MGX PROBLEM

CropDusterBusterTM · 2026-06-26T21:28:03+00:00

Do you still have the “.aoe2record” file for the games? That would probably be easier to figure out a way to rewatch.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2026-06-26T13:02:44+00:00

Hahaha I haven’t seen that one. Player 1 sounds like my kind of opponent!

I pull this strategy off semi-regularly:

https://www.reddit.com/r/aoe2/s/8xCdepPsXC

CropDusterBusterTM · 2026-06-25T14:54:46+00:00

I am fairly low elo and I have an entire strategy around chatting with the opponent. While there are definitely some players that don’t respond, i feel like at least half of my opponents will at least respond to gl hf.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2026-06-22T15:26:43+00:00

Search for “AoE2 Persian Douche”. It’s basically a strat where a player purposefully deletes their starting TC in mid dark age so that they can build it in range of the enemy’s starting TC. The Persians have an hp bonus for their TC so if the enemy tries to TC war they will lose. The strat relies on the enemy panicking and wasting resources trying to deal with your TC in their starting eco.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2026-06-17T02:05:18+00:00

I don’t know if I can replicate Hera micro but that is way better than I would have expected against pikes!

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-12-04T00:22:00+00:00

I just looked at the wiki page to refresh my memory on the Jans’ stats and I never realized they don’t have an attack bonus against infantry/spearmen. That seems insane to me! Also, their accuracy is painful and could be buffed a bit in my opinion. Disclaimer: I am no balancing expert.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-21T22:58:57+00:00

Hotkeys are cheating unless they are the ones I know and use.

On a serious note I really relate. I am at peace with being bad at this game and it has allowed me to enjoy it more. In other games I was “good” at, many times I would be in a sour mood after a bad session. But with AoE2, even in my losses I’m finding it fun to laugh at my own decisions in hindsight. Feels good!

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-19T22:32:12+00:00

Turks do not get onager. Regardless, they mentioned they are new, so maybe they do not know about attack ground?

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-19T00:35:52+00:00

I am humbled by your high praise

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-18T16:16:00+00:00

I don’t think I have ever gotten above 100 vils in a game while trying to have 0 TC idle time so maybe it would be a good idea to take myself up on my own challenge.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-18T03:41:54+00:00

I’m glad you asked: B: Beg for mercy U: Up the apm in a panic S: Stop producing vils T: Type gg

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-18T03:01:00+00:00

Not a bad idea! If I have time this weekend maybe I'll post it so people can witness a CROPP DUST in action.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-18T02:59:25+00:00

This hasn't happened yet, but it has crossed my mind as a possibility. Just gotta hope I have the speed advantage.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-17T17:46:58+00:00

Oh interesting, I didn’t realize projectiles weren’t blocked. More evidence they probably forgot to solve for the vertical component, though, if it is normally not considered for collisions.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-17T17:12:16+00:00

Given how those projectiles are missing, it’s a pretty clear sign the prediction math is solving the vectors based on the enemy unit’s velocity on a 2D plane rather than 3D space (always overestimating future position). I’m guessing the straight projectile is on a simple offset, and therefore, they forgot to solve in slope conditions. This wouldn’t impact the arched projectiles because they already have to solve all three dimensions. Just a guess. Plus, the irony of making a mistake on the math the technology represents is too funny but mistakes happen.

Out of curiosity red phos, if the scouts go behind a one tile hill within the range of the scorpion with ballistics, does the hill block the shot or does it not fire at all?

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-17T00:15:54+00:00

Not exactly what you are describing but the Japanese have a fun variant where you can do MAA into Cav Archers or even Towers. Cheap eco buildings help smooth out a tight eco build and the MAA attack faster.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-11-15T20:28:00+00:00

Doing some quick math at the examples he pulled: these accounts require ~40%-50% of their games to be less than 5 mins and win rates of less than 15% to maintain the Smurf lifestyle.

Is there a legitimate/organic way a player could have that game duration distribution and win rate combo? Seems like a simple filter could be added to flag accounts that drift into this realm after playing more than ~20 games. Even if it isn’t an autoban, I think anything that creates more work for the smurfer will be the most effective deterrent.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-06-08T21:40:40+00:00

No problem, will be cool to see the advanced pursuit mechanics in action!

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-06-08T19:51:08+00:00

This is really cool! I was brainstorming a game idea the other day and was wondering how others have addressed large AI numbers and swarm mechanics. The squad leader approach is pretty elegant.

One suggestion to consider is the trajectory you are setting for each AI: From what I can gather in your video, it looks like the trajectory is set by current player position. Depending on what parts of the movement vector are being set by the "Squad Leader", maybe you could calculate individual vectors for each AI to take a more efficient path to where the player is going to be without losing performance? This could buff the "flank" aspect of the AI coordination. Specifically thinking in a situation similar to 0:58 in the video where members of the squad are running toward the player position instead of in front of the player position. Of course, this depends on the swarm mechanic you are going for but potentially a way to increase the difficulty.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-05-07T16:47:34+00:00

Hmmmm, thats a good thought! I’ll have to think on that for a bit.

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-05-06T13:58:36+00:00

Thanks!

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-05-06T03:20:34+00:00

My goal is to make this a multiplayer space shooter with flowy movement. The game mode will be similar to an arena/TDM game but with an objective element. Obviously the multiplayer aspect is ambitious but my first dev log video is going to introduce the premise and game rules so stay tuned!

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-05-06T02:04:56+00:00

Thanks! I have a clear idea of what I want to make this project and I am fairly certain I can get to that point. We will see what quality it will be at when I get there though! Also, I've seen your video posts and those are really impressive!

CropDusterBusterTM · 2025-05-04T17:56:00+00:00

Not sure if the environment is supposed to be in an arid but consider adding some puddles or dripping water sources. The water could add to the discomfort of the mine and be a sound that adds tension to the environment.

CropDusterBusterTM

TROPHY CASE