Ropes are an item of handheld equipment which provide a very basic way of connecting two objects. Like real ropes, Stormworks ropes' lengths can vary, allowing two physics objects to be connected but free to move independently (as far as the rope will allow).
Information[]
Unlike hoses and electrical cables, ropes cannot transfer any type of data or resources between vehicles. Using winches, the length of a rope can be extended or shortened. When held in the player's hand ropes can be configured to be 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, or 40 meters long using the 'r' key before they are attached to an anchor point. It can then continue to be held for player towing (see below), or attached to a second anchor point.
Interacting with a rope anchor (with left click) while holding a rope will attach one end of your held rope to that anchor. Interacting with another anchor will connect the remaining end, creating a link.
Ropes can be obtained by:
- picking them up from the world (water or ground)
- removing them from an equipment inventory
- removing them from an existing rope connection
Usage[]
Towing[]
Towing with ropes requires both vehicles to have rope anchors in order to be connected. Many in-game rescue missions require towing damaged ships to a port or dock. Player-made trailers or train wagons can also be designed to be towed with ropes. Rope towing can also be useful for recovering damaged player-made vehicles. An additional use is in attaching to the back of trailers for hauling missions to adjust their position such that their electrical connector is more accessible for being hooked up for the long-distance haul. A winch can also act as a rope anchor, and can assist in pulling a damaged vehicle up a slope.
Lifting[]
Ropes can be used to lift and transfer cargo. Shipping containers have four rope anchors on their top. Thus, they can be easily hoisted after adding four winches to a crane or to any mid-sized helicopter or VTOL with an autopilot able to hover in place.
Decoration[]
Ropes are excellent for use in decorative wires or lines. They can be created in the vehicle editor by using the "ropes" option of the "logic nodes" tab (the same way you would link a number or on/off signal). This means that the rope will be spawned in already connected to the anchors, and does not need to be manually placed.
Towing players[]
Players holding a rope which has been connected to a rope anchor can be towed by the rope if the rope anchor moves. The player can carry an injured survivor, climb ladders, and press buttons all with a rope in hand. Ropes also continue to hold the player despite substantial force, unlike handles. Combined with their adjustable length (particularly the 1m setting), this makes ropes extremely suitable as a tool for players to hoist themselves into a helicopter or VTOL which has been forced to hover due to stormy water or unsafe terrain. A winch using an electrical cable to deploy an electrical cable anchor with a button and a rope anchor is all that is necessary for a player to attach themselves and signal the winch to pull them up.
Be aware that switching the item in use to anything other than the rope will immediately detach the rope and therefore the player. It is also impossible to use any device to give commands (e.g. with a remote control) while being pulled. Similarly, the player cannot do anything requiring tools while dangling in this manner (e.g. welding). If the player intends to use a rope to return to a vehicle, they also cannot carry any other large item, like a fire extinguisher or defibrillator. None of these are problems if a handle is used instead. However, with a handle, there is increased risk of accidentally hitting a nearby button (e.g. possibly sending the winch back up, out of reach) instead of grabbing the handle (especially if it is wobbling wildly, e.g. in stormy water). Further, if the player moves too far from the handle either by their own movement or by the vehicle jerking in a gust of wind, they will fall from it.
While dangling from a rope, the player is able to continue to use movement keys to move around albeit with the same somewhat diminished effect as when trying to change direction while falling. This allows for gradual buildup of momentum by swinging back and forth. With the occasional 'jolty' or 'jerky' movements experienced by a player dangling on a rope, it is possible (albeit difficult) to swing slightly above the level of the anchor point, for example to swing around back on top of an aircraft in flight. Shorter ropes (e.g. 8m) make this kind of maneuver much easier. However, swinging around on a moving aircraft or helicopter is very dangerous, even with autopilot on, as the player risks colliding with the propeller or rotor.
Note that rope anchors cannot detect if a rope has been attached or detached except indirectly (e.g. by noticing the decreased amount of throttle needed to maintain a hover). If using a winch and rope anchor to get back into a hovering vehicle, it is recommended to configure a timer to send the winch back down if the player does not press a button within a certain amount of time.
Player towing[]
Players can tow a light vehicle on foot with a rope. Near-sprinting speeds are possible for vehicles around 250 mass units over level terrain or gentle uphill slopes. This can be useful for getting an overturned vehicle to a terrain feature that it can be pushed against to more easily flip it upright, like a steep slope or wall.
It is possible to move light vehicles of this sort by pushing into them, but they tend to twist around and require frequent changes of positioning. It is generally much easier to attach a rope and just run towards the nearest good spot for flipping it.
Towing of this sort can also be very helpful for getting a small boat up onto the shore of a remote island or coastal wilderness region which lacks dock bollards.
Securing ships[]
Dock bollards are ubiquitous throughout Stormworks. These provide a convenient way to keep a ship from blowing away in high winds or getting swept far away by a tsunami.