Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Common

Known compatibility issues

Plugin Manager is not compatible.
Lucike's script library overwrites a few key LU references.
Do not install the Bonus Pack.
Litcube does not support any install that is not LUV (Litcube's Universe Vanilla)

My game crashes when I eject

Set your texture settings to high.

How do I patch?

Read the [Installation Installation] instructions.

What do the installers delete?

The base install comes in two parts, both will wipe certain X3/addon directories clean:

Base install wipes X3\addon\loadscr
Base install wipes X3\addon\scripts
Soundtrack install wipes X3\soundtrack

Patches don't clean anything.

Is XYZ mod compatible with LU?

I don't know. I only wrote LU, I didn't write any of the other mods, so I can't help you there.

Can you make XYZ feature available as a standalone?

I would rather insert a catheter. Into myself.

What wares do I need installed to enable XYZ command?

Check the encyclopedia under [Feature_Encyclopedia_Update Software and equipment commands].

Where do I find XYZ ware? I Searched everywhere.

Sure you did. [Feature_Trade_Product_Search Trade Product Search]

How the fuck do you get the Rainmeter skin to work?

Tahlmorra put together this awesome guide on how to get the skin working: Tahlmorra's LU Rainmeter Guide Also, see: [Feature_Dashboards].

Where can I find a non-exe download?

There is no non-exe download for LU due to the fact that the installer modifies vanilla files during installation. Installing to another location and manually copying files over will result in a broken install. A more detailed explanation can be found here.

I think I found a bug. How do I report it?

Due to the number of wild goose chases related to script incompatibilities, the LU team is no longer accepting bug reports for issues observed in games not running LU vanilla. While scripts and mods specifically designed to work with LU should be ok, I can't understand the environment they create most of the time, so I can't look into your bugs. If you can reproduce your issue in a vanilla LU install (otherwise known as LUV), we'll be happy to take a look at it for you. I will not answer your bug reports or questions if you don't provide the following information:

LU version
Installed mods

The more information you can provide, the easier it will be to isolate and fix the issue. As such, please consider including the following in your reports:

Screenshots of the bug occurring
A savegame of the bug occurring or with detailed instructions on how to reproduce the bug
A detailed description of the circumstances where you encountered the bug, including
- Sector
- Ships/Stations involved
- Commands running on said ships/stations
- Any actions you took leading up to the issue
- Any additional scripts/mods you have installed
- Anything else that may be relevant

Post reports to this thread.

I have a suggestion. What should consider before posting?

Before posting a suggestion in the thread, please ask yourself the following:

Does my suggestion fit within the design philosophy of the mod?

- LU was designed around several core principles. The most important of these are improved performance, benefits carry associated costs, and heterogeneity in ship capabilities.

Has my suggestion been made before?

- Check Litcube's List to see if your suggestion has been made before and whether it has been Accepted/Rejected.

Comparisons

Compare to the vanilla game.

OK. You'll recognize very little from the vanilla game.

Compare X Rebalanced Mod to LU

It's just different. Personally, I think XRM is a fantastic mod, and Paul has been very successful implementing his vision of the game.

How does Out-Of-Sector (OOS) combat compare to vanilla?

OOS combat is the same as the latest patched vanilla. I find it to be a reasonable facsimile of IS combat.

How does In-Sector (IS) combat compare to vanilla?

You'll find the IS battles in LU to be "bigger". The fights last longer, especially between larger ships, and there's usually more ships involved. You could be minding your own business in a sector, and a pirate patrol of an M7, a few M6, and a giant wing of fighters wants your cargo. So be aware of that.

How does race rep compare to vanilla?

Station granted missions have lower rep rewards than vanilla.

How does the Stock Exchange compare to vanilla?

I also wrote a [Feature_Stock_Exchange stock exchange] from scratch. It uses the current stock exchange stations to unlock them, much like vanilla. It's [Feature_Hotkeys hotkey] operated. One thing I found during the late game, is that I was going through billions of credits. My system was so automated, that I didn't realize it, but as I'd jump in to fight off an OCV invasion, I'd lose hundreds of fully equipped fighters, vanguard M6s, etc. They would auto re-populate from the [Feature_MLCC MMLC] settings, but I'd still need to provide the resources for it. My job became an empire manager. So, yes, you can rake in huge credits from the new stock exchange, but a) it requires serious investment, and b) you'll never run out of uses for those credits.

I am new-ish to the X-verse. Will I be able to handle LU?

Maybe. Letting your game SETA overnight while your two UTs make money is unlikely a viable strategy now. It's meant to be an epic campaign, so you're not going to lose in the span of a few days.

Can you lose the game in LU?

Yes. Winning takes some skill and planning, over a long period of time. Strategy is much more important than it is in the vanilla game.

I'm worried about OCV and Phanon expansion

It's not a huge panic race against time, but there is a slight sense of urgency. You'll get messages time to time to let you know what's happening in the Universe. However, running SETA run overnight to have your 1 UT gain you millions probably isn't a good idea.

Traders

How about Universe Traders? Are they better than vanilla UT's?

Universe Traders (UTs) will not jump into sectors where you have an enemy on scanner. So satellites are your friends. Another thing to note, trade can't happen for the player unless there's property present in the sector. In LU, it works the same for your AI ships. A lot of the script commands have been implemented to reflect this. I've added script flags of [respect PPP] which basically means, respect the Player Property Present rule when searching for objects or trades. If a UT finds an enemy where there is a lucrative trade deal, it will ignore it, but log it with the Complaint Department (Managed by Helen Wayte). You can view trader complaints in the player menu ([Feature_Hotkeys hotkey] accessible). It will let you know here the threat is, and why it's ignoring that sweat deal. Not only UTs will do this, but also Station Agents, Vend traders, Dock Agents, or any other trader you have for AI. They all use the same system. For example, if you have no assets in Argon Prime, then none of your traders will search there for deals or treat it as a viable trading opportunity. You can't "log into the trading network" when there's no property in the sector. It's been that way since X2 for the player. It was only the invention of the UT script that broke a bunch of rules.

Where is a good place to train Universe Traders?

Blue Storm
Creditania
Far Point
Scion Fire
Overmasters
Empire's Edge

UTs don't seem to trade

Nothing that you own will trade without Player Property Present (PPP) in the sector.

Is there an easy way to develop a satellite network?

Explorer Command Software can be installed on a ship. It allows for the command "Deploy Satellites". There's a bunch of options for it. A single, a box, pick up at home, etc. etc. However, it can be costly, those satellites. So you'll have to have some capital handy, or an income.

Speaking of Explorers, what is the option "Remember last position?" in the Explorer menu?

If "Remember last position" is ON, the explorer will go back to the last place he dropped a sat to search for the closest unplaced sat from wherever he is when he just finished what he's doing (placed a sat, bought sats). If remember last position is OFF, he will search for closest unplaced sat from wherever he is when he just finished what he's doing (placed a sat, bought sats) Whether to turn it ON or OFF depends on circumstances. If I'm trying to concentrate on an area, for example, I need Spectre missiles, and I need that Terran space laid, I'll fly a few to Mars and then I'd turn it on. Because if they have to fly to Teladi space (once they run out of sats) to pick up sats, I want them coming back to Mars to keep laying sats.

Early-Game

I have several UT's, but I am chronically broke. I never have any cash on hand. What to do?

Be smarter.

What "hidden costs" should I watch for?

Explorers laying a satellite network burn up a lot of cash quickly. Very quickly.

Is there any way that I can improve UT effectiveness?

Equip your UTs with [Feature_Jumpgate_Quantifier Jump Drive Quantifiers]. Set their Autojump minimum range to 0. They will make about half of their trades in half the time. So like a 25% increase in credits-per-hour.

What is the best way to find abandoned ships in LU?

Bailed ships don't randomly spawn. If you place satellites in a sector, you'll have a better chance to spot them. There's also a [Feature_Hotkeys hotkey] that can auto target abandoned ships but only if it's within scanner range of any of your property.

OCV (Revelations) Q&A

Does killing an OCV enemy hurt them realistically (financially) like in Phanon corp? If I take back a sector, do they lose resources?

Yes. They produce resources in the OCV's home sector of which there is one. The resources are produced at a steady tick. Each sector that the OCV takes over builds a single station near the centre of that sector. That station needs resources to build ships, and thusly invade other neighbouring sectors. To get those resources, 4 M4 fighters (per OCV occupied sector) are used to ferry resources from the nearest OCV station that has some available. In early OCV life, this will usually be the OCV home world. These M4 freighters belong to, and only work for, their OCV home base sector station. These resources are spent to produce ships. At a certain ship/resource ceiling is hit in the sector, the OCV try to invade/spread.

Are the OCV enemies different than other enemies?

Yeah. You'll notice that the OCV ships can't be found anywhere else in the universe. They're special. They are significantly tougher than other ships of their class.

Can the OCV be stopped?

Yes. Taking all OCV sectors (this does NOT include vanilla Xenon sectors) will stop the OCV.

What happens if I take the OCV homeworld?

There's only one station that produces the resources required for the OCV to produce ships, and thus spread. That's the homeworld of the OCV. If the homeworld is destroyed, then a new one will emerge from any of the sectors to OCV has.

Can you "cut off" the OCV supply line by flanking it and taking back sectors away from the front lines, so that supply never reaches new sectors?

You'd have incursions from both sides, unless you cut off the supply of resources from the homeworld. That would effectively halt their production beyond that point. Each sector uses 4 M4 ships to ferry resources from the OCV homeworld sector to the ships home sector station. So all these M4s are flying to the homeworld constantly to pick up resources and bring them back to their sector so they can expand.

Did you ever fix the thing where the OCV can't spread past Unknown or Xenon sectors?

Yes.