Engine Situation + Zero-K v1.0.7.7

There has been a bit of confusion surrounding the release of Spring 89.0.

Springie was set to use 89.0 upon release but at this point the new version was not technically live on the server. Through testing we decided to use 88.0 for now.

Unfortunately 89.0 went live on the server and it turns out that non-ZKL lobbies have poor multi-engine support. ZKL automatically fetches whichever engine is required but other lobbies require manual fiddling. So to make it easier for other lobby users we switched to 89.0.

More time spent with 89.0 revealed it to be too buggy for use. So now Springies are running 88.0 with v1.0.7.7.

The game itself has some balance changes and fixes since the last news post so here they are.

Balance

Vandal:

• Cost 100 -> 90
• Range 850 -> 880

New AA vehicle, the Crasher. High focus on speed at the expense of range.

Djinn:

• Infinite beacon placement range.
• Beacon loses LOS and death explosion.
• Doubled beacon placement time.
• Throughput increased 60%.

Avenger:

• HP 260 -> 300

Commander Disintegrator weapon no longer drains shields (on top of passing through them).

Online

• added new category of hosts - Experienced players
• lowered size of teams autohost to 18
• clan size limit is now 8->16

Interface

• Zero-K starts as "borderless fullscreen" by default (for users with Zero-K lobby - you can change it in settings)
• Workaround for always-full resource and health bars with Catalyst 12.6 drivers
• Fixes for Take Reminder
• Updated Recluse and Tarantula buildpics

Idk. I don't think the springie stuff should go on that release notes page at all because it is released at a different time.

and what about hills ivory?

Maybe it comes down to playstyle... my ideal units have damage output, health and low cost at the cost of everything else - screw cloak, speed, range, hill climb, jump, fire, regen, accuracy.

To me, getting a 100 dps AA unit with 400 alpha for 260m that can move quickly is incredible.. its just the perfect medium.

Heatrays. Definitely. Vehs neither have hp nor damage (except for Scorcher), just low cost. Or Riot+Assault spam. Nets you dmg and hp at low cost, at least for most facs. Welders too, they just lack a tad of dps and prolly got too high accuracy for you, 1v0ry. :].

Use Darts for scouts, harassing and raids. Simple as that. Save Scorchers for when you really need them (to kill LLTs without a loss or when you find a deep hole, etc). Again, use Darts. Darts! Their weight class is in between Flea's and Glaive's, their speed and awesomeness on flat ground higher than both's. Again, use Darts. Darts! Daaarts!!!