User:1ccsDontMatter/Dodging strategy - Revision history

1ccsDontMatter: /* Random bullet patterns */

2020-07-03T23:16:22Z

Random bullet patterns

1ccsDontMatter at 23:09, 3 July 2020

2020-07-03T23:09:10Z

1ccsDontMatter at 23:08, 3 July 2020

2020-07-03T23:08:52Z

1ccsDontMatter at 23:05, 3 July 2020

2020-07-03T23:05:04Z

1ccsDontMatter at 23:01, 3 July 2020

2020-07-03T23:01:28Z

1ccsDontMatter: /* Threat zones */

2020-07-03T22:37:02Z

Threat zones

1ccsDontMatter at 21:58, 3 July 2020

2020-07-03T21:58:56Z

1ccsDontMatter at 21:53, 3 July 2020

2020-07-03T21:53:48Z

1ccsDontMatter at 21:42, 3 July 2020

2020-07-03T21:42:47Z

1ccsDontMatter: /* Homing attacks */

2020-07-03T21:41:29Z

Homing attacks

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 ==== Threat zone ====
 Random patterns can be visualized as nebulous cones or circles. Since the trajectory of incoming attacks is random, there is no real way to form a consistent strategy against random patterns. Analysis of such attacks may reveal that certain parts of the screen will be less dense than others, increasing the chance of success if taking refuge in that area; however, the need to remain in a certain position to attack an enemy may make such solutions impossible to effectively execute. Ultimately the only way to avoid random patterns is to read the incoming bullets and react.
 == Homing attacks ==

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 ==== Threat zone ====
 Aimed even patterns can be visualized as fans of threat lines oriented towards and around the player. Depending on the width of the area between the threat lines, it is sometimes possible to [[Glossary_of_shmups#Micro dodge|micro dodge]] threats that overlap with an even pattern. If there are no overlapping patterns, it's best to just not move and avoid the threat lines entirely.
 === Aimed odd ===

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 ==== Threat zone ====
 Aimed even patterns can be visualized as one or more lines oriented directly at and piercing the player's ship. By far the most common type of pattern in shmups. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Macro dodge|Macro dodging]] aimed odd patterns can be safe if the pattern isn't very wide. Continuous aimed odd patterns (including streams of single bullets) can only be tap dodged for so long until the player runs out of space on screen. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Cut back|Cut backs]] should be used to create an opening to slip under in order to continue tapping in the opposite direction when out of room.
 == Random bullet patterns ==
@@ Line 54: / Line 55: @@
 ==== Threat zone ====
 Random patterns can be visualized as nebulous cones or circles. Since the trajectory of incoming attacks is random, there is no real way to form a consistent strategy against random patterns. Analysis of such attacks may reveal that certain parts of the screen will be less dense than others, increasing the chance of success if taking refuge in that area; however, the need to remain in a certain position to attack an enemy may make such solutions impossible to effectively execute. Ultimately the only way to avoid random patterns is to read the incoming bullets and react.
 == Homing attacks ==

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 Combines elements of static and aimed patterns. Very common in all sorts of shmups. One possible strategy is to deliberately wait in the threat zone of the static attack between volleys. This will lure aimed shots to overlap the static pattern, thus leaving some other areas open for maneuvering.
-In the example animation, the player deliberately waits in the known path of the static pattern and luring the aimed shots to overlap the it, thus reducing the total area of threats on the screen. In effect the player gains two sides completely free of threats. Had the player waited outside of the static threat zone to begin with (as is likely one's first instinct), the aimed shots would have instead filled that safe space. The player would then have to make an extremely dangerous crossing of the static threat zone to avoid the aimed shots.
+In the example animation, the player deliberately waits in the known path of the static pattern. This lures the aimed shots into overlapping the static pattern, thus reducing the total area of threats on the screen. This leaves the player with two sides completely free of threats. Had the player waited outside of the static threat zone to begin with (as is likely one's first instinct), the aimed shots would have instead filled that safe space. The player would then have to make an extremely dangerous crossing of the static threat zone to avoid the aimed shots.
 {{clear}}
 == Overlapping patterns ==

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 == Static bullet patterns ==
 [[File:Safespot-peg-s19453.gif|thumb|right|A dense and fast ring pattern that would be quite difficult without using safe spots.]]
-'''Static bullet patterns''' are the same each time, so their threat zones fill predetermined positions and timings regardless of the player's position or other game states. Static patterns cannot be herded or lured, but instead they are very predictable, and thus static patterns are often solved safely by memorizing [[Glossary_of_shmups#Safe_spot|safe spots]].
+'''Static bullet patterns''' are the same each time, so their threat zones fill predetermined positions and timings regardless of the player's position or other game states. Static patterns cannot be herded or lured, but instead they are very predictable, and thus static patterns are often solved safely by memorizing [[Glossary_of_shmups#Safe_spot|safe spots]]. Static patterns are more common in older shmups as their predictable nature makes them relatively simple to conquer with enough analysis.
-Static patterns are more common in older shmups as their predictable nature makes them relatively simple to conquer with enough analysis.
+==== Threat zone ====
 {{clear}}
@@ Line 35: / Line 36: @@
 [[File:KGP-evenpattern-ako.gif|thumb|right|Easily surviving aimed even bullets by not moving.]]
 Also known as '''enclosing''' patterns, aimed bullet patterns with an '''even''' number of bullets contain two or more streams of bullets aimed away from the player. Usually the best way to survive even patterns is to not move and let the danger pass by. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Macro dodge|Macro dodging]] is not recommended as even patterns are usually quite wide and are essentially designed to punish macro movements.
 {{clear}}
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 '''Odd''' bullet patterns contain one or more streams of bullets that are aimed directly at the player. Usually the best way to survive odds is to tap once perpendicular to the source of the bullets.
-By far the most common type of pattern in shmups. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Macro dodge|Macro dodging]] aimed odd patterns can be safe if the pattern isn't very wide. Continuous aimed odd patterns (including streams of single bullets) can only be tap dodged for so long until the player runs out of space on screen. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Cut back|Cut backs]] should be used to create an opening to slip under in order to continue tapping in the opposite direction when out of room.
+==== Threat zone ====
 == Random bullet patterns ==
 [[File:TH8-mokourings-mauler.gif|thumb|right|Rings with a random orientation. Strategy can't help here. The only solution is to react and find the gaps.]]
-'''Random bullet patterns''' are patterns that are not aimed at the player and spawn with a random trajectory. Often, random patterns are actually oriented in some way towards the player, and are actually aimed random patterns. Random patterns can be bullets with completely random trajectories from a central source, or they can be patterned attacks such as rings that expand with an unknown trajectory aimed at the player or not.
+'''Random bullet patterns''' are patterns that may or may not be aimed at the player; they spawn with an unknown trajectory. Often, random patterns are actually oriented in some way towards the player, and are actually aimed random patterns. Random patterns can be bullets with completely random trajectories from a central source, or they can be patterned attacks such as rings that expand with an unknown trajectory that may or may not be aimed at the player.
-The danger with this type of pattern is that the threat zone of the attack is usually a circle radiating out from some point over the entire screen, meaning there are no possible safe spots. Analysis of such attacks may reveal that certain parts of the screen will be less dense than others, increasing the chance of success if taking refuge in that area; however, the need to remain in a certain position to attack an enemy may make such solutions impossible to effectively execute. Ultimately the only way to avoid random patterns is to read the incoming bullets and react.
+==== Threat zone ====
 {{clear}}

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 == Threat zones ==
 [[File:PCB-bulletluring-jaimers.gif|thumb|right|Hundreds of bullets being herded into safe, simple lines on top of each other by careful tap dodging. Erratic movements would fill the screen with chaotic and dangerous patterns.]]
-Sources of danger, normally bullets, can be thought of as projecting a '''threat zone''' along their path. The closer one is to this zone, the greater the chance the player will make an error and collide with the bullet. It follows then that dodging strategies should be centered around controlling and minimizing threat zones, thus giving the player the largest areas of safety and freedom possible. Analysis of threat zones is one way to theorize about the safest possible solution for any bullet pattern. In practice, they are mostly helpful for blind play or pre-routed play where the best strategy for any situation is not yet known or needs to be developed firsthand. Visualization of threat zones will lead to faster development of safe routes or improvements on old strategies.
+Sources of danger, such as enemy ships, enemy cannons, or fired bullets, can be thought of as projecting a '''threat zone''' along whatever their path is. The closer one is to this zone, the greater the chance the player will make an error and collide with a bullet. It follows then that dodging strategies should be centered around controlling and minimizing threat zones, thus giving the player the largest areas of safety and freedom possible. Analysis of threat zones is one way to theorize about the safest possible solution for any bullet pattern. In practice, they are mostly helpful for blind play or pre-routed play where the best strategy for any situation is not yet known or needs to be developed firsthand. Visualization of threat zones will lead to faster development of safe routes or improvements on old strategies.
 === Speedkilling ===

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 == Aimed bullet patterns ==
-'''Aimed bullet patterns''' are patterns that are oriented towards or aimed directly at the player. These are probably the majority of patterns in shmups.
+'''Aimed bullet patterns''' are patterns that are oriented towards or aimed directly at the player. These are the majority of patterns in shmups.
 === Aimed even ===
 [[File:KGP-evenpattern-ako.gif|thumb|right|Easily surviving aimed even bullets by not moving.]]
-Also known as '''enclosing''' patterns, aimed bullet patterns with an '''even''' number of bullets contain two or more streams of bullets aimed away from the player. Usually the best way to survive evens is to not move and let the danger pass by. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Macro dodge|Macro dodging]] is not recommended as odd patterns are usually quite wide and are essentially designed to punish long movements.
+Also known as '''enclosing''' patterns, aimed bullet patterns with an '''even''' number of bullets contain two or more streams of bullets aimed away from the player. Usually the best way to survive even patterns is to not move and let the danger pass by. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Macro dodge|Macro dodging]] is not recommended as even patterns are usually quite wide and are essentially designed to punish macro movements.
 {{clear}}
 === Aimed odd ===
-'''Odd''' bullet patterns contain one or more streams of bullets that are aimed directly at the player. Usually the best way to survive odds is to tap once perpendicular to the source of the bullets and into a safe place.
+'''Odd''' bullet patterns contain one or more streams of bullets that are aimed directly at the player. Usually the best way to survive odds is to tap once perpendicular to the source of the bullets.
-By far the most common type of pattern in shmups. Continuous aimed odd patterns (including streams of single bullets) can only be tap dodged for so long until the player runs out of space on screen. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Cut back|Cut backs]] should be used to create an opening to slip under in order to continue tapping in the opposite direction when out of room. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Macro dodge|Macro dodging]] can be safer if the pattern isn't very wide.
+By far the most common type of pattern in shmups. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Macro dodge|Macro dodging]] aimed odd patterns can be safe if the pattern isn't very wide. Continuous aimed odd patterns (including streams of single bullets) can only be tap dodged for so long until the player runs out of space on screen. [[Glossary_of_shmups#Cut back|Cut backs]] should be used to create an opening to slip under in order to continue tapping in the opposite direction when out of room.
 == Random bullet patterns ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:42, 3 July 2020
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	=== Homing lasers ===		=== Homing lasers ===
−	~~Todo: show how figure eights are effective against homing lasers, th5 shinki homing lasers~~
	{{clear}}		{{clear}}

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 '''Homing attacks''' are bullets or missiles that spawn with some initial trajectory but continue to curve towards the player for some amount of time. Homing attacks are usually either slow with a high turn rate or fast with a low turn rate.
-=== Fast, low turn rate ===
+=== Fast bullet, low turn rate ===
 Often depicted as homing missiles, the threat zone of this type of attack is a cone in front of the projectile. The sides and especially back of this attack are safe. Exploit their slow turn rate by cutting them off at a sharp angle and getting behind them. It will take a long time for them to reorient towards you and they may time out.
-=== Slow, fast/infinite turn rate ===
+=== Slow bullet, fast/infinite turn rate ===
 Often depicted as energy balls that follow the player around, outmaneuvering homing attacks with a high or instant turn rate is impossible, so general distance should be sought until they despawn. If possible, lure them all together in one area and then escape to the opposite side of the screen where one can deal with other patterns without worry of the homing attacks interfering.