View Full Version : The Pause Key
xtianity
10-28-2002, 18:42
Most of you are probably aware that by hitting the pause key you can stop the action and survey whats going on. I know after using it for a while that I couldn't win a battle without it but what do the rest of you think.
Do you use it? Good or bad idea?
Maelstrom
10-28-2002, 18:47
I use it constantly, but hate myself every time.... - I find I need the time to ensure that I can both find and select the right unit...
To 'compensate' I run all the battles on 100% acceleration (True!) http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif
Fearless
10-28-2002, 18:53
PAUSE!!!...........................no never! spoils the excitement of moving units at the same time as your enemy. If you cock up with bad manouvering tactics hard luck!!
Imagine Henry V at agincourt shouting.............."Hang on chaps... I think I've got you pointing the wrong way. Hurry round and face the french.
Decent chaps those frenchies they stopped mid charge for me..might as well make the most of it and have a cuppa tea!"
TenkiSoratoti
10-28-2002, 18:59
pause button pause button!!!!!with all the time with shogun and MTW i never knew there was a pause button!!!!
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"The good fighters of the old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an oppurtunity to defeat the enemy."
Wildthing
10-28-2002, 19:00
I use all the time. Not for the big decisions but for micro-management. In reality each unit would have an own commander handling this stuff (get the units in straight lines etc) so I think its ok.
Prodigal
10-28-2002, 19:05
It isn't really needed unless you're playing @ speed.
BUT, I confess I have used it on occasion, usually to figure out where the high explosive, laser guided rocks were coming from, or which of the mass of combatants were the one throwing grenades.
i use it. i "read" the battle when i am use pause. i just cannot see everything with my 800x600 screen. or for giving multiple commands at the same time.
in realtime you would be able to make sure 2 or 3 of your assault units hit the enemy at the same time. with all the mouse clicks that couldnt be done.
Maelstrom
10-28-2002, 19:21
Quote Originally posted by Fearless:
Imagine Henry V at agincourt shouting.............."Hang on chaps... I think I've got you pointing the wrong way. Hurry round and face the french.
Decent chaps those frenchies they stopped mid charge for me..might as well make the most of it and have a cuppa tea!"[/QUOTE]
- nice image! http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif
But I do use it for that too....
Well some of those battles can go on for ages! - You can't expect a chap to take Constantinople without the odd brew to stiffen the resolve...
I use it constantly, because I play with acceleration a lot
so it's accellerate 100%, pause, accelerate, pause, etc.
Even very large battles last 5 mn at the most. Why? because I have a girlfriend...
Fearless
10-28-2002, 19:49
Now there's a good use for the pause button from Maelstrom.............stop and make a cuppa and a sandwich. God damnit! when faced with several thousand enemy coming in at all angles what any decent general would require is a little break. Cuppa, sandwich, forty winks a little read of "The Art of War" then back to the slaughter..................makes sense!!
Maelstrom
10-28-2002, 19:50
Quote Originally posted by maroule:
I use it constantly, because I play with acceleration a lot
so it's accellerate 100%, pause, accelerate, pause, etc.
Even very large battles last 5 mn at the most. Why? because I have a girlfriend...[/QUOTE]
I use an identical approach, but even with 100% acceleration a reasonable size battle can still take 20-30 minutes to play out - especially if you are outnumbered and defending.
And when most of your empire has just staged a simultaneous rebellion (I have 15 provinces under attack at the moment), you are looking at 5-6 hours to get through all of these.
Given that I have only managed to get the bettle maps stable recently, that turned out to be 3 weeks of real time.
Sorry - drifted off topic....
Hosakawa Tito
10-28-2002, 20:17
If you want to play multiplayer games, try to wean yourself off the pause button because there is no pause during a multiplayer game. I mashed the hell out of the pause button my first few multi battles, while my opponent merrily rolled over me with his warrior monks in STW. If your just going tp play sp games then do whatever you want.
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Diplomacy is the art of telling someone to go to hell so that they look forward to making the trip.
I agree with Hosakawa Tito.
If you get used to using the Pause key, you will be punished in multiplayer.
I only use the Pause key if I need the toilet desperately in the middle of a big battle.
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It's getting warm in here...that must be one hell of an INFERNO!
TenkiSoratoti
10-28-2002, 20:56
Quote Originally posted by Hosakawa Tito:
my opponent merrily rolled over me with his warrior monks in STW.
[/QUOTE]
Baaah worrior monks are pooh.
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"The good fighters of the old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an oppurtunity to defeat the enemy."
Quote Originally posted by Inferno:
If you get used to using the Pause key, you will be punished in multiplayer.
[/QUOTE]
between two pauses, I play with high acceleration, so that playing at normal speed in MP seems very slow to me. I have matrix type speed bursts....
I catch arrows in flight, too.
Maelstrom
10-28-2002, 21:08
Quote Originally posted by maroule:
I catch arrows in flight, too.
[/QUOTE]
That's no big deal - Harold did the same thing at Hastings.... http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif
A.Saturnus
10-28-2002, 21:26
Quote That's no big deal - Harold did the same thing at Hastings.... [/QUOTE]
rofl
Quote Imagine Henry V at agincourt shouting.............."Hang on chaps... I think I've got you pointing the wrong way. Hurry round and face the french.
Decent chaps those frenchies they stopped mid charge for me..might as well make the most of it and have a cuppa tea!"[/QUOTE]
yes, but he didn`t have to use a mouse. Often enough I try to click on a unit and instead I order another unit to move cross the whole field. Henry never had to say "No, I didn`t mean YOU to come over here, I wanted to give that other ones an order!!"
In that case I use pause, but else, I try not.
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In the name of electricity: CHARGE!!!
As the AI micromanages every unit simultaneously, I don't feel I'm cheating by pausing and doing the same thing! http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif
My first MP game was a case of complete disorganised mayhem as a result of being overly used to pausing - but now I know what to expect, I won't be trying the same tactics as I use in SP! http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif
yea, the computer move all units at the same time so its no cheating to pause a big battle.
xtianity
10-28-2002, 23:38
Yeah one justification for suing pause is that a computer doesen't actually tink. It has a variety of prescribed methods of dealing with a situation. Humans make decisions, much like playing chess a computer will make its move instantly whereas a human must think. However the thought process means the human will always be able to think of one more wya of getting out.
Sword_Monkey
10-28-2002, 23:51
Use it constantly and never even start to consider it as cheating or anything else. I'm not playing this game to have a click fest test of my reaction speed. I'm playing to relax and kill time. Plus, on top of that, my comp and card are not up to scrolling around the battlefield in the midst of action, mousing selections, and drawing out formations. I do almost everything while paused and then sit back to enjoy the carnage I have mapped out.
Michael the Great
10-29-2002, 01:03
Quote Originally posted by Rnold:
i use it. i "read" the battle when i am use pause. i just cannot see everything with my 800x600 screen. or for giving multiple commands at the same time.
in realtime you would be able to make sure 2 or 3 of your assault units hit the enemy at the same time. with all the mouse clicks that couldnt be done.[/QUOTE]
Go over 2 the STW Academy were you'll be shown how 2 do this.(great site!!!!!)
DthB4Dishonour
10-29-2002, 01:19
I agree with Hosakawa Tito,
I never even knew there was a pause botton. However if you depend on this in SP you can handicap yourself in MP.
RTK7Paul
Quote Originally posted by DthB4Dishonour:
However if you depend on this in SP you can handicap yourself in MP.
RTK7Paul[/QUOTE]
Yeah... hahahaha... I played a little MP in STW, then there was a long wait for MTW and I played SP for a while before venturing into MP again.
I got kicked quite badly around at first because I instinctively pressed 'p' when it got rough. http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif
I still happen to do it once in a while, but I don't get fooled by it anymore, I just curse myself for having done it and plays on.
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BTW, Danish Crusades are true to history.
You may not care about war, but war cares about you!
ToranagaSama
10-29-2002, 06:14
PAUSE is for wimps!!
I'm taking names and making notes, for the day Campaign Multiplay is implemented.
Man, am I gonna have fun!!
Pause key is great for when your 2 year old pulls out your mouse.
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Don't be in a rush to die!!
Thane Talain MacDonald
10-30-2002, 08:21
The pause key is there for a reason. Sandwiches.
Oddly enough last time I got a sandwich while playing I left it running because I forgot about being able to pause http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif
TheViking
10-30-2002, 08:48
I think most SP´s use it and the MP´s have learned not to use it.
IMO its cheating.
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There I see my father.
There I see my mother, my sisters and brothers.
There I see my line of ancestors back to the beginning.
They call on me and ask me to take my place with them in the halls of Valhalla where the brave may live forever.
daShibmiester
10-30-2002, 09:24
Its cheating
the only reason for pause is to eat
yummmmmmmmm, food
daShibmiester
10-30-2002, 09:27
Its cheating
the only reason for pause is to eat
yummmmmmmmm, food
Do not complain that the AI is crap if you pause the game.
Mori Gabriel Syme
10-30-2002, 20:47
I use the "pause" function from neccessity. In large battles, my mouse cursor does not move smoothly; it jumps. I can't reliably click on anything without pausing the action. I try not to use it to much, & upgrading not to long from now should help.
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Others enslave by victory,
Their subjects, as their foes, oppress;
Anna conquers but to free,
And governs but to bless. -- Edmund Smith (Anna stands for England)
i usually use the pause button when i want to get something to eat or drink, but wouldn't really consider it cheating.
I don't like to make too many adjustments during a battle, because a battle is supposed to be chaotic. They should be able to take care of themselves to a certain degree. If I see a horse unit being wiped out I don't respond immediately. I might send some reinforcements in that direction, but if they arrive too late and that is just how it is.
mind you I did lose several battles because of this 'lazy' approach, but it is all part of the fun, seeing your own army being decimated.
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http://members.truepath.com/sapphoo/horse.gif
Cardinal
10-30-2002, 20:55
Bad idea.
Pause button only to be used before visits to the toilette.
A.Saturnus
10-30-2002, 21:30
It would be good when the units would do bit more out of there own. Some spearmen that stand alone on the field without order could really turn when a enemy charges their flank. It would be a good feeling if I hadn`t to do everything. Of course these initiatives of single units don`t have to be the right thing to do.
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In the name of electricity: CHARGE!!!
chunkynut
10-30-2002, 21:52
I dont know if this has been said because im at work and have only breifly read the posts but, the AI can instantiously move all 16 units anywhere, change formation, change direction, change orders(hold formation etc), etc, etc all at one instant (if it chooses to).
So why cant we (morally) do it?
(Im just adding another side to the argument that i haven't seen and want to know your response so don't slam me please http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif )
MizuKokami
10-30-2002, 23:08
one part of pause is fair. the computer can react instantly no matter how chaotic things get, which is pretty unreal. that's kinda like haveing 16 veiws all at once, and being able to keep up with all those veiws, as well as an additional over view that allows it to remember terrain and see behind it, to the sides...etc. so useing pause is like giveing yourself the same abilities as the computer to keep track of more things at once.
TheViking
10-31-2002, 02:06
Try to remember where u send ur units. Use group button if u wanna move several units at the same time.
This is how i use to do.
The front line:
2 left flankers group them. first select the left then the rite unit then group and the left of the grouped unit will also b the left pic. Hope u understood that.
4-5 center units group them. Start to select the left unit and then the rest and the pics to the will be the left unit
2 rite flankers group them. Do the same as explained above.
Shooters.
I use to have 6 units.
first 3 units after the front line and 3 units behind that. group them as i explained above, start select the left unit....
behind them the gen and a reserv unit if i only have 4 center units.
NOTE: I only use this tactic for SP when I have full stacks ofcuz and enuff of shooters
its never hard to remember where the units are. And be everywhere on the field. Look at 1 unit for maybe 3-5 seconds then click on a new unit and look at that for 3-5 sec just to c how its going for them. Always look at map at the same time and u notice where they are
NOTE: This I always do
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There I see my father.
There I see my mother, my sisters and brothers.
There I see my line of ancestors back to the beginning.
They call on me and ask me to take my place with them in the halls of Valhalla where the brave may live forever.
solypsist
10-31-2002, 02:36
I always use pause. Religiously. I also, like others, play the game at 100% rate/speed. The pause is the only way to keep from being overwhelmed by playing large battle after large battle, several in a row, during the SP campaign.
LordKhaine
10-31-2002, 03:23
I dont pause to figure out tactics... I pause to set my troops.
Theres noway you can move 12+ units into a certain formation without the pause button. Before the forces meet I *always* pause and asign the movement for all troops so they move as one. It looks cool and it avoids your army marching in total chaos.
Once battle starts for real... I only pause when I want to move several units at once. In real life its not hard to order 3 units to charge forward against opposite units at once... in mtw its impossible without pausing.
Quote Originally posted by solypsist:
I always use pause. Religiously. I also, like others, play the game at 100% rate/speed. The pause is the only way to keep from being overwhelmed by playing large battle after large battle, several in a row, during the SP campaign.[/QUOTE]
Do those who play with the full acceleration find that the speed takes some of the fun out of watching the action?
solypsist
10-31-2002, 03:54
nope.
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