If you're using the vanilla windows Telnet client, then there should be a scroll bar at the right side fo the window. You can usually use this to go back a ways and look at text that has scrolled off the screen... Although I'm not really sure if text that has been erased by an ANSI "clear screen" command will be saved in the scrollback buffer. I use Procomm Plus for my OO][ sessions, and it has an excellent scrollback buffer. Other programs like ZapoComm or Radient's CommNet also have decent scrollback buffers. Of course, if you're using the OOTerm, I believe you're out of luck, as it has no scrollback buffer.

like the propeller. Is it a boat propeller? how the heck do you use that as a weapon

I always imagined it as an airplane propeller... y'know, the kind with two blades? and you would hold one end of it and use it like a club.... Not exactly my idea of an ideal weapon even then, but at least it would be plausible.
 :roll:

Once I discover the oracle monster on a particular level, and get my hands on a TriKorder, I can usually manage to track the oracle down once in a one-hour period. Since the game penalizes players for dying by lowering stats upon resurrection, I think oracle hunting is a necessary part of any realistic strategy for winning the game. Without the oracle, your character would not be able to handle the more powerful monsters on levels 4 and 5. If the oracle is made more difficult to find in future versions, then players will have to be awarded more stat points at each level-up to compensate, or the game will become too difficult to be enjoyable (unless you're a masochist).

This article is based on my own (somewhat limited) experience with this subject.  If anyone has any suggestions or corrections, by all means, speak up. Also welcome would be defensive strategies and suggestions on how to PROTECT your base from attack.

[Before you start]

Before you start

You must have the following items in place before you start your attack.
[list=1]

• Lots of Duroplast
• Hemp Rope
• MedPacks
• Vaccination for all diseases
• Silencer
• Radation Suit
[/list:o]
For a base with 100% shields, you will need up to 10 applications of duroplast, as each one does 10-15% damage to the base's shields when detonated. Sometimes you get a dud, so you may need even more. Duroplast can be purchased at the Complex, but it's fairly common on map levels 1-5 and I usually stockpile it as a matter of course once I have a base to stash it in. Duroplast coms in handy for taking out the prison gates on level 3, and can also be used do destroy useless junk in the wastelands (or stuff you can't carry but don't wish to leave lying around for someone else.) The hemp rope will come in handy if you get teleported to another level by the base's Zaxtron Accelerator defense. Note that the ZA can only teleport you within its own range. For example: if the base is on level 3, it can send you anywhere within its teleport radius on levels 2, 3, or 4. If you don't already have a base with a telepod on the level you get sent to, you can use the rope to climb back to where you need to be. If the base is protected by a spore sprayer, then it helps to be vaccinated: otherwise you'll be infected with some sort of nasty disease in addition to whatever HP damage the initial blast inflicts. The medpacks are so you can heal yourself after the defensive emplacement zaps you... Needless to say, you shouldn't attack a base unless you are at 100% health, as the base defenses will knock down your HPs by 50% or so. Silencer and rad-suit should be self explanatory. If you're focused on knocking out a base's shields, you probably don't want to waste a lot of time fighting mosnters on the trek back or having to make a detour to either the complex or one of your own bases for anti-rad treatment.

Stage one: Shields[/u]

A wise player will wait to build a base until he has enough crystals to fully upgrade the shields and add a defensive cannon, so most times when you attack a base, you will need to hit it with duroplast several times to knock down the shields, and each time you attack, you WILL get hit by the defensive cannon. If your target base doesn't have a Zaxtron Accelerator, you can stockpile some duroplast and extra medkits nearby before you start your attack and just go get more as you need them. Be sure to use your medpack after each attack, as the defensive weapon will inflict substantial damage. It also helps to be wearing armor. If the base has a ZA, you will be spending some additional time between attacks travelling back to start the next attack, as the ZA will teleport you away.

Stage two: Breaking in[/u]

Once the shields are down one of two things will happen:
[list=1]

• If the owner (or a squad member if it's a squadron base) is inside when the shields go down, s/he will attack you immediately. If you aren't prepared to take on whover comes out, you will have to run. If you flee, subsequent attempts to attack the base on the same day will fail automatically. The base's occupant will just chase you off without even giving you the option of fighting. In situations where there is more than one occupant of the base, you will (of course) be required to defeat ALL occupants before you can claim the base.
• If the base is unoccupied, you can simply stroll in once the defenses are disabled and take over.
[/list:o]

A few final notes

If all you want to do is destroy a base, it's much easier to just nuke it. Make a note of the base coordinates, then proceed to a missile silo on the same level with one or more floppy disks. Once you have the launch code, you can launch a missile at the sector the base occupies and destroy it. Naturally, evryone inside dies when this happens.
Don't start something you can't finish. Bases are expensive to build and most people select the location of their base carefully so thay can easily use telepods to travel between map levels. Attacking someone's base (especially if it's a squadron base that several players are using) is probably the best way to make long-term enemies. While there are situations in which taking someone's base may be necessary, if you're just trying to retaliate for something they did to you, it might be better to simply kill them or set booby traps (thumpers, landmines) instead. Taking someone's base sends the message that this is total war, and the response will likely be extreme.
:twisted:

Seems like we had similar ideas...
http://www.operationoverkill.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=162

...becuase Sweet Pea (who I assume you were referring to in your post) broke into my newly-constructed base on level 1, killed me, and then stole the base day before yesterday.
:evil:
Prior to that, another character, Exodus, had knocked out my shields and broke into the base, so I was wide open for Sweet Pea's attack. The most frustrating thing about it is that I was only a few crytals short of what I would have needed to install a Zaxtron accelerator. ARRRRRGH!
I'm all for a bit of stiff competition from time to time, but I didn't do anything to provoke that attack and if it's repeated, I may decide not to continue that game.
For the time being, I'll keep playing and just wait to see what happens. I've managed to track down the oracle TWICE in the past two days, and have recovered my position in the game somewhat. At least Sweet Pea didn't loot my corpse, so I still had my electric sword, rad suit, etc., and it won't take me TOO long to amass sufficient water crystals to build another base. I'm just pissed because that base was in a prime spot and now I'll have to find another space to build a level one base...hopefully in an area where it won't get raided again right off the bat.
:roll:

I've been playing a bit on Overkill HQ BBS lately (Journeyman level) but noticed there don't seem to be too many other active players at the moment. Anyone interested in joining me and maybe starting up a squadron, lemme know.