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Oracle's Tracking Guide

Discussion in 'Archive' started by 0racle, Nov 2, 2015.

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  1. 0racle

    0racle Former Raid and Reports Manager

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    Hello everyone,

    People have been asking me to make a tracking guide for quite some time now, so here you go:


    *I will be a bit vague in some areas so that I won’t ruin the discovering aspect to it, and so that I won’t give away too many of my tricks*


    First off, I am going to list some definitions for some terms I will use in my explanation. This is just to prevent any confusion.


    Glossary

    Interval: The distance between one block to another.

    Range: The distance your tracker reaches. This would be classified by how many filler blocks your tracker has. Ex: The range for 50 filler blocks is ( 50 x Block value = Range ).

    Block value: The amount of range a block contains. Iron has a block value of 50, as one block of iron will provide 50 blocks of range to your tracker.

    Core: The center block of your tracker. This will be the emerald or diamond block. This is where you would use “/track”.

    Filler: The blocks between the core of your tracker to the end of your tracker (gold block). This would be the obsidian or iron blocks.

    Coordinates: The direction a player is in. You can see the coordinates by doing “f3” or “f3+fn”. The two coordinate values used for tracking are “X” (East or West) and “Z” (North or South). Tracking ignores the “Y” value (height), so just ignore that.

    Arms: The directions of your tracker. This will follow the “X” and “Z” explanation above. To have the most efficient tracker, be sure to have four arms (One for each direction).


    The Basics

    A tracker is a device to help you find the coordinates of a player. This is the most efficient (and fun) way to find raids on Survival PvP. Tracking can be quite time consuming and will take a lot of resources. There are several tips and tricks to improve your tracking speed, but I believe that a lot of the speed comes from your tracker arrangement itself. This is definitely the most complex part of the server, so it may take some time to accomplish. Do not give up and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!


    *Note: Tracking doesn’t give the exact coordinates of a player, but a rough range based on the block value. You will need to spend some time looking for the base itself after you have travelled to the coordinates.*


    To track someone completely, you must have their “X” and “Z” coordinate. When doing “/track” you will see either a player name with a yellow coordinate, or a player name with two green coordinates. If you only have one tracker, I suggest only going after players with two green coordinates. If no players show up on your tracker, simply extend the arms to increase the range.


    Here are the block values needed for tracking:

    1 Iron block= 50 blocks

    1 Obsidian block = 25 blocks

    1 Cobblestone block= 25 blocks

    1 Smooth stone block = 25 blocks

    1 Gold block = 25 blocks

    1 Emerald block = 0 blocks

    1 Diamond block = 0 blocks


    Types of Trackers

    There are three types of trackers. I have included a description of each below:


    Iron: Iron trackers are very expensive, but are twice as fast than obsidian or cobble trackers. They consist of:

    Filler: Iron blocks

    Core: Emerald block

    End: Gold block

    Pros: Twice the block value of obsidian, breaks much faster than obsidian.

    Cons: Expensive, huge loss if raided, not very accurate (50x50 area).

    When to use them: I suggest getting 1-2 large iron trackers with at least 10k range. These are very efficient to get the rough location of vaults.


    Obsidian: Use this tracker to get the “biggest bang from your buck”. In other words, this tracker is cheap, and fast when arranged appropriately. They consist of:

    Filler: Obsidian

    Core: Diamond block

    End: Gold block

    Pros: Cheap, accurate (25x25 area), can be generated by using lava and water.

    Cons: Takes longer to mine the obsidian, you need twice the blocks for a tracker that is equivalent to the range of an iron tracker.

    When to use them: ALWAYS stack these. You will hardly achieve anything if you use a single arm per direction. This can be a great first tracker and are very reliable.


    Cobble: This is the cheapest tracker. They do however delete after one use. They consist of:

    Filler: Cobblestone

    Core: Obsidian

    End: Smooth stone

    Pros: Extremely cheap, accurate (25x25 area), can be generated by water and lava.

    Cons: Delete after one use.

    When to use them: Use this tracker to quickly find the location of a raid. This shouldn’t be used as a main tracker, unless if they auto generate.


    Stacked Trackers

    Making stacks on your tracker will increase your tracking speed greatly. ALWAYS stack horizontally (several trackers beside each other). You may stack vertically 1-3 more layers if you have a huge tracker that is also stacked horizontally. To make your tracker stacked, make even intervals between each arm. I suggest having at least 3 arms per direction if you are stacking it.

    Example of an obsidian tracker with 4 arms:

    Range # of blocks

    Arm 1 (longest): 8000 320

    Arm 2: 7000 280

    Arm 4: 6000 240

    Arm 5 (shortest): 5000 200


    *The chart above is for ONE direction only*


    How to Track

    Ok, so first off build a tracker. You won’t achieve anything if you just bounce around making temporary trackers. For your first tracker, I suggest making a horizontal stacked obsidian tracker with the longest arm reaching 6k. Try to have 4 arms each direction, each one decreasing by 1500 range (60 blocks). This will take some time to make, but it will pay off in time. If you just want to test out tracking, just build an obsidian one with 2k range each arm and one arm per direction.


    Once you have built your tracker, walk onto the core block and do “/track”. If you are lucky, you will then see a player’s name with a direction next to it. Re-read the "basics" to see who is the best person to track.

    After deciding your victim, walk along the arm with the direction stated by the tracker. For example, if you do “/track” and it says:

    MOD bassmaster6 SE

    you will need to track along the South and East arms. Use “f3” to see which direction you are facing. ALWAYS track with the core block. DO NOT move the gold block gradually closer to the core. This will take too long. So, move the core block closer to the end by replacing one filler block with the core block. Once you have moved it, then do ‘“/track”. If your target is still showing up, keep repeating this process. Once the person is not showing up, slowly move backwards (1-2 blocks back) until they do show up again. In order to find their coordinates, you will need to find the block where they appeared last BEFORE the block where they DISAPPEARED. This is crucial.


    Now it is time for the math. Now don’t freak out at the mention of math. It is very simple. Below is a chart of how to do the math for the corresponding coordinates of your tracker.


    *This is for a tracker at X:+10000 Z:+10000*

    Direction Facing // Tracker // Range // Operation // End Coordinate

    +Z +10000 1000 10000+1000 11000

    -Z +10000 1000 10000-1000 9000

    +X +10000 1000 10000+1000 11000

    -X +10000 1000 10000-1000 9000

    *This is for a tracker at X:-10000 Z:-10000*

    Direction Facing // Tracker // Range // Operation // End Coordinate

    +Z -10000 1000 -10000+1000 -9000

    -Z -10000 1000 -10000-1000 -11000

    +X -10000 1000 -10000+1000 -9000

    -X -10000 1000 -10000-1000 -11000


    Conclusion: The math operation is equivalent to the value of the direction you are facing. Subtract if facing -X or -Z and add when facing +X or +Z. When in doubt, walk down the arm you tracked on. If the coordinate goes up in the base of the coordinate, do the operation that is corresponding to this increase or decrease.


    Tips and Tricks


    Below are several tips and tricks I use to help improve my tracking speed.


    • When moving the core block up the arm, move it in 5 block intervals. This will help you to quickly find the area they are in on your tracker. If trying to get a vault, this will give you a 125 block range of where they are. You can then make a temporary tracker at the rough coordinates you tracked.

    • Try to get a friend to track with you. Two players are better than one, but more than this is a crowd. Stick to 1 player per arm. No more!

    • When using obby trackers, try to put a non-tracking block on the edges of the tracker. This won’t delete the obby if you accidentally do /track on it. If there is stone touching the obby, it will recognize it as a temp tracker. Netherrack or wood will do the trick. Any blocks with a stone ID won’t work (Stone bricks, andesite, etc).

    • Drink a speed 2 potion before tracking. This will slightly reduce your tracking time.

    • Always practice tracking and try to experiment with new tracker designs. This is the most important part. You will learn far more on your own than sticking to a guide. Learn what works best for you.

    I apologize for the formatting being a bit weird, it didn't paste well from Google Docs. If you need me to clarify or reword anything, let me know below or in a PM.
     
  2. ExpertZJP

    ExpertZJP SG Player at Heart

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  3. Chopo

    Chopo Well-Known Member

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    This guide isn't accurate because you put bass as an example as someone who would show up on your tracker.
     
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    • Agree Agree x 1
  4. 0racle

    0racle Former Raid and Reports Manager

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    ^^ and @Kayteeh
    :I
     
  5. bassmaster6

    bassmaster6 Well-Known Member

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    If this ever shows up on your tracker,
    MOD bassmaster6SE
    You are screwed.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Winner Winner x 1
  6. 0racle

    0racle Former Raid and Reports Manager

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    I had to mention it. Sorry xD
     
  7. bassmaster6

    bassmaster6 Well-Known Member

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    Not just for you, anyone :stuck_out_tongue:
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
  8. ZapCrusher

    ZapCrusher Well-Known Member

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    I saw you and golden all the time and all you did was kill my mooshys and take my pots.
    how was my base not found? No idea XD
     
  9. Praisekek

    Praisekek Well-Known Member

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    @bassmaster6 For me it did.

    I was screwing around and decided to put 3 stacks of Iron on one arm close to 2000, 2000.
    (I removed the tracker you cheap scrubs)

    i wont be surprised when I go to my p4 vault and I see a sign that reads "Thx for the donation ~bass"
     
  10. bassmaster6

    bassmaster6 Well-Known Member

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    Probably my Afk that consists of a tree and a pond, it's in that area. I am not that rich right now. I have to raid more.
     
  11. Praisekek

    Praisekek Well-Known Member

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    lol my range was 3200 on one arm and 9.6k on the other. You could have been anywhere.
     
  12. Compability

    Compability Well-Known Member

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    Thanks I needed help with the maths part :>
     
  13. 0racle

    0racle Former Raid and Reports Manager

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    Glad it helped xD Not sure how you understood it though, looking back on it, I worded this awfully xD
     
  14. Praisekek

    Praisekek Well-Known Member

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    Read through this over and over again.

    I'm exhausted by today and I just want to rest. Today was the day I strip mined a crap ton and grinded like hell for xp.
     
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