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1. Introduction to VGA Planets   7. Minefields Sub-Menu   12C. Raceplus    
2. Race Information Sub-Menu   8. Combat Sub-Menu   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  
  Copyright (C) 1995-1996  Dave Killingsworth - All Rights Reserved  
  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.  
  SHAREWARE may be distributed freely.  But all copyrights are still retained and all rights reserved.  
  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  
 
  ************************************************************************  
  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