[BETA] Pilotable Dragonfly Bomber [WIP]

[legacy-acc]

[second beta download, get both files and put in system folder]
Save Target As...
Dragonfly.int (http://www.lockepick.0catch.com/Dragonfly.int)
Dragonfly.u (http://www.lockepick.0catch.com/Dragonfly.u)
I can't host zip/rar on my free webspace, but luckily it's just those two files.
If mutator does not appear, also get this ucl file for the system folder
Dragonfly.ucl (http://www.lockepick.0catch.com/Dragonfly.ucl)

Got the urge to code something, so I thought... why not properly implement the old promised-but-then-scrapped bomber into the game. Now known as the Phoenix (that is called with the booooring ion-painter-#2) the old bomber appears to have been originally named the Dragonfly, so I'm going to stick with that.

It's not quite done yet and I wasn't planning on releasing it, but thought that maybe other people missed the option of a bomber as much as I did. Why hog it? :D

It used to be based on code specific to "PlaneCraft", but that's rather buggy/incomplete/not conductive to gameplay in most maps. So instead, I've switched it over to the same "Chopper" base as the Raptor, but tried to keep it... somewhat planeish (sorta, a little, maybe, not really). Kinda like an Unreal VTOL aircraft; it can hover, but if you try to go anywhere fast it's not going to be nimble like the raptor is.

Right now it uses a "Dragonfly Replacer" mut, which allows you to select one default game vehicle and switch it out for the Dragonfly.

There's not much point putting it in game if it's crazily unbalanced, so I've tried to come up with something original and fun that still fits well with the other vehicles. It's being implemented with gameplay in mind!

The result so far is:
The Dragonfly has the highest raw damage output in the game (no fun in a weak bomber, eh?), with a 1.2 second firerate on it's primary bombs, two of which can overkill a powernode. Bombs are tweaked redeemer missles; slow, can be shot down, but will fly in a straight line until they hit (easy to aim).

The secondary fire is a shockwave (ion tank altfire effect) that has been re-coded to destroy projectiles close to the Dragonfly (intended for a AVRiL defense). It also pushes players/vehicles around, but doesn't damage them. It requires good timing, stalls your bomb dropping, and can't always fire fast enough to block multiple missles... but is still a huge aid when used effectively.

The Dragonfly has 600 health ATM, is smaller than the model was originally scaled, and spawns at the same rate as the raptor. However, it accelerate slower than the raptor and has some serious inertia, with little strafing ability at all. In general, you want to keep speeds low, or else you'll hit a whole lot of walls because stopping/turning is not easy!
This also makes it a sitting duck to hitscan weapons, which is the main balancing force against it. The shock rifle, turrets, and hellbender will murder it, no contest; easy to hit, can't accelerate much against the knockback, and can't quickly get to cover. Lightning and mini is effective as well.

If you see a Dragonfly coming, you should get rid of it as fast as possible, because if you leave it alone it will slaughter everything.
Oh yeah, and you can stand on Dragonfly's very easily (it's a pretty flat model) for transport.

Back to work I go, check back soon ;)

[legacy-n2k]

You actually CAN fly the Dragonfly. All you need is the CL5 (Carlauncher) Mutator and a little time to get used to the plane.
You can only enter the dragonfly from above, it's hovering above the ground. To take off you have to press "W" until you have maximum speed. Then slightly pull the Mouse down - I said slightly, otherwise the Dragonfly will perform a half-loop and crash backwards onto the surface. If you made it into the air without "finding" any trees or soemthing move your mouse right (just for example). Then pull your mouse down (towards yourself) again, you'll notive the Dragonfly to change direction. You can also do loopings, rolls and other tricks but you'll need some experience in flying with the vehicle. The Dragonfly mainly behaves like paper-plane (or paperflyer, dunno what it's called, the little jets you get when folding a paper). If you pull up too hard and not finish the looping the Dragonfly will start drifting backwards and crash.
For best results play ONS_Torlan and go to the top of the tower. Use the CL5 (you'll first have to change some settings, explained in the CL5-readme) to spawn a dragonfly and then a raptor to get above and hop hin (or better press tab and enter "fly", then use the spacetab to fly until your higher than the dragonfly, get above and press tab again and type "walk", when on the plane enter it like a normal vehicle - FOR FLYING PURPOSES ONLY, CHEATING SUCKS!). Or simply toss the CL5-Beacon and hit your right mouse button.... :bulb:
I recommend using the "God"-Cheat (I hopefully don't have to repeat that notice) once you're inside so you can try to lift off again (the Dragonfly is highly vulnerable - I'd say paperarmor if someone'd ask). As you will soon find out, the weapon pretty sucks ponys, not quite what you expected from a bomber... (don't try hitting anything smaller than a powercore, I spent hours doing so).
All in all it's kinda uselesse, although the flying without cheating is kinda challenging and funny. (DON'T try to find out how it looks inside)

*** ok, that was the guide for all those people who can't wait for the thing explained above and didn't try it yet. ***

Well, I really love the idea and would like to download a beta asap! Maybe you should think about the spawn time... I think already the raptor is spawning too fast, used effectively it's THE overkill-weapon ingame... especially everyone can train "how to win a dogfight with another raptor (so far the only real danger for a raptor - except of AVRILs, of course)" with "Raptorskies".

[legacy-acc]

Yeah, you can fly it already. But like I said, "that's rather buggy/incomplete/not conductive to gameplay in most maps". This bomber will not fly like it at all, whatsoever. And the weapon isn't extremely crappy either ;)

Actually I made a mistake on the spawning time. It spawns at the rate of whatever vehicle you replace. Fixing that now.
I guess tank respawntime would be most appropriate, seeing as it's sort of an aerial tank, in a way.

[legacy-Sporeflower]

the dragonfly with CL5 sucks. it doesnt even drop bombs, just rockets.
a new bomber would be awsome, ill be waiting :D

[bartje321]

i noticed it to, maybe if someone can code it propely :)
hard to fly

[legacy-n2k]

Take care to not loose too much agility, I'd like to have a chance to do some tricks to get past the enemy. It'd be cool if you'd manage to mage all kind of homing-rockets (like raptor or AVRILs) target the wingtips of the bomber sou you could avoid them with a quick roll.

[legacy-Bigcheeese]

also the planecraft code dose not simulate it properly. i looked at the native code and it sucks, they should not have even had it.

BTW how are you going to keep it from just floating there? but kool idia.

[legacy-dantheman1]

please post some screenies and a download llink of it who cares if ur not dont we can always upgrade to the next version just release it already

[legacy-Digital_Gekko]

Can't wait for this, good luck :D

[legacy-Kaadu]

Cool, can't wait for a download. Even if it's very....very....powerful.

[legacy-Clanner_Boi]

ya! leave ACC alone! I'll be in waiting for this one and implement it in my servers immedietly! :D

[legacy-Alpha2003]

i cant wait :)

[legacy-acc]

I won't be attempting super fancy plane coding. So it's really like the raptor in control right now, just a lot bulkier. I'm thinking up some ways to ditch some of the Helicopter properties (still a n00b to how Uscript flows, but I'm learning), I'll probably give you guys something to play around with first, so I don't end up delaying it for ages. Biggest problem seems to be when some settings force themselves on in-game, despite my efforts to specifically change them in code...

Rolling? Not for this bomber. You can still counter the missles, because the altfire will destroy both avril's and raptor missles (and any other projectile). Time it well and you can bomb while avoiding most damage, although hitscan will shred you up no matter what.

[legacy-acc]

K, I've got a beta ready for release (I hope :D ), but no where to put it. :o

Anyone have some place to upload it for me? Very small file, 17KB.

[legacy-Digital_Gekko]

I will, I have plenty of webspace. Just PM me and we'll hook up.

[legacy-CaTdAeMoN]

Why not use the spacefighter as a base?

None of that crashing rubbish but it would work because it wont stop:D

[legacy-Digital_Gekko]

Beta's being hosted at my site.

Click here to download!

http://www.digitalizedzone.com/dragonfly.zip

Hope it works, have fun with it.

[legacy-Kaadu]

Cool, i'll start bombing!

[legacy-JoshuaC]

It doesnt work there is 2 dragonfly's in the car launcher menu but they are the old one in the next relese make it called Flyable DragonFly so its not confused with the other one.

EDIT: I got it to work its so cool:up: :up:

[legacy-Vash26]

Wow, I downloaded this and it is the coolest, I had a blast and I only tried it out for 5 mins., even though I need to learn to drive it better I still liked it, keep up the good work.:)

[legacy-acc]

Car Launcher may or may not work. It tends to choose one Dragonfly and then overwrite both; sometimes it takes the old one and sometimes the new one.
That will be fixed, I will change the listing to "Dragonfly Bomber". For now, just use the Replacer mutator.

[legacy--The LP-]

Wow! I love it. The only problem is the alt-fire. It's useless. Make it those fast-firing missles that the dragonfly has originally. Or maybe just lasers similar to the laser turrets. Just not the shockwave.

[legacy-Skarjj Master]

The shockwave protects you from literally every projectile attack.

[legacy-acc]

You'll live a hell of a lot longer with smart use of the shockwave. Raptors will have to use primary fire, and footsoldiers can't touch you with AVRiL's.
It's also fun to fly down onto nodes and use it when a bunch of footsoldiers are around :D

[legacy-Alpha2003]

i tried it out, and i have to say i love it :up:

[legacy-FireCrack]

It is good, but it needs to be more planey, it should fall when below a certian speed and should turn better at high speeds.

[bartje321]

i dont like flying like a raptor, it is a plane, not a chopper.

[legacy-Kaadu]

If there was a way to remove the strafe and replace it with a turn like scorpian or hellbender and it would be like a Vtol bomber.
But it's fun to blow nodes up with the powerful bombs anyway.
Maybe though the bombs could be a little faster, and have limited ammo, yet recharge quickly.
But what do I know?:haha:

[legacy-Dezro]

Originally posted by acc
Car Launcher may or may not work. It tends to choose one Dragonfly and then overwrite both; sometimes it takes the old one and sometimes the new one.
That will be fixed, I will change the listing to "Dragonfly Bomber". For now, just use the Replacer mutator. I was almost going to say how I fixed that bug and it'll work now, but it seems I forgot about CAPITALIZATION. So you don't have to rename it to "Dragonfly Bomber" but you do have to rename it to "DragonFly"...

[legacy-butcherboy]

I started a simular project on the "DragonFly" but stopped because it "didn't see quite right". It started off looking like a quick project -converting the filght model of the raptor into a heavier flight model and adding some weapons/rear turret to it (it is boned for doing so). I didn't find the results "fun" as would be expected. Essentially it turned into a big, slow (opposite of quick as opposed to fast), sluggish, unweildy target and was easy fodder for just about every other vehicle in the game. If all vehicles are maintained in balance with infantry, I personally couldn't find a way to successfully niche the plane in the whole setup of things. I hope you have better luck with it than I did.

If I ever get done with one of my other projects, I'll sit down and take the time to adjust the bomber's default handling using the ONSPlaneCraft (or re-write ONSPlaneCraft) so that it might be a fun bomber in a vehicle oriented mod. As it stands in UT2k4 right now, tanks don't give that "oh crap, it is a tank" feeling that I get in a vehicle oriented game. To get that, I would have to modify the damage modelling on vehicles and add a few flags like "bHasArmor" so that weapons classified as "small arms" won't damage the tank any.

Once a new damage model is in place, I feel the bomber itself would rate an "oh crap, here comes a bomber" feeling as well. That and it would need a bigger map to play in... ;) Vicious cycle...

[CVROY]

I like this so far, but all the current vehicle sin game are quite usefull. Instead of making a replacement mutator, I think maybe random would be cool... Like there is X amount of chance that it will replace a spawning vehicle at any given time. You might also want to try making it so that you can choose a vehicle it will spawn next to so you get both vehicles:)

What are your thought?

[bartje321]

a plane cant fly like a raptor, only a raptor does, raptor is helicopter like.
make something you can only take-off and land on a landing stripe :)

[legacy-GlassBoy]

Originally posted by bartje321
a plane cant fly like a raptor, only a raptor does, raptor is helicopter like.
make something you can only take-off and land on a landing stripe :)

Harriers can.

[legacy-BloodShed]

Originally posted by GlassBoy
Harriers can.

yup

[bartje321]

Originally posted by GlassBoy
Harriers can.

harriers are build to do that, this plane isnt

[legacy-Vash26]

Originally posted by bartje321
a plane cant fly like a raptor, only a raptor does, raptor is helicopter like.
make something you can only take-off and land on a landing stripe :)

Well this is Unreal Tournament, so any thing goes, its UNREAL .:cool:

[legacy-acc]

Before you guys get on my back about it not being a plane, you might want to actually look at the Raptor. Maybe I'm blind, but it looks to me like it has two jets, on the back, facing in a single direction. Yet somehow, it handles like a helicopter. That's sort of unreal, isn't it? :D
It's not a pressing concern of mine to make this too much like a plane, because it's pretty obvious how hard that would be too play with.

However, this: "If there was a way to remove the strafe and replace it with a turn like scorpian or hellbender and it would be like a Vtol bomber" is along the lines of what I'm going to try and do.

[legacy-FireCrack]

Originally posted by acc
Before you guys get on my back about it not being a plane, you might want to actually look at the Raptor. Maybe I'm blind, but it looks to me like it has two jets, on the back, facing in a single direction. Yet somehow, it handles like a helicopter.


And those big grav-vector panels are just for decoration?

Anyways, this thing has wings, mabye it shoulnt fall when you stop but there needs to be some means to stop it from spamming doorways, mabye the bombs can be gravitationaly affected (and inheret the planes speed) and you can use an emmiter with little arrows to show where the bomb will land (aproximatly), or better yet, make them gravitationaly affected but make them also curve towards their target so they are like laser guided bombs.

[legacy-acc]

Originally posted by FireCrack
And those big grav-vector panels are just for decoration?
True, but...
The same panels are on the bomber. Not as large a wingspan, but that's why my bomber can't strafe as fast.

[legacy-Vash26]

Who cares, its a very fun mod. and its better than the old bomber, id give it a 11/10 rating.:D

[legacy-Kaadu]

Originally posted by Vash26
and its better than the old bomber
No doubts about that!

[bartje321]

flying better as the old bomber but still not a plane, in the worst case, i code it myself ;)

[legacy-Vash26]

I like being able to hover, its cool, just think of it as an anti-gravity bomber, this game is based in the future u know, so I just think of it as that.:)

[legacy-Vash26]

Did everyone here die, no one has replied in forever, I was hoping for some updating news.

[legacy-Inverness]

I want screenshots

[legacy-Zealot]

one thing i ahve noticed:
bots dont like to go up, so they just skim across mountains and barely every go up!

but otherwise this mod is loads of fun!

[legacy-Vash26]

Yea, that stinks that they wont go up, which kinda stinks, and for some stupid reason, it wont work for the CL5. I like it anyway though.:)

[legacy-acc]

Hey I'll have an update pretty soon.

-increased shockwave radius
-50 health increase
-bombs now affected by gravity, to stop shooting across the map, but they increase in speed as they fly
-bombs are smaller (as in, smaller target to shoot down)
-bombs do a full explosion when destroyed
-bombs come out of proper location on the mesh

Yeah I don't really known how to get bots to use it better. They can't handle the inertia, so they end up flying back and forth because they overshoot the paths they want to follow :(
Works with car launcher now. It also doesn't show up as redeemer kills anymore.

[legacy-Vash26]

Are you putting an update up today, or later on in the week?

[legacy-FireCrack]

Ok all i realy want to make it planey is


Rudder style sterering where turning with your mouse means actualy turning around rather than fishtailing and spinning like a mofo
Reduced thrust capibilities in all directions except forwards.

[legacy-!Wicked DUDE!]

link seems to be dead :(

[legacy-CaTdAeMoN]

Does teh bottom open aswell? :D

[legacy-kumori]

Drat just when I see this it goes down. Blast you internet my plans have been foiled again,

[legacy-Vash26]

YOU MADE THE BOMBS SMALLER, U CANT DO THAT.:cry:

Sorry, just how much smaller did u make the bombs?

[legacy-acc]

Edited first post with link to new files. Gimme a yell if it doesn't let you download.

[legacy-Vash26]

Originally posted by acc
Hey I'll have an update pretty soon.

-increased shockwave radius
-50 health increase
-bombs now affected by gravity, to stop shooting across the map, but they increase in speed as they fly
-bombs are smaller (as in, smaller target to shoot down)
-bombs do a full explosion when destroyed
-bombs come out of proper location on the mesh

Yeah I don't really known how to get bots to use it better. They can't handle the inertia, so they end up flying back and forth because they overshoot the paths they want to follow :(
Works with car launcher now. It also doesn't show up as redeemer kills anymore.

The stupid car launcher still shots a old dragonfly, and whats up with the explosion, its white for a second at the end of the explosion.

[legacy-acc]

Select the Dragonfly Bomber, not Dragonfly.

And the explosion hasn't changed from before.

[legacy-Vash26]

Originally posted by acc
Select the Dragonfly Bomber, not Dragonfly.

And the explosion hasn't changed from before.

Weird, my explosion looks different than before, and all I see in the selection of CL5 is DragonFly and Dragonfly....I see no Dragonfly bomber.:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[legacy-BloodShed]

Originally posted by Vash26
Weird, my explosion looks different than before, and all I see in the selection of CL5 is DragonFly and Dragonfly....I see no Dragonfly bomber.:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

same here and none of them works :cry: :cry:

[legacy-FizzyRB]

ut2004://62.212.74.122:7777

this is running there :)
great work, seems a little small though? :)

[legacy-7eVeN^]

Originally posted by FizzyRB
ut2004://62.212.74.122:7777

this is running there :)
great work, seems a little small though? :)

Great server to try out the little bastard :D

He is indeed pretty much off scale if u ask me, almost same size as the manta, but its hell of a fun to use that thing! Only too bad that the whole bomber idea is gone now, its a plane that launches grenades now, good job on the shield idea tho! keep it going :up:

[legacy-FizzyRB]

agreed, if i was coding this what i would personally do would mark the floor with a projector below the bomber with a red X or similar, and then have it drop a bomb when fire is clicked.. no aiming just look at the red cross it leaves below it on the floor

[legacy-kenji_britney]

Excellent bomber!!I've tried it and i think it's a bit on the extreme cheating side lol..:p It's like piloting the target painter's bomber.some ideas:if you could make it more manouvarable,it'll be unstoppable...lol.i'd like to see what happens.and also the sec fire,should make it like raptor's guided missiles or leviathan's missiles.other than that,it's lethal.had fun with it.good work and i hope to see more stuff from you.;)

[legacy-FireCrack]

woo page 4, not anymore

[legacy-Dracounus]

**** thats awsome

[BuffyTheSlayer]

since now ... and no screenshot ? :(
so here is :heart:
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3717/Dragon2.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/4316/Dragon1.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/953/Dragon5.jpg

[legacy-ChaoticSpear]

YaY! Screeny's! :noob: :) :noob: :) :noob: :) :noob:

[legacy-Death_wraith]

This is kinda dumb, but, how do i install this? I put both files in the system folder, but they don't show up! what am i doing wrong?

Thx

DW

[BuffyTheSlayer]

Originally posted by Death_wraith
This is kinda dumb, but, how do i install this? I put both files in the system folder, but they don't show up! what am i doing wrong?

Thx

DW

you look for name "Dragonfly Replacer" or
this is work with CL5-4 too so you can spawn any map too :heart:

[legacy-acc]

Every once in a while this gets revived :D
Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be updating it anymore. I just haven't been able to work out how some of the UScript works and I'm tied up in a couple other projects now that I should really be finishing.

[legacy-Death_wraith]

>>
you look for name "Dragonfly Replacer" or
this is work with CL5-4 too so you can spawn any map too

sorry this doesn't help! What is CL5-4?

So I put the files in the system dir, then what?

thx

[legacy-acc]

With the files in the UT2004/system directory, you then go into Instant Action and go to the Mutators tab. Here, look for "Dragonfly Replacer" and add it.
Then hit "configure mutators" to tweak its settings.

Start up a game of onslaught and the bomber should replace whatever you selected in the mutator settings.

[legacy-SirYawnalot]

It doesn't appear on the mutators selection for me. Same with Satore Monster Pack, perhaps the patch broke compatibility?

[legacy-acc]

Seems like you're right. After patching, it won't create it's own .ucl file like it used to.

So, you can get the .ucl here (http://www.lockepick.0catch.com/Dragonfly.ucl) (right-click, save target as...)

[legacy-TrialZero654]

i tried dling it and there was an error, it wont work.......:confused: :cry:

[legacy-Murphious]

Looking good!
Tell me though, are you going to do the world a favour and touch up the skin?
Nice work so far though!
Cheers!

[legacy-Alpha2003]

*authorized bump,this thread is linked in my faq guide, authorization granted by a mod*

[legacy-acc]

Ah yeah, forgot about this.
If you want to add the summon command it's: Dragonfly.NewBomber

[legacy-Slip777]

Summon command for regular bomber is: onslaughtfull.onsbomber
Its pretty easy to fly once you get the hang of it. You use mouse to steer and w to accelarate, I think the regular bomber is kinda more fun to fly, it might not be as easy to kill someone but its good for flying.

[legacy-Jandor]

Could you chuck a minimum speed on it so you cant hover around? make it so it dosn't keep going once you get out though.

ooh ooh, and make it bigger, it seems out of proportion at the moment, cool work :)

[legacy-MozTS]

The Dragonfly and the plane code is not unfunctional, it works exactly like it should as it does not have a rudder. Besides no rudder and high stall speed, the dragonfly is a really great flyer, you can do some intense rolls and loops in her, you just need to remember not to point the freaken noise straight up, 5-10 degree climb is pretty much max.

Anyway, if you want to know why the dragonfly doesn't work:



An unwanted side-effect of aileron operation is adverse yaw - a yawing moment in the opposite direction to the turn generated by the ailerons. In other words, using the ailerons to roll an aircraft to the right would produce a yawing motion to the left. The yaw occurs because the down-going aileron will, as well as increasing lift, increase drag. Conversely, the wing with the upgoing aileron will see a reduction in drag as well as the intended reduction in lift.

Adverse yaw can be countered with the aircraft's rudder (a co-ordinated turn), but can also be reduced with clever design. If the upgoing aileron moves further upwards than the downgoing aileron moves down, it will create extra profile drag on that wing and try to yaw the aircraft into the turn. This set-up is known as "differential aileron". Another solution is to use a "Frise aileron", where the up going aileron also projects a section downwards below the wing, again increasing drag on the inside of the turn.

The strafe keys don't do anything, why not make them control the rudder?

[legacy-Arcadia08]

Hey um gekko dude i was wonderin? i tried to go to your website for da dragonfly, But it said the page is not there. if its closed can u open it? Yo acc do u think if gekko cant open da website if u could open it on another website? One more thing Acc, if u make da conrols of da dragonfly like da "air power jets", my oppinion is to make da dragonfly controls like da raptor so u won't crash and blow up easier and u can aim better and shoot multiple bombs easier. P.S. send back to be a.s.a.p. thanks.:)

[legacy-Bobfungus]

I'm not entriely sure what the guy above said about air jets, but he's right about the hosting problem. I take it the hosting link just expired? I figure this is rpobably bumping a very old topic, but after flying the regular bomber for a bit, I agree that while it's fun to fly, it doesn't have much practical use and IMO it looks like you did a great job on this, so i hope you could get another link up and running.

[legacy-acc]

It is an old topic, but the links still work. You need to right click the links and save target as. Normal left clicking will give you a hotlinking error.

The controls are the same as the raptor except it strafes very slowly, accelerates slowly, and has greater inertia.

[legacy-Arcadia08]

Ok thanks acc i can fix da speed with "vehicles stuff" mutator.:) As for u Firecrack "spoon menace" is creepy:eek: and fake. i know they dont look like that from utencils.:sour:

[legacy-Arcadia08]

Acc i was wonderin, when i save "dragonfly as" where wiil it go?:confused: cause i right click and theres no extract button.:confused:

[legacy-acc]

Just put those files straight into your UT2004 System folder, no extraction needed,