Ark of Ascension

If you liked this item, please rate it up on Steam Workshop page.

Author: MrFreake

Last revision: 26 Oct, 2019 at 05:13 UTC (6)

File size: 459.78 KB

On Steam Workshop

Description:

**** Updated for 2.5.0 ****

Ark of Ascension is a Stellaris take on a king of the hill style map mode. Players have to capture the planet at the center of the galaxy. After the Ark of Ascension dig site is completed, free sentient pops (bio and machine) will ascend (read: die) once a month.

Whoever has the most pops ascended at the end game date wins the game, and their ascended pops return as the Unbidden.

Each player at the start of the round picks a hero unit, these hero units each have unique buffs and debuffs that can alter the course of the battle. When hero units level up they become more powerful and unlock new abilities.

The Galaxy
####

Each player starts in their own player cluster, defended on one side by a citadel, and a wormhole connection to the core.

When the citadel is destroyed, the hyperlane connection to the player cluster disappears. It is possible to recapture this system in a war and the hyperlane will reconnect.

The wormhole connection from the player cluster should only allow that player’s ships to pass through. This may be bugged, however do not enter player clusters.

Each cluster starts with a homeworld, eucemenopolis, and the same resources as every other player cluster. In the outer ring, each player gets a relic world spawn, and a mob spawner.

The Heroes
####

Each hero has three abilities that will unlock as the unit levels, it also increases in fleet power. At lower levels these ships are extremely vulnerable to small-sized ships, and should be escorted with corvettes to keep them from getting swarmed. If a hero unit is killed, it will lose all progress towards its current level, and respawn back at the homeworld in 90 days.
After respawning the hero unit gets -100% weapon damage, -100% shield regen, and -100% armor regen for 1 year.

Hero abilties are activated via buttons added to the fleet pane. The hero also will show it’s level, and give the option to level up (if available).

Heroes gain experience by destroying ships/fleets in combat. Experience gained from killing mobs is based on the fleet power of the mob fleet relative to the hero, with a bonus xp added for destroying the last ship in the fleet. Destroying a single player ship always gives 2 experience. Killing an enemy hero unit gives 10 experience. Killing the planar gate in the mob spawner system gives 8 experience.

Ark of Ascension
####

After completing the dig site, the player will gain access to the Ark of Ascension. The Ark currently provides +15% unity output, as well as automatically ascends one free pop a month on The Stairway. Taking the planet will immediately allow a new player to begin ascending pops. While there are certain events added to stop the stairway from becoming uncolonized, it may be possible through a combination of bombardment and purging to depop The Stairway. Recolonizing will cause the Ark to begin ascending pops again.

The Ark will not ascend the last pop off of The Stairway.

Win Condition
####

The player with the most pops ascended at the end game start date will be the winner. Their pops will then return from the higher plane as the Unbidden and they can complete their cleanse of the galaxy, even though the game is technically over, bonus points for beating a player as the crisis.

Known Issues
####

-using the retreat button on the hero unit while in combat can result in it taking damage, getting destroyed and not respawning

-observer host will always cause a desync. Host should be a player, and observers need to hot join after the game is launched

-players cannot see how many pops have been ascended until they ascend at least one pop (will try to have this fixed for pdxcon live)

-observer buttons do not work for the leaderboard, 5 year pulse pop-up will have to do

-hyperlane bypass in the core system may under certain circumstances allow hostile ships to pass through — Do not do this!

-controlling the core-side of a player’s hyperlane bypass will cause it to become unusable. Do not take the the hyperlane bypass system, please.

-some missing localisations

-it may be possible under some conditions to depop the stairway

############
Thanks to everyone who played during the weeks of testing, doing countless restarts and playthroughs, I love you!

Special Thanks: Complex, eMouse, Warlock, MaeltneMealtime, Loops, Diesel, Black Order, Dr. Jesus, DJTruthSayer, badgr_, A_Spec

Image Credit: eMouse <3

Mob Spawning Code: Complex

Download
Required DLC:

These DLC should be installed in order to use this item.


Stellaris: Ancient Relics Story Pack