Entrenchment for a new player, how it works and stuff

Help a n00b?

from Sins Forums

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this game. It should be arriving in the post tomorrow, and I've played enough on a mate's to know I really like the TEC (railguns + lasers = nice, I played on his savegame that had these Kol battleships and some funny fat things with autocannons, I ended up dishing out some pwnage to some pirate people during a few mins of play - rocked my sox).

I've read some posts on here that Entrenchment is actually a good idea for n00bs because it doesn't radically complicate the game, just adds more gubbinz. I like the look of the TEC Argonev thingy with it's lazorz.

I'm not sure how Impulse works, however. I bought the retail version of the game, apparently it doesn;t come with any copy protection when on disk and doesn't need impluse. Can I register that with Impulse, then pay for Entrenchment, then download it? Can I backup Entrenchment once that's done? Or is Impulse just a store thingy that I can buy a download off?

Is it just an executable I download, or is it updated into the game?

Does it just work like Steam where I register my copy?

Finally, can I play it offline? I'm not intending to do too much internet play until I've got the hang of the controls, so some skirmishes are in order (I want to try out these protoss people too, vasaris?), am wondering if it's got an offline mode like Steam?

Much obliged for any help offered

20,875 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

I'm not sure how Impulse works, however. I bought the retail version of the game, apparently it doesn;t come with any copy protection when on disk and doesn't need impluse.
End of quote

Whether you buy the retail box or download the game through Impulse, patching is still handled through Impulse.  So you'll need it to update.

Can I register that with Impulse, then pay for Entrenchment, then download it?
End of quote

Yes.

Can I backup Entrenchment once that's done? Or is Impulse just a store thingy that I can buy a download off?
End of quote

By right-clicking any installed game on Impulse, you can choose to archive it.  Usually a good thing to do before updating to a new patch in case something breaks or you still have old save games you want to finish.

Is it just an executable I download, or is it updated into the game?
End of quote

Impulse will help you install Sins 1.15 and Entrenchment separately so you can play either.  They will show up as two separate games in your start menu and Impulse.

Does it just work like Steam where I register my copy?
End of quote

Pretty close.  Nothing radically different.

Finally, can I play it offline?
End of quote

Impulse doesn't ever have to be running to play Sins or Entrenchment.  It's primarily for updating, creating archives, and purchasing other titles.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

whens a manual coming out of enchrement im coming up short figuring everything out

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting whepper, reply 2
whens a manual coming out of enchrement im coming up short figuring everything out
End of whepper's quote

It will probably have to be a fan made manual. If you have any specific questions I am sure one of us helpful people will be more than happy to answer questions for you.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Whether you buy the retail box or download the game through Impulse, patching is still handled through Impulse. So you'll need it to update.
End of quote

 

not entirely true.  SOASE had standalone patches up to 1.04 you can find these still spred across the net. after that the next major update was 1.1 stardock then decided to roll back into a DRM scheme dispite the inital hooplaa about stardock going non-DRM for SOASE.

 

thus any updates past 1.1 for SOASE require impulse to download and "install".  any  created archives will require impulse to un-archive.  It is unclear what happens when you create an archive in version 3.0 of impulse and some time later try to unarchive said archive with impulse 1.0.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Annatar11, reply 4
No, they are working on an official one. Meanwhile, check out this link to help out until the official one is ready:

https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/342092
End of Annatar11's quote

Figures that would pop up on the day I write a post like I did.

Silly me.

Excuse me, I must go place my foot in my mouth now.

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting schmism, reply 5

It is unclear what happens when you create an archive in version 3.0 of impulse and some time later try to unarchive said archive with impulse 1.0.
End of schmism's quote

Where would you find Impulse 1.0?

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Whether you buy the retail box or download the game through Impulse, patching is still handled through Impulse. So you'll need it to update.
End of quote

 

not entirely true.  SOASE had standalone patches up to 1.04 you can find these still spred across the net. after that the next major update was 1.1 stardock then decided to roll back into a DRM scheme dispite the inital hooplaa about stardock going non-DRM for SOASE.

 

thus any updates past 1.1 for SOASE require impulse to download and "install".  any  created archives will require impulse to un-archive.  It is unclear what happens when you create an archive in version 3.0 of impulse and some time later try to unarchive said archive with impulse 1.0.

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

not entirely true. SOASE had standalone patches up to 1.04 you can find these still spred across the net. after that the next major update was 1.1 stardock then decided to roll back into a DRM scheme dispite the inital hooplaa about stardock going non-DRM for SOASE.
End of quote

 

It really is helpful for people to know what they are talking about.  Impulse was the planned method of updating Sins from the get go, but alas it wasn't available yet.  So they released the first few patches stand alone.  Past that... there is no SuckRom, no ScrewForce attached to this game.  You can, in theory, just copy it to move it from one machine to another (I haven't tried that, mind you, but...)

 

Stardock doesn't use traditional DRM; what they have is very relaxed and is focused on "you can only get patches if you're legit".  Bad-ump-boomp.

 

Where would you find Impulse 1.0?
End of quote
You wouldn't.

 

 

Additionally, Stardock is working on creating a method whereby you can download files from a public computer, then unpack them on your home computer, without having to install anything on the public computer (probably by running the program via thumb drive).  I haven't heard anything on that in a while though.

Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top

Cheers peoples. I might as well just get Entrenchment when I install Sins, it seems to be getting some good reviews.

(Postman didn't deliver sins today, though, slackers.... :p )

Has anyone tried out the Argonev? Is it good? It reminds me of a Blackstone from WH40k...

 

 

Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

The Argonev is awesome. It can even self-destruct as it's about to die to nuke everything around :P