Planetarion Forums - Capture The Flag

Kloopy · 10 Jun 2005, 22:40

Capture the Flag F.A.Q.

How does the points system work?
At any point in time, your galaxy CTF points are calculated as follows:
1 point for any flags in your gal.
5 points if your gal contains your OWN flag asteroid.

What happens when my flag is stolen?
You lose points when flags are stolen from your galaxy. There are no points for just holding these flag asteroids.

Surely galaxies should get score for holding the asteroids to avoid a rush at the end?
You may well find stocking up on Flag Roids during CTF is a good tactic. You don't know for sure how much competition there will be at the end of the round. And if everyone rushes your galaxy for your flags in the last day, the more you have the more chance you've got of having some left over.

Why are there no planet, normal galaxy or alliance rankings?
As stated above, this game is all about the flag roids your galaxy is able to grab! The score ranking of planets, galaxies and alliances matters not one bit for CTF, therefore they are not displayed.

How do I capture a Flag Roid?
You capture flag roids just like normal asteroids. When you roid a planet that has a flag, one specific roid of theirs will be the flag. Thus, if you gain the full 25% cap, there is a 25% chance that one of the capped roids will be the flag.

What if there are multiple attackers landing on the same tick?
If the attackers have a combined total of 25% cap, then there is a 25% chance the flag is capped. If this is the case, it is given to one of the attacking fleets based on a percentage chance equivalent to the number of asteroids that fleet capped. So if one fleet caps 100 roids and another caps 200, the second fleet has twice as much chance of getting the flag.

What if two galaxies have the same number of flags?
If more than 1 galaxy has the same number of CTF points, their rank is determined by the total score of all the galaxies planets.

How do I see where my galaxy's Flag Roid is?
If you go to the Universe page, and click on to "Misc", you will see a list of all the Flag Roids. You can find where your galaxy's flag is by checking the coordinates next to it.

Can I track the history of my galaxy's Flag Roid?
Yes, by clicking on your roid in the Universe Misc page, you get to see the entire history of the flag. You can see who owned it and for how long.

Can Flag Roids be destroyed by Covert Operations?
No, it is not possible to destroy the Flag Roids. If it was possible, we would end up with them all destroyed and the game would not work.

What happens if my galmate who owns a Flag Roid exiles?
If a planet owns Flag Roids and is exiled (either self-exile or GC exile) the flags follow them into their new galaxy.

Is it possible to move a flag from one planet to another within my galaxy?
No, this is not allowed. If a planet had incomings or an attack was planned on the planet, then it wouldn't be fair to the attackers if the flag was moved.

Can I re-create/re-join alliances for Capture the Flag?
Yes, alliances work as they did during the main round. However, there is no bonus for alliances holding many flags at all. And by joining an alliance, you cut out a number of possible attack targets who may have flags at some point. CTF is all about galaxies, not alliances.

Why are my fleets launching at odd times? Why is my value higher than my score?
The load on the server is very high during combat. Because of this the ticker runs very slowly. It is currently taking about 10 minutes to complete an entire tick. Whilst the ticker is running, scores can be displayed incorrectly and the ETA you expect and the ETA shown on fleets may not match. Be assured though, that when the tick finished after 10 minutes, all the data is correct.

Do I have to be my galaxy's flag carrier in order to steal a flag?
No, anyone can capture Flag Roids. And you can theoretically own all of them at once, if you were lucky enough to capture and hold them all.

ChubbyChecker · 10 Jun 2005, 23:11

Is it just me or have we all been kicked out of our alliances?

I think my alliance hates me :,-(

orichalon · 10 Jun 2005, 23:24

we were all kicked out

ChubbyChecker · 10 Jun 2005, 23:29

It's ok, they've let me back in now.

All is right with the world.

Intruder · 10 Jun 2005, 23:32

Ill rejoin, NO ONE WILL KEEP ME FROM MY eX BLOOD!

Alessio · 10 Jun 2005, 23:51

I like the idea

Stifler · 11 Jun 2005, 05:19

nice idea, but more for speedgames ( i know this is just testing it)

Also you should make special roids show when you planet scan someone

ComradeRob · 11 Jun 2005, 08:07

Forgive my ignorance if this has already been thought of, but surely the flag roids will suffer the same fate as the Special roids? That is, they will fall into the hands of players of such low value that nobody can steal them back off them.

Benneh · 11 Jun 2005, 08:36

im guessing all the big gals will do is have 1 tiny planet with just pods and the rest of the gal excort hiim to the target.

he will cap the roids and still be tiny..

Kloopy · 11 Jun 2005, 10:12

Stifler, not only that, but I'd like flag roids to appear on the Galaxy screen too.
Tweaker, we're doing this during a havoc to see how people play. We can learn from the tactics people use and tweak how the game works to make it more fair to everyone in future.

Helix · 11 Jun 2005, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweaker

im guessing all the big gals will do is have 1 tiny planet with just pods and the rest of the gal excort hiim to the target.

he will cap the roids and still be tiny..

The problem with that is the more people you have escort the smaller percentage of the roid cap goes to the person being escorted meaning their chances of getting the special roid is even less.

Cannon_Fodder · 11 Jun 2005, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helix

The problem with that is the more people you have escort the smaller percentage of the roid cap goes to the person being escorted meaning their chances of getting the special roid is even less.

Surely not if they pull eta1?

Stifler · 11 Jun 2005, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComradeRob

Forgive my ignorance if this has already been thought of, but surely the flag roids will suffer the same fate as the Special roids? That is, they will fall into the hands of players of such low value that nobody can steal them back off them.

that can indeed become a problem, quoting for revelvence

Cant think of any fair way to fix atm

Banned · 11 Jun 2005, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComradeRob

Forgive my ignorance if this has already been thought of, but surely the flag roids will suffer the same fate as the Special roids? That is, they will fall into the hands of players of such low value that nobody can steal them back off them.

Given that the golden roids were auxilery whereas the flag roids are goals in themselves, I think this is an unfair comparison. This means that it is actually worthwhile to sacrifice large chunks of value to cap the flag roids. On the flipside this would never be worthwhile for the golden roids, as they would never repay through a round.

I think presenting a variant game that encourages tactics radically different from those of conventional PA is a good thing.

Neferti · 11 Jun 2005, 23:59

'Banned' is correct as usual

Helix · 12 Jun 2005, 01:25

banned should only post 20 more times then give up on the boards forever hehe

Phil^ · 12 Jun 2005, 05:46

or post 30,000 times more afterwards

Kloopy · 12 Jun 2005, 11:10

Hopefully it'll be the latter.

Kloopy · 12 Jun 2005, 11:13

The only worry I have is that it'll be changing "monetary" prizes. Some people will have organised thier gal so that some planets get big, whilst others get the flags. Changing the rules now would be a bit shit of us for that reason.

Perhaps it's something to change for next time we do this. Personally I think it's too late now. But give your opinions...

Banned · 12 Jun 2005, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kloopy

The only worry I have is that it'll be changing "monetary" prizes. Some people will have organised thier gal so that some planets get big, whilst others get the flags. Changing the rules now would be a bit shit of us for that reason.

Perhaps it's something to change for next time we do this. Personally I think it's too late now. But give your opinions...

Changing the rules mid-round is always bad.

Kloopy · 12 Jun 2005, 12:21

Whoops. That was meant to be on the PATeam forums in reply to a thread about changing the credits to the 3 people with most flags in the top ranked galaxy. I replied to the wrong thread on an entirely different forum! At least I didn't say anything too rude!

And I've been sober for 3 weeks, I can't even blame alcohol! But yeah, I agree Banned, I don't want to change the winning credits criteria.

MAdnRisKy · 12 Jun 2005, 12:30

you *could* remove the value cap if someone has a special roid

Kloopy · 12 Jun 2005, 12:49

I don't think that's necessary, and the reason why is succintly put by Banned earlier in this thread. CTF is very different to normal game play and I think it's encouraging entirely different tactics.

ChubbyChecker · 12 Jun 2005, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAdnRisKy

you *could* remove the value cap if someone has a special roid

Yes, good idea. No reason not to.

MAdnRisKy · 12 Jun 2005, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kloopy

I don't think that's necessary, and the reason why is succintly put by Banned earlier in this thread. CTF is very different to normal game play and I think it's encouraging entirely different tactics.

I would agree with both of you that you should change nothing in this speed game.

However, whilst Jester is right in the obvious sense that changes in rules mean changes in tactics, you have to ask yourself if those changes would be welcomed.

For instance we could bring back a roid capping formula like the rnd 4 one too, and that would require a change in tactics, but the question is, would that be welcomed?

Banned · 12 Jun 2005, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAdnRisKy

Stuff.

I think the goalposts in football should be widened to compensate for the defensive styles of play having reduced the number of goals in a match.

MAdnRisKy · 13 Jun 2005, 12:48

hmmm.

*takes gloves off*

You know I read rob's post, and then i read yours, and it struck me that while you were quite correct in what you said, I couldn't quite see the link from his point to yours. Yes, it's very worth while in sacrificing large chunks of score to gain flag roids, particularly in the end game phase. But how does that bear any relevance to guys being too small for you, or anyone else for that matter, to hit in the first place, as could well be the case in this game?

Now you meantioned new tactics, here was one I thought of. Would it be possible to get big with your gal, accumulate as many roids as possible, and then suicide your fleet to drop your value below what would be reasonably hitable by end game active folks?

And strange as the tactic sounded i thought, "that might actually work". And then i thought, yeah actually that tactic, whilst crazy, evil and all the rest of it, is perfectly valid. So I can see where you're coming from about a new game requiring fresh tactics and this being a great thing.

But honestly, what's tactical about a 200k planet with a flag roid that has been inactive all game and no-one can hit it? Nothing.

(oh and the football comment? very witty. I laughed)

I am Idler · 13 Jun 2005, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stifler

that can indeed become a problem, quoting for revelvence

Cant think of any fair way to fix atm

Simple, let everyone who have a flag roid have their attack cap removed.

Its the gals mission to defend the roid, not the low value of the holder

Banned · 13 Jun 2005, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAdnRisKy

*takes gloves off*

What sort of freaks wear gloves when they type?

Quote:

But honestly, what's tactical about a 200k planet with a flag roid that has been inactive all game and no-one can hit it? Nothing.

But if your flag-holder is a tiny shit planet, he shouldn't have any trouble hitting it.

I realize that there is a certain sense of wrongness here, but I think that it's preemptive to cry for the first available solution.

Quote:

(oh and the football comment? very witty. I laughed)

Thank you, I try.

jerome · 13 Jun 2005, 18:18

Instead of just 1 flag roid per gal, let every planet have one and 10 bonus points for having each flag for your gal with you. Much more fun!

MAdnRisKy · 13 Jun 2005, 21:26

oh yeah, you found PA too defensive, and in rnd 13 you widdened the goal posts.

just for giggles

Desse · 14 Jun 2005, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banned

What sort of freaks wear gloves when they type?

A pr0nstar.

Got to keep the w.anking hands secure.

MAdnRisKy · 14 Jun 2005, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by I am Idler

Simple, let everyone who have a flag roid have their attack cap removed.

Its the gals mission to defend the roid, not the low value of the holder

I've revised my thinking. *No* cap is probably a bad thing, but certainly an increased one might be the way forward, and perhaps, the scale of increase could be negatively proportional to the time remaining in the round

noah02 · 14 Jun 2005, 16:11

I think its funny when ppl outside the galaxy defend there alliance buddys

Really does make me laugh.

But otherwise apart from a lot of ppl not playing the havoc I think this CTF(R) thing is a pretty cool idea

Just the main ppl playing went straight for normal roids first to get some good roids to save up

But I see the Ziks in all there power really taking the piss with there high value