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  New (very minor) cheat?

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Author Topic:   New (very minor) cheat?
Bry posted 03-26-99 11:17 AM ET   Click Here to See the Profile for Bry  
I haven't seen anyone mention this elsewhere, so I apologize if this has been mentioned elsewhere.

When you start a new game, assuming you left the "planet survey" option turned off, you can still get some information about the layout of Planet by scrolling the map around and looking for the elevated landmarks. Even though the terrain itself is black, the height of the terrain is a dead giveaway. You can easily pick out Mount Planet, Garland Crater, Sunny Mesa, and Pholus Ridge. To a lesser extent, you can also look for hills and mountains that are just part of the natural terrain, to give yourself an idea where the large continents may be.

You won't be able to find flat landmarks like Monsoon Jungle (unless it can be on a plateau above sea level - is that possible? I've never seen it), but you'll have a good idea where at least some of the other factions may be.

Bluemax posted 03-26-99 02:02 PM ET     Click Here to See the Profile for Bluemax    
It's not a cheat. The game permits it. The way to rationalize it in the story line is to say that the Unity completed a topographical survey before the split, but there is no real detail.

I have used this clue myself. Partly to guess where the others are, but mostly to plan my initial strategy. If you note that you're on a small island, your initial construction has to go to sea units. If you're on a medium continent, endeavor to kick everybody else off. I haven't been on a large continent yet, but the initial strategy is the same, bulid land units to expand, expand, expand.

eNo posted 03-27-99 10:52 PM ET     Click Here to See the Profile for eNo    
How do you tell where the other factions are by topographical (I hope I spelt that right) information?
evil_conquerer posted 03-28-99 10:30 AM ET     Click Here to See the Profile for evil_conquerer  Click Here to Email evil_conquerer     
You don't.

However, you can tell where there might be land so you can figure out where to explore for people.

JaimeWolf posted 03-29-99 06:55 PM ET     Click Here to See the Profile for JaimeWolf    
Just to continue this "small cheat" thread ... how do you launch your Planet Busters? Me - I stick them on a submarine carrier and launch them from a coast near the enemy.
While you can't actually select the PB from the map, if you try to move the transport onto the land it will ask you which of the loaded units you wish to land. Land a PB and it has used 1 movement point and is sitting ready to fly
Now that the bad-guys range checking is in place, this lets you get your own back.

James

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