TRACE · ROUND 5

A benchmark in which language models design roller coasters that RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 builds, tests, and rates.

claude-opus-5 · 20260724-opus5-twister · round 5 back to model →
events
49
tool calls
35
rejected
0
session
0:00
Session trace

  1. I'll start by loading the coaster tools.

  2. ToolSearch
    {"max_results":15,"query":"coaster new_ride place_pieces finish_and_test piece_geometry"}
  3. Read
    {"file_path":"/home/sandbox/.claude/projects/-workspace/memory/rct2-coaster-contest-tactics.md"}
    1	---
2	name: rct2-coaster-contest-tactics
3	description: What actually moves excitement in the RCT2 steel-twister (ride_type 51) building contest
4	metadata: 
5	  node_type: memory
6	  type: project
7	  originSessionId: dff8c6bb-7d3b-4c6f-8bf0-b158a8ddcd86
8	  modified: 2026-07-24T19:12:50.430Z
9	---
10	
11	Multi-round RCT2 coaster contest via the `coaster` MCP tools. Measured results across rounds 3-4 (best so far: 7.13 excitement, 128 pieces):
12	
13	- A **second mid-ride chain lift** is the single biggest lever. Draining all height into one drop leaves the back half slow; re-lifting to ~320z mid-circuit doubled `num_drops` (7 -> 14) and pushed `average_speed` from ~148k to ~232k. Excitement went 6.60 -> 7.13.
14	- **Airtime hops are cheap excitement.** Swapping plain `flat` runs for `flat_to_up_25, up_25_to_flat, flat_to_down_25, down_25_to_flat` (same footprint, net dz 0) took `total_air_time` 64 -> 84.
15	- Inversions count per *element*, not per piece: a `corkscrew_up`+`corkscrew_down` pair = 1 inversion, same as one vertical loop.
16	- Intensity is the binding constraint, not excitement. It sat at 9.4-10.2 in every good build. `max_positive_g` ~4.7 comes from the vertical l… (1775 chars)
  4. piece_geometry
    {"dir":0}
    {"deltas":[{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":0,"piece":"flat","slope_out":0},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":0,"piece":"end_station","slope_out":0},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":0,"piece":"begin_station","slope_out":0},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":0,"piece":"middle_station","slope_out":0},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":16,"piece":"up_25","slope_out":2},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":64,"piece":"up_60","slope_out":4},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":8,"piece":"flat_to_up_25","slope_out":2},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":32,"piece":"up_25_to_up_60","slope_out":4},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":32,"piece":"up_60_to_up_25","slope_out":2},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":8,"piece":"up_25_to_flat","slope_out":0},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":-16,"piece":"down_25","slope_out":6},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx_tiles":-1,"dy_tiles":0,"dz":-64,"piece":"down_60","slope_out":8},{"bank_out":0,"dir_out":0,"dx… (7397 chars)

  5. Loaded my tactics memory. Previous best: 7.13 excitement, intensity 10.17 (just over the penalty line). Plan this round: keep the two-chain-lift structure but tame intensity — all banked turns, one 60° section per drop instead of two, and a lower second lift. Let me plan the full circuit arithmetically and build.

  6. new_ride
    {"dir":0,"ride_type":51,"x":60,"y":60}
    {"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"ride_id":0}
  7. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat"]}
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":1,"slope":0,"x":24,"y":66,"z":160},"placed_this_call":34,"total_placed":34}

  8. Cursor at (24,66,160,d1) — exactly as planned. Continuing with the mid-ride second lift.

  9. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","right_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down"]}
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":2,"slope":0,"x":35,"y":91,"z":144},"placed_this_call":34,"total_placed":68}
  10. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat","flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","brakes","brakes","brakes","flat","right_turn_5"]}
    {"circuit_closed":true,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"placed_this_call":33,"total_placed":101}

  11. Circuit closed on the first attempt, 101 pieces. Testing to bank a score.

  12. finish_and_test
    {"bounds":{"max_tile_x":63,"max_tile_y":95,"max_z":376,"min_tile_x":24,"min_tile_y":59,"min_z":112},"placed_pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":… (2771 chars)

  13. Banked **6.74** — but note intensity dropped all the way to **7.42** (was 10.17). That's 2.5 points of headroom I'm wasting. Excitement is down because I cut drops (11 vs 14), inversions (4 vs 5), and length (714 vs 853). Time to spend that headroom: taller lifts, deeper drops, 5 inversions, more airtime hops.

  14. demolish
    {"demolished":0}
  15. new_ride
    {"dir":0,"ride_type":51,"x":60,"y":60}
    {"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"ride_id":0}
  16. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down"]}
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":1,"slope":0,"x":27,"y":66,"z":128},"placed_this_call":37,"total_placed":37}

  17. On plan at (27,66,128,d1). Now the airtime run and the taller second lift.

  18. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat"]}
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":2,"slope":0,"x":31,"y":106,"z":160},"placed_this_call":40,"total_placed":77}
  19. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","right_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","left_corkscrew_up","right_corkscrew_down"]}
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":2,"slope":0,"x":41,"y":105,"z":160},"placed_this_call":7,"total_placed":84}

  20. Five inversions placed. Now the return leg and closure.

  21. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","brakes","brakes","brakes","flat","flat","flat","right_turn_5"]}
    {"circuit_closed":true,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"placed_this_call":41,"total_placed":125}

  22. Closed at 125 pieces, first try. Testing.

  23. finish_and_test
    {"bounds":{"max_tile_x":63,"max_tile_y":106,"max_z":392,"min_tile_x":24,"min_tile_y":59,"min_z":112},"placed_pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25… (3218 chars)

  24. Clear signal: intensity 10.49 → excitement collapsed to 5.22, even though drops (15), airtime (105) and length (849) all improved. The >10 intensity cliff is brutal. v3 keeps all of v2's content but lowers both lift hills and cuts drop 1 from two 60° pieces to one, padding with flats so the closure geometry is unchanged.

  25. demolish
    {"demolished":0}
  26. new_ride
    {"dir":0,"ride_type":51,"x":60,"y":60}
    {"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"ride_id":0}
  27. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station","flat","flat","flat",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down"]}
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":1,"slope":0,"x":27,"y":66,"z":128},"placed_this_call":37,"total_placed":37}
  28. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat"]}
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":2,"slope":0,"x":31,"y":106,"z":160},"placed_this_call":40,"total_placed":77}
  29. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","right_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","left_corkscrew_up","right_corkscrew_down","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","brakes","brakes","brakes","flat","flat","flat","right_turn_5"]}
    {"circuit_closed":true,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"placed_this_call":48,"total_placed":125}
  30. finish_and_test
    {"bounds":{"max_tile_x":63,"max_tile_y":106,"max_z":376,"min_tile_x":24,"min_tile_y":59,"min_z":112},"placed_pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station","flat","flat","flat",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"c… (3138 chars)

  31. New best: **6.88** at intensity 8.02. Still ~2 points of headroom. Let me push the hills back up partway — targeting intensity ~9.3.

  32. demolish
    {"demolished":0}
  33. new_ride
    {"dir":0,"ride_type":51,"x":60,"y":60}
    {"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"ride_id":0}
  34. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down"]}
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":1,"slope":0,"x":27,"y":66,"z":128},"placed_this_call":37,"total_placed":37}
  35. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat"]}
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":2,"slope":0,"x":31,"y":106,"z":160},"placed_this_call":40,"total_placed":77}
  36. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","right_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","left_corkscrew_up","right_corkscrew_down","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","brakes","brakes","brakes","flat","flat","flat","right_turn_5"]}
    {"circuit_closed":true,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"placed_this_call":48,"total_placed":125}
  37. finish_and_test
    {"bounds":{"max_tile_x":63,"max_tile_y":106,"max_z":392,"min_tile_x":24,"min_tile_y":59,"min_z":112},"placed_pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain… (3177 chars)

  38. 6.94 banked. Key finding: v2's intensity spike came almost entirely from **two consecutive `down_60` pieces** (+2.3 intensity for only +4 highest_drop). Depth itself is cheap. So I'll spend the remaining headroom on a 6th inversion instead.

  39. demolish
    {"demolished":0}
  40. new_ride
    {"dir":0,"ride_type":51,"x":60,"y":60}
    {"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"ride_id":0}
  41. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"piece":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"piece":"up_25"},{"chain":tr… (1762 chars)
    {"circuit_closed":false,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":2,"slope":0,"x":31,"y":106,"z":160},"placed_this_call":77,"total_placed":77}
  42. place_pieces
    {"pieces":["flat_to_up_25","right_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","left_corkscrew_up","right_corkscrew_down","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","s_bend_left","flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","brakes","brakes","right_turn_5"]}
    {"circuit_closed":true,"cursor":{"bank":0,"dir":0,"slope":0,"x":60,"y":60,"z":112},"placed_this_call":41,"total_placed":118}
  43. finish_and_test
    {"bounds":{"max_tile_x":63,"max_tile_y":106,"max_z":392,"min_tile_x":24,"min_tile_y":59,"min_z":112},"placed_pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain… (3110 chars)

  44. Both at ~6.93/6.94 — the 6th inversion paid for itself exactly by costing air time (94→74). Confirming my banked best:

  45. best_result
    {"bounds":{"max_tile_x":63,"max_tile_y":106,"max_z":392,"min_tile_x":24,"min_tile_y":59,"min_z":112},"placed_pieces":["begin_station","middle_station","middle_station","end_station",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25_to_flat"},"flat_to_down_25","down_25","down_25_to_down_60","down_60","down_60_to_down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat","flat_to_up_25","left_vertical_loop","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_right_bank","banked_right_turn_5","right_bank_to_flat","right_corkscrew_up","left_corkscrew_down","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat","flat_to_up_25","up_25_to_flat","flat_to_down_25","down_25_to_flat",{"chain":true,"t":"flat_to_up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain":true,"t":"up_25"},{"chain… (3177 chars)

  46. Let me record what I learned for the final round.

  47. Write
    {"content":"---\nname: rct2-coaster-contest-tactics\ndescription: What actually moves excitement in the RCT2 steel-twister (ride_type 51) building contest\nmetadata:\n  node_type: memory\n  type: project\n---\n\nMulti-round RCT2 coaster contest via the `coaster` MCP tools. Measured results, rounds 3-5.\n\n**Scoreboard so far: 7.13 @ intensity 10.17 (round 4) is still the all-time best. Round 5 topped out at 6.94 @ intensity 8.19.**\n\nRound-5 measurements, all on one 125-piece layout where only the hill/drop profile changed:\n\n| build | drop1 | drop2 | inversions | air | excitement | intensity |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| v1 | 192 | 208 | 4 | 64 | 6.74 | 7.42 |\n| v2 | 240 (2x down_60) | 208 | 5 | 105 | **5.22** | **10.49** |\n| v3 | 192 | 192 | 5 | 95 | 6.88 | 8.02 |\n| v4 | 208 | 208 | 5 | 94 | **6.94** | 8.19 |\n| v5 | 208 | 208 | 6 | 74 | 6.93 | 8.55 |\n\n- **Two consecutive `down_60` pieces in one drop is the intensity bomb**: +2.3 intensity (8.19 -> 10.49) for only +4 `highest_drop`. Never chain two. One `down_60` with a 3-piece 25-degree pullout is safe.\n- **Drop depth on its own is cheap**: deepening both drops 192 -> 208 cost only +0.17 intensity. Height is not wh… (2879 chars)
    The file /home/sandbox/.claude/projects/-workspace/memory/rct2-coaster-contest-tactics.md has been updated successfully.
  48. Edit
    {"file_path":"/home/sandbox/.claude/projects/-workspace/memory/MEMORY.md","new_string":"- [RCT2 coaster contest tactics](rct2-coaster-contest-tactics.md) — aim for intensity ~10.1, not under 10; never chain two down_60; second mid-ride chain lift is the big lever.","old_string":"- [RCT2 coaster contest tactics](rct2-coaster-contest-tactics.md) — mid-ride second chain lift is the biggest excitement lever; intensity is the binding constraint.","replace_all":false}
    The file /home/sandbox/.claude/projects/-workspace/memory/MEMORY.md has been updated successfully. (file state is current in your context — no need to Read it back)

  49. Four builds tested this round, all closing the circuit on the first attempt thanks to planning the geometry on paper first. | build | excitement | intensity | notes | |---|---|---|---| | v1 | 6.74 | 7.42 | 4 inversions, conservative | | v2 | 5.22 | **10.49** | most content, but blew past the intensity cliff | | v3 | 6.88 | 8.02 | softened hills | | **v4** | **6.94** | 8.19 | banked best | | v5 | 6.93 | 8.55 | 6th inversion, cost air time | The useful finding was isolating *what* spikes intensity. v2 and v3 were the same 125-piece layout differing only in drop profile, and the +2.47 intensity came almost entirely from two consecutive `down_60` pieces in drop 1 — that bought just +4 `highest_drop` and cost 1.66 excitement. Deepening drops by 16 units, by contrast, cost only +0.17 intensity. So depth is cheap; sustained 60° freefall is not. One thing I should flag rather than bury: **6.94 is below the 7.13 I scored in round 4**, and best_result is per-round, so this round scores lower. I over-corrected. Round 4's 7.13 came at intensity 10.17, and my v2 at 10.49 collapsed to 5.22 — so the penalty edge sits between those two, and the real optimum is *at* ~10.1, not comfortably beneath it. I spent the round proving the cliff is real and then parking 2 full points of headroom unused. I've written that to memory with the per-build table so round 6 starts from v4 and steps intensity up toward 10.1, testing after each increment. **Best coaster this round: a 125-piece dual-chain-lift twister — 336-unit lift into a 60° drop and vertical loop, corkscrew, mid-ride re-lift to 368 into a second drop, a triple-inversion cluster, and an s-bend diagonal return — 6.94 excitement at 8.19 intensity, 5 inversions, 15 drops, 844 length, similarity 0.31.**

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