12D. Starbase Plus

3. Friendly Codes Sub-Menu

9. Ion Storm Sub-Menu

12E. Tachyon

4. Planet Information Sub-Menu

10. Misc. Information Sub-Menu

12F. Fortress Host (Fhost)

5. Starbase Information Sub-Menu

11. Strategy and Strategy Guides

12G. Nemesis

6. Ship Information Sub-Menu

12. Add-on Information

12H. Gryphon

12I. Jupiter

12J. Banzai!

STARBASE PLUS ADD-ON:

Starbase+ v2.1 Shareware for VGA Planets 3.5

VGA Planets is a trademark of Tim Wisseman

Overview

Starbase+ is an add-on utility for VGA Planets 3.5 that takes advantage of the AUXHOST features found in HOST

3.20. This add-on provides starbases with more inherent abilities.

Several new friendly codes are introduced with this program. They ARE case sensitive and are as follows:

Minefield Fcodes: (Planet Codes:)

SMF

Sweep Minefield

MSC

Scoop up Minefield

LMF

Lay Minefield

LWF

Lay Web Minefield

Component Transport Codes: (Ship Codes)

Gen

Get Engine Slot (n) (n = 1-9)

GBn

Get Beam Slot (n) (n = 0-9)

GTn

Get Torp Launcher Slot (n) (n = 0-9)

Uen

Unload Engine Slot (n) (n = 1-9)

Ubn

Unload Beam Slot (n) (n = 0-9)

Utn

Unload Torp Launcher Slot (n) (n = 0-9)

UAP

Unload All Parts (note 0 = 10)

Electronic Megacredit Transfer Codes:(Planet Codes)

TMn

Transfer Megacredits (n) (n = 1-5)

RMT

Recieve Megacredit Transfer

NOTE: The "con" planetary friendly code will cause HOST to send its configuration

setting and the add-on to send its configuration settings to the player in a message.

Table 1.1

Engines (n) codes

1 = StarDrive One 2 = StarDrive 2 3 = StarDrive 3

4 = SuperStarDrive 4 5 = Nova Drive 5 6 = HeavyNova Drive 6

7 = Quantum Drive 7 8 = Hyper Drive 8 9 = Transwarp Drives

Beams (n) codes

1 = Lasers 2 = X-ray lasers 3 = Plasma Bolt 4 = Blaster

5 = Positrom Beam 6 = Disruptor 7 = Heavy Blaster

8 = Phaser 9 = Heavy Disruptor 0 = Heavy Phaser

Torp Launchers (n) codes

1 = Mark 1 Photon 2 = Proton Torp 3 = Mark 2 Photon

4 = Gamma Bomb 5 = Mark 3 Photon 6 = Mark 4 Photon

7 = Mark 5 Photon 8 = Mark 6 Photon 9 = Mark 7 Photon

0 = Mark 8 Photon

Contents

Starbase+ contains two programs:

SPCONFIG.EXE

STARBASE.EXE

Place these programs in the same directory that the HOST normally runs from. Starbase+ requires access to the

VGA Planets database (HULLSPEC.DAT, BEAMSPEC.DAT, etc) as well as the Host database

(SHIP.HST, XYPLAN.HST, etc.).

New Game Setup

Before Starbase+ can be used the configuration program SPCONFIG.EXE, must be run. SPCONFIG accepts one

command line parameter, the DOS path to the game directory. For example; to configure a new game

in E:\PLANETS\NEWGAME type:

SPCONFIG E:\PLANETS\NEWGAME

When SPCONFIG starts, a configuration dialog will be displayed. Notice that the DOS path provided on the

command line is displayed in the Path to Game Directory edit box.

SPCONFIG E:\PLANETS\NEWGAME

Default values are automatically provided. Change them to suit the requirements of the game. Each value has

valid ranges and all changes must be within the valid ranges.

Select the OK button when all changes have been made. The following file will be written to the Game Directory:

SPCONFIG.HST

After the configuration file is saved, a confirmation dialog will be shown at which time, if YES is selected the Starbase+

database will be initialized.

STARBASE.HST

The configuration program will create and update all necessary files needed to run this program. There is no need to

manually edit the AUXHOST?.BAT files.

Starbase Mine Sweeping

To cause the starbase to sweep mine (with beams or fighters) you need to set the planets (the planet the starbase is

orbiting) to SMF. This fcode will cause the starbase to use its beam weapons to fire in random patterns

and destroy mines. The number of mines destroyed is based on the Starbase+ config setting for beam sweep rate.

Number of beams * beam tech squared * {SPCONFIG setting for beam sweep rate).

This is a variable and independent setting for regular mines and web mines.

#mines destroyed = (Number of beams* beamslot squared) *(beam sweep rate)

Starbase fighters will automatically launch and sweep mines (if this option is configured to be on). The fighters

sweep at the rate set in the SPCONFIG program. The Colonial race always have a 100 LY sweep range. The

fighter range for the other races is based on the starbase's tech levels. To determine the sweep range you

add Hull Tech, Engine Tech and Beam Tech together. Then you divide by 3 and multiply that result

by 10. This will give you the fighter sweep range in LY.

Sweep Range = [ (Techs/3) *10]

The number of beams available for sweeping by the starbase is determined by the following formula.

Number of beams = ( Starbase defenses) / 20]

The tech level of the beams is based on the beam tech level on the Starbase.

The amount of mines swept by a starbase is determined as follows.

Mines Swept = (number of beams * Slot level of beams squared)* (sweep rate)

Gathering Mines With A Starbase

To gather up a minefield with a starbase you need to meet several criteria. The base must be with in the designated

beam sweep range of a minefield. If they are they set the planets fcode to MSC. This will cause the Starbase

to gather up all of the mine units in that field(s). It will convert them into the highest tech torpedo type available.

To determine minefield to Torp yield you do the following equation.

Number of New Torps = ( mine units / Torp slot )

Laying Mines With The Starbase

Laying mines with a starbase is a all or nothing process. To do this you set the planets fcode to LMF and this

will convert all of the torpedo stock on the starbase into mine units. The torpedoes convert using the

following formula to determine torpedo yield. Note: LWF will lay a web mine field if the base is a crystal starbase.

Mine unit yield = (Torp slot * number of Torps)

Component Transportation

To transport a starship component you must be at a starbase. To load a component you use a special friendly

code. (see above). The Gxx Fcodes will get a component from the Starbase and place it on the ship.

Each component will require a certain amount of space. This space (in KT) is determined in the SPCONFIG

settings. You can load a MDSF up to its 200 KT maximum weight limit. You can not load more than one

type of component at a time. You can only get components at your own starbase(s).

The program checks for available space on the ship before it loads a component. If there is not enough space

the component will not be loaded. If you later try to load cargo on the ship and this act would

exceed the freighters weight capacity (including the component) the program will trim off the excess

cargo that was loaded.

To unload components you use the Uxx Fcodes (see above). You can unload at any starbase(s). Note: If a ship is

captured in battle your enemy with also get the components that were on that transport. Also, if the

Tag Special Transportation is enabled all med. freighters carrying components

will have "ST :" added to the front of their ship name.

Electronic Megacredit Transfers

With the release of v2.1 of the Starbase+ program a new feature has been added. This feature now allows for

Starbases to transfer megacredits between them (with some limitations).

The config program (SPCONFIG.EXE) allows you to configure the maximum amount that a Starbase can

"send" in one turn. The options are 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 megacredits per Starbase per turn.

This is the limit that any Starbase can "send" in one turn. To send you select the planet friendly code

of TMn - where n is the number 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The number times 1000 will determine the amount of

megacredits you attempt to send.

There is no limit to how much a Starbase can recieve in one turn. The limit is that only ONE Starbase can be selected

to recieve megacredits during any one turn. If more than one base is selected to recieve

(Planet Fcode "RMT")the base with the lowest ID# will recieve the megacredits.

If a Starbase attempts to send more megacredits than is allowed in the configuration it will send NO megacredits (0).

A Starbase must have 20 points of "TECH" to be able to send or recieve megacredits (TECH would be adding

up all of your tech levels and if they add up to 20 or more the Starbase can send or recieve.

Starbases can only send and receieve to other Starbases of the same race.

Only one Starbase can recieve megacredits in any one turn.

If a planet has less than the amount of megacredits you have set to transfer it will send all of the megacredits

available on the planet up to the maximum you have set to send in your planet friendly code.

Shareware Limits:

(Shareware Limit): In the shareware mode your limits are as follows: You can transfer no more than 2000

megacredits in one turn. Whether you do this with just one Starbase or two. You can use NO MORE than

two Starbases to effect transfers in one turn, even if the two transfers do not constitute

a total of 2000 megacredits.

HOST Sequence

Starbase+

AUXHOST 1

Load Starbase+

Beam Sweep

Fighter Sweep

Scoop Mine Fields

Lay Mine Fields

AUXHOST 2

Load Starbase+

Transport Ship Components

Credits

Starbase+ for VGA Planets 3.5

Design: Dave Killingsworth & Dan Gale

Special Consulting: Tim Wisseman, Conrad Lesnewski

Programming: Dan Gale

Documentation: Dave Killingsworth

BMP Artwork: Kenneth Wisseman, Dan Gale

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HOSTS---- You need to give a copy of this DOC file to your players !!!

************************************************************************

You also need to give them copies of all BMP files you find in the ZIP file you got this program from.

Tell them that they need to place the BMP files in the sub directory (labeled BMP) under their WINPLAN

dirctory. This will give them the BMP's they need to see the bmps linked to the

messaging system.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

This is a shareware copy of this program. It does not allow you to move starship components of a tech level

greater than tech 6. And the fighter sweeping of the starbases is also disabled.

Registering the program will allow these function to be enabled.

Fighters will sweep and you can move up to tech 10 components.

Registration information is available in the ORDERFRM.ZIP file that was included in this ZIP file.

Thank you for your interest.

Dave Killingsworth

Sysop Of Dan and Dave's BBS 916-345-6447

Co-sysop of Warp Speed and Tim Continuum

you can contact me at

capstern@aol.com

or dan gale at:

dangale@aol.com