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News:

Starsector 0.97a is out! (02/02/24); New blog post: Simulator Enhancements (03/13/24)

Author Topic: RTS Players  (Read 1935 times)

mxyzptlk

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RTS Players
« on: August 01, 2019, 09:17:46 AM »

I really like Starsector alot, but, i didnt play with ships, i mean... Normally, im using auto-pilot, because i like alot more commanding these fleets, and im not good at all piloting, i have some problems turning it around n stuff...

Is there any problem with it? I mean, is this game is supposed to be played as this way too or no one plays like a RTS?

Fractal would give attention to RTS Players that play this way improving AI?
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Andy H.K.

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Re: RTS Players
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2019, 01:10:11 AM »

Hmm...I think you can already do that? Press U and AI will take over helm of your ship... Commanding in SS is unlike regular RTS thought, you put assignment on objectives (be it a point on the map eg. "Defend ", friendly ships eg. Escort, or hostile ships eg. Eliminate) by paying CP, and you can still micro a bit so that a particular ship handle a specific assignment and the AI would follow your orders to the best of their abilities.

And you can trust the combat AI
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Sonlirain

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Re: RTS Players
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2019, 04:18:17 AM »

Yep you can have an AI take over your ship. I just wish you could set your temperament be it character creation or just an autopilot setting.
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pairedeciseaux

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Re: RTS Players
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2019, 03:33:19 PM »

I remember reading conversations on this forum about people comparing Starsector to RTS videogames and/or player using the autopilot approach and having fun this way. So short answer: maybe it could work for you too ... but I guess it really depends on what are your experiences and expectations as a "RTS player" vs. what Starsector has to offer.

What is an RTS ? The so-called "real time strategy" videogames are, more or less, built on the idea that the player builds a base and an army and then uses it's army against opponents. The player controls individual units and/or unit groups on the battlefield - their position, their movements, their targets, and so on. The strategy layer exists more or less depending on the game, but it's mostly about creating opportunities, assessing tactical situation, responding to situation changes and a good measure of micro-management - again depending on the game. Also resources management is key.

What is Starsector ? At its core it is a spaceship fleet battle simulator. The player pilots/controls one spaceship and can also use a limited amount of fleet command points to give general tactical fleet orders and/or direct order to one or a few of the other ships in its fleet. Player also manages reinforcements and retreat. The important thing here is : player has a limited amount of fleet command points, so in large fleet battle player definitely won't be able to give different orders to all it's individual ships every 5 seconds.

Starsector is designed is such a way that, during combat, player will be able to create/exploit opportunities, assess and react to tactical situation changes. But it's certainly not about micro-managing all of it's ships on the battlefield. So no, in my opinion, Starsector is not meant to be played as an "RTS" game.

As a conclusion to this longer answer, a few suggestions:
  • learn piloting, it's really fun  :)  (do you use the mouse and the left-shift keyboard key to turn your ship around ?)
  • trust the AI to control/pilot the rest of your fleet's ships
  • pause often and check tactical situation
  • use command points sparingly
  • if you haven't already, maybe try to pilot a carrier - you will then be able to stay away from the frontline and somewhat give orders to yours fighter wings - which could be somewhat closer to an "RTS" experience
  • later, if you like carriers and have several of them in your fleet, you shall learn to use the precious command points to order strikes on specific targets
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Sonlirain

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Re: RTS Players
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2019, 08:21:33 PM »

Perhaps RTS is not the right word?
Tactical game seems to be a better fit since RTS implies building units and sending them into the meat grinder while tactic games like Ground Control rely on you making do with what you have available.
The game gives the player enough control over his fleet and with officers being able to learn most combat related skills much faster than the player character there is little point in engaging in combat yourself.
Heck if it wasn't for the operations center addon i'd pilot an unarmed kite and wouldn't even bother deploying my character into the battlefield (he has no combat skills anyway since i invested everything into industry and technology)
Besides the AI is better at flying then me anyway.

Either way playing the game "passively" is fair game ever since officers were added.
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Agile

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Re: RTS Players
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2019, 02:55:58 PM »

The AI is like RimWorld's and Dwarf Fortress's AI if you've played either game.

You select them to do something and they will do it to the best of their ability based on their skills and personalities.

The exact same thing happens in Starsector if you choose not to pilot at all and set autopilot to your flagship and just give orders.

Its a viable way of play but requires you to compensate for the AI's downsides (namely the fact that AI sucks with most phase and high flux using ships, but is great with low flux ships).
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