I Found a HUGE Exploit

August 19, 2004 8:14 PM from

Excuse me if this has already been posted,

Just bought the game a few hours ago to test for my school's Poli-Sci dept. Patched to 1.01.

I just realized that when you move the vice presidential candidate (or a political operative) to a state, he increases support for the presidential candidate, just as he should. However, since he doesn't have stamina, you can move him around as much as you can afford to. However, when you move him WITHIN the same state, he'll raise the president's rating every single time.

For example, I was losing Florida by 12 points, then I grabbed my VP and shipped him over to FL for X number of dollars (it's almost negligable), then I just clicked him again and right clicked to ship him to the exact same spot. Click, right-click, repeat. Within a minute or two, I was dominating the state with a 30% swing in the polls.

Naturally, this simple exploit (letting a VP or Political Operative revisit the same state multiple times and get the benefits over and over again) is probably a painless fix, but enables players to win just about any campaign extremely easily.
Hopefully this can get fixed in the next patch. Do I get a free operative kit download?

Cheers, sorry for being the bearer of bug news, but I figured it was better to point out this exploit now than to let it hurt the realism of the game for others.

6,699 views 9 replies

Reply #1 August 19, 2004 8:17 PM from

PolMach Forums Top

I get the same thing, but the VP can't move when the Prez. candidate is out of stamina. Need to split it, perhaps, or give the VP one move per turn?

Reply #2 August 19, 2004 8:29 PM from

PolMach Forums Top

You're right.

Also, once awareness in a given state hits 100%, then this tactic no longer does anything (since what the VP and Operative do is add awareness). So it's most exploitable when pulled off early in the game, I'd imagine, and in states without established HQs, etc.

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.

Reply #3 August 19, 2004 9:05 PM from

PolMach Forums Top

Wiled, I think I will use this before we patch it.

Thanks for the heads up.

Reply #4 August 19, 2004 10:00 PM from

PolMach Forums Top

President Forever does the same thing...your VP candidate doesn't run out of what is called 'energy points'... My suggestion is to have your candidate take a break...and then have your V.P. candidate campaign in the same state...

Reply #5 August 19, 2004 10:05 PM from

PolMach Forums Top

I know this is a bug but it got me to wondering, does moving the candidate around in the same state increase awareness? If not I think it should, although it should cost you stamina, because candidates do often travel up and down a single state to gain support. I think the VP thing should work the same way but it should cost you stamina also.

Reply #6 August 20, 2004 2:56 AM from

PolMach Forums Top

BUMP to ensure that FrogBoy or another Stardock person sees this.

Reply #7 August 23, 2004 1:41 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

It has been noted. Thank you.

Reply #8 August 23, 2004 11:13 PM from

PolMach Forums Top

Is there anyway to stop this exploit? I am wondering because i would like to use this game in my classroom and i wouldn't want the students to cheat. Thanks.

Reply #9 August 24, 2004 3:21 PM from

PolMach Forums Top

BTW, this same exploit can be used with the political operative you get for a level 3 HQ.

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