Cattleya
05-04-2007, 20:44
Gameplay Affecting Techniques [v2.0]
Note:For the sake of simplicity, I will simply refer to the "SPF trade pool" to indicate any items or characters that interact though trade, MP, giveaways, or tournaments for the rest of the post.
What are Gameplay Affecting Techniques?
For the purposes of this FAQ, a Gameplay Affecting Technique (GAT) is any process that alters the fundamental play of Diablo II. These include, but are not limited to the following:
Using a third party program to create characters or items.
Using methods or programs that allow you to change character attributes or skills without leveling inside the game.
Using game code modifications that alter the frequency or type of item drops or monsters.
What Catagories to GATs Fall Into?
The main categories that GATs fall into are as follows:
Third party programs that interact with characters and/or items.
Game mods
Command line edits like "-seed," "-act5," "-w."
In game commands like /players X and /nopickup.
What is the SPF Policy on GATs?
What you do on your own computer is your own business. However, if you want to interact with other members of the SPF through trade, MP, or giveaways, there are some basic standards you need to adhere to. We will discuss each of the categories above, and how they affect trade, MP, and giveaways.
Third party programs that interact with characters and/or items.
This catagory includes things like maphack and editors. These are not allowed into the SPF trade pool. Third party programs that do not interact with characters and items (such as Flavie) are fine. The two exceptions to this rule are ATMA and GoMule. These are both SP muling applications, and they do not include editing features.
Game mods
There are different categories of game mods, and the rules about mods are covered in more detail in The SPF, Game Mods, and You (Post #4.) Here is the summary:
Mods that affect drop probabilities and are compatible with unmodded D2 as well as mods that allow the reassignment of stat and skill points are not allowed in the SPF trade pool.
Transformation mods (such as Eastern Sun or Median) are fine, but they may not interact with the main Vanilla/RRM/RWM SPF trade pools.
The next category is the mods that are compatible with unmodded D2 which don't fit into the previous categories. Currently, only the RRM, RWM, and FE-mod are allowed from this category. (New mods are open to discussion according to the guidelines in The SPF, Game Mods, and You.) Using these mods will affect your trade and MP status. (See The SPF, Game Mods, and You, as well as the Single Player Trade Forum rules.) Please note that the FE mod never gained any real popularity, and using it will greatly limit your trade and MP options.
Command line edits
-act5
This command allows for the creation of a level 33 character at the beginning of act 5, with all skill and stat points unspent. Since this involves no effort on the part of the player, it is not considered an acceptable command to use, and is not permitted in the SPF trade pool.
-seed
Running the game with this command active messes with the games RNG, and can be abused to get desired drops. Using the seed command in this manner is not allowed in the SPF trade pool.[/indent]
However, it also allows for the recovery of maps if a player accidentally changes difficulties or joins a multiplayer game. The consensus of the SPF is that the -seed command can be used to recover a map, although some members find this practice distasteful. If you do this, be certain that you use the proper procedure. Failure to do so will cause problems with the RNG, and will cause any drops to not be considered legit. Someone had to delete a Stormlash due to accidentally misusing this command. To properly use the -seed command:
Start the game using the -seed command shortcut with the desired seed.
Once the game is loaded, immediately save and exit. You must exit entirely out of D2. [i]Do not play any characters when the game has been started from a shortcut that contains the -seed command.
Remove the -seed command from the shortcut.
Resume playing normally.
Under no circumstances should map seeds be shared with other forum members.
You should indicate that you use this command when you trade and MP. It can be listed in your trade profile.
-w, -ns
Commands that ease the workload on your CPU by running D2 in windowed mode or without sound are not considered GATs. Be aware that using a shortcut command to turn off the sound may cause the game to crash when loading the movies between acts. Running the -w command at the same time solves this problem, as the movies won't play in windowed mode.
Shortcut commands do not work on the mac, but mac users can toggle between windowed and full screen by pressing Command(Apple)-M while in game.
In game commands
In game commands are commands that are typed into the chat window. (You can bring up the chat window by hitting "Return" while in a game.) These include "/players X," "/fps," and "/nopickup." These are viewed as a part of the game by the SPF, and are allowed in the SPF trade pool. These do not need to be declared when you trade or MP.
What about bugged items and skills?
Bugged items and skills have existed in every version of the game. In 1.09, Eth runes were bugged, as were the skills that gave characters a chance at critical strikes. In 1.10, Marrowwalk boots have an exceptionally powerful bug for Necromancers. In 1.11, the cube recipe to socket armors is bugged to add the ethereal bonus twice when used on ethereal items. The SPF considers the use of such bugs/features as up to the individual player. However, if you are using known bugs like these, we ask that you be open about it; we won't condemn you, but those players who feel strongly about such things may not wish to trade with you.
Items that are bugged due to file corruption are not allowed in the SPF trade pool. These are items that cannot spawn normally in the game, such as magic boots with +200 damage.
ATMA Issues
ATMA is a program that does not directly affect gameplay. It allows for muling between single player characters, and is considered the best method of doing so (other methods do exist). It does not change the character, drops, or items, or any other facet of playing the game of Diablo II. What it does allow is quick and simple transferring of items between single-player characters, much like characters created on battle.net enjoy. Some players here reject ATMA as a non-legit way to play; others embrace it; and others limit their usage of it. ATMA is the primary vehicle through which trades on the SPF are managed.
There are a few issues that come up with ATMA that need to be considered.
ATMA can be used to "hot-mule." This refers to muling items off a character while that character is still in an active game, and has been primarily proposed as a means for enabling a single player character to deal with finding a second Gheed's Fortune charm during play so that both charms can be kept. The player would mule one charm off into their stash, and then return to the game, delete the charm just muled (as otherwise it would be a dupe), and continue playing. Consensus on this issue has not yet been reached.
ATMA can be used to "loot" a HC characters items (including the inventory, stash, and merc items.) This is not currently banned from the SPF trade pool, but if you do this, you need to declare it every time you trade, MP, or give away items.
ATMA can be used to move SC items to HC characters and HC items to SC characters. Many people do not like this practice at all. HC to SC transfers are a part of the SC trade pool, but you should let people know if you do this. SC to HC transfers are considered super cheesy, and will severely limit your trade and MP options. If you do this, you need to declare it every time you trade, MP, or give away items.
ATMA can be used to mule items from Expansion (Lord of Destruction) characters to Non-Expansion (Classic) characters. This is considered an abuse of ATMA, and is not allowed in the SPF trade pool.
History and Revisions
15-Feb-2008: v2.0 replace the original FAQ by Cauthon (http://forums.diabloii.net/showpost.php?p=1519560&postcount=1)
Note:For the sake of simplicity, I will simply refer to the "SPF trade pool" to indicate any items or characters that interact though trade, MP, giveaways, or tournaments for the rest of the post.
What are Gameplay Affecting Techniques?
For the purposes of this FAQ, a Gameplay Affecting Technique (GAT) is any process that alters the fundamental play of Diablo II. These include, but are not limited to the following:
Using a third party program to create characters or items.
Using methods or programs that allow you to change character attributes or skills without leveling inside the game.
Using game code modifications that alter the frequency or type of item drops or monsters.
What Catagories to GATs Fall Into?
The main categories that GATs fall into are as follows:
Third party programs that interact with characters and/or items.
Game mods
Command line edits like "-seed," "-act5," "-w."
In game commands like /players X and /nopickup.
What is the SPF Policy on GATs?
What you do on your own computer is your own business. However, if you want to interact with other members of the SPF through trade, MP, or giveaways, there are some basic standards you need to adhere to. We will discuss each of the categories above, and how they affect trade, MP, and giveaways.
Third party programs that interact with characters and/or items.
This catagory includes things like maphack and editors. These are not allowed into the SPF trade pool. Third party programs that do not interact with characters and items (such as Flavie) are fine. The two exceptions to this rule are ATMA and GoMule. These are both SP muling applications, and they do not include editing features.
Game mods
There are different categories of game mods, and the rules about mods are covered in more detail in The SPF, Game Mods, and You (Post #4.) Here is the summary:
Mods that affect drop probabilities and are compatible with unmodded D2 as well as mods that allow the reassignment of stat and skill points are not allowed in the SPF trade pool.
Transformation mods (such as Eastern Sun or Median) are fine, but they may not interact with the main Vanilla/RRM/RWM SPF trade pools.
The next category is the mods that are compatible with unmodded D2 which don't fit into the previous categories. Currently, only the RRM, RWM, and FE-mod are allowed from this category. (New mods are open to discussion according to the guidelines in The SPF, Game Mods, and You.) Using these mods will affect your trade and MP status. (See The SPF, Game Mods, and You, as well as the Single Player Trade Forum rules.) Please note that the FE mod never gained any real popularity, and using it will greatly limit your trade and MP options.
Command line edits
-act5
This command allows for the creation of a level 33 character at the beginning of act 5, with all skill and stat points unspent. Since this involves no effort on the part of the player, it is not considered an acceptable command to use, and is not permitted in the SPF trade pool.
-seed
Running the game with this command active messes with the games RNG, and can be abused to get desired drops. Using the seed command in this manner is not allowed in the SPF trade pool.[/indent]
However, it also allows for the recovery of maps if a player accidentally changes difficulties or joins a multiplayer game. The consensus of the SPF is that the -seed command can be used to recover a map, although some members find this practice distasteful. If you do this, be certain that you use the proper procedure. Failure to do so will cause problems with the RNG, and will cause any drops to not be considered legit. Someone had to delete a Stormlash due to accidentally misusing this command. To properly use the -seed command:
Start the game using the -seed command shortcut with the desired seed.
Once the game is loaded, immediately save and exit. You must exit entirely out of D2. [i]Do not play any characters when the game has been started from a shortcut that contains the -seed command.
Remove the -seed command from the shortcut.
Resume playing normally.
Under no circumstances should map seeds be shared with other forum members.
You should indicate that you use this command when you trade and MP. It can be listed in your trade profile.
-w, -ns
Commands that ease the workload on your CPU by running D2 in windowed mode or without sound are not considered GATs. Be aware that using a shortcut command to turn off the sound may cause the game to crash when loading the movies between acts. Running the -w command at the same time solves this problem, as the movies won't play in windowed mode.
Shortcut commands do not work on the mac, but mac users can toggle between windowed and full screen by pressing Command(Apple)-M while in game.
In game commands
In game commands are commands that are typed into the chat window. (You can bring up the chat window by hitting "Return" while in a game.) These include "/players X," "/fps," and "/nopickup." These are viewed as a part of the game by the SPF, and are allowed in the SPF trade pool. These do not need to be declared when you trade or MP.
What about bugged items and skills?
Bugged items and skills have existed in every version of the game. In 1.09, Eth runes were bugged, as were the skills that gave characters a chance at critical strikes. In 1.10, Marrowwalk boots have an exceptionally powerful bug for Necromancers. In 1.11, the cube recipe to socket armors is bugged to add the ethereal bonus twice when used on ethereal items. The SPF considers the use of such bugs/features as up to the individual player. However, if you are using known bugs like these, we ask that you be open about it; we won't condemn you, but those players who feel strongly about such things may not wish to trade with you.
Items that are bugged due to file corruption are not allowed in the SPF trade pool. These are items that cannot spawn normally in the game, such as magic boots with +200 damage.
ATMA Issues
ATMA is a program that does not directly affect gameplay. It allows for muling between single player characters, and is considered the best method of doing so (other methods do exist). It does not change the character, drops, or items, or any other facet of playing the game of Diablo II. What it does allow is quick and simple transferring of items between single-player characters, much like characters created on battle.net enjoy. Some players here reject ATMA as a non-legit way to play; others embrace it; and others limit their usage of it. ATMA is the primary vehicle through which trades on the SPF are managed.
There are a few issues that come up with ATMA that need to be considered.
ATMA can be used to "hot-mule." This refers to muling items off a character while that character is still in an active game, and has been primarily proposed as a means for enabling a single player character to deal with finding a second Gheed's Fortune charm during play so that both charms can be kept. The player would mule one charm off into their stash, and then return to the game, delete the charm just muled (as otherwise it would be a dupe), and continue playing. Consensus on this issue has not yet been reached.
ATMA can be used to "loot" a HC characters items (including the inventory, stash, and merc items.) This is not currently banned from the SPF trade pool, but if you do this, you need to declare it every time you trade, MP, or give away items.
ATMA can be used to move SC items to HC characters and HC items to SC characters. Many people do not like this practice at all. HC to SC transfers are a part of the SC trade pool, but you should let people know if you do this. SC to HC transfers are considered super cheesy, and will severely limit your trade and MP options. If you do this, you need to declare it every time you trade, MP, or give away items.
ATMA can be used to mule items from Expansion (Lord of Destruction) characters to Non-Expansion (Classic) characters. This is considered an abuse of ATMA, and is not allowed in the SPF trade pool.
History and Revisions
15-Feb-2008: v2.0 replace the original FAQ by Cauthon (http://forums.diabloii.net/showpost.php?p=1519560&postcount=1)