Shifting all power to/from weapons

jimbobslimbob · Post by **jimbobslimbob** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:02 pm

Hi all,

Since I have yet to buy a proper joystick for use with Evochron Mercenary (will no doubt be on my Xmas list ;-)), I was wondering if anyone could help out with the following:

Shifting power all the way from weapons +5 to shields +5 requires either pressing the bracket keys 10 times, or holding them down for around 5 seconds. Since I can find no key binding to transfer all power to weapons and vice versa, I took to AutoHotkey in an attempt to create a macro for this.

However, AutoHotkey does not seem to work with Evochron at all, so I am back to square one. Has anyone got any suggestions / tips to help with this?

Thanks in advance!

Capt_Caveman · Post by **Capt_Caveman** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:38 pm

you can assign energy to an analog/axis control
such as a slider or rotary wheel on joystick
energy will change as fast as you can move the control

in the meantime, goto control panel, keyboard, and try the repeat settings.

repeat delay short
repeat rate fast

[Edited on 10-3-2013 by capt_cronic]

_-Caleb-_ · Post by **_-Caleb-_** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:41 pm

Hola.

I use the joystick for this but for the mouse+keyboard players are a good option

jimbobslimbob · Post by **jimbobslimbob** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:02 pm

From post: 164739, Topic: tid=11024, author=capt_cronic wrote:you can assign energy to an analog/axis control
such as a slider or rotary wheel on joystick
energy will change as fast as you can move the control

in the meantime, goto control panel, keyboard, and try the repeat settings.

repeat delay short
repeat rate fast

[Edited on 10-3-2013 by capt_cronic]

Is that really the only way to do it? I would prefer not to go altering those settings, as that will cause havoc when typing.

Yeah, my mate has it mapped to an axis on his joystick - but as I said I have yet to get one and as such am finding that transferring power cannot really be done quickly with my current set up.

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:20 pm

Most of us make the transfer as soon as we log on or enter the game, adjusting settings according to what we plan to be doing (exploration, combat ... or jumping through black holes). Changing settings, via the bracket keys, has never been a problem. At what juncture in the game do you find it necessary to make an immediate change (and in what direction: energy to shields or vice versa)?

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:23 pm

It can be very useful in combat to change energy between shields / weapons!

jimbobslimbob · Post by **jimbobslimbob** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:24 pm

From post: 164744, Topic: tid=11024, author=SeeJay wrote:It can be very useful in combat to change energy between shields / weapons!

This!

That is exactly why.

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:28 pm

From post: 164744, Topic: tid=11024, author=SeeJay wrote:It can be very useful in combat to change energy between shields / weapons!

So, SeeJay, how do you go about making the change?

jimbobslimbob · Post by **jimbobslimbob** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:32 pm

I have already spoken with SeeJay about it (see here), and he says he uses an axis control on his joystick.

I, unfortunately do not have that luxury.

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:39 pm

From post: 164746, Topic: tid=11024, author=Marvin wrote:
From post: 164744, Topic: tid=11024, author=SeeJay wrote:It can be very useful in combat to change energy between shields / weapons!
So, SeeJay, how do you go about making the change?

I use a slider to change it. (Thumb on the X52 throttle);)

Post by **Vice** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 5:59 pm

How about an alt key option for the energy controls? That would allow you to quickly set the energy setting to maximum/minimum in either direction in one key press.

jimbobslimbob · Post by **jimbobslimbob** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:09 pm

That, would make me a very happy pilot!

Post by **Vice** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:33 pm

Consider it added for the next update.

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:50 pm

From post: 164748, Topic: tid=11024, author=SeeJay wrote:
From post: 164746, Topic: tid=11024, author=Marvin wrote:
From post: 164744, Topic: tid=11024, author=SeeJay wrote:It can be very useful in combat to change energy between shields / weapons!
So, SeeJay, how do you go about making the change?
I use a slider to change it. (Thumb on the X52 throttle);)

On my X52 I use one of the rotary dials (on the throttle controler) to change the settings.

jimbobslimbob · Post by **jimbobslimbob** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:54 pm

Wow I am lost for words - you truly are a star, Vice. I have never before ever experienced such amazing support for a game (or anything else for that matter).

I think I speak for everybody here when I say you are a miracle worker and would like to extend my thanks for communicating and developing with your players on such an amazing level.

Thankyou again and I look forward to the update!

Rubber Chicken · Post by **Rubber Chicken** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:59 pm

From post: 164742, Topic: tid=11024, author=Marvin wrote: At what juncture in the game do you find it necessary to make an immediate change (and in what direction: energy to shields or vice versa)?

In combat, switching from full weapons to full shields quickly is essential.

ex:

1. PvP - The firing pass you thought was going to work out has become a 'hold this bucket together until you can break off pass'.

(also essential when you find yourself surrounded by AI, or scrambling to escape the 'you've been wrangled backward into their supporting cap ship battle they (the AI) like to employ.

2. Incoming missiles (AI or PvP) - While a Starfire or Exodus (and sometimes Rockeye) missile will most assuredly bust through the highest level known shield equipment when the batteries are 100% and do damage, switching to full shield when you know you've been had, will mitigate some of the hull damage you sustain. - at least on the initial hit. Once there's a hole in your shield, well, for a short time there's a hole in your shield. = No shield aided hull damage mitigation.
In this case getting your shields to full and breaking of long enough to regroup or retreat is vital.

As far as I know there is no +5s <> +5w hotkey.

(Upon further reading the thread, it appears Vice is already on top of it.)

On a side note - I seems that having S/W set at 0s/0w when inertial or straight-line cruising (no jumping) seems to be the most - even if slightly - fuel efficient way to go. Perhaps a hot-key can be requested for this as well?

[Edited on 10-3-2013 by Rubber Chicken]

Post by **DaveK** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 3:53 pm

From post: 164738, Topic: tid=11024, author=jimbobslimbob wrote: Since I can find no key binding to transfer all power to weapons and vice versa, I took to AutoHotkey in an attempt to create a macro for this.

However, AutoHotkey does not seem to work with Evochron at all, so I am back to square one. Has anyone got any suggestions / tips to help with this?

Thanks in advance!

Galaxian uses AutoHotKey to operate his voice activated ship's AI, ANNA, so it does seem to work!

http://www.starwraith.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10411

jimbobslimbob · Post by **jimbobslimbob** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 4:31 pm

I just checked that out... it appears it just uses mouse clicks, so obviously they work and keys do not. I tried various ways of getting it to work with no success. If you can shift power using mouse clicks then maybe you could get it to work that way?

Regardless, Vice seems to be on the case with implementing it in the next version anyway.

DORN · Post by **DORN** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:36 am

Hi Seejay,

How exactly do you map the shield/weapons function to the slider on the X-52 Throttle?

I've never done that before.

I don't use the Saitek software. Just the programmables in EM Config.

Thanks,

Dorn

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:08 am

From post: 165381, Topic: tid=11024, author=DORN wrote:Hi Seejay,

How exactly do you map the shield/weapons function to the slider on the X-52 Throttle?

I've never done that before.

I don't use the Saitek software. Just the programmables in EM Config.

Thanks,

Dorn

If I recall correctly you do it in the games setup for controls. There is an option
to set all axis / sliders. I'll have to take a look at home to be sure tho.

DORN · Post by **DORN** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:50 pm

Yes, I found that .

The Thumb slider on the Throttle is axis #5.

I couldn't figure out how to make/connect the assignment to the shield/weapons function.

Dorn

Post by **Vice** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 6:23 pm

From the main menu, click on Options > Configure Controls > Click on the axis you want to map > click on 'Energy Control'.

DORN · Post by **DORN** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:46 pm

Hi Vice,

I am still not doing something right.

After I am in Config, when I click on the axis, I get a note saying this axis is already assigned.

Also, each time I open up the config and click on the axis, a white lettered control name appears to the left, but repeated clicking will not change that control.

I don't see any way of choosing, "Energy Control".

I am obviously just missing something really simple, but.....what?

Thanks,

Dorn

Post by **Vice** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:50 pm

Are you running the latest 2.728 build?

DORN · Post by **DORN** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 1:35 am

Yes, I am.