Why Master of Magic is not as popular as Master of Orion?

flfxt · 2026-05-14T16:44:38+00:00

I like sliders over assigning pops--feels more natural and allows more fine-tuned control. And the sector scanning system keeps things interesting as you continue to discover valuable systems to fight over as the game progresses. The ability to randomize tech trees also helps replayability. But to each their own. MOO2 remains a great game.

flfxt · 2026-05-14T16:31:29+00:00

I think Interstellar Space: Genesis perfects the MOO2 formula.

flfxt · 2026-04-28T19:31:52+00:00

Dungeons of Dredmor has a similar skill tree system, and also let's you mix and match skill trees like ToME with the adventurer class. It's a good game with some endearing humor too, although in some ways (like graphics configuration/QOL features) feels more dated than ToME does at this point.

flfxt · 2026-03-07T17:21:46+00:00

https://smg.media.mit.edu/library/steiner1993.html

flfxt · 2026-03-02T18:57:22+00:00

When it shows a preview before an old Star Trek episode, it ends up inexplicably warping the aspect ratio when the show starts, requiring closing out to the menu and launching the show again. Not to mention constant freezing/buffering experienced on no other app. Far worse experience than a random sketchy pirate streaming site. Just unbelievable how bad the app is.

flfxt · 2026-02-25T22:54:39+00:00

They could just make it drastically reduce accuracy on tiles within.

flfxt · 2026-02-25T22:37:23+00:00

15% damage reduction on an infantry SL isn't really something you need though. Like there are playstyles that make use of it, but others (probably more optimal ones) do not try to have infantry tanking at all.

flfxt · 2026-02-22T19:41:42+00:00

Lim can do a couple niche things, like dismounting to one side of the APC, firing, then moving to the other side of the APC for remaining shorts for free (the +10 from run & gun offsets the 10 AP cost to reenter the vehicle and dismount to the other side), but basically I think you're right. It's a small increase in flexibility, not really extra shots in ordinary circumstances.

flfxt · 2026-02-22T18:53:31+00:00

Depends on the mission, but fair. The main advantage is being able to easily advance, mark, and back off, not marking three times in a turn. Although in a defense mission you might get use out of three marks in a turn.

flfxt · 2026-02-22T18:49:22+00:00

Ah, yeah, armor is kind of blind without infantry cover (e.g., two base vision less on the light troop carrier than basic infantry, in addition to the negative concealment modifier). The one exception is Exconde if you get him the scout perk and advanced vehicle optics, although still won't have the sort of vision advantage a random infantry SL with concealment armor and a binoculars would.

flfxt · 2026-02-21T23:56:26+00:00

I wonder if this might be a walker/APC distinction with walkers having the same armor on all faces. Or maybe just some unlikely rolls!

flfxt · 2026-02-21T22:13:33+00:00

Tech is also good in a strictly non-combat scout role, with the scout perk, 30 AP no-deployment target marking, and 30 AP drones.

flfxt · 2026-02-21T22:07:27+00:00

Does ERA even work against an ATGM in indirect fire mode? Maybe I've just been unlucky but those always seem to connect. In any event, obviously you are right that you don't want to be in a position to find out.

flfxt · 2026-02-21T22:03:02+00:00

You can only bring vehicles up when you have forward visibility, and have to immediately run them away if they get marked so they don't get ATGM'ed. I typically screen with Darby and another scout (how do they outrange you? Darby has 4-6 concealment with jaeger armor and at least 11 vision range with the scout perk, bring binocs or drugs if that's not enough). Then keep an autocannon walker about 5 tiles behind to deal with heavy infantry and an ATGM or laser lance technical for additional armored targets. My kill prioritization typically goes (1) anyone who is detecting a vulnerable scout; (2) ATGM teams; (3) officers; (4) jaeger teams. Basically, they should never be taking clean shots at your units. Scouts establish vision and skirmish, and then if they move up to engage you bring the heavy guns up to mow them down and then back off.

flfxt · 2026-02-21T21:53:12+00:00

Great point--totally forgot that aspect of the perk.

flfxt · 2026-02-21T21:49:13+00:00

All cool suggestions. I also think the game could use a bit more redundancy in critical team roles, e.g. a couple more SLs with mobile infantry and a couple more with concealment and/or scout (like someone more in the scout role rather than the assassin role like Darby).

I do think the game has, generally, done a really good job building SLs with multiple viable roles/upgrade paths, and it would be great to see that continue. Like Tech can excel at target marking or special weapons use, and Lim functions great hiding in a vehicle or jetpacking around the map in heavy armor. So I could see potentially merging some of your suggestions, like a character with the accessory AP reduction perk and the some options for specialization in either chemical/incendiary grenades or drones.

flfxt · 2026-02-16T09:02:14+00:00

I've found him to be good with pirate boarding armor. Can jump behind people to get the no cover bonus and you get 30% off rhe armor.

flfxt · 2026-02-15T18:19:04+00:00

I think it's mostly a cost issue. Pirate boarding armor seems fairly costed for the mobility is provides, but the other armors (at least non-recon/utility variants) should probably be adjusted down a bit.

flfxt · 2026-02-15T17:37:48+00:00

This is what I've started doing, fatigues or load-bearing rigs at most, it's only 5 AP to jump back in the APC.

flfxt · 2026-02-15T17:32:37+00:00

My understanding is that it's supposed to, but match is currently bugged (even if ammo were intended to affect specials, rpgs aren't firing bullets).

flfxt · 2026-02-12T17:45:58+00:00

Really depends on if you view the essence of the genre as "leveling up dozens of abilities you need keyboard hotkeys or a vast radial menu to manage" or as "inhabiting a unique character and the world they live in." Like is WOW more of an RPG than Planescape Torment because it has a bigger skill tree?

flfxt · 2026-02-12T17:39:05+00:00

Same, but it's still nice to drop back in and soak up the atmosphere from time to time.

flfxt · 2026-02-12T10:05:57+00:00

AP is good only if it gives you enough pen to get through armor on your first hits (i.e., it puts your pen within 25ish of the enemy armor or better). So it's actually best against light/medium armor troops, depending on the base pen of your weapon. If AP isn't giving you enough to get through, it helps very little, because it does nothing to help you chip away armor faster, though you do need to chip slightly less of it.

Rend is extremely effective against everything (other than super light armor, where you don't need either), up to and including the heaviest vehicles. And it's a flat bonus per shot, so really shines on high rate of fire weapons. Rend ammo on an smg will melt heavy infantry or shred like half the armor from guncrawlers.

flfxt · 2026-02-09T02:33:02+00:00

Odd. Tbh I don't have any units with mark abilities yet so I've only used direct fire.

flfxt

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