Friday, January 20, 2012

Infinite Realms (Part Two)

Mothership Structures
Infinite Realms - MothershipInfinite Realms - Living QuartersInfinite Realms - Laboratory
After unlocking the stargate, you will gain access to your mothership. In this view, there are six structures that you will deal with. However, not all of them are immediately available. Some of them will only be unlocked once your command center has reached a certain level.
  • Living Quarters
    The living quarters is where your trained personnel live. This facility contains structures that you can build and upgrade to increase your population limit.
  • Cargo Bay
    The cargo bay is where the resources (rations, verdium & lucium) you produce or collect at your outposts are stored. There is a limit as to how much of each resource is stored. When the limit of a particular resource is reached, production of that particular resource will cease. You can increase their storage limits by upgrading the respective structures within the cargo bay.
  • Consulate
    The consulate is where a player can create or join an alliance. There is a limit to the number of players that can be in a particular alliance. To increase this limit, you will need to either upgrade the consulate or use diplomatic ties (cash shop item).
  • Laboratory
    The laboratory is where your technologies are researched. Researching these technologies will grant bonuses to various aspects of your gameplay. Upgrading the laboratory is required to unlock the higher tiered technologies and also increase the number of research queue slots.
  • Bridge
    The bridge is where you go to when you wish to warp to other star systems within Infinite Realms. Simply click on the "Engage Warp" button and wait for 10 seconds to warp. All of your outposts will retract into the docking bay and the mothership will then warp to the designated star system. After completing the warp, you can launch your outpost ship(s) to a planet of your choice.
  • Docking Bay
    The docking bay is where your outpost ship(s) are stored when you warp. Upgrading the docking bay will give you an additional outpost ship which you can use to set up new outposts on other planets (up to a limit of 5).

Heroes & Equipment
Infinite Realms - Recruiting Heroes
As you ought to know by now, heroes are recruited from the lounge. However, what you might not know is that, there are weak heroes as well as strong heroes. Recruit a weak hero and you will find that your not winning battles as often as you would like to.

Luckily for us, identifying the weaker heroes from the stronger ones is just a simple matter of looking at the colour of their names. The weakest and most common heroes will have their names in gray. Stronger heroes will have their names shown in green while the strongest and rarest ones will have their names in blue.

But do note that every hero has their own set of attributes that determine their performance in battles. When up against heroes of similar caliber, the differences in these attributes might prove to be pivotal in whether the battle's lost or won.
  • Attack (ATT)
    Attack determines the amount of damage that a hero’s units will deal. Heroes with high attack have their units deal more damage and are good for assaults and raids.
  • Agility (AGI)
    Agility determines how fast a hero’s units will act and how far they will move in battles. It also increases movement speed on the surface map. Heroes with high agility gets to move first and move further in battles. They can also get to their destinations faster.
  • Defense (DEF)
    Defense determines the amount of armor that a hero’s units will have. Heroes with high defense are good for defending strategic locations as they are apt in keeping more of their units alive.
  • Charisma (CHA)
    Charisma determines the number of units a hero can lead. Heroes with high charisma can be assigned with much larger armies than others. (This is the only attribute that increases as your hero levels up)
  • Flair
    Flair determines how much your hero's charisma increases for every level up he or she gains. Flair is apparently fixed to the hero's colour (5 for gray, 8 for green, 13 for blue).
Infinite Realms - Hero DetailsInfinite Realms - Hero Equipment
When your hero levels up, he or she will also gain 1 bonus skill point. This skill point can be used to increase the hero's attack, agility or defense, but not charisma. Do spend these bonus skill points wisely as they will be the only way to tweak your hero's attributes (other than using equipment).

A hero can also carry equipment to enhance his or her attributes. There are seven categories of equipment, head gear, shoulder gear, chest gear, weapon, arm gear, leg gear and accessory. Apart from accessory being unisex, all other categories have gender specific equipment.

Every equipment piece belongs to a set, but from what I've seen, there is no incentive or bonus for assembling an equipment set other than visual appeal. Therefore, I feel that it might be more sensible to just allocate the pieces according to which attribute the hero needs more of.

Equipment pieces can be found from winning battles or purchased from the store (cash shop).


Combat
Infinite Realms - Surface Map
The surface map is where your skirmishes with others occur. The green coloured building at the center of the picture above is your own outpost. The red ones are outposts owned by other players. The smaller structures which doesn't look like outposts are resource fields while those orange coloured icons represent enemy camps.
Infinite Realms - Assigning Troops to HeroInfinite Realms - Scanning EnemyInfinite Realms - Enemy Info
Before initiating a fight, it is always prudent to check whether you have assigned or replenished troops to your hero. Next, you might also consider scanning your opponent to see what he or she has. Who knows, you might just save yourself from a humiliating defeat.
Infinite Realms - Automatic Battle OptionInfinite Realms - Manual Battle
When attacking, we have the option to let the battle proceed automatically or choose to manually control the units in the battle ourselves. Most players would prefer taking control of the battles because with human intervention, we can help to reduce combat losses.
Infinite Realms - Movement CommandsInfinite Realms - Primary Target
The combat mechanics in Infinite Realms is pretty straightforward. At the start of each round, you have the option to command your units to move forward, backwards or stay on the spot (by clicking on the respective button). After doing so, a window will pop up asking for a primary target for the unit. All you have to do is click on the name of the target you wish for the unit to attack. Your unit will attack the target once it gets within firing range. After you are done issuing your commands, click on the "Ready" button to end your turn.

Surveying
Infinite Realms - SurveyingInfinite Realms - Upgrading RanksInfinite Realms - Research Upgrades
When you've defeated an enemy camp or secured a resource field, you have an option of surveying them. Surveying allows the hero to extract extra resources as well as finding rare valuable items. Most of these valuables are used for researching technologies and increasing your rank. Some, however, are used in alliance upgrades and the purchasing of special units from fortifications.
Infinite Realms - Collecting Survey Results
A hero needs to survey for at least 1 hour before anything can be collected. Furthermore, the longer the time spent on surveying, the better the results will be. However, results only count for the first 12 hours of surveying and thus there is no benefit in surveying for any longer than that.

The bonus from extraction precision technology also applies to the first 12 surveying hours only. If your hero surveys for more than 12 hours and you have a 50% extraction precision bonus, you will still only get 6 extra hours added to the results (for a total of an effective survey time of 18 hours).
Infinite Realms - Enemy Camp TypeInfinite Realms - Survey Rewards
There are 11 kinds of valuables you can obtain from surveying. Depending on the enemy camp or resource field your surveying, the valuables you obtain will be different.
  • Pureblood DNA
    When it comes to genetic research and enhancements, nothing even comes close to the diversity and results of pure human DNA. Samples from other pure or mixed races, or genetically altered human DNA, simply do not have optimal results. This valuable tends to be collected from Human enemy camps.
  • Hydrothermal Pearl
    These orb-shaped gems are formed exclusively in the deepest depths of ocean-covered planets, where incredible heat and water pressures are able to create them. Of course, what would be a very expensive trek for most comes naturally to the aquatic Psodrinar. This valuable tends to be collected from Psodrinar enemy camps.
  • Dark Matter
    Dark matter is a powerful source of energy. However, due to its scarcity, it is usually reserved for producing devastating weaponry. This valuable tends to be collected from “Other” enemy camps (non-race defined enemy camps).
  • S’uhrden Silver
    M’uhssarium tetranide, more commonly known as S’uhrden silver, is a highly explosive metallic compound. This metal is quite rare, and although it is comparatively abundant on the S’uhrden homeworld, few would dare risk venturing there to steal any. This valuable tends to be collected from S’uhrden enemy camps.
  • Trapped Aether
    Aether is an elusive substance, even considered by many as non-existent. However, the Xuleth have found a way to capture small amounts within lucium crystals, using a method they guard jealously. This valuable tends to be collected from Xuleth enemy camps.
  • Supernova Particles
    Most would steer clear of the dangers of a supernova, yet collecting particles thereof can be extremely lucrative. The Mhad’ul have clear advantage here, as they can harness supernova particles with relative ease using their psionic abilities. This valuable tends to be collected from Mhad’ul enemy camps.
  • Magnetized Neodymium
    Neodymium is among the most powerful magnetic metals available and is used for a variety of purposes. This valuable tends to be collected from Food Sources.
  • Crystalline Verdium
    In rare instances, verdium can become crystallized. Somewhat of an oddity, it has a wide range of uses in scientific research, though some prefer it as a decorative medium. This valuable tends to be collected from Verdium Fields.
  • Dark Lucium
    Though not considered the purest of lucium, it is the rarest of its kind. This purplish-hued crystal does however have its uses in other fields and is a highly sought-after commodity. This valuable tends to be collected from Lucium Mines.
  • Noxious Miasma
    Contains a mix of particles from different galaxies. Although highly toxic to humanoids, it is crucial for the process of synthesizing hybrid war creatures. This valuable tends to be collected from any enemy camps or resource fields.
  • Crimson Protostar
    A fist-sized star, still in its infancy, contained within the sphere of a hollowed out hydrothermal pearl. Used to create the necessary spark of life in synthesized hybrids. This valuable tends to be collected from any enemy camps or resource fields.



Previous: Infinite Realms (Part One)

Friday, January 13, 2012

Infinite Realms (Part One)

Infinite RealmsInfinite Realms is a free browser-based MMORTS that is played using your facebook account.

According to its makers, Joyport, Infinite Realms is supposedly the next-generation strategy game that will potentially redefine your experiences in playing RTS games.
Generally, what players do in this game is explore the universe, travelling through the galaxies with the sole mission of expanding their territories and pulverizing any who stands in their way.
Infinite Realms - Ten'lev 1Infinite Realms - Ten'lev 2Infinite Realms - Ten'lev 3
Before you rush off to pummel others or get pummeled yourself, you must first learn the ways of Infinite Realms. And thankfully for that, the game spares you from suiciding by starting you off in a "protected" environment.

While in this environment, you will get a mentor called "Ten'lev" who will show you the ropes.
Infinite Realms - Missions 1Infinite Realms - Missions 2
Basically, all he ever does is blah blah blah and yap yap yap and then assign you missions. Upon clearing these missions, you will get rewarded with resources or speed-up items.

Although it might be boring, I would advise that you bear with him and go through the missions as they are vital in showing you the various features of the game.
Infinite Realms - Activate StargateInfinite Realms - Stargate
Perhaps a plus point, the more complex functions and features are locked and hidden from the player initially. As the player progresses by completing missions or fulfilling some criteria, these features will slowly be unlocked and introduced to him.

In my opinion, by introducing the features this way, it will make the game easier to digest for the player. This prevents the player from dumping the game due to an information overload.
Infinite Realms - Outpost View
Being an RTS, Infinite Realms naturally have the elements of building structures and managing resources in it. The picture above shows the "Outpost" view. It is in this view that you will build the various resource producing structures and military training facilities.


Outpost Buildings
As far as I know, from playing the game these few days, there are six buildings which you can build in the outpost. Three of the buildings are for producing resources and the other three for producing military units.
  • Rations Depot
    The rations depot produces rations necessary for training units.
  • Refinery
    The refinery extracts and refines verdium gas.
  • Lucium Processor
    The lucium processor mines and processes lucium crystals.
  • Barracks
    The barracks is where you train your basic ground units.
  • Armory
    The armory is where heavy armor units are assembled.
  • Fleet Hangar
    The fleet hangar is where aircraft units are built.
These six buildings can only be built upon those green squares that are highlighted as construction zones (as shown in the picture). However, there is no limit to the number of each type that you can build.

If you build more refineries, you will gain more verdium gas per hour. If you choose to build more barracks, you can then pump out ground units at a faster rate. There is no right or wrong number of each buildings to build. You just have to find your own balance depending on your needs.
Infinite Realms - Hero LoungeInfinite Realms - Radar Tower
Apart from these six buildings, there are five other buildings that you will encounter in the outpost. Some of these buildings are given to you right from the start while others are unlocked as you progress in the game.
  • Command Center
    The command center determines the level cap of buildings at its outpost. From here, you can view your building status, rename your outpost and change its location by clicking the "relocate" button (this action uses 1 relocation plans).
  • Lounge
    The lounge is where you'll find heroes available for hire. Each time you visit the lounge, you will only find two heroes in it. These heroes will stay in the lounge for one hour before new ones appear. If you don't like the heroes that you see, you can override the one hour cooldown by clicking the "refresh" button (this action uses 1 reinforcement permit).
  • Radar Tower
    The radar tower is what you'll use to scan enemies on the surface map to gather information regarding the size of the attacking force and the commanding hero's stats. Another useful function of the radar tower is its ability to locate players that have recently attacked you (this action uses 1 residuum tracker).
  • Defense Perimeter
    The defense perimeter is your first line of defense against other players attacking you. This is where you build turret defenses to fend off aggressors and protect your outpost.
  • Stargate
    The stargate is used to unlock the mothership and transfer heroes and their armies to your other outposts. It is automatically built once your command center is upgraded to a certain level, and becomes functional as soon as you click on it. Once you've unlocked the stargate, it will be immediately available at every outpost that you own, regardless of their command center levels.

Resources
A major part of Infinite Realms involves collecting the resources necessary for construction and training troops. And wars are sometimes unavoidable when collecting the scarcer resources.
Infinite Realms - CreditsInfinite Realms - RationsInfinite Realms - Population
There are five types of resources in Infinite Realms. Whilst these resources aren't consumed over time, you will still need a steady supply coming in such that your constructions and trainings do not come to a stand still.
  • Rations
    Rations are basically the food which you use to feed your troops and your workers. They are used in just about everything from training of military units to the upgrading of buildings.

    You can produce rations by building rations depots in your outpost and seizing control of food sources on the surface map. You can also acquire rations by defeating enemy camps, raiding other players' outposts and surveying defeated enemy camps on the surface map.
  • Verdium
    Verdium is a sort of fuel that is usually required when training the more advanced military units and in advanced building upgrades.

    You can produce verdium by building refineries in your outpost and seizing control of verdium fields on the surface map. You can also acquire verdium by defeating enemy camps, raiding other players' outposts and surveying defeated enemy camps on the surface map.
  • Lucium
    Lucium is a kind of crystal with a variety of uses. It tends to be quite rare and therefore fairly expensive and highly sought after. You will start needing lucium once you have upgraded your command center to level 6.

    You can produce lucium by building lucium processors in your outpost and seizing control of lucium mines on the surface map. You can also acquire lucium by defeating enemy camps, raiding other players' outposts and surveying defeated enemy camps on the surface map.
  • Credits
    Credits are the main currency used in Infinite Realms. You will need credits to build, hire heroes, move heroes on the surface map and research technologies.

    Credits are obtained by completing missions and collecting your pay based on your rank. You can also get credits by selling equipment obtained from your skirmishes.
  • Population
    Population is used when you train military units. This can include the unit itself, its crew (in the case of tanks and aircrafts) as well as its support staff such as maintenance technicians.

    Your population limit is determined by the conditions of your living quarters (found on the mothership). You can increase the population limit by upgrading buildings found in the living quarters and researching organic phasing technology in the laboratory (also found on the mothership). Once that limit is reached, you can only decrease it by losing units in battles, or dismissing them from service.


Next: Infinite Realms (Part Two)

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

100 Years' War: Guild 102

Welcome to Guild 102. In this lesson, we will be covering on the badge compass feature in 100 Years' War. Upon joining any guild, this badge feature will automatically be available to you. You can get to this badge compass by pressing "C" and clicking on the "Badge" tab.
100 Years War - Sunshine Compass Slot100 Years War - Moonlight Compass Slot100 Years War - Star Compass Slot
As you can see, there are three empty sockets in the badge compass. These three sockets are named after the sun, moon and the stars. To these three sockets, we can place any three unique badges from the badge list into the sockets.
100 Years War - Badge of Wilderness100 Years War - Placing Badges into Compass Slots
For low level badges, there are hardly any requirements for you to use them. For high level badges, however, they will start to demand that the socket and your member level within the guild to be of a certain level. Furthermore, you will need to spend contribution points when slotting badges from the badge list into the sockets.
100 Years War - Upgrading Sunlight Compass Slot
Socket level can be upgraded by selecting the socket that you wish to upgrade and then clicking on the "Up" button. You will need some contribution points and some silvers to do the upgrade.
100 Years War - Guild Membership Level
As for member level, you will need to visit Canal in Orleans and do guild quests in order to raise this.

When you upgrade a socket, you will "enhance" the effect of the badge that is slotted in it.
  • Sunlight compass
    When you upgrade this socket to its highest level, you can enhance the effect of the badge in this socket by 200%.
  • Moonlight compass
    When you upgrade this socket to its highest level, you can enhance the effect of the badge in this socket by 100%.
  • Star compass
    When you upgrade this socket to its highest level, you can enhance the effect of the badge in this socket by 50%.
What this means is that if you spent a lot of contribution points and silvers to max all the three sockets, a level 1 badge of wilderness (which increases physical critical strike rating by 13) will instead increase your physical critical strike rating by 39 if placed in the sunlight compass socket, by 26 if placed in the moonlight compass socket and by 19.5 if placed in the star compass socket.

If the guild is still relatively new, the badges you can use are limited and of low level. To open more of the badges, the guild master will need to spend resources into upgrading the badge tower and the individual badges. Naturally, badges of a higher level will give more bonus to the stat that it boosts.


Previous: 100 Years' War: Guild 101

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Galaxy Online II: Divine Commanders


Deadly Duo

Initial Stats*
AccuracyDodgeSpeedElectron
19171712
*Each stat will increase by +1 for every increase in star rank.

BallisticDirectionalMissileShip-based
Ballistic B icon.gifDirectional B icon.gifMissile B icon.gifShip Based B icon.gif
PlanetaryFrigateCruiserBattleship
Planetary B icon.gifFrigate B icon.gifCruiser B icon.gifBattleship B icon.gif
Skill
Has a chance to deal an additional 50% Scattering Damage and 40% Piercing Damage during all attacks. Affected by the Accuracy attribute. (Anna + Linda)
Info
This commander is a combination of Anna and Linda. It can be created with the Deadly Duo Scroll or drawn from the command center.