Always losing

[Yetti777]

So no matter what strategy I use or programs I use I always fail my hacks. Seems like everyone is using a snake style build with all the good stuff at the end. No matter what I try I run out of time and get "hack failed". I'm starting not to like this game anymore.

[Luminaar]

So no matter what strategy I use or programs I use I always fail my hacks. Seems like everyone is using a snake style build with all the good stuff at the end. No matter what I try I run out of time and get "hack failed". I'm starting not to like this game anymore.

Sorry to hear you're having so much trouble with your hacks. Snake-style networks do have some substantial benefits against early brute force attacks, as detailed in the Wiki article here - every network design has their strengths and weaknesses!

Self-replicating programs such as Worms and Krakens can be especially good against Snake networks, as they tend to concentrate less on defending individual points, and more on making you spend additional programs - something with is in very limited supply during the earlier levels!

As for general advice, ICE Walls can be really useful against these types of networks, due to the network defensive pressure being split over the entire network rather than focussed on a single point.

For more real-time advice however, have a chat with the kind folks over on Discord - they'll be sure to get you headed in the right direction.

[TheLurkingRage]

So no matter what strategy I use or programs I use I always fail my hacks. Seems like everyone is using a snake style build with all the good stuff at the end. No matter what I try I run out of time and get "hack failed". I'm starting not to like this game anymore.

That's actually why I like the game even tho it was boring at first for me. It's the struggle that made me OP in the first place cuz I was always looking for a better angle. This game is all about optimizing. Sounds like you've got an XP inflation problem. Generally this can be fixed by getting rid of the nodes you don't need and lowering your rep on purpose to get easier targets. Having strong programs makes it easier to progress faster than having strong nodes.

[Rio.Soc]

So no matter what strategy I use or programs I use I always fail my hacks. Seems like everyone is using a snake style build with all the good stuff at the end. No matter what I try I run out of time and get "hack failed". I'm starting not to like this game anymore.

Good luck Yetti. I think this game is quite difficult to get started with. Don't forget to upgrade you hard and soft ware. And good luck!