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I'm considering buying a copy of the RTS classic Total Annihilation, and I was wondering: What do I need to buy to get "the full experience"? Just The Core Contingency, or do I need the game and its two expansions to play?

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    a better title is in place Jul 9, 2010 at 3:20
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    This reads like game-rec to me, or at least like it's way too subjective (what is "the full experience"?). Aug 18, 2011 at 20:20

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TA is awesome just by itself! The game is (was) totally revolutionary at the time and the ability to create endless units is one of the funniest aspects of the game.

The expansions are not necessary, but it's nice to have them when you want to see new units, etc.

Buy the full game with the expansion packs. Install it without them, play for a while and then install them.

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  • so, the expansion packs need the original to run?
    – RCIX
    Jul 8, 2010 at 23:44
  • I'm pretty sure you need the original game installed to make them work. Jul 8, 2010 at 23:47
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    yes, they do need the full game.
    – Jay R.
    Jul 10, 2010 at 21:07
  • CC added some interesting new units, but as I recall, they were game-breaking-ly powerful. Especially the full-auto mega turret thing. If you could keep that powered, you were unstoppable. Fun though! Aug 18, 2011 at 23:41
  • You are talking about the "Rapid fire plasma cannon" Buzzsaw and Vulcan. In fact if you knew it's location you could easily bomb that to oblivion with aircrafts or nukes.
    – Adam Arold
    Jul 25, 2012 at 16:08
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If you want to play with mods, install a better AI or install community-released bug-fix patches, you better get it with the Core Contingency expansion, as most mods and game patches require it or will work much better with it. Battle Tactics is more or less optional as it is mostly just new campaign and skirmish maps, anyway.

And if you're gonna buy it, better buy the GOG.com version as it is setup to be fully-patched (CD check removed and modified to play music without CD, among other fixes) and readily used on Modern OSes.

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Get the base game and The Core Contingency and you are good to go. Check out http://www.tauniverse.com/play-ta/ for info on how to play online.

Where to play online

For multiplayer, all you need is TA itself (as well as the IP address of the person / party who is hosting the game), but you can organize games over instant messaging programs, like AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, or Windows Live Messenger (MSN). However, if you'd rather play or organize games with the help of a specific gaming client or site, check out

GameRanger

PhoeniX WorX

WarZone

Required downloads

TA 3.1c patch: Upgrades TA to the latest version (3.1c).

500 unit limit patch: Changes the maximum in-game unit limit per side to 500.

Extra Cavedog units: The 6 post-3.1c patch official Cavedog units packed into 1 file.

Extra Cavedog maps: All the extra maps Cavedog released after the expansions packed into 1 file.

TA Demo Recorder (99b2): The latest version of the TA Demo Recorder, adding several functions to TA, like shared LOS for allies, cheat detection, and game recording so you can watch replays again later.

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  • Can you copy some of that information here rather than leaving it at a link? =]
    – GnomeSlice
    Jul 25, 2012 at 15:54
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Well I suppose it depends on your definition of "the full experience".

If you're looking to get a bigger range of units and maps, then I highly recommend the expansion packs. Although that being said, the original game already has a huge selection of units and maps.

Basically, if you can buy some kind of pack that includes the expansions, then there is no reason not to buy it. Otherwise, the original game is fantastic and will keep you entertained for ages.

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    My definition of "the full experience" includes an active multiplayer community. I could be wrong, but I think the free remake, TAspring, has more people playing it right now.
    – JamesGecko
    Jul 9, 2010 at 2:24
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    @james: i've looked at TA spring, and while it looks cool, the comunity was just a "little" too hardcore for me.
    – RCIX
    Jul 9, 2010 at 6:43
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I suggest you to buy the GOG (named Commander Pack) version. It works well with Win 7 for example and it has all the expansion packs.

If you tried that out you can get some mods for your TA. For example I really like THE PACK and TAESC.

I have an original copy of TA from 1997 too, but I think that now you should get the one from GOG.

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