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Crankey

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Posts posted by Crankey

  1. Hi All, I'm playing the campaign and hit a snag.

    I have bought my first 5th rate from the store. I have a 'captain' rank officer with very good stats I wanted to transfer from a 6th rate. However. When I dismiss him from the 6th rate he is visible in reserve, but when I change ships he doesn't show up in reserve to put in the 5th.

    If someone could let me know what I'm doing wrong.
     

    Many thanks

     

     

  2. Thank-you for the replies, and being patient with my double posts.

    Yes I will start with Age of Sail and pick up Dreadnought at a later date.

     

    Thank-you @Ink for clarification about permissible streaming content. Look forward to reviewing and playing as I go. :)

     

    Merry Xmas :)

     

  3. Thank-you for the replies guys. Much  appreciated.

    Once the family side of Xmas is out of the way, I will set to working out how to plug all of my streaming kit together and hopefully start streaming in the next couple of days. It also Sounds like Age of Sail is where to start, being the closer to launch.

    Merry Xmas :)

     

  4. Hi Forums o/ Hi to anyone who knows me from way-back in my Naval Action career. 

    (I have posted a similar topic in Age of Sail forum, apologies for doubling up but wan't sure which was most active)

    I'm interested in trying out Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail and Ultimate Admiral:  Dreadnoughts. 

     

    I have two questions.

    My first question is: Which of the two titles is more complete.

     

    My second question: I am intending to stream for the first time in the new year, using Twitch and would like to stream content for one or both titles. 

    Could anyone link or inform me of what protocols/permissions are required, content that can be viewed and discussed etc.

     

    Many Thanks

    Crankee_Oldgit

  5. Hi Forums o/ Hi to anyone who knows me from way-back in my Naval Action career. 

    (I have posted a similar topic in Dreadnoughts forum, apologies for doubling up but wan't sure which was most active)

    I'm interested in trying out Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail and Ultimate Admiral:  Dreadnoughts. 

     

    I have two questions.

    My first question is: Which of the two titles is more complete.

     

    My second question: I am intending to stream for the first time in the new year, using Twitch and would like to stream content for one or both titles. 

    Could anyone link or inform me of what protocols/permissions are required, content that can be viewed and discussed etc.

     

    Many Thanks

    Crankee_Oldgit

     

     

     

     

     

  6. Hi All, Returning player after a long break away. There used to be an online or downloadable page/software that when you entered ship type/Wood type/Planking type the effects of those choices would populate the basic ship data such as new armour values, speeds, turn rates etc etc. I can;t remember its name and sadly no longer have a bookmark to its location.

    I was wondering if anyone knows the name of the file or web page so that I can theory craft builds before committing to them. Or if it is known the software is no longer current and unavailable let me know.

    Many Thanks

     

  7. I am late to this discussion and may have missed some posts.

     

    There is currently a game series called "NWS Steam and Iron" from nwswargaming.net. "Rule the Waves"  is one of their games, a top down combat simulation where you run the navy of a nation (You can get sacked!) and fight fleet battles 1899 - 1925. Despite fairly basic UI and graphics the ability to choose whether you have historical ships supplied to you or to design from scratch all ships you use is awesome. There is a top down design format which allows you to place turrets, freehand draw superstructure. Decide on turret type/gun calibre, placement of turrets or barbettes etc. along with armour thicknesses to belt, deck, turrets extended deck etc etc all within design by class constraints and realistic weight limits.  Then of course you got to see them sink or swim in fleet battles using those ships.

     

    It would be worthwhile the Dev's taking a look. There may even be some collaboration which may save development time. NWSwargaming.net 

     

    Footnote: I'm not associated with the company or design team. I just own a copy and play their game from time to time.

     

     

  8. If you are going to have more fun as a different nation seems to me you just have to switch. We're all adults here (Well mostly) enjoy your game and hope you have more fun and less frustration in your new nation.

    Everything else tbh is just flannel

     

    • Like 6
  9. Are the fleet AI really so impressive ? Not in my experience.  So shouldn't cost so much.

    I agree 1 point rank 1, 2 point rank 2, 3 point rank 3 would be maximum I would be prepared to pay for 3 fleet perks. I know I would also regularly wince at how much I paid when in battle and shaking my head in despair when my AI act like drunken lubbers.

    Make the AI better and allow higher rated ships and less crew restrictions and sure spend all your points on 3 fleet perks.

  10. 1) Implement realistic ocean currents and weather/wind effects. Thus allowing players a speed boost on the open world map and creating potential 'hunting grounds' to intercept ship using such routes.

    2) Dual teaming. Can anything be done to combat ruination of RVR situations by dual teaming players.

    3) Seed local freeports with materials from surrounding ports, perhaps at increased base prices. This would assist smaller nations/clans to  gather rarer resources that would otherwise be closed to them. (Not everyone wants an alt account)

     

    (PS Need to fix my details below, very out of date)

    • Like 1
  11. Well said Spam.  Review away, I even refreshed mine that I posted after just 5 hours of in game fun.

    You can only review a game on its current state, Its state is still in testing, so many reviews seem to miss that the game is still being developed.

    The only issue I had with the review posted was that other posts could be deleted by the OP, but thats Steam's issue not ours and Game Labs off topic flag appears to have prevented further tampering. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

    I'm still in game from time to time, but basically like many others I am waiting the launch proper. See you all then o7

     

     

     

     

    • Like 1
  12. Looking forward to the patch.

     

    With a view to the port battles, I see the biggest problem for attention is that between decision to attack and port taken is very quick, so the community in the main will be offline and unaware so cannot take part. Adding a 7 day cool down after the fact will not reduce the en masse roll over tactics we are currently seeing.

     

    Provisions in game I think are a good thing implemented in a reasonable role. Looking forward to the decision on them.

    • Like 1
  13. I agree 50% Marines to crew is not historical for naval ships. Do we need to consider still, additional crew/boarders for letter of marque and if we still have them pirate vessels ?

     

    Each rate of naval ship and I believe your rank entitled you to a compliment of marines and suitable ranked marine officers. As the rate of ship increased so too did the compliment and rank of its officers.

     

    However the ability, morale and musketry of a crew and its marines could be varying in quality. Without extensive training and exercising all of these skills would be green.

     

    I would like to see numbers remain historical within the game and allow quality options or 'special orders' to give players the ability to decide what modifiers they can apply.

     

    For numbers you really have to consider as has already been mentioned above, that ships fitted out for long cruises simply did not have extra room within the hulls to carry dozens or more of extra men, be they marines or sailors. At least not without it effecting the fighting ability of the ship. (Deck space given over to extra crew or marines, could only be made by removing cannon)

  14. Current system tweak maybe ?

     

    In relation to the drop rate, Why not make this a visible % the crafter can see on his screen, and increase the % chance a little every time he crafts a triggering vessel without it dropping. 

     

    Future system maybe ?

     

    Target BP research points for specific BP is known and public knowledge.

    Every ship crafted adds a value to a research pool held for the player and visible on his crafting screen. The pool is held for each rate.

    (Advanced versions crafted may add extra points especially if maxed out on upgrade slots.)

    Player can utilize other rate research points at reduced effect when researching a new BP. (Greater the rate difference - smaller the value)

    Minimum research points from a particular rate for each BP is known and public knowledge. (avoids crafting 6th rates all your career then eventually qualifying to craft a 1st rate)

     

    Practice

    So the player has a list of research points he's acquired for each rate of ship.

    The player knows how many research points he needs for a particular BP

    The player knows the minimum research points he needs from a specific research pool.

    The player selects his new target BP

    Minimal research points from a specific rate are allocated and the player chooses which research points he will use to complete the total either same rate or a combination of same and other rate pools. (Slider system from differing rate tally's)

    Player unlocks the new BP permanently

     

    Trade-able BP ?

    Once researched the player can produce additional Trade-able/sell-able BP that will construct 1 vessel. Seller must craft these using research points (x amount) and coins.

    Receiving crafter must expend suitable rate research points to use the BP for a 1 off build, but does not gain the BP unlock.(Smaller research tally required)

    Minimal research points from a specific rate are allocated and the player chooses which research points he will use to complete the total. (Slider system from differing rate tally's)

    Player crafts a 1 off ship.

  15. Add the PURSER warrant officer to the ship build, an automatic addition in the form of a warrant officer responsible for supplying the ships crew with goods , clothing and food throughout the commission.
    Forget completely (For the moment) about ongoing provision requirements per crew size, voyage length, miles sailed, time in game etc etc. The devs want to bring in the extra econ feature and ship build component so why muddy the waters for the moment with the why's and the wherefores.

    In game terms now
    When commissioning a ship (With its extra provision costs and associated econ work), the ship comes supplied with a Warrant officer in the officer slot in the form of the Purser or "the clerk of Burser" an older term. (In latter and army terms a quartermaster). For the moment this is a none moving, none impact icon but gives credance to the changes.

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

    In future game terms

    We can all persue finer ongoing provision requirements at a later stage of the test period, If all this does is create lots of small boat fishing fleets to be witnessed around harbour and coasts that may or may not be player sailed, and may or may not be interactible is immaterial. On clear and mucky weather fishing fleets were a common sight near towns and villages and will add some flavour to the open world views. (Just as a matter of interest, fishing boats were considered neutral and not to be attacked by any nation)

     

  16. I am uncertain there is benefit at this time adding to a ships initial build cost, unless adding provisions into initial ship cost is a way of getting it into the game for future tweaks and  maintenance features.

     

    My personal view would be to add a moneysink at each port you land at to top-up supplies for your vessel/crew size depending on the length of voyage(In game time) between port visits. I dislike an afk/real time timer method, as casual players with limited time in game to earn funds will be adversely effected especially if crew morale and fitness are also effected.

     

    Whilst i applaud any advance the devs can make in the game, adding an extra build component which increases the complexity of the resource gathering part of the game isn't in my opinion a game changer when other areas would perhaps feel a greater benefit from the devs hours. Just my humble opinion.

  17. I like the implimentaion of active viable crews and look forward to testing.

     

     

    For prizes I would like to see a couple of options.

     

    Option 1, Ship stays with you as an AI vessel with its minimal crew, therefore unable to do more than recieve an escape order should a new battle start before arriving in an outpost. You own ship crew level being reduced accordingly until entering port. If the prize is lost so then is your prize crew.

     

    Option 2, Ship is sent to an outpost of your choice as an independant AI vessel on the OW map. Your ships crew is reduced accordingly until you can retrieve your crew from the same outpost. The AI ship would act as a trader in trying to escape an enemy vessel should it be encountered in PVP en route to its target port. If the prize is lost so then is your prize crew.

     

    Crew replacement, medical officers, crewmen with minor injuries return to compliment inside battle victory screen, crewmen with major injuries return to active duty on return to a port.

     

    Pressed men/volunteers from enemy fleets (You may get a minimal of volunteers from enemy fleets). My preference is to follow historical policy. Each nation would 'pool' its foreign captive seamen and officers. It would then exchange prisoners often with the value of 1 nations seamen being worth more than another, but perhaps a simpler 1 for 1  system could be used and a small transaction fee to cover passage etc.

     

     

    For ship morale

     

    I would like to see this implimented into the battle mechanics above and beyond the current usage in boarding. Morale is a fickle thing, and different events within the battle as well as perhaps officer skills/quality should stimulate positive and negative effects on morale numbers as a battle develops.

     

    For example, 

     

    Ship reaching the point where 100% crew are needed for survival should automatically strike if enemy ships are more of a threat locally than saviours  (Say 400 yards) especially if under fire.

     

    Fleet strength over-all vs local superiority of enemy and friendly ships. Damage taken, crew losses, Officer bonuses, crew quality bonuses etc etc.

    • Like 1
  18. There is no reason a captain cannot teleport to a local ship to assist in the defence, but put a block on a "Sent to Outpost" ship being used for a longer period than a PB allows you entry.

     

    The function was designed to send prizes to a suitable outpost, not teleport your combat ships across the map to take part in a PB. Its a mechanic that players will use because it is available and as we know any conflict of arms, each side will use all tools available to them.

     

    It merely works outside of the spirit of the game. We as players get a big enough bonus now by being able to tp to an outpost, lets not lose that benefit by brutally using mechanics to swamp PB's using a combat ship from the other side of the world.

     

    We cannot play a strategic wargame if there is nothing strategic about it. Longer timers for captured ports before they can be attacked again should give players time to move an attacking fleet into position etc.

     

    Otherwise you are merely making an arena game with a few frills, which I'm sure most players would like to stay away from.

    • Like 6
  19. Feature that definitely will get in

     

    Port battles will split into 3 levels next patch (eta mid may)

     

    Regional deep water capitals (unless its a shallow water port) - will accept all ships 

    Normal deep water ports - will accept ships up to 4th rates

    Shallow water - will accept ships up to brigs

     

    I would like to see a greater variation of ships in all PB's.

     

    Atm we have

     

    Deep Water Ports = Victory's/Santi's

    Shallow Water Ports = Mercury's

     

    Now we add

     

    None Capital Deep Water Port = Constitution

    (Ingermanland may take over as ship of choice, but in essence after a dozen battles one will be favoured over the other)

     

    As you can see we will generally only see 3 ship types  in Port Battles which is a great shame and not particularly realistic.

     

     

    I would like to offer a system that will encourage a greater variety of ship rates in each battle within the remit of the depth and importance of the port being attacked. 'Quality/Rate of ship is dependant on the towns importance. I've suggested some examples below

     

    Every 5 Ships taking part are Permitted a Flagship.

    Every Flagship triggers one of the 5 being a Signal/Scout Ship

    Remaining 3 ships must be lower than Flagship quality

    If a Flagship class is not chosen then 4 ships may be lower than Flagship quality and a 5th 1 rate lower still.

    Any slot may select a lower class than the maximum permitted.

    I would suggest Bomb Vessels cannot be considered to be a scout, but could take part as the standard ship selection.

     

    Caveat, If a 1st Rate SOL is permitted and used as a Flagship, then a single 2nd Rate SOL could be used as one of the three standard ships selectable

     

     

    Sounds complicated but its not as bad as it seems. Just work out each 5 ships permitted depending whether you take Flagships, then throw them all into the Battle to be used as the commander sees fit. re-arranging groups etc.

     

     

    Regional Capital. Maximum Ship Rate/Type if Flagship taken

    <40 combatants per side (8 Squadrons)

    Ship 1 - Flagship - 1st Rate or 2nd Rate SOL

    Ship 2 - 2nd Rate SOL only if 1st Rate is Flagship, Otherwise 3rd rate SOL.

    Ship 3 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 4 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 5 - 5th rate Frigate

     

    Regional Capital. Maximum ship Rate/Type if Flagship is not chosen

    Ship 1 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 2 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 3 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 4 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 5 - 4th Rate SOL or Heavy Frigate (Connie)

     

     

     

    Std Deep Water Port. Maximum Ship Rate/Type if Flagship taken

    <35 combatants per side (7 Squadrons)

    Ship 1 - Flagship - 2nd Rate SOL

    Ship 2 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 3 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 4 - 4th rate SOL or Heavy Frigate (Connie)

    Ship 5 - 5th rate Frigate

     

    Std Deep Water Port. Maximum ship Rate/Type if Flagship is not chosen

    Ship 1 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 2 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 3 - 3rd rate SOL

    Ship 4 - 4th Rate SOL or Heavy Frigate (Connie)

    Ship 5 - 4th Rate SOL or Heavy Frigate (Connie)

     

     

     

    Regional Capital Shallow Water Port. Maximum Ship Rate/Type if Flagship taken

    <30 combatants per side (6 Squadrons)

    Ship 1 - 4th rate SOL or Heavy Frigate (Connie)

    Ship 2 - 5th rate Frigate

    Ship 3 - 6th Rate

    Ship 4 - 6th rate

    Ship 5 - 7th Rate

     

    Regional Capital Shallow Water Port. Maximum ship Rate/Type if Flagship is not chosen

    Ship 1 - 5th rate Frigate

    Ship 2 - 5th rate Frigate

    Ship 3 - 5th rate Frigate

    Ship 4 - 6th Rate

    Ship 5 - 6th Rate

     

     

     

    Standard Shallow Water Port. Maximum Ship Rate/Type if Flagship taken

    <25 combatants per side (5 Squadrons)

    Ship 1 - 5th rate Frigate

    Ship 2 - 6th rate

    Ship 3 - 6th rate

    Ship 4 - 7th Rate

    Ship 5 - 7th Rate

     

    Standard Shallow Water Port. Maximum ship Rate/Type if Flagship is not chosen

    Ship 1 - 6th rate

    Ship 2 - 6th rate

    Ship 3 - 6th rate

    Ship 4 - 6th rate

    Ship 5 - 7th Rate

     

     

    Remember these are the maximum ship Rates, smaller ships can always be utilised.

     

     

    To keep Open world risks, players travel in the best ship they wish to offer for the port battle (Same system as now).

    Ideally players could pre agree ship selection before sailing following the PB restrictions. this would avoid conflict and 'magic' transfers. Otherwise perhaps a 2 minute window at battle start where groups / squadrons form up.

     

     

    To Recap

    Each Squadron may have 1 acting Flagship

    Each Squadron with a Flagship must have 1 acting Signal/Scout Ship.

    Each squadron may have any other ship smaller rated than its Flagshiip for the remaining 3 slots. Some Caveat on 2nd Ship Rate if Flagship taken.

     

    I may not be strictly correct in creating balanced options but the general idea I believe is sound enough for discussion and inclusion. 5th Rate Frigate as a group for instance has ships varying greatly in ability/Strength. Some 'cherry picking' may be advisable to restrict selection to just a small number of available 5th Rate vessels for the Shallow Water battles as an example (Cerberus and Renomee for instance)

    • Like 1
  20. I think avoiding the 'meta gaming' influence (e.g. 2nd accounts being used to 'raid' enemy ports of their resources, crew numbers etc) is vital in all parts of the game wherever possible.

     

    In saying that I have always been in favour that we should bring in as many in game factors as possible that the player can interact with, crew, warrant officers, officers, each having a variation in quality as well as effect. Though not so much that the game becomes a foregone conclusion. 

     

    I propose a slightly different system to that initially posted. A system that doesn't allow cross team "ruination".

     

    Hand bills cost money and were used by captains to find new recruits. Perhaps a gold fee could be attached and some form of bonus fee if better than the normal crewmen were attracted.

     

    All ports always have basic officers and pressed men/landsmen available that can be used to replenish crew. This pool is infinite. These are however officers/crewmen with the least ability. Whilst they will replenish your crew they will not enhance your performance. (We have this now, though no cost is associated to it) In fact these men are delivered mid ocean between battles)

     

    In addition all captains also have a limited pool of replenishment officers and crew who are of a slightly better quality. This pool will be limited to the players rank and further influenced by pvp notoriety. This means that the notoriety of the captain sending out his hand-bills will have the potential to hire greater numbers of able seaman and leading seaman, to replenish losses and attract better quality warrant officers and officers through 'influence' within the navy board. Notoriety in the pvp world could include recent history (Say within the last 30 days) of BR damage to enemy ships in battle or port battles. The influence waning and increasing as activity increases or reduces.

     

    A time period buildup similar to crafting hours would be a viable way to keep tracks of numbers per time period to max out at a suitable number.

     

    Ships could achieve 100% able seaman over time if casualties were not inflicted providing an 'elite' like crew.  (Will we have crew experience changing landsmen to able bodied etc over time ?)

     

    I wouldn't want to see massive bonuses for better ability crew, but it would be nice to see reasonable bonuses.

     

    I believe that the dynamic ability of a crew could in many ways replace or supercede many of the current upgrades used on ships in the game. Reload rates, Sail skill and yard turnign speed, etc etc.

    • Like 1
  21. War mechanics seem sound.

     

    I believe every player per nation should be able to 'vote/contribute' toward a decleration of war.

    I also believe that official; 'Coalitions of Nations' should be possible in effect uniting seperate nations into one side of a war against a single nation or coalition of enemies.

     

    Let each Fleet vote as a unit, with perhaps only members online during the last 7 days being able to contribute to the vote count from that fleet.

    Players not in a fleet can cast their vote singly

    Players must be responsible for the direction of their votes not a game mechanic. The game merely counting and confirming the after effects.

     

    Once voted a 24 hour of amnesty before hostilities commence. (Giving an 8 day peace between war periods  ??  "Time to rebuild")

     

    Loving the direction the game is taking.

     

     

  22. Using fog to hide rendering is not a valid in game reason for having it. No-one is running a 1980's PC and Unity is surely powerful enough that it doesn't have to have such a game mechanic to mask its short falling's.

     

    I would accept this being a 'temporary situation' pending some broken code being corrected but not that this is acceptable practice. Perhaps the Dev's could comment on this.

     

    Testing fog for the English Channel or North Sea Environments I can understand, but again lets have the Dev's comment so that we know this is the case.

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