I’ve been playing Checkers on CardGames.io, and I’ve noticed some players make perfect moves instantly, almost as if they’re using a bot or AI to assist them.
I understand that AI solvers for Checkers (like Chinook or web-based tools) require you to input the current board state before they return the optimal move. But this takes time — so how are these players seemingly:
Reading the board state immediately
Sending it to a solver
And executing the move without any delay
How could a player be getting AI solver moves so quickly?
For example, are they using browser extensions, scripts, or something else to automate the reading of the board and feeding it to an engine? How technically difficult would it be to pull off without the site detecting it?
Having cemented its place as one of this year’s breakout successes, indie game R.E.P.O., celebrated for its chaotic physics-based mechanics and the unpredictable (often comical) moments, is pushing the experience even further with the game’s first big update.
Available on Beta via Steam, this update debuts the ‘Overcharge’ feature, delivers a mass of bug fixes, along with a number of new items and weapons. Two of which are the ‘Cart Cannon’ and ‘Cart Laser’. The are heavy-duty weapons that can turn your cart from a simple floating basket to an armed tank ready to one-shot some of the game’s toughest enemies. They increase the firepower you and your team can use to protect yourselves while tending to your Semibot’s repossession duties.
Image via The Escapist
How to use the Cart Cannon and Cart Laser
Like all weapons and upgrades in R.E.P.O., the new cart weapons are found in the Service Station, which you arrive at after the successful completion of each level. Due to the prices of these new items, they may not be attainable until later levels after more money has been earned. As of now, both weapons appear in the store for anywhere between 40-50k.
Both the cannon and laser will automatically attach to the C.A.R.T. once lifted and placed inside. When it’s ready to go, the light will change from red to green. Placing the weapons at the far end of the cart allows your teammate to push you around while you keep an eye out for enemies.
The normal ‘E’ function is used to activate the items; however, each version of this superpowered weapon has a very different firing style, adding a unique twist to your combat strategy.
Cart Cannon
Image via The Escapist
When fully charged, the cannon can deliver up to four shots that deal 500 damage per hit. Incredibly, this is enough to take out the slow but tough Trudge, so it is important to make every shot count. It should be noted, however, that the cannon is so powerful that it has the ability to push the cart itself backwards. While this isn’t by much, using the Cart Cannon near a hole or on a ledge isn’t recommended. Your teammates probably don’t want to search for your head after you’ve saved the day.
Cart Laser
Image via The Escapist
When fully charged, the laser has four pulse beams which deliver 65 damage every second it fires. Aim and time it right, and this will be enough to take out the biggest enemies, despite it not being able to one-shot like the cannon. An advantage of the laser over the cannon is the wide breadth of damage it delivers. Like the Clown’s nose beam, you can manoeuvre the laser to hit many targets, opposed to the cannons’ very specific area. However, be cautious of your surroundings. You wouldn’t want to take out your team with a stray laser beam. Consider your playstyle and the situation you’re in to decide which weapon is best for you.
This recent update from Semiwork showcases that so much more is to come in R.E.P.O. If the newest weapons and level items are anything to go by, they have some large plans for the future.
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While I’ll allow for the possibility that I’m just no good at the game, first I need to make sure I’m not just doing something wrong.
Having tried 7-8 times, I have not been able to even come close to winning the first quest in the Core Set as a solo player. Most of my games I’m not able to get a single advancement token on the first stage. Playing as a single player with just three heroes, the numbers seem stacked against me to be able to effectively quest and still attack and defend that round. The enemies pile up, or the threat tracker gets to 50 after a few rounds of holding the monsters back, or I have no choice but to take undefended damage and lose my heroes. I’m all good with having a challenging game, but for a quest with a difficulty level 1, explicitly described as an “introductory scenario,” I have to wonder: is this meant to be played one player, with a single set of three heroes? It doesn’t seem possible to generate enough willpower, attack strength, or resources. The rulebook doesn’t address single player mode at all, so if not, what are the official solo play rules?
Update: Upon further research and playing, I think I can safely attribute most of my failures to an underestimation of the importance of traveling to and exploring locations. While still not a total breeze, it made threat level much more manageable.
I know that I cannot include Plains cards in the deck, but as Plains have color identity white, does that word appearing the card text prevent me from including Brokers Hideout in my deck?
702.29a Cycling is an activated ability that functions only while the card with cycling is in a player’s hand. “Cycling [cost]” means “[Cost], Discard this card: Draw a card.”
602.2. To activate an ability is to put it onto the stack and pay its costs, so that it will eventually resolve and have its effect. Only an object’s controller (or its owner, if it doesn’t have a controller) can activate its activated ability unless the object specifically says otherwise. Activating an ability follows the steps listed below, in order. If, at any point during the activation of an ability, a player is unable to comply with any of those steps, the activation is illegal; the game returns to the moment before that ability started to be activated (see rule 730, “Handling Illegal Actions”). Announcements and payments can’t be altered after they’ve been made.
Triggered abilities that trigger from cycling also go on the stack, on top of the cycling ability (because the process of activating cycling will have finished before the triggered ability is put on the stack).
603.3. Once an ability has triggered, its controller puts it on the stack as an object that’s not a card the next time a player would receive priority. See rule 117, “Timing and Priority.” The ability becomes the topmost object on the stack. It has the text of the ability that created it, and no other characteristics. It remains on the stack until it’s countered, it resolves, a rule causes it to be removed from the stack, or an effect moves it elsewhere.
117.3c If a player has priority when they cast a spell, activate an ability, or take a special action, that player receives priority afterward.
In Battlestar Galactica can a character use actions from cards while in the brig or is the sole action available to the character, during his turn, is to try to get out? Also can other action cards that have effects on rolling, crisis resolution, etc. be used? Thanks in advance for the help!
Published: May 17, 2025 07:43 am