Scrap cheat rec variant

[appel]

I thought it would be best to make this public, so everyone would know about it, in order to make sure nobody will try to exploit it. Keeping this exploit a secret within a selected few doesn't sit well with me, as it invites them to use it for their advantage.

One of the rec variants available is "Unupgraded with empties" (the bottom of the rec variant list). This recycler allows you to "upgrade" it with a constructor. But once you order the constructor to upgrade it, you cancel the upgrade by telling the constructor to move someplace.

The results: You get a full scrap bar.


I hosted a 2v2 game, where the opposite team didn't know about this. Just before game started I selected this rec variant (without them knowing), built a constructor right away, scrap-cheated and then built 2 scavs to get 2 pools. Then I just built a whole base in a couple of minutes (really needed two cons), bomber in another 2 minutes. And before the opposite team had built a service bay I had ratted entire field, bombed their base, blast tanks out, APC's, rocket tanks and walker going into their base.

They other team didn't have a clue about this. Billy-Boy was commanding that other team, and he suspected some scrap-cheating, but I just said I canceled empties and rec'd turrets and he accepted that. With any lesser players than Billy-Boy, they wouldn't have smelled anything wrong.

How do you detect this?
- Before entering game, check to see what rec variant is selected.
- If you're already in the game, check if you can upgrade your rec with the constructor.



IMO a very serious problem, as this can give one team a too big of an advantage if the opposite team doesn't know about this.

[DarkFox]

Thanks for the heads-up Appel. I wouldn't have known about this. As long as a good few players know about it, there will be very little chance of ever pulling it off in a real match.

[appel]

Thanks for the heads-up Appel. I wouldn't have known about this. As long as a good few players know about it, there will be very little chance of ever pulling it off in a real match.

Even myself commanding I wouldn't have detected this in a real game. I'd just point to the extractor without looking at the upgrade options, just select 1 by default, kind of used to seeing bunch of other extractors in the upgrade list and wouldn't really take notice of a "recycler" being there.

Now I will keep this in mind when playing. And now that I know how to detect it if I suspect something like this.

[TheJamsh]

I know how to fix this, BUT, thats going to have to be a 'wait until next patch' thing . The idea of the 'Upgradeable' Recycler was that you can re-deploy it elsewhere, probably only useful in a very select few MPI's.

EDIT: Great, i've just discovered a load of other issues with stock recycler variants whilst fixing this.

[bb1]

I know how to fix this, BUT, thats going to have to be a 'wait until next patch' thing . The idea of the 'Upgradeable' Recycler was that you can re-deploy it elsewhere, probably only useful in a very select few MPI's.

EDIT: Great, i've just discovered a load of other issues with stock recycler variants whilst fixing this.

Oh?

[TheJamsh]

Its nothing huge, but possible to cause a monumental amount of resyncs if they know what they are doing. I won't post them (can't use them anyway for the most part), but i have made it aware to the entire PB team that we really need to have a proper look at the assets if a new patch is released.

[.:.FTD.:.squirrel-Gen]

It's already fixed in the new patch. I found this one & provided the fix for it.

[appel]

IMO it needs to be more visible what rec variant host has selected and probably other settings too, possibly output changes to chat window, e.g. "Server selected recycler variant '...'" or "Server changed AI turret level to 3".

Changing these settings can give one team a major advantage. For instance, the recycler variant where upgraded empties cost 30 can give one team a huge advantage if they choice to camp the enemy base. An upgraded base pool and pummel empties costing 30 enables commanders to pump out empties. Now, if you don't know about this, you're at an disadvantage.

Having to click a button to open up a new window to see the server settings isn't what most players do.

[TheJamsh]

Its annoying enough having the "Server Changed Map" outputted to there let alone the recycler variant and other options as well...

One thing no one has yet realised is you can actually build a training facility next to your recycler, and build empties instead of normal ones.

You can also keep hopping in and out of an empty outside the training facility, and each time a pilot is built from the facility and 'recycled', they get turned into 5 free scrap.

[Warfreak]

The fact that a pilot is even worth scrap is a bit shocking. 

[Commando]

I don't think I have ever received scrap due to pilots recycling.  I even tried to reproduce this exploit a month ago if not longer and was not getting scrap due to pilots recycling.

[TheJamsh]

very odd indeed... it became apparent a while ago when i built empty speeder bikes, and the traning facility kept spawning pilots (not realising it had a PlayerOnly = true flag) who immediatelly realised they can't get in, and recycled themselves.

I kind of liked the idea of pilots being worth some scrap (those suits must cost something ), it also gives you a reason to protect them as they return from battle.

[DarkFox]

Seeing a pilot running back from the battlefield can often be the difference between ordering that scav that you have on 'hold position' to recycle, and saving it for your next green-scrap purchse.

[VoodooChile]

recycling pilots for 5 scrap has always been there and in theorie it could be used as scrap cheat with the training facility but its not very practical and nobody realy does it in strategy games so it has never been and will not realy be a issue. (me thinks  )

thx for the heads up appel

[Red Spot]

One thing no one has yet realised is you can actually build a training facility next to your recycler, and build empties instead of normal ones.

I often do this as I like a scout as wingmen so he can paint me the nearest target. As long as you dont fly them yourself, 20 scrap is cost enough ...
Never noticed getting any scrap from pilots though ... never noticed ...