fan patch version 1.50.23
Download 1.50.23This website is home to the 1.50 fan patch for Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares (Master of Orion 2, MOO2), a turn-based strategy game set in space from 1996.
The 1.50 patch fixes a slew of issues that remained in the game after the last official patch, version 1.31 from 1997, and the 1.40 fan patch from 2006.
12 critical crash bugs -- 9 networked multiplayer bugs -- About 30 interface bugs -- Over 100 game-rule bugs.
Random number of opponents -- 6th ship design slot -- Auto-designed ships -- Greatly improved build queue management -- Unbuy function -- New hotkeys.
Modding with plain text configuration files -- Integrated mapgen functionality -- Lua scripting support -- No special tools required.
We took great care putting together this installation package. It includes the patch, several mods, extensive documentation and MOO2 Launcher.
1.50 improved -- 1.50 multiplayer -- Version 1.2 mod -- ICE -- VDC -- Melee -- Randomized tech tree -- Lots of mapmods -- Mirror maps option -- A standard mode is available, which is only the patch, no mods.
The changelog describes changes for each version of the 1.50 patch -- The manual has detailed descriptions of fixes, new features, modding options and game mechanics.
Included with the download is MOO2 Launcher, a GUI program for easy installing, configuring and running the patch. Auto-detects GoG and Steam installations.
The 1.50 patch is an ADD-ON. All original files are preserved -- Supports English, German, French, Spanish and Italian DOS editions of MOO2
A working copy of MOO2 DOS version 1.31 or higher -- The MOO2 game directory should contain ALL game files (full installation).
While installation with MOO2 Launcher should be easy, we do advise to carefully read the installation instructions before starting your adventure.
We started development of the 1.50 fan patch in 2015, and released the first version (1.50.0) on February 6, 2016. Height of activity was during 2016-2019 but we still update the patch from time to time.
1.50 improved
Proposes gently tweaked race pick valuation. Introduces new combat mechanics like Ship Initiative 2.0, Interactive Combat Stats (ICS) and Simplified Beam Formula. Makes various tweaks to weapons and special systems. Special care was given to improve AI ship designs. The Excel manual included with the download explains it all.
1.50 multiplayer
Based on 1.50 improved but with race picks that are better tuned for multiplayer, no Orion system & no unguarded splinter systems on the map, and various other multiplayer options enabled.
ICE
Designed for single player games / multiplayer with AI. ICE makes the AI much more challenging, changes race picks extensively and also brings a modded Tech Tree. The sole difference between ICE and ICE-X is AI strength: ICE-X Impossible has the strongest AI, you'd better know what you are doing!
VDC
This mod is designed for 1v1 multiplayer. Included is version X11_V68_B3-GM3. In the 'NR' version tech breakthroughs only happen at 100% each time! Latest version of this mod can be found on the MOO2 Discord server.
Version 1.2 mod
Little mod that approximates MOO2 version 1.2 as close as possible with current 1.50 config: Creative costs 6 picks again, Psilon race design restored, original Guardian and Antaran ship designs, Plasma Cannon, Ion Cannon and Gyro Destabilizer weapon stats set back to original values.
Melee mod
Experimental mod that does away with all economy, and is designed for pure 2-player tactical combat. The map has only 4 systems: Orion, 2 home systems, and a neutral system. Each player builds 30 command points worth of ships. Both players send their fleet to the neutral system and duke it out!
Spiral galaxy mod 1.0 for 1.50.18+
Mod by Epirasque that creates a spiral galaxy, one arm per player with their home world at the tip.
Techtree mods 1.0 for 1.50.19+
Bundle of Lua mods by Epirasque. Contains several mods that alter the research tech tree or otherwise interact with how players acquire tech through research. Follow the installation instructions from the included readme.
Miniaturization report 5.1 for 1.50.22
Lua script that explains miniaturization and summarizes the current and future state of space-reduction of technologies in a comprehensive in-game report. Runs when you press '4' in the Main screen. Place the file in 150\scripts\main\ (no need to restart). A readme is contained within the file.
Artificial Advisor 1.1 for 1.50.23 NEW!
Lua script that pops up a wide variety of information for overview and optimization for individual colonies and the empire as a whole. Has many toggles. Runs when you press '7' in the Main screen. Place the file in 150\scripts\main\ (no need to restart). A readme is contained within the file.
Zodiac 1.2 for 1.50.23
A new tool to manually 'draw' galaxies for Master of Orion 2 games. 8028 kB zip file.
Corion2 1.1.1
Savegame Editor. Corion version 1.1.1 has been optimized for the 1.50 patch. 153 kB zip file.
MoO2 Workshop
LBX editor suite by Grig de Griz. Handles text, picture and font files. Includes a leader editor. Note: If the included HMTL Help comes up blank, then go into file Properties and unblock. 2713 kB zip file.
fmoo2-tool
LBX graphics viewer by Marco. Easy scanning of contents of LBX files. Other work by the same author can be found on Github. 20377 kB zip file.
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares version 1.1 was released on cd-rom in North American retail on November 22, 1996. Three days later the first patch, version 1.2, was released to the web. This patch for the NA release was distributed as a patcher program that would patch six version 1.1 files. The 1.2 download below includes that original patcher program as well as the six patched files.
1.2 English
Microprose patcher program + patched files. November 25, 1996. 4425 kB zip file
Version 1.2 was the basis for the EU cd-rom release mid December 1996. With patch version 1.3 in March 1997 came the cd-rom release of the German translation of the game. English and German 1.31 patches quickly followed on April 11, 1997.
1.31 English
Microprose patch. April 11, 1997. 3350 kB zip file
1.31 German
Microprose patch. April 11, 1997. 2342 kB zip file
With patch version 1.31 came cd-rom releases of the French and Spanish translations of the game. A Spanish+Italian cd-rom was released in May, with an integrated executable (2-in-1) that featured in-game language changing thru the Game Settings window and also contained a few undocumented bug fixes, but still carried the same version number 1.31. A Polish language version was prepared for, but did not materialize.
At the end of 1997, the game was reissued under Microprose's PowerPlus brand. This cd-rom contained a 5-in-1 multilingual exe, again as a version 1.31, bringing the undocumented bug fixes to the other three languages, but this last official version was never released as a patch.
MOO2 Discord server
Looking to play with other humans? Or to talk about the game? Then join the MOO2 chat server on Discord! 1000+ members!
Multiplayer over Internet
Instructions for playing MoO2 internet multiplayer. Works both for Steam and GOG game.
Rocco on Youtube
My Youtube channel has lots of MOO2 vids.
moo2niac on Twitch
Good assortment of multiplayer recordings.
DOSBox website
Official website of DOSBox. Emulator to run MOO2 on modern machines.
O2M 5.0 page
Thread on CivFanatics forum for the modding tool and game launcher by Ponkyo. Includes a nice tech tree editor. O2M replaces MOO2 Launcher.
Nirran's page
Contains tools for MOO2 versions 1.31 and 1.40, including OCL_Improved and PickHack.
GOG forum
Forum for MOO1, MOO2 and MOO3.
Steam forum
Forum for MOO2.
The Orion Nebula
Dedicated MOO2 community forum. Not active anymore, but got some good posts.
Civfanatics Center
Forum section for MOO2 and other Civ-related games.
Civilization Forum (Deutsch)
Forum section for Master of Orion.
Master of Orion Subreddit
Subreddit community for all Orion games.
masteroforion2.blogspot.com
Siron's Master of Orion 2 blog. Contains interesting posts about MOO2 mechanics.
lordbrazen.blogspot.com
Lord Brazen's blog. Has not been updated for a long time. Contains information about his 1.40 patch.
Cabman Housing video discussion
Discussion thread about the housing-technique demonstration video by Cabman.
Turn 100 Benchmarks
Discussion thread about turn 100 benchmarks.
Biospheres vs Hydro-farms discussion
Discussion thread about Biospheres vs Hydroponic Farms.
Gamespot's GameFAQs
MOO2 section with various (old) guides and other info.
MOOniac's Guide to the Galaxies
The Master of Orion II pre-FAQ from 1997.
Cybersaber's Strategy Guide
Overview for players new to online play.
Delthea's ramblings on MOO2
Overview of MOO2 race picks and technology choices.
dirtbag's blitz guide
Overview of various blitz strategies.
Humbe's ramblings on MOO2
Overview of MOO2 game mechanics and strategy.
Humbe's -10 challenge
Overview of games played with custom races with -10 worth of penalties.
Kfizzle's MOO2 Guide
The moo2 how to play more effective faq.
Steffens späte Spieltipps
Elaborate overview of the game auf Deutsch.
Thotimx Let's Play archive
Contains a couple of playthrough write-ups.
The Scientific Gamer
In Praise Of: Master of Orion 2.
Space Sector
Master of Orion 2: The Formula behind the Success.
GameSpot
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares Review.
IGN
PC Retroview: Master of Orion II.
Speedrun.com
Overview of speedrun records with videos.
microprose moo2 page
Internet Archive capture of Microprose's MOO2 page.
First moo2mod website design
Internet Archive capture of my first moo2mod design from 2015.
MobyGames
Master of Orion 2 on Video Game Database MobyGames.
Psilon Central History Institute
A brief history of the Antarans.
MOO2 Book
Online MOO2 documentation, work in progress.