[M:977802]
Post by Qwerty on Feb 25, 2011 6:19:10 GMT
Designing advanced laser RAMs and tic-tac-toe machines is very interesting. However, it does not connect us all to the experimental wonder that we found when we originally discovered Powder Game. As such, many people lose interest. A good way to recover interest is, quite simply, to go back to our roots, one of the first things that we no doubt did when we discovered the game: Destruction. The only thing more satisfying than a successful test of a lengthy and difficult project is watching it perish in a waterfall of hot molten rock.
Destruction in Powder Game is very fun. However, done properly, it can be more effective on certain uploads than on others. For this, I will be using Roncamp's "Luxury Player House. Here's a picture at start:
Nice house, huh? Shame it won't be that way for long.
Plain Explosions
Plain explosions can often be very fun, and each explosive provides a different type of destruction. However, it requires dot space to be open, so I rudely lopped off a part of this example, which uses gunpowder:
There is no class here. Just scribble. Sometimes it will be set off early by torch in the house. In that case, skip the "lighting it on fire" step. Note the distinctive destruction type:
The shockwave is large, and there is fire, but it mostly stays in one area as it pushes away the gunpowder. Eventually, the explosion may or may not spread:
If it does, the house is done for. Here's an 'after' shot:
Note the vine. If you have vine, you will not completely destroy it with explosives.
The same can be done of oil:
nitro:
gas:
Note that oil is more of a firebomb, whereas nitro is more of a shockwave. The main weapon of gas is the massive spread of the fire; it can even spread through walls. The fire creates a massive pressure field (rather than a shockwave) that will rip apart most things that don't burn.
Destructive Influence
Same as above, but with magma:
acid:
bomb:
ant:
Virus
This is where, in my opinion, the most fun can be had. Here's an example of the "scribble" technique as applied to virus:
Interesting, sure, but why do that when we can use exterior virus to destroy it from the inside out? My personal favorite is a bit tricky because it involves an unstable secondary element, suds / steam / whatever. Pop a bubble against a block or the edge of the screen, and copy and paste some of the steam. Try to paste it with some virus in this general shape:
This little device is what I like to call a vaporizer. Let's see it in action:
This does as expected: Vaporize. It completely vaporizes the place. Any part the virus gets, anyway. While some second-hand fire may occur, usually this will result in something like this:
It is possible to repeat the pattern with any element. A few of my favorites include acid:
Feel free to experiment, as with all destruction.
The Creature
This is a very simple, but effective tactic based on the properties of clone and virus. Stick the two together anywhere on the screen. Easy.
This self-replicating beast does nothing but grow. And eat. And then grow more. And then absorb some. Even after everything is eaten with a hole in the bottom of the map, it will grow until the dot count is gone and then it will freeze in clone form until in restores. Once it is too late, this cannot be stopped except in a total game reset.
Death from above!
This method of death is limited, but simple and precise. Using PEN-0 PEN-LOCK, draw a straight line of clone above the map, as such:
From there, pick something destructive that drops. No need to be picky. Let's start with acid:
Those players have clearly had their day ruined. Note the vine. It is this tactic's greatest enemy. It can seal holes, and eventually the clone itself. Onward to laser:
The house is mostly resistant to alien invasion, due to the mercury layer. However, note that the nitro tree exploded and created an entrance on one side, and the ice melted and made another on the other side. One entrance is all it needs:
Ouch. Hope they have insurance. Onward to the carpet bomb:
In some cases, this tactic will completely level the house. However, there are two main problems: Vine, and metal. The metal is not destroyed, blocking the path and creating a path for vine to rise and take over. Lava is another option:
The lava on top was patiently eating its way through the surface, but the lava on the left got lucky and hit some explosives. Farewell, house:
Please note that the guide is unfinished. Very unfinished. I do suggest that you guys submit your own contributions to the guide, as there are nearly infinite ways to destroy this. I didn't even get to the balls, the virus-charged balls, the charged virus-balls, the planned destruction, the player-based destruction, the death by lag (doesn't destroy the building, but does destroy the playability of the game), etc, etc. Mostly the thread is to signify that, at times, incredibly old techniques applied to new creations can be a great way to relax. All of these are generally things new users would do, but you may be surprised to find that they are just as satisfying years later, when you are perfecting technology and categorizing elements.
Destruction in Powder Game is very fun. However, done properly, it can be more effective on certain uploads than on others. For this, I will be using Roncamp's "Luxury Player House. Here's a picture at start:
Nice house, huh? Shame it won't be that way for long.
Plain Explosions
Plain explosions can often be very fun, and each explosive provides a different type of destruction. However, it requires dot space to be open, so I rudely lopped off a part of this example, which uses gunpowder:
There is no class here. Just scribble. Sometimes it will be set off early by torch in the house. In that case, skip the "lighting it on fire" step. Note the distinctive destruction type:
The shockwave is large, and there is fire, but it mostly stays in one area as it pushes away the gunpowder. Eventually, the explosion may or may not spread:
If it does, the house is done for. Here's an 'after' shot:
Note the vine. If you have vine, you will not completely destroy it with explosives.
The same can be done of oil:
nitro:
gas:
Note that oil is more of a firebomb, whereas nitro is more of a shockwave. The main weapon of gas is the massive spread of the fire; it can even spread through walls. The fire creates a massive pressure field (rather than a shockwave) that will rip apart most things that don't burn.
Destructive Influence
Same as above, but with magma:
acid:
bomb:
ant:
Virus
This is where, in my opinion, the most fun can be had. Here's an example of the "scribble" technique as applied to virus:
Interesting, sure, but why do that when we can use exterior virus to destroy it from the inside out? My personal favorite is a bit tricky because it involves an unstable secondary element, suds / steam / whatever. Pop a bubble against a block or the edge of the screen, and copy and paste some of the steam. Try to paste it with some virus in this general shape:
This little device is what I like to call a vaporizer. Let's see it in action:
This does as expected: Vaporize. It completely vaporizes the place. Any part the virus gets, anyway. While some second-hand fire may occur, usually this will result in something like this:
It is possible to repeat the pattern with any element. A few of my favorites include acid:
Feel free to experiment, as with all destruction.
The Creature
This is a very simple, but effective tactic based on the properties of clone and virus. Stick the two together anywhere on the screen. Easy.
This self-replicating beast does nothing but grow. And eat. And then grow more. And then absorb some. Even after everything is eaten with a hole in the bottom of the map, it will grow until the dot count is gone and then it will freeze in clone form until in restores. Once it is too late, this cannot be stopped except in a total game reset.
Death from above!
This method of death is limited, but simple and precise. Using PEN-0 PEN-LOCK, draw a straight line of clone above the map, as such:
From there, pick something destructive that drops. No need to be picky. Let's start with acid:
Those players have clearly had their day ruined. Note the vine. It is this tactic's greatest enemy. It can seal holes, and eventually the clone itself. Onward to laser:
The house is mostly resistant to alien invasion, due to the mercury layer. However, note that the nitro tree exploded and created an entrance on one side, and the ice melted and made another on the other side. One entrance is all it needs:
Ouch. Hope they have insurance. Onward to the carpet bomb:
In some cases, this tactic will completely level the house. However, there are two main problems: Vine, and metal. The metal is not destroyed, blocking the path and creating a path for vine to rise and take over. Lava is another option:
The lava on top was patiently eating its way through the surface, but the lava on the left got lucky and hit some explosives. Farewell, house:
Please note that the guide is unfinished. Very unfinished. I do suggest that you guys submit your own contributions to the guide, as there are nearly infinite ways to destroy this. I didn't even get to the balls, the virus-charged balls, the charged virus-balls, the planned destruction, the player-based destruction, the death by lag (doesn't destroy the building, but does destroy the playability of the game), etc, etc. Mostly the thread is to signify that, at times, incredibly old techniques applied to new creations can be a great way to relax. All of these are generally things new users would do, but you may be surprised to find that they are just as satisfying years later, when you are perfecting technology and categorizing elements.
[img src="http://i.imgur.com/BKhxo.png[/img
