Homeworld2 v1.2 Modernized

The v1.2 Modernized mod is the second incarnation of the v1.2 Community Patch that was first released in 2006. v1.2 Modernized is not a total overhaul of the base game. It is a basic mod that aims to preserve the  experience of vanilla Homeworld2 while a minimum changes that alter its balancing, mainly focusing on the implementation of new graphical effects, HODs, sound effects and attack scripts developed for and utilized in the Tactical Fleet Simulator (TFS) total overhaul mod. This mod incorporates several new features, including some new game modes from the Homeworld2 modding community, new maps, and a single new Bomber unit for both races - which can be disabled in the game setup if one desires to play using the traditional ship roster.

While the mod was designed with PvP multi-player in mind, it will work with the single-player campaign.

v1.2 Modernized is being built from scratch independently of the original v1.2 Community Patch (v1.2.16 and earlier).

The following is list of changes and additions included in the 1.2.17 build:

Cosmetic Changes

• Missiles and Torpedoes will spawn a detonation effect when their lifetime reaches zero.
• Torpedo and Cluster Torpedo velocity has been increased to 320m/s (lifetime decreased to keep max range proportional to range in v1.1).
• Fusion missile velocity has been increased to 400m/s (lifetime decreased to keep max range proportional to range in v1.1).
• Kinetic autocannon effect uses smaller bullets for interceptors and hull defenses.
• Hull defense guns for the Shipyards, Carriers, Motherships and Mobile Refineries have a rapid-fire effect. Their effectiveness is unaffected and they have the same performance as in v1.1.
• Strikecraft will display smoke trails when they reach 50% health. Strikecraft that are critically damaged will puff fire rearward along with the smoke.
• Frequency of "deathrail" death effect for fighters has been increased between 25-50%; a larger deathrail effect has been added for corvettes.
• Assault Craft and Interceptor squadrons will split into subgroups of two and dogfight with each other.
• Plasma bombs, EMP bombs and small kinetic shells used by Gun platforms and the Assault Frigate have added trail effects.
• Laser Corvette laser effect has been replaced by a new, larger laser FX.
• Trails for fighters and corvettes have been reduced to 75% their original length.
• Frigates and Capital Ships (excluding Hiigaran Battlecruisers) will be able to bank at up to 90 degrees and pitch at 90 degree angles.
• Destroyer cannons will have a 25% higher rate of fire but have their damage per shot proportionally decreased.
• Hiigaran Gunships, Interceptors, Scouts, Gun Platforms and Vaygr Assault Craft, Gun Platform and Scout guns have twice the rate of fire but their damage has been proportionally decreased by 50%.
• Vaygr Battlecruiser fusion missiles have a larger explosion effect indicative of their larger warhead yields. Missile launches will now properly display steam FX for all eight missiles. A new fire SFX for the Trinity cannon has been used to replace the standard kinetic shell SFX used for the Trinity cannon in v1.1.
• Hiigaran Battlecruiser ion cannon turret model has been replaced with an updated model.

Additions and New Content

• Strategic Bombers have been added to the Vaygr and Hiigaran build lists: they come armed with long-range fusion missiles and torpedoes. Strategic Bombers have a long reload time (45 seconds), a high build cost (750 RU), 4 units per squadron, and a low maximum speed (240m/s by default).
• Short-range missile launchers have been added to the Assault Craft and Interceptor. The missiles have a short range, weak warheads, low lifespan, and will only target other strikecraft.
• Scouts have EMP launcher pods modeled and mounted to their undersides.
• Vaygr Command Corvettes have a sensor ping ability upgrade.
• New or altered effects for small kinetic shells, rapid firing cannons, laser corvette laser pulses, SRM exhaust and plasma bombs.
• New game options: optional starting fleets (Default, Tactical, Dual Carrier, Shipyard), AI build aids option to enhance CPU player performance, new starting resource options.
• Eight maps from TFS have been included: 2P Enclosure, 4P Enclosure Double, 6P Radiation Belt, 6P Staged Assault, 6P Stagflation, 6P Tactical Revolution, 6P Vanguard and 6P Tanis Wreckage.

Re-balances and Alterations

• Lance Fighter plasma lance rate recharge rate has been decreased from 3 seconds to 2 seconds.
• Lance Fighter plasma lance has a 2x damage multiplier against platforms and resource collectors, making it more versatile and giving it two new additional roles.
• Heavy Missile Frigate weapon range slightly increased from 3500m to 4000m.
• Bomber health has been increased from 30 to 40 per individual bomber.
• All strikecraft weapons have had their range slightly increased by 400m.
• Hiigaran Gunship accuracy against fighters has been slightly increased (0.13 to 0.16).
• The lifespan of mines has been increased from 200 to 2000 seconds.
• Vaygr Command Corvette armor has been increased from 600 to 800.
• Vaygr Assault Frigate concussion missile range has been increased from 2000 to 2500m; accuracy of turrets has been decreased very slightly to compensate.
• The single player campaign unit cap now allows for deployment of up to 3 Battlecruisers (versus only 2 in v1.1).
• The "kick player" notice and option pop-up menu has been removed.

Additional Credits:
Battlecry, lead developer of the Tactical Fleet Simulator (TFS) modification.
-Mikail: Defined Rules game mode and Survivor game mode.
-IcePirate: MP Risk and MP Strikers game modes.
-Axel: Battlecruiser Ion Cannon Turret