  Fabricator Index         0
  Repair Station Index     0
  Recycling Unit Index     0
  Scanalyzer Index         0
  Garrison Index           0
  Alert Level              2
  Unreport Threat          0
  Locate Traps             1
  Disarm Traps             2
  Reprogram Traps          1
  Dispatch Records         0
  Maintenance Status       1
  Security Status          0
  Surveillance Status      1
  Patrol Status            0
  Transport Status         1
  Investigation Status     0
  Extermination Status     0
  Reinforcement Status     0
  Assault Status           0
  Recall Investigation     0
  Recall Extermination     0
  Recall Reinforcements    0
  Recall Assault           1
  Hauler Manifests         0
  Registered Components    0
  Registered Prototypes    0
  Zone Layout              0
  Sector Layout            0
  Machine Controls         0
Hacking Detections         27
  Full Trace Events        3
  Feedback Events          0
  Feedback Corruption      0
  Feedback Part Disabled   0
  Feedback Blocked         0
Garrisons Disabled         2
Garrisons Compromised      0
Robot Schematics Acquired  0
  Robots Built             0
  Total Robot Build Rating 0
  Robot Fabrication Matter 0
  Robot Fabrication Time   0
Part Schematics Acquired   3
  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
Parts Scanalyzed           1
  Part Schematics Acquired 1
  Parts Damaged            0
Robot Analysis Total       0
Robots Rewired             0
Robots Hacked              0
  Non-combat               0
  Combat                   0
  Parse                    0
  Link                     0
  Rebooted                 0
  Overloaded               0
  Assimilated              0
  Manual                   0
  Secondary                0
Robot Hack Failures        0
Allies Hacked              0
Hacks Repelled             0
Total Allies               0
  Largest Group            0
  Highest-Rated Group      0
  Highest-Rated Ally       0
Total Orders               0
  STAY                     0
  GOTO                     0
  ROAM                     0
  FOLLOW                   0
  GUARD                    0
  AID                      0
  BUILD                    0
  TUNNEL                   0
  DROP                     0
  PICKUP                   0
  COLLECT                  0
  EXPLORE                  0
  RETURN                   0
Terraforming Orders        0
  Walls Built              0
  Walls Tunneled           0
Ally Attacks               0
  Total Damage             0
  Kills                    0
Allies Corrupted           0
Allies Melted              0
Peak Influence             516
  Average Influence        143
  Final Influence          36
Maximum Alert Level        2
  Low Security (%)         74
  Level 1                  18
  Level 2                  6
  Level 3                  0
  Level 4                  0
  Level 5                  0
Squads Dispatched          19
  Investigation            5
  Extermination            2
  Reinforcement            6
  Assault                  1
  Garrison                 5
Exploration Rate (%)       37
  Regions Visited          6
Garrisons Visited          0
  Relays Disabled          0
  Generators Disabled      0
Turns Passed               6347
  Depth 11                 61
  Depth 10                 668
  Depth 9                  2097
  Depth 8                  1772
  Depth 7                  1749
  Scrapyard                61
  Materials                3902
  Factory                  1749
  Mines                    635

 Prototype IDs
---------------
Heavy Ion Engine
Heavy Deuterium Engine
Advanced Beam Rifle
Heavy EM Shotgun
Advanced Beam Cannon
Improved Assault Rifle
Enhanced Autogun
Mini Assault Cannon

 Alien Tech Recovered
----------------------
None

 Game
------
Seed: Heavy Metal
^Manual?: 1
Play Time: 101 min
Sessions: 3
Mod: N/A
Game No.: 8
ASCII: 1
Keyboard: 1
Movement: Vi
Fullscreen: 1
Font: 18/Cogmind
Map View: 76x50


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[Kyzrati]

Factory is where things do start to get tougher . Looks like you were running on quite a lot of propulsion there! The times suggest you weren't moving quickly, however. What was the strategy behind that? (Certainly more recently Decker has been posting about using lots of propulsion even for slower builds...)

[karlnp]

I had actually just read your/Decker's conversation about using propulsion as armor/not armor, so when I couldn't source enough hover units or legs, I added whatever else I had around to serve as impromptu armor. I had a couple Improved Mass Distribution modules which made that a much more doable strategy. I don't think it'll remain long-term viable, as much as Decker is apparently the wunderkind of Cogmind - the power drain was significant to start rearing its head around 9/8 in small amounts, even with early Improved Heatsinks.