Standard
Standard refers to the standard game format which is played at Planets.nu. The main game formats at Nu are Classic, Standard and Campaign. Most new games at Nu use the Standard ruleset, including League games. Standard is an evolution from the Classic rule set which aims to improve balance, playability and fun. Campaign mode is an add-on for the Standard ruleset which incorporates new ships, race abilities and other features.
Build Queue
Standard has numerous differences from Classic mode, which utilizes the Classic Queue. As of 2021, Planets.nu has made the Planetary Production Queue a part of Standard.
Differences between Standard and Classic
This section contains all changes as of January, 2025, plus some info about the 2026 rules included (e.g. Crystal webs). 2026 info is not complete. Expect rules to change once per year.
Rule Changes
- Crystal web mines rules have changed a bit.
- - Only players granted Full Alliance can pass through webs.
- - Web minefields can no longer be passed using friendly codes. Web minefields can no longer be laid in another player's identity.
- - 2026 update: Allies with safe passage or better can now be in a web without their fuel being drained. They will still hit webmines however.
- - In some games (system-generated team games, 2v2 Blitz), Full Alliance will not allow players to go through their ally's webs.
- New torpedo types have been added to Standard. They are: Mk. 1c, Proton+, Mk. 2c, Mk. 3c, Heavy Proton+, Mk. 6c.
- When a homeworld is lost, that player's colonists lose 70 happiness, and all their natives lose 20 happiness.
- Standard games now use Chained Intercept by default.
- Ships with gravitonic engines (e.g. the Meteor) are now elusive to quantum torpedoes.
Notes
- The Bird's Covert Data Link ability (Campaign only) can still be used to go through webs using a matching planetary friendly code. This only works if you obtain the planet's friendly code using the Super Spy mission.
Racial Abilities
- Feds now have extended-range quantum torpedoes. Novas equipped with QTs can destroy most starbases easily.
- Lizard can now only hiss with Lizard hulls.
- Birds have Super Spy Advanced and Cloak and Intercept abilities. The Cloak & Intercept mission only works with Bird hulls.
- Fury (formerly Fascist) has double beams. This ability only applies to Fury hulls.
- Crystals can no longer travel through other Crystal players' webs.
- Evil Empire has Starbase Fighter Transfer and Galactic Power.
Ship Replacements
Various ships have been replaced by an upgraded version:
| Race | Ship Removed | Replacement Ship | Notes on New Ship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lizard | Saurian Class Cruiser | Saurian Class Light Frigate | 5 beams, -30 cargo. |
| Bird/Privateer | Skyfire Class Cruiser | Skyfire Class Cruiser+ | Skyfire+ has a radiation shield. |
| Fury/Privateer | D7a Painmaker | D7c Painmaker Class Cruiser | D7c has a cloaking device. |
| Cyborg | Quietus Class Cruiser | Quietus Class Cruiser+ | Quietus+ has self-chunnel and radiation shield. |
| Empire | Mig Class Scout | Mig Class Transport | No planet immunity. |
| Empire | Super Star Carrier | Super Star Carrier+ | Reduced build costs. |
| Empire | Super Star Cruiser | Super Star Cruiser II | No longer has Intercept Interference ability. |
| Empire | Cybernaut Class Baseship | Cybernaut Light Baseship | Reduced dura cost, 3 engines. |
| Colonies | Scorpius Class Light Carrier | Scorpius Class Carrier | Cheaper, 4 bays, 3 engines. |
Ship Additions & Upgrades
- All ships named "Scout" or "Gunboat" now have planet immunity. The Mig Class Scout has been replaced by the Mig Class Transport.
- Many light ships in the game have received a -1 Priority Point cost reduction. Link to announcement with ship list. Link to article reviewing the changes.
- Empire - The H-Ross Light Carrier can now send/receive fighters.
- Empire - The Moscow Class Star Escort gains the Intercept Interference ability.
- The Super Transport Freighter now consumes 30% less fuel.
- Birds get the Enlighten Class Research Vessel.
- Rebel Sage Class Frigate now replaced by Sage Class Repair Ship.
Misc. other changes
- Standard games now allow direct transfer of megacredits and ammo to foreign ships and planets. This makes the BDM, BTT, BTF and BTM friendly codes mostly redundant.
- BDx friendly codes now enabled by default in Standard.
All of these settings can be disabled in custom games, so that players can play with Classic settings.
Short Format
Short Format is a derivative version of Standard which is used for small games at Planets.nu. This includes Blitz games, League 2v2 Blitz games and League Dogfights.
You can enable the Short Format rules for your custom games, as long as your game has 100 planets or fewer.
See Also
List of annual updates for Standard/League play at Planets.nu
Differences between Planets Nu and VGAP 3
Championship Games list, with the rules used for each year.
