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Vantha

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Posts posted by Vantha

  2. Trouble using numbers to queue on windows a26

    in Bug reports

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, real_tabasco_sauce said:

    I can use the numbers to queue single units, but not batches.

    But you're aware there's seperate hotkey entries for setting, selecting, and adding control groups, right?

     

    8 minutes ago, real_tabasco_sauce said:

    You mean restarting the game, or uninstalling and reinstalling?

    Uninstalling and reinstalling... but I'm a bit clueless. Can anyone else on Windows reproduce the issue?

  8. Proposing changes to the native names of some units and buildings

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Secondly (and I've brought this one up in the past as well)

    The Han mangonel (catapult):

    A disclaimer straight away: I do not speak Chinese, so I can't confirm terms first hand or use primary sources.

    The current name is a literal translation of the word "trebuchet" into Chinese. (Traction) catapults in Ancient China instead actually were referred to as
    "砲pào", the same word that is later also used for cannons. In the much later Song dynasty catapults were also classified by the number of wooden spars making up the catapult's arm. The 3D model in-game has one only which would make it a "single-beam trebuchet", a "筲砲砲Dān Shāo Pào", though the frame looks a bit different. The same military compendium also mentions the "crouching tiger" catapult, the "虎蹲砲Hǔ dūn pào" which looks pretty similar to ours. However, in my opinion this last name is way too specific, and seems exclusive for the Song period.

    Therefore, I suggest the following change:
    Tóushí Chē -> Pào or Dān Shāo Pào (and just maybe Hǔ dūn pào)


    Sources:

    Quote

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangonel:


    The mangonel was called al-manjanīq, arrada, shaytani, or sultani in Arabic. In China, the mangonel was called the pào (砲).

    • Whirlwind – a swivel mangonel for shooting small missiles that could be turned to face any direction
      • Whirlwind battery – five whirlwind mangonels combined on a single turntable
    • Pao che (catapult cart) – a whirlwind mangonel on wheels
    • Crouching tiger – medium sized mangonel considered stronger than the whirlwind type but weaker than the four-footed
    • Four-footed – a trestle-frame mangonel for shooting heavier projectiles
      • Two-seven component – different weight classes for the four-footed type indicated by the number of poles bound together to create the swinging arm


    And this paper: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul-Chevedden/publication/285140517_The_Traction_Trebuchet_A_Triumph_of_Four_Civilizations/links/577aaf5508aece6c20fbd9a1/The-Traction-Trebuchet-A-Triumph-of-Four-Civilizations.pdf:
    See page 452 and the corresponding images from page 474 onwards

     

    • Like 2

  9. Two General Improvements to Gameplay

    in Gameplay Discussion

    Posted

    I'm all in for helping with a new tutorial. I agree that special strategies and tricks are not something a tutorial should teach - discovering stuff yourself or learning it from others is part of the fun, especially in a strategy game. We should view a tutorial as an "introduction to essential gameplay mechanics" - of which there are more than enough in 0ad and plenty basic ones that are not covered by the current tutorial.

     

     

    1 hour ago, Grautvornix said:

    @ShadowOfHassen@Vantha Do you think we could we use the planned in-game encyclopaedia framework to also provide this kind of help on strategy and options?. Just an idea...

     

    1 hour ago, ShadowOfHassen said:

    I think so, @Vanthawould have to confirm, but basically we could write several articles and put them in a "strategy guide of sorts"

    Sure, why not. The UI page currently has an empty "gameplay" section anyway...

    • Like 1

  14. Proposing changes to the native names of some units and buildings

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Firstly (I think I've brought this up at some point in the past already):

    Scythian Archer:

    They are only referred to as "the Archers" or "the Scythians" (both labels for "barbarians"), and also - most characteristically - as the (S)peusinians (in Greek: "(S)peusinioi"). Therefore I suggest the following change:

    Toxótēs Skythikós (a word-by-word translation into Greek) --> Speusinios or Peusinios

    Sources:

    Quote

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythian_archers:

    The Scythian archers were called toxotai (τοξόται, literally "[the] archers"), Skythai (Σκύθαι, literally "[the] Scythians"), and Speusinioi (Σπευσίνιοι), which was named after a certain Speusinos, the alleged founder of the force.

     

    https://www.thecollector.com/scythian-archers-ancient-athens/:

    Much later in the 2nd century CE, the Greek scholar Julius Pollux wrote:        

    “Those public slaves before the law course and other gatherings, to whom they gave the task of restraining those who behaved inappropriately and those who said what should not be said, were called “Scythians” and “archers” and “Speusinioi” after the man who organized their service.     (Julius Pollux 8.131-2)    

    Of the politician Speusis, nothing is known, though the name is corroborated by the (undated and unnamed) scholiast for Aristophanes’ play The Acharnians:        

    “The Archers are public slaves, guards of the city, 1,000 in number, who first dwelt in tents pitched in the middle of the agora, but then moved to the Areopagus. These were called “Scythians” and “Peusinoi”. A certain Peusis – one of the Politicians of old – having organized their activities.”     (Scholiast On Aristophanes, Acharnians 54)

     

    /https://www.stoa.org/demos/article_scythian_archers@page=all&greekEncoding=UnicodeC.html:

    Archers: The public slaves, guards of the city, in number 1000, who formerly lived in the Agora, camping out in the middle, but later moved to the Areopagus. These were called ‘Scythians’ and ‘Speusinioi,’ from a certain Speusinos, one of the ancient politicians, who organized their affairs” (Τοξόται· οἱ δημόσιοι ὑπηρέται, φύλακες τοῦ ἄστεος, τὸν ἀριθμὸν χίλιοι, οἵτινες πρότερον μὲν ᾤκουν τὴν ἀγορὰν μέσην σκηνοποιησάμενοι, ὕστερον δὲ μετέβησαν εἰς Ἄρειον Πάγον, ἐκαλοῦντο δὲ οὗτοι καὶ Σκύθαι καὶ Σπευσίνιοι; ἀπὸ Σπευσίνου τινὸς τῶν πάλαι πολιτευομένων συντάξαντος τὰ περὶ αὐτούς) (Suda tau,772; see also Schol. In Aristoph. Ach. 54, which is almost identical except for saying “Peusinioi” and “Peusinus” instead of “Speuninioi” [That's a typo, it should be “Speusinioi”] and “Speusinos”; also Hescythius, 1137; Schol. In Aristoph. Ach. 54; Schol. In Aristoph. Ach. 707; Schol. In Aristoph. Lys. 184; Suda omega,243; Suda tau,771).

     

    • Like 2

  15. Consider used mods when continuing saved games

    in Game Development & Technical Discussion

    Posted

    It looks like the errors are caused by some broken (or outdated) save files. The error states that the mapName is missing from the metadata.json file in the saved game. 

    Can you figure out what specific save file (.0adsave) is responsible for the errors? For example, by temporarily removing some of the files from the "saves" folder and checking whether the issue persists. (Beware that you have to restart the game in between).

     

    16 hours ago, Grautvornix said:

    Just sometimes, a set of other JS errors is spawned...

    When exactly? Have you tried reinstalling the game?

  16. Consider used mods when continuing saved games

    in Game Development & Technical Discussion

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Grautvornix said:

    Actually - while I found the button, I cannot test it for saved games as it triggers a series of Javascript errors (but the same button does works well for mods in the mods selector page).

    Playing on Win 10 this occurs for both SVN latest and 0.26. Guess there is a more fundamental issue with my Javascript install (not that I am aware of any speciality there). Never mind.

    For me, the "filter compatible replays" checkbox works fine for saved games. What errors are do you get?

    0ad itself contains the necessary components to run Javascript, if  you think there's an issue with the setup of the JavaScript interpreter, then a reinstall of the game should do the trick.

  18. Consider used mods when continuing saved games

    in Game Development & Technical Discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Grautvornix said:

    But - that already implemented, will it be a piece of cake to also add the automatic loading of needed mods?:P

    Automatically switching to the correct mod configuration would also be useful in the multiplayer lobby when joining hosts with different mod setups. I'm not sure how feasible it is in practice, though, since (especially in said situation) players don't necessarily have the required mods already downloaded. And downloading mods should probably only be done manually. But I might take a deeper look into it.

  19. 0 A.D's Built-in Encyclopedia

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Two more articles: https://github.com/TheShadowOfHassen/0-ad-history-encyclopedia-mod/pull/141

    Slingers and their role in in ancient warfare:

    Quote

    Slingers were highly mobile skirmishing units used to a much lesser extent than archers or javelineers on antique battlefields.  Firing a sling accurately required high skill and a lot of training (more than a bow or javelin). Slings were therefore only carried on the battlefield by experienced users who had practiced the use of this weapon since childhood.

    They were said to achieve slinging speeds faster than 100 mph (160 kmh) and ranges of over 1300 feet (400 meters), outclassing most archers. Reloading was another big advantage because it required nothing more than just putting a new projectile into the cradle. Skilled slingers could easily fire over 10 shots per minute. And that (unlike bows) from one hand, on rugged terrain, and while on the run. A good hit guaranteed a dangerous injury, if not death. Slings by no means come short of lethality in comparison to bows. Ancient sources even claim projectiles heat up from friction to start melting in mid-flight, as well as being able to fully pierce armor. Both of which are likely exaggerations, but underline the recognised danger of a sling.

    However, the psychological effect of slingers should not be underestimated either. Ancient sources mention how soldiers were much more afraid of a hail of stones than arrows. There are even tales of slingers bringing down entire ships by continuously launching heavy stones at them. Very small sling bullets were invisible to the eye while flying through the air. And archeological evidence suggests that some of those (Roman) bullets had holes drilled into them to instead make an intimidating buzzing or whistling sound when whizzing towards their target.

    All in all, slingers were therefore actually way more formidable units than today often credited with.

     

    And the weapon of a sling itself:

    Quote

    The sling was a weapon used by ancient peoples all around the planet, from the Chinese to the Egyptians to the Romans to the Inca, both for warfare and hunting purposes. The oldest depictions stem from the year 7000 BC, but they are thought to have been used long before that.

    Slings, brimming with simplicity, were very easy and fast to produce, essentially being nothing more than a braided rope with a cradle. Projectiles were either stones collected from the ground or bullets formed from other plentiful materials, such as clay or lead.

    Yet slings were also really powerful. The simple concept of extending the arm's leverage enabled users to hurl projectiles considerably faster and further than they could otherwise. The explicit mention in the Bible that it was a sling David used to strike down Goliath underlines very well its recognized value at the time.

    The only real downside of slings was the immense practice needed to learn to accurately aim. As technologically advanced weapons (with easier and more intuitive aiming) like bows or crossbows emerged, the use of slings declined. And dwindled to the few peoples with an already deep cultural connection to the sling, the prime example being the ancient Balearic people.

     

    • Like 2

  20. Consider used mods when continuing saved games

    in Game Development & Technical Discussion

    Posted

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe part of your suggestion is already implemented. Disabling the "Filter compatible replays" displays all replays found in the target folder, and mark those that you can't start with your current configuration with a darker grey. When trying to open them it even shows an error explaining which mods you need and which you have currently enabled, I think.

  21. What am I Missing About the Spartans?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Vantha

    Interesting. I actually think, the Skiritai are actually one of the best (and most underestimated) units in 0ad, especially for new players.

    Not in terms of stats. But they are available as soon as reaching phase two, nearly twice as cheap as full champion units, and they can gather resources, champions can't. When reaching phase 2 at 100 pop, you can easily train 100 Skiritai before hitting the 300 pop cap, and that while sacrificing barely any booming speed. And the Skiritai are significantly stronger than basic citizen soldiers, especially spearman. 100 of them so early can give a huge advantage.

    Athenian marines on the other hand require a gymnasion to be built and then the tech to be researched, can only be trained at the gymnasion itself (while Skiritai can be at the barracks), and cannot gather resources or build anything. It's simply impossible to train them at the speed that you can Skiritai. Ive tried several times but never managed to take advantage of the fact that Athenian marines are available in phase 2 already, at least not without significant drops in booming efficiency.

    All in all, Skiritai can't compete with champions, but can replace your much weaker basic spearman in huge numbers, which can give you a bigger advantage than a few (but individually stronger) champion units.

    • Like 2

  22. Proposing changes to the native names of some units and buildings

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Over the course of researching for the encyclopedia I've found and noted down a few cases of units or buildings, where (I think) a new native name in place of the current one would be more fitting and correct.

    Plus, if I remember correctly, @ShadowOfHassen did too, from his research.

    And, of course, everyone is free to share their suggestions here as well.

     

    My question is: Would it be possible to get them into the game?

    It would only require editing the "SpecificName" property in he designated XML template. My idea is to list all of my suggestions in this thread here, explain my thought process and cite the sources. And then submit the names, that people agree with / confirm, on phabricator.

     

    Is this wanted / welcomed? I only want to make the effort of extensive researching and laying out my reasoning if there's a good chance the names make it into the game. (Of course, only the ones that members of the wildfiregames team end up considering worth using). I really don't want to seem uppish or pushy because that's totally not how this is meant. I just don't want to dedicate myself to work that ultimately leads to no outcome.

     

    Hope you understand what I mean,

    Vantha

    • Like 3

  24. 0 A.D's Built-in Encyclopedia

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    PR for the companion cavalry (Hetairoi): https://github.com/TheShadowOfHassen/0-ad-history-encyclopedia-mod/pull/139

    Quote

    The companion cavalry was a special cavalry unit in the Macedonian army. It was, as the name suggests, composed of companions (“Hetairoi”), the aristocratic elite of Macedonian society, the king's close advisors, but also his bodyguards and comrades-in-arms in battle. In its early days, the regiment numbered 600 cavalrymen, but, over the course of Philip II's and Alexander the Great's campaigns, rose to a size of around 3600.

    Unlike other contemporary cavalry forces, on the battlefield, the companion cavalry functioned primarily as shock troopers. They carried a nine-to-twelve-foot (three to four meters)-long lance and also a sword as a secondary weapon. Often opening the battle, they conducted aggressive, full-scale charges at weak points in the enemy formation, usually in a triangular wedge formation.

    However, in comparison to later shock cavalry like cataphracts, companion cavalrymen and their horses wore relatively light protection and didn't even carry a shield. And stirrups hadn't been invented yet. 

    While this enhanced their speed, it also required riders and horses to be very well-trained for fighting in this manner. 

    Because of this very offensive setting, the companion cavalry oftentimes suffered significantly higher losses than other parts of the army. 

    However, it paid off: the companion cavalry proved essential for Macedonian military success. In pivotal battles at Charonea (338 BC), Granicus (334 BC), Gaugamela (331 BC), and the Hydaspes (326 BC), they performed deciding maneuvers, turning around the battle for Macedonia.

    Companion cavalry was a revolutionary step for cavalry warfare at the time and place. As a result, similar forces were developed all around the Hellenistic world.

     

    • Like 2

  25. 0 A.D's Built-in Encyclopedia

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Two Macedonian soldiers

    https://github.com/TheShadowOfHassen/0-ad-history-encyclopedia-mod/pull/138

    Hypaspists:

    Quote

    Hypaspists (translating to shield-bearers) were a type of elite infantry under Philip II and his son Alexander. Hellenistic successor states later adopted the concept. They were traditionally 3,000 men (three chiliarchies) strong. As an evolution of Macedonian foot companions, these soldiers were hand-picked or promoted for their merits and bravery. Because of their high skill and loyalty, they acted as the king's bodyguards and carried out special delicate missions such as guarding treasury or ambushing the enemy.        

    Most importantly, however, hypaspists played a vital role in Macedonian battle tactics and success. The main body of the Macedonian infantry were phalangites standing in a phalanx. Because of their long sarissa pikes, the front line was nearly impossible for contemporary armies to break through. However, this arrangement left the sides (and the back) extremely vulnerable to incoming attacks.          

    And on the battlefield, hypaspists were tasked with guarding exactly this weak point (often at the right). It's still debated whether they were equipped as phalangites too or instead fought in a hoplite manner. Either way, they functioned as an entity seperate from the main formation and were therefore much more flexible.

     

    Argyraspides:

    Quote

    The Argyraspides (translating to “silver shields”) were an elite Macedonian unit that was adopted by later Hellenistic armies. It is believed that they originally were hypaspists who, during Alexander's Indian campaign, upgraded and decorated their gear with silver and gold. They were a prestige special force known as the fiercest and most skilled contingent of the army.        

    Soon after Alexander's campaign had come to an end, the Argyraspides unit was dissolved. After all, those men had, at this point, nearly continuously been actively fighting in the army for over 20 years; most were over the age of 50. However, when Alexander died shortly after and war between the proclaimed successors (Diadochi) broke out, they were called back to arms.        

    During the first war of Diadochi, the Argyraspides fought for Perdiccas, but eventually, attrioned from a lack of military success, turned against him and revolted. It was their own commander, Antigenes, who ultimately murdered Perdiccas.      

      During the second war of Diadochi, the Argyraspides joined Eumenes, and in spite of their old age—many over 70 at this point—they proved extremely valuable in a series of battles. At the Battle of Gabiene against Antigonus' forces, they pushed the enemy line back very far and even managed to retreat in an organized manner from the lost battlefield despite being encircled. Their families and all loot acquired over several decades, however, were captured in the meantime. This pushed many individual soldiers to want to switch sides. And despite Antigenes, their commander, staying loyal this time, the Argyraspides ultimately caught and handed over their own supreme general, Eumenes—again—and deserted as a whole.         Antigonus, with a passionate dislike against this unit, to render them harmless consequently ordered to disperse the soldiers over the entire empire, alledgedly with the intimation to have them killed in some way.

     

    • Like 2
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