Any point in multiple DataLeech?

[NekrosStratia]

So, I've been using Stealth for a while since it's a quite easy way to farm up the required cash/bcoins (Though I know it won't last as I get higher up)

Anyway...

I don't see a point to placing multiple leeches on to a single target?

If each dataleech costs X visibility, but each additional data leech only downloads multiplicatively faster, than wouldn't having a single leech be the most efficient? Is there something I'm missing?

[MiloDiazzo]

So, I've been using Stealth for a while since it's a quite easy way to farm up the required cash/bcoins (Though I know it won't last as I get higher up)

Anyway...

I don't see a point to placing multiple leeches on to a single target?

If each dataleech costs X visibility, but each additional data leech only downloads multiplicatively faster, than wouldn't having a single leech be the most efficient? Is there something I'm missing?

If you don't plan to put down any more access, you can add more leeches no problem...

[Luminaar]

If each dataleech costs X visibility, but each additional data leech only downloads multiplicatively faster, than wouldn't having a single leech be the most efficient? Is there something I'm missing?

There are a few cases where multiple Leeches would be better, the main deciding factor being "if you're running out of available time". In general though, 1 Leech will usually be most efficient.

[NekrosStratia]

If each dataleech costs X visibility, but each additional data leech only downloads multiplicatively faster, than wouldn't having a single leech be the most efficient? Is there something I'm missing?

There are a few cases where multiple Leeches would be better, the main deciding factor being "if you're running out of available time". In general though, 1 Leech will usually be most efficient.

That's where I'm lost though...

Lets do basic #'s...

Imagine you have 1 leech, that costs you 20 per second vis.
It takes 10 seconds to download the core.

This means your going to spend 200 vis to download the core.


If you place 2 leeches, it will cost your 40 per second vis, except it will now take 7 seconds for example to download the core. Meaning your going to spend 280 vis....

3 leaches.... 60 per second vis, takes 5 seconds to download core...300 vis....

Unless somehow the vis cost goes down for each leech which I don't think it does....

[Luminaar]

If each dataleech costs X visibility, but each additional data leech only downloads multiplicatively faster, than wouldn't having a single leech be the most efficient? Is there something I'm missing?

There are a few cases where multiple Leeches would be better, the main deciding factor being "if you're running out of available time". In general though, 1 Leech will usually be most efficient.

I may have looked at the topic titled and grazed over the subject matter a little there. The question I originally answered/misread was that you were also enquiring about non-stealth situations. In those cases, using multiple leeches before the network reboots could be advantageous. Apologies.

Given the static visibility costs and reduced returns, multiple leeches on a single target seems to be worse value in stealth mode, but only until the Leech reaches Level 7 due to a combination of reduced visibility and extra download speed. Don't forget to include the stationary network cost of an additional 20vis per second though! (Incoming copy pasta of excel sheet, did my best formatting.)

Core DL: 30 seconds - Leech Cost: 28 vis/second - DL Boost - 50%
# of Leech - Core DL time (sec) - Leech Cost (vis) - Time Cost (vis) - Total Cost

1 - 20.0sec - 560.0vis - 400.0vis - 960.0vis
2 - 15.0sec - 840.0vis - 300.0vis - 1140.0vis
3 - 12.0sec - 1008.0vis - 240.0vis - 1248.0vis
4 - 10.0sec - 1120.0vis - 200.0vis - 1320.0vis
5 - 8.6sec - 1200.0vis - 171.4vis - 1371.4vis

Core DL: 30 seconds - Leech Cost: 20 vis/second - DL Boost - 70%
# of Leech - Core DL time (sec) - Leech Cost (vis) - Time Cost (vis) - Total Cost

1 - 17.6sec - 352.9vis - 352.9vis - 705.9vis
2 - 12.5sec - 500.0vis - 250.0vis - 750.0vis
3 - 9.7sec - 580.6vis - 193.5vis - 774.2vis
4 - 7.9sec - 631.6vis - 157.9vis - 789.5vis
5 - 6.7sec - 666.7vis - 133.3vis - 800.0vis

Core DL: 30 seconds - Leech Cost: 16 vis/second - DL Boost - 80%
# of Leech - Core DL time (sec) - Leech Cost (vis) - Time Cost (vis) - Total Cost

1 - 16.7sec - 266.7vis - 333.3vis - 600.0vis
2 - 11.5sec - 369.2vis - 230.8vis - 600.0vis
3 - 8.8sec - 423.5vis - 176.5vis - 600.0vis
4 - 7.1sec - 457.1vis - 142.9vis - 600.0vis
5 - 6.0sec - 480.0vis - 120.0vis - 600.0vis

I can't provide any more tables beyond that, as the wiki data is unavailable

[Luminaar]

Lets do basic #'s...

Edited the above post, now I had a little more time. Enjoy!

[NekrosStratia]

Thanks for finding that information, and yeah, I definitely can concur with those #'s. TLDR Multiple DataLeech is WORSE until they are 7+.

Extremely helpful information.

[Luminaar]

Thanks for finding that information, and yeah, I definitely can concur with those #'s. TLDR Multiple DataLeech is WORSE until they are 7+.

I put the info together from scratch, so thank you for the confirmation on the accuracy and usefulness. I'll add it to the wiki at some point in the near future

[Galen]

Just a query on the above info, the wiki for stealth attacks currently states

Visibility cost is only applied while installing a program, not for the entire stealth hack. For example, if a program has a 2 second install time with 100 visibility/sec, it would take 200 visibility to install the program, 800 visibility on a level 1 Code Gate, or 240 visibility on a node within 3 nodes of a Level 1 Scanner.

If that also applies in full to data leech, the last 2 columns would change quite a bit.

[Luminaar]

Just a query on the above info, the wiki for stealth attacks currently states

Visibility cost is only applied while installing a program, not for the entire stealth hack. For example, if a program has a 2 second install time with 100 visibility/sec, it would take 200 visibility to install the program, 800 visibility on a level 1 Code Gate, or 240 visibility on a node within 3 nodes of a Level 1 Scanner.

If that also applies in full to data leech, the last 2 columns would change quite a bit.

Yeah, I'll give this a little bit of a rewrite. While it could be technically correct (all other programs remove themselves once they're installed,) it could do with a little clarification - it was some of the earlier info we added, while Stealth was still a relatively new concept. (As you may have noticed with the clarification that Wraith is 2 second install - obvious much? - and that there's also no mention of Portal )

Thanks for the spot - it's tough to see where the issues are when you've read something over and over already.

EDIT: Info changed - review appreciated.
http://hackersthegame.wikia.com/wiki/Attack_Strategies, http://hackersthegame.wikia.com/wiki/Stealth