<p>
I'm still going to say that 37,000,000 is possible, but just
barely.
--
mdenham@coinet.com
Shock Troopers Mathematics 101
Moderator: Chad
-
dissolute city
-
Tenchi
I dunno... I suspect his highs will keep on improving.
<p>
To get true upper bound, I think you have to assume a maximum score
for each enemy. So, let's say the best you can do is to shoot a guy
12 times will moving towards him, then do a close range kill and pick
up a 30k bonus. The total score will be 14*base + 30,000. So, if in
the "perfect game" you can meet 1000 guys with an average base of
2500, the average per guy will be 14*2500 + 30,000 = 65,000, and the
total score will be 65 million plus whatever you get for end bosses
and stuff. Not saying the max score IS 65 million, just throwing
numbers out there.
<p>
I think Shock Troopers is just a very difficult game to get anywhere
near the max score on. You have to shoot every guy the maximum number
of times and enter close range at exactly the right time. Say instead
of getting 12 hits, you get 8 hits, and then the close range kill
andd the 30k bonus. You'd pretty much feel like you handled the guy
perfectly, but you've just lost 12k or 20k points! And on the 1000
point guys, BBH says its best to just close range kill them - and
he's probably right from a practical standpoint, but you're still
falling 12k more behind the "perfect" game.
<p>
Maybe I'll look at the .inps to see how the consistent the scoring is.
--
rpeng@usc.edu
<p>
To get true upper bound, I think you have to assume a maximum score
for each enemy. So, let's say the best you can do is to shoot a guy
12 times will moving towards him, then do a close range kill and pick
up a 30k bonus. The total score will be 14*base + 30,000. So, if in
the "perfect game" you can meet 1000 guys with an average base of
2500, the average per guy will be 14*2500 + 30,000 = 65,000, and the
total score will be 65 million plus whatever you get for end bosses
and stuff. Not saying the max score IS 65 million, just throwing
numbers out there.
<p>
I think Shock Troopers is just a very difficult game to get anywhere
near the max score on. You have to shoot every guy the maximum number
of times and enter close range at exactly the right time. Say instead
of getting 12 hits, you get 8 hits, and then the close range kill
andd the 30k bonus. You'd pretty much feel like you handled the guy
perfectly, but you've just lost 12k or 20k points! And on the 1000
point guys, BBH says its best to just close range kill them - and
he's probably right from a practical standpoint, but you're still
falling 12k more behind the "perfect" game.
<p>
Maybe I'll look at the .inps to see how the consistent the scoring is.
--
rpeng@usc.edu
-
Tenchi
OK, just looked at the first 15 guys on the 35.9 million inp.
<p>
4 3k guys drop. Gets in 5 shots before close killing the first two
guys, drops two life bonuses. 1 shot, close kill 3rd guy, 30k bonus.
10 hits, ck + 30k on 4th guy. Score: 137,000
<p>
Two 500 guys show up. Two close kills + 30k, score 199,500.
<p>
3 5k guys, gets 102k for the first two, 80k for the third,and 6k for
the tank. Two 3k guys, 9k for the first, 39k for the second.
<p>
3 500 guys and a 3k guy. close kills the first three, gets various
items, no gems. 3 hits + 30k on 3k guy. Total score 521,500.
<p>
Maximum score, assuming 12 hits possible:
<p>
7 * 72 + 3 * 100 + 5 * 37 + 6 = 995k
<p>
Assuming 10 hits:
<p>
7 * 66 + 3 * 90 + 5 * 36 + 6 = 918k.
<p>
So I would say there are still a lot of points to be had.
<p>
Of course, getting the maximum hits takes time, but not a lot, and
BBH pauses at various times to wait for an opportunity. So it's not
immediate the maximum score would take longer.
--
rpeng@usc.edu
<p>
4 3k guys drop. Gets in 5 shots before close killing the first two
guys, drops two life bonuses. 1 shot, close kill 3rd guy, 30k bonus.
10 hits, ck + 30k on 4th guy. Score: 137,000
<p>
Two 500 guys show up. Two close kills + 30k, score 199,500.
<p>
3 5k guys, gets 102k for the first two, 80k for the third,and 6k for
the tank. Two 3k guys, 9k for the first, 39k for the second.
<p>
3 500 guys and a 3k guy. close kills the first three, gets various
items, no gems. 3 hits + 30k on 3k guy. Total score 521,500.
<p>
Maximum score, assuming 12 hits possible:
<p>
7 * 72 + 3 * 100 + 5 * 37 + 6 = 995k
<p>
Assuming 10 hits:
<p>
7 * 66 + 3 * 90 + 5 * 36 + 6 = 918k.
<p>
So I would say there are still a lot of points to be had.
<p>
Of course, getting the maximum hits takes time, but not a lot, and
BBH pauses at various times to wait for an opportunity. So it's not
immediate the maximum score would take longer.
--
rpeng@usc.edu
-
BBH
Technically, the maximum you can get on an enemy is 11 shots plus a
close-range kill. The 12th shot will drop them no matter what, so the
close-range kill has to be done on the 11th. I think. I haven't done
extensive testing/counting analyzing this, but that's what it seemed
like to me.
<p>
Another factor to consider is that unfortunately, luck plays a part in
the score... because you are not guaranteed a 30,000 point gem for
every close-range kill. They do appear approximately... I wanna say 3
out of 4 times but that seems too high. Maybe 2 out of 3 instead. I've
often wondered what kind of score would be possible if EVERY enemy
dropped a 30,000 point gem, but I was unable to find a cheat that will
guarantee a free 30,000 points every time. It'd be interesting to play
through just to see what the score would be (although the game would
be tougher without any life-ups being dropped). It's also tough to get
an exact figure on the amount of enemies in the game, since stalling
in certain areas can cause different amounts of enemies to come out...
sometimes I try different things (especially on Stage 3), causing
different amounts of enemies to come out. Although a ballpark figure
shouldn't be hard to come up with. But since they're all worth varying
amounts of points, it's tough to find an average too...
<p>
[Notes to self on things to check: whether or not an enemy can be
stabbed after the 12th shot, the approximate percentage of 30k gems
dropped from an average game, and the amount of enemies in the game]
<p>
That's a good point though Tenchi, if I pass up multiple shots on
1000-point enemies, it's 10k I'm missing out on. And that can really
add up. The problem is, a lot of them come out in groups of two, and
you can't get two multiple-shot kills when the sprites are overlapping
like that. If you do fire at them, chances are you'll end up shooting
one, and then they'll drop because your shots will end up hitting the
other one. And then you miss out on your chance at a 30k gem if you
just went for the close-range kill. But from now on, if there's just
one (or if they're spaced out), I'm trying to go for those extra
points.
<p>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
close-range kill. The 12th shot will drop them no matter what, so the
close-range kill has to be done on the 11th. I think. I haven't done
extensive testing/counting analyzing this, but that's what it seemed
like to me.
<p>
Another factor to consider is that unfortunately, luck plays a part in
the score... because you are not guaranteed a 30,000 point gem for
every close-range kill. They do appear approximately... I wanna say 3
out of 4 times but that seems too high. Maybe 2 out of 3 instead. I've
often wondered what kind of score would be possible if EVERY enemy
dropped a 30,000 point gem, but I was unable to find a cheat that will
guarantee a free 30,000 points every time. It'd be interesting to play
through just to see what the score would be (although the game would
be tougher without any life-ups being dropped). It's also tough to get
an exact figure on the amount of enemies in the game, since stalling
in certain areas can cause different amounts of enemies to come out...
sometimes I try different things (especially on Stage 3), causing
different amounts of enemies to come out. Although a ballpark figure
shouldn't be hard to come up with. But since they're all worth varying
amounts of points, it's tough to find an average too...
<p>
[Notes to self on things to check: whether or not an enemy can be
stabbed after the 12th shot, the approximate percentage of 30k gems
dropped from an average game, and the amount of enemies in the game]
<p>
That's a good point though Tenchi, if I pass up multiple shots on
1000-point enemies, it's 10k I'm missing out on. And that can really
add up. The problem is, a lot of them come out in groups of two, and
you can't get two multiple-shot kills when the sprites are overlapping
like that. If you do fire at them, chances are you'll end up shooting
one, and then they'll drop because your shots will end up hitting the
other one. And then you miss out on your chance at a 30k gem if you
just went for the close-range kill. But from now on, if there's just
one (or if they're spaced out), I'm trying to go for those extra
points.
<p>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
-
BBH
Wow Tenchi, now you're analyzing this just as closely as I am! Have
you considered taking up playing the game yourself? The more the
merrier.
<p>
Anyway, that definitely wasn't a good start right off the bat on that
game. Obviously, I woulda gotten 52k more if those first two enemies
dropped 30k gems instead of +8 life-ups (which are worth 4000 points).
Note that those first two are pretty close together too, so it's not
like I can get 11 shots on both of them.
<p>
The 500-point guys obviously aren't worth the effort on getting
multiple shots, especially since they run away when you get close.
<p>
The 5000-point guys... they will "talk" to each other for a while, but
then when they notice your character.... they will react in some way.
Usually by shooting, but sometimes they'll run away. So it's another
case where you have to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Usually
I end up shooting one of them and push them back in the up-right
direction, pushing him into the other one, and then I get the
close-range kill on both at once. It's probably better to push the one
that's lower at an up-left direction, then take out the other one from
a right direction. The other important thing to consider is the guy
fixing the tank, after a while he will stop to start firing at you
too. Hence the reason I rush to take him out too. Also note that if
too many stray shots get through and destroy the tank, it will kill
him instantly... so that's a lot of points down the drain.
<p>
I've optimized the beginning of Stage 1 a lot from all the plays I've
attempted lately, my score after taking out the rocket launcher guys
around the two tanks usually ends up in the 1.9-2.0 milion range
now... it used to consistently be about 1.7 mil... I think at least
7.7 million should be possible on Stage 1.
<p>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
you considered taking up playing the game yourself? The more the
merrier.
<p>
Anyway, that definitely wasn't a good start right off the bat on that
game. Obviously, I woulda gotten 52k more if those first two enemies
dropped 30k gems instead of +8 life-ups (which are worth 4000 points).
Note that those first two are pretty close together too, so it's not
like I can get 11 shots on both of them.
<p>
The 500-point guys obviously aren't worth the effort on getting
multiple shots, especially since they run away when you get close.
<p>
The 5000-point guys... they will "talk" to each other for a while, but
then when they notice your character.... they will react in some way.
Usually by shooting, but sometimes they'll run away. So it's another
case where you have to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Usually
I end up shooting one of them and push them back in the up-right
direction, pushing him into the other one, and then I get the
close-range kill on both at once. It's probably better to push the one
that's lower at an up-left direction, then take out the other one from
a right direction. The other important thing to consider is the guy
fixing the tank, after a while he will stop to start firing at you
too. Hence the reason I rush to take him out too. Also note that if
too many stray shots get through and destroy the tank, it will kill
him instantly... so that's a lot of points down the drain.
<p>
I've optimized the beginning of Stage 1 a lot from all the plays I've
attempted lately, my score after taking out the rocket launcher guys
around the two tanks usually ends up in the 1.9-2.0 milion range
now... it used to consistently be about 1.7 mil... I think at least
7.7 million should be possible on Stage 1.
<p>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
-
BBH
Well, looks like I was wrong... it seems you can actually pump a
soldier with THIRTEEN shots, not twelve. The best proof of this is on
the first four that drop down, just start firing at one of them and
you'll get 39000... (I'm experimenting with something different on
them)
<p>
Only noteworthy things in the last game were raising the Stage 1 high
by a whopping 1k (OH YEAH!) and raising the Stage 3 high from
--
lordbbh@aol.com
soldier with THIRTEEN shots, not twelve. The best proof of this is on
the first four that drop down, just start firing at one of them and
you'll get 39000... (I'm experimenting with something different on
them)
<p>
Only noteworthy things in the last game were raising the Stage 1 high
by a whopping 1k (OH YEAH!) and raising the Stage 3 high from
--
lordbbh@aol.com
-
BBH
WTF, I did not click on Submit!!!
Anyway, the Stage 3 high is now 6557300, formerly 6273600.
<p>
7516000 + 3952500 + 6557300 + 2144500 + 7164500 + 5188500 + 4548500 =
37,071,800... gulp
<p>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
Anyway, the Stage 3 high is now 6557300, formerly 6273600.
<p>
7516000 + 3952500 + 6557300 + 2144500 + 7164500 + 5188500 + 4548500 =
37,071,800... gulp
<p>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
-
BBH
A new high score always means some new level highs... <br> <br>
Stage 1 - 7720500 (old high: 7516000) <br>
Stage 7 - 4704000 (old high: 4548500) <br>
7720500 + 3952500 + 6557300 + 2144500 + 7164500 + 5188500 + 4704000 =
37,431,800 <br> <br>
All I have to do is maintain peak play and avoid red gems like the
plague, and I'll have 37 million. Simple. (and then everyone will
start asking when I'll get 38 mil... har) <br> <br>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
Stage 1 - 7720500 (old high: 7516000) <br>
Stage 7 - 4704000 (old high: 4548500) <br>
7720500 + 3952500 + 6557300 + 2144500 + 7164500 + 5188500 + 4704000 =
37,431,800 <br> <br>
All I have to do is maintain peak play and avoid red gems like the
plague, and I'll have 37 million. Simple. (and then everyone will
start asking when I'll get 38 mil... har) <br> <br>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
-
BBH
more updates:
<p>
From the 36.6 million game I had a score of 5391500 on Stage 6
<p>
From a 36.3 million game I played last night (can't upload it, but I
did save the .inp) I got new highs on Stages 1 and 5 (7817500 and
7303500 respectively)
<p>
7817500 + 3952500 + 6557300 + 2144500 + 7303500 + 5391500 + 4704000 =
37,870,800
<p>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
<p>
From the 36.6 million game I had a score of 5391500 on Stage 6
<p>
From a 36.3 million game I played last night (can't upload it, but I
did save the .inp) I got new highs on Stages 1 and 5 (7817500 and
7303500 respectively)
<p>
7817500 + 3952500 + 6557300 + 2144500 + 7303500 + 5391500 + 4704000 =
37,870,800
<p>
-BBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
-
BBH
great... now I'm expected to get 38 million. New highs on the
following: <br> <br>
Stage 1 - 8001500<br>
Stage 5 - 7203500<br>
Stage 6 - 5601000<br><br>
8001500 + 3952500 + 6557300 + 2144500 + 7203500 + 5601000 + 4704000 =
38,164,300<br><br>
-TeamBBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
following: <br> <br>
Stage 1 - 8001500<br>
Stage 5 - 7203500<br>
Stage 6 - 5601000<br><br>
8001500 + 3952500 + 6557300 + 2144500 + 7203500 + 5601000 + 4704000 =
38,164,300<br><br>
-TeamBBH
--
lordbbh@aol.com
