Improved alternative towing model for PHost

The standard formula of the current alternative towing model (Phost 3.2.3.4 and earlier) was not fully developed.
This page represents a suggestion of a new more reasonalbe towing model with slightly changed towing rules.
The improved alternative towing model is the outcome of a phost-dev mailing list discussion in july 2002.

The "old" regular equation is:
Tow Strength = ((EngineTechLevel)^2 * NumberOfEngines * WarpSpeed * GravFactor) * 163 + DistanceFactor

Two parts of current alternative formula appears not favorable:

1. Caused by the Factor * 163, the blue part of the formula runs up to 3 magnitudes higher than the DistanceFactor (coloured red). Consequently, the DistanceFactor is neglectable for most towing duels. Only in very special situations, i.e. when both ships have identical equipment, same number of engines and same WarpSpeeds the DistanceFactor has an impact. (Note: IMO, the Factor * 163 is one of the biggest disadvantages of the current equation.)
2. It is unclear how the DistanceFactor is defined and calculated.

The formula has been changed to:

Tow Strength = ((EngineTechLevel)^2 * NumberOfEngines * WarpSpeed * GravFactor) * TowStrengthEngineScale + MovingDistance * TowStrengthDistanceScale

TS = ((ETL)^2 * Numb * Warp * Grav) * TSES + MovDist * TSDS

1. The Factor * 163 has been splitted into two configurable parameters, the TowStrengthEngineScale (TSES) and TowStrengthDistanceScale (TSDS). Now a host has the possibility to influence directly the left or right part of the equation by setting higher or lower scales.
2. The DistanceFactor was renamed into MovingDistance. The MovingDistance is defined as:
   
   The MovingDistance is the distance that a tower + towee can truely move in one turn limited by
   - the set waypoint
   - max. distance of the warpspeed
   - fuel
   When a ship's waypoint set to zero (does not move) then the MovingDistance is zero.
   Important! The MovingDistance is calculated before movement happens. E.g. a mine hit can't be predicted. Therefore, it is irrelevant for the calculation.

Examples:
- a player set 73.4 LY and Warp 9 => MovingDistance is 73.4
- a player set 73.4 LY and Warp 8 => MovingDistance is 64  (= endpoint of the move, because WarpSpeed^2 limit)
- a player set 73.4 LY and Warp 9,, however the ship runs out of fuel after 56.4 LY => MovingDistance is 56.4 LY
- if two ships are towing a third ship, the one with the higher TowStrength wins.

Optional idea:
- if two ships of the same race toowing a foreign ship and having the same endpoint, WarpSpeed and MovingDistance, TowStrength will be summed up.
(Will not be implemented into the next Phost v3 release. Maybe in PHost v4.)

In the following you will find my recommended standard settings of the new alternative towing system for the standard and PLIST shiplist.
These settings are agreed to be used in PHOST 4.

Tim's Standard Shiplist or TLIST

recommended TSES = 1; TSDS = 24

• Ships with 2 top engines (LCC) can tow a not moving 4 engine ship (Nova, Instrumentality) or MBR
• ACC-ships like MBRs can tow all ships with 4 engines or less, MovDist irrelevant
• 6 engine ships not moving can be towed by 4 engine ships
• 6 engine ships can be towed by ACC-ship, if the MovDist selected far enough
• Not moving 8 engine ships can be towed by ACC-ship when its MovDist is >150.
• A moving 8 engine ships (> 9 LY) can't be towed by any ACC-ship
• High-tech engines have a significant impacted to resist a tow
• Low-tech engine ships can be towed easily

PLIST

recommended TSES = 1; TSDS = 12; examples from PLIST2.4

• Not moving one engine ships always can be towed by ships with more than 1 engine
• ships have one engine less than the towee must move nearly the full distance (> 75.0 LYs) to be successful
• 2 engine ship can't successfully tow a 4 engine ship, MovDist irrelevant
• Corsair (2 engine ACC-ship) is superior in towing 1-3 engine ships
• Corsair can tow 4 engine ship, if MovDist(Corsair) > MovDist(4 engine ship)
• Corsair can tow 5 engine ship, if MovDist(Corsair) > MovDist(5 engine ship) + 75
• Corsair can tow not moving 6 engine ships only moving the full distance (>150 LYs)
• Bucci can always tow 1-5 engine ships
• Bucci can tow 6 engine ship, if MovDist(Bucci) > MovDist(6 engine ship)
• Bucci can't tow a high-tech 9 engine ship (DeathStar)
• In dependence of the engine tech level Merlins can be towed out by all ships

I hope, I was able to convince you by my suggestions. If not, no problem ....
set up TSES = 163; TSDS = 1 and you can continue playing with the "old" alternative towing system.

For any question, please feel free to contact the Vagabund Team

Degi