alt.games.gb Frequently Asked Questions (Part 2 of 2)
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Archive-name: games/galactic-bloodshed/part2
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Last-modified: 11/15/2006
Subject: 48. Advice from Veterans
Galactic Bloodshed FAQ Version 4.4 - Part 2 of 2
This posting serves as an appendix to the alt.games.gb FAQ sheet. It
has a series of ten questions asked to several gb veterans by Mike
Varney and their responses. These questions and their responses are
designed for novice players. They don't cover many aspects of the
game, but they can be very helpful. Unlike the first posting of the
FAQ, this one is unlikely to change over time.
Editorial comment:
* These answers are not all necessarily right. There may be several
misleading and some totally wrong answers in here, so take these
with a grain of salt. These strategies are not foolproof.
* As you will see from the wide range of answers for each question,
everyone has their own playing style and their own opinions on how
newbies should proceed.
* A balanced view of the game, in light of all the different
viewpoints, is hopefully presented.
* The original responses were edited where necessary to make them
more readable, either by slightly rewording a vague sentence,
making the format more readable, changing grammar here and there, etc.
In sum...you have been warned.
Legend of Shorthand Used by Respondents:
GB Name Real Name GB Name Real Name
------- --------- ------- ---------
Feepness Christopher Fodor NB N. Boutell
Lestat Kevin Martin TheCulture Petri Wessman
Keskiolut Toni Kotinurmi Froos Jerry Liu
Neue Regel Derek Jewhurst Griffons Paul Daniels
Garfel Jari Koivikko Pillarian Scott Donavan
Cylons Rob Nesius Tao Jukka Sinisalo
Thing David Fernandez Empire Samuli Suomi
Muu Dan Andersen ??? Link Baker
Fnebish Legion Doug Ingram Greenies Mitch Ferguson
Microbians Jason W. Solinsky Zurgithian Mike Simmonds
Tribbles Shire
------------------------------
Subject: 49. Should I choose a metamorphic race or a normal race?
Feepness -
Normal for me. With high IQ, and try to max out
metabolism.
Lestat -
Metas are more work because they are able to send
pods out fairly early in the game. Typically, they
will have a large number of pods out at most times.
Since they need to get ahead early, you really have
to pay attention to them.
Keskiolut -
Whatever, not too specialized race is the main
point. If you have a specialized race, you MUST
know what you're doing.
Neue Regel -
Normal
Garfel -
I prefer normal 'cause i get lot of tech
Cylons -
The concept of a 'normal' race might be more
comfortable for a newbie. There are a number of
pros and cons to consider. The normal races, also
referred to as 'techies', start out with their IQ
at a high number. Their tech then increases roughly
at the rate of IQ/100. Which means it grows at a
linear rate. Morph's intelligence, on the other
hand, is based on their population. So, before a
Morph can increase it's tech, it must increase it's
population. In consideration of this, Morphs have
the ability to build 'pods' at zero tech, and
launch them to other planets, thus letting them
expand throughout their home systems at a
comparable rate to the 'techies'. Morph's usually
have a higher 'fight' than 'normals'. It is
possible for Morphs and Techies to be allies. The
game is not 'morphs' against 'techies'.
Thing -
If you want to get the higher tech toys first, get
a normal race with a high int; otherwise, a meta is
a better choice. They start out slow but can catch
up quickly.
Muu -
Well, as a newbie, I would start as a normal race.
They get a technological advantage over the meta's
right from the start. They are also much more
straight forward to play. Meta's can get get very
complex and very time-consuming in the beginning.
Also, Normal's tend to attempt to enslave Meta's as
soon as possible. Therefore, if you are not very
experienced, you will not be able to keep a Meta as
a free empire.
Fnebish Legion -
Choose metamorphs if you want to concentrate more
on ground fighting and a more dynamic (and
time-consuming) game. Choose a normal race if you'd
rather experiment with building ship types, with
the ultimate goal of finding a good metamorphic
ally to do the "dirty work" for you. Both types of
races can just as easily win the game, and they're
both just as difficult to learn how to play well.
Microbians -
You can have fun with both types of races. I've
always found the HAP racegen to favor normal races
and the GB racegen to favor metamorphs, but the
universe will always need a mixture of both. In my
experience metamorphs have represented a
considerably greater time consumption than normals,
so you should take this into account. (of course
any race will take a long time if you occupy to
much of the galaxy). On the GB racegen you can
create some interesting crosses between metamorphs
and normals (like races with collective IQ's but
neither pods nor absorb.) Most of these
combinations are disastrous, but others (like a
collective IQ, no pods Jovian) can be both
interesting AND playable.
Tribbles -
I would suggest a normal race, they tend to have
less ship to worry about, and a lot less
complications. A meso to be effective must know
about tech investments, how to maximize
population, and uses of pods.
NB -
If you want to explore all the nifty ship types of
the game, I would suggest you not be a metamorph.
Also, being a metamorph successfully requires
either tireless fingers or an understanding of
macros!
TheCulture -
Depends on whether you want to side with the
"Techs" or the "Morphs"... Metamorphs can build
pods very early in the game, so they get a head
start on the normal races, who have to wait until
they can build a shuttle to get off their home
world. Morphs have a collective IQ, which means
that in the beginning their technology level will
increase *very* slowly. Since your tech level
determines what kind of whiz-bang stuff you can
build, it will take a while until your average
Morph race gets its first shuttle up in the air.
Things even out later in the game.
Froos -
Depends on your playing strategy. If you enjoy
spending a lot of time playing with ships and
fleets I'd choose normal. If you don't want to
spend a heck a lot of time and don't mind spending
your time on planet surfaces, choose morph.
Griffons -
It really depends on the game that you are
playing.. If you are playing in one of the Clarkson
games it is a must. With the HAP games you really
aught to start out with a tech race. Choosing a
normal race will allow you to build better ships
earlier, in general, while the meta races tend to
allow you to have nice things like higher fighting
capability, etc. With the Clarkson enrolling system
the meta's are the strongest races, you can make a
meta with the same characteristics as a top line
normal cheaper, giving you more points to use for
increasing your abilities.
Pillarian -
This is entirely up to individual tastes, If you
are just starting then flip a coin.. try that type
then next game swap.. then perhaps make a decision
as to what you will play...
Tao -
I'd say normal. If for no other reason but because
many don't like them...
Empire -
It depends of which tactics you are going to use:
if you want to be good in man to man-fight, choose
meta (because of absorption), if you want fast
developing tech from the very beginning of the
game, choose normal ( with IQ like 170..) and so
on...
Link Baker -
I have only played metamorphic races. I like the
fact that they can send up pods immediately and
don't have to wait for tech. They are more
challenging. You don't have the technology of a
normal race. Also, you can take a planet without
having to destroy it (absorb). That takes skill.
Anyone can bomb someone into the stone age.
Greenies -
Normal for the first games, it all makes much more
sense.
Zurgithian -
Well I almost always go for meta, but I depends on
the time you have to play or the number of friends
you have to help play your race. Metas take time
(you need macros as well, but I have done well
spending hours podding before I discovered macros),
to come in the top 5 of a big game you will need
1-2 hours per update if you know how to use macros.
------------------------------
Subject: 50. What type of home planet should I choose?
Feepness -
A high resource, low fertility planet (desert or airless) You
can always increase fertility later with resources.
Lestat -
Consider the sector compatibilities which are easiest for a
given planet type (they're usually marked with a * by
racegen). Planet types such as iceballs and airless are more
difficult because they tend to be smaller and have less
resources, making your race slower in getting underway. Note
- choosing Earth (Class M) planets may seem tempting, and
it's not a bad idea. However, in some universes, there are
many Earth inhabiting players. This means there will be more
competition against your race for these planets.
Keskiolut -
Pick a planet that is rather large ( desert,forest ) because
you are not likely to get many planets in your first game...
Neue Regel -
Class M / Earth
Garfel -
1. Desert 2. Forest 3. Earth (you need too many sector
preferences to use this planet effectively)
Cylons -
This primarily depends on the sector compatibilities you
choose. Jovian planets (gas giants) are very large, and have
the ability to fuel up ships (so I hear). Half of the sector
space in a galaxy is gas. Jovians are few and far between.
Their resource content is not very rich, but passable.
Whether or not Jovian races should be allowed to terraform
sectors to gas is being debated. Class M's are primarily like
earth. Don't be fooled, they have LOTS of water...usually. If
you have water as a compat, class M is not a bad choice.
Water balls are usually small but not too bad for resources.
Iceballs are few and far between (I think) but also not too
bad for resources.
Thing -
Picking planets is tough. I like to start on a Class M or
desert since they are usually large. Large home worlds are
good because they can be taxed, and a big planet has more res
than a small one.
Muu -
I would go for the generic M-type planet. They aren't the
most common, but they are really useful. As another option,
you could go for a desert planet. These are GREAT for
resources, but are generally very rare. Forest planets are
also good, as they produce decent amounts of resources and
your population will explode. As for other planets, such as
asteroids, airballs, iceballs, and jovians, I would not
advise choosing any of these as they all have problems
associated with them, such as smallness, lack of resources,
and rarity (for the jovians).
Fnebish Legion -
Choose either a Jovian, a desert planet, a Class M, or a
forest planet. All the other types are too small to start
with, and you'll find yourself having a hard time producing
resources since production on a given planet goes as
_the_power_ "number of sectors owned." Producing resources
quickly on your home planet is crucial.
Microbians -
Personally, I like forest and desert planets. They have very
good resource concentrations and despite much of the
documentation, they are often quite large. To a certain
extent, planet choice is moot because planetary size, and
atmosphere have a much greater effect on the game than the
planet type. Just make sure you are compatible with the vast
majority of sectors that appear on your planet. (One reason I
dislike class-Ms is because most races don't have enough
sector preference diversity to colonize greater than 90% of
the sectors, and the uncolonized sectors stick out like a
sore thumb.)
Tribbles -
To start out with, use either forest or desert. Higher
resources, and costs less in racegen; you can thus pick other
sector pref's. I prefer a forest planet myself.
NB -
I tend toward earthlike planets. Jovians are fun too if you
don't mind being somewhat separated from the mainstream of
the game.
TheCulture -
Again a matter of taste :-) I personally love desert worlds,
since they have an extremely high resource content (i.e. you
can build huge amounts of stuff from them). On the down side,
desert worlds are low on fertility, so your population
increases quite slowly. The "basic" home world is a "Type M"
(Earth-type) planet, which is pretty even in all respects --
a pretty good choice for your first game. Other choices are
the Water world (not that great), Iceball (avoid!), the
Forest world (low resources, high fertility), and the Jovian.
Jovians are unique in that they automatically make your race
a gas-breather (which rules out any other sector
preferences). This make for a division in the game between
the Jovians and all the other races, as neither can use each
other's worlds (although Jovians *can* terraform normal
worlds into gas ones -- this could be considered a bug). You
probably shouldn't choose a Jovian for your first game,
although if you're feeling brave go for it!
Froos -
Doesn't really matter too much. Just don't pick an iceball or
asteroid since those usually are kind of small and puts a
constraint on your earlier expansion. Don't choose forest
worlds, either. There aren't too many of those.
Griffons -
It really depends on what you want out of your home planet.
For cheap compatibilities, you should choose a forest. For
high populations, forest or water then earth. For resources,
desert. The best way is to fiddle around with the enroll
system until you have enough points to do what you want. You
will find that the cost for compatibilities change as your
home planets do. This cost has eliminated iceballs from being
a viable starting planet.
Pillarian -
Most choose a class M (All sector types except gas) simply
because it enables the player to parallel their race against
the thinking of a modern day situation.
Tao -
Maybe earth or forest (if this is asked). Both have fairly
good fert and resources. Not desert, because fert is so low
there.
Empire -
In earth-,forest- and joviantype planet your population grows
faster... In desert-type planet you have relatively greater
resources... Of iceballs and Airlesses I have no
experiences..
Link Baker -
Earth type planets. Their size can support a decent
population (Meso's need population for tech). They have
pretty good resources.
Greenies -
Desert, or Earth. Both are fairly large size planets, have
plenty of resources, and can be found in just about every
system.
Zurgithian -
Desert, Earth or Forest (Jovians are good too, but try the
others first), as a meta you can have 1 guy live on any
sector type so even if you are on an Earth type with
incompatible sectors you can still mine resources there.
------------------------------
Subject: 51. How should I spend my remaining points?
Feepness -
Fiddle around, trying different things every game... that
makes it fun.
Lestat -
Metabolism is important for producing resources at a
reasonable rate, especially early on; many players recommend
at least 0.95 or 1.0. Adventurism encourages your people to
spread out without your help. IQ is useful for developing
tech. They're all useful, of course... which to emphasize the
most is your personal preference. Just be sure, in your first
few races at least, not to cripple any one stat too greatly,
or you may regret it.
Keskiolut -
Metabolism is great, at least 1.0, and fight should never be
below 3 or 4.
Neue Regel -
IQ will take most of them. Good IQ is about 150-170, 200 if
you really want to spend the points.
Garfel -
Raise IQ to at least 180 and metabolism to 0.9. Drop
adventurism to 0.05, birthrate to 0.6 (or maybe 0.5; it's not
important to have it high), and get a little fertilize.
Cylons -
Metabolism is a good place to put points. This represents how
active your race is. A race with a low metab(.8 is considered
low) will build up fuel, and resources(res) at a slower rate
than a race with a 1.0 metab. You don't absolutely need a
high metab. Lower metab is still playable, but it requires
shrewder planning and foresight on the part of the player.
Birthrate should be high. Adventurism need not be high. It
represents the chances of members of your race deciding to
expand the 'frontier'. For techies, IQ is usually a good one
to boost up. Don't take more than 3-6 sexes required to
reproduce.
Thing -
Always try and get a metab of 1.00 or great. I like to have 1
sex, since it makes colonizing easier. Concentrate on either
a smart race or a good fighter type race.
Muu -
A high IQ is nice, as this allows your technology level to
increase more quickly. Sector preferences are also really
nice. For a normal race, the other stats aren't as important,
in my opinion. A low mass is useful, and sometimes you can
save a lot of points by reducing your adventurism to as low
as possible. This has the effect of having to move all your
population manually... They will not move on their own.
Fnebish Legion -
Get at least three sector preferences, but don't go for the
"common" choices. It's best to find an unusual mix. You'll
work much better with potential allies since you won't be
wanting the same types of sectors. Also, make sure your metab
is _at_least_ 1.0 unless you're a Jovian race (in which case
0.9 is a good minimum). If you're not going to spend the
points on a high IQ, spend 'em on fight or metabolism. Don't
try to max things out too much...at high levels of any
attribute, then the cost rises much more quickly than the
attribute, but you want something high to give your race a
distinct edge, if possible.
Microbians -
It's up to you. Generally, its not possible to take over the
universe on your own, so you should make sure that you have
something to offer potential allies. A perfectly well-rounded
race, may not have much to contribute
Tribbles -
For a first time player, try to only add sector prefs, go
with the default setting for the most part. They're not
great, but they're not bad either. I would try to have these
sectors pref's: Forest, Water, Desert, and land. Also drop
your # of sexes to 1. It make metabolism a little cheaper.
NB -
Fight ability is good, but I tend to think reproduction
(minimizing number of sexes) is more important.
TheCulture -
Hmmm... depends heavily on the type of play you're going to
foll. If you're a "tech" then you can downplay the "fight"
and invest in IQ, and vice versa if you're going to go for
the "Wood Clubs & Brute Strength" -department :-) I
personally like investing a lot in IQ (tech).
Froos -
Make sure you have decent IQ (~150), reasonable birthrate
(>0.6), good metabolism(1 or so), and try to be compatible
with as many sectors as you can.
Griffons -
Well that really depends. To pull out the maximum res you
need both a high pop and a high metab (res is required for
the building of ships). Also Birth is good and so are
compatibilities to sectors; likewise, someone with fight 10
troops is really nasty to come across. The only way to really
tell what you need is by your playing style. That only comes
with experience... Go for a basic race that populates well
and has 180 tech... it is a good start for a beginner.
Pillarian -
Again it depends on what race you chose. If metamorph then
fight would be useful followed by birth, then sectors
(preferences). You may wish to sacrifice some of the IQ tech
level for other things. If techie, then perhaps higher IQ.
Fight is not highly required but a fight of one is a major
loss. With such a low fight most techies would be (initially)
at the mercy of meso pods. Then you can choose between birth
and metab.
Tao -
I usually drop my fight a little, buy metabolism and then
just sort of spread the rest evenly (no use taking too much
fertilizing or adventure though. If you won't be able to play
in the start, then that advantage might help). Be unisex if
you have the points.
Empire -
Take higher fight,metabolism and iq... IMHO don't waste your
points to get better fertilization; after the tech-level 5,
the Space Plows will have the same effect...
Link Baker -
Metabolism is very important. After that a meso should go for
fight. Birthrate is fine at 50 - 60 %. Spend extra points on
met and fight. Maybe sector compat. also, but it's expensive.
Greenies -
Desert, or Earth. Both are fairly large size planets, have
plenty of resources, and can be found in just about every
system.
Zurgithian -
Metas need a good fight and metabolism. In a blitz game you
will need adventurism more than .25 (unless you have a
population spread macro) otherwise have .1, a very high birth
rate is needed to take planets quickly (metas like me are
greedy, take all those sectors, ask Feep :-). If going for a
low IQ meta then have some (.25) fertility, pods and absorb
are a must!!! If playing HAP go for metab of 1.8-2.0, in one
game I had 6 planets after only 2 and a bit updates cos I got
some res and fuel after the first update! You can afford to
be pretty heavy as you will not be using techie ships for a
while.
------------------------------
Subject: 52. What sector preferences should I choose?
Feepness -
Definitely water, desert, land, and mountain. When playing a
"Jovian" race, you really can't go wrong since there is a
very high percentage of gas giants out there.
Lestat -
Always choose the ones which are best for your planet type;
those are cheapest. I don't recommend buying more than one
other sector compat, if even that, since the *number* of
compatibilities you have is a factor in point cost as well.
Keskiolut -
Main preference plus one or two another ( take 100%, because
they're cheap after the first 30% or so... ). So, maybe a
desert and forest. Or another good choice: desert, land and
mountain.
Neue Regel -
For a Class M planet, take land, water, and ice. These are
very common to the other planets too. Forest can also be a
good choice.
Garfel -
with desert: land/mountain; with forest: land/mountain/water;
with earth: land/water/mount (mount is not important but has
high resource content).
Cylons -
Recommendations for these are plated, land, and water. You
should have compatibility with these three sectors before you
choose others. You don't need 90-100% on every sector type
you do choose. You can select 50% or lower so you can make
use of the few odd sectors, or asteroids, forest planets,
etc. . . Ice is a good one, since it shows up on iceballs and
most class M planets on the poles.
Thing -
Pick as many sector prefs as you can; get them to at least
25%. The best ones in my opinion are home planet sector,
desert, mountain, land, forest, water then ice.
Muu -
If you don't have a sector preference in a certain sector
type, you effectively can't live on those sector types. So,
if you can afford it, buy some compatibility in all, or most
of the sectors. They don't have to be bought at 100%. 10%-20%
should do for most of them. Be sure to get one or two
sector-types at a high compatibility, such as 90%-100%. If
you live on a Class M, I would suggest land, water, forest,
and a little desert. Again, if you can, get at least a little
in all the sector types.
Fnebish Legion -
I mentioned this a little bit before. Land and forest have
the highest fertility (I'm not mentioning gas since, if you
take a Jovian race, gas is your only viable option), hence
can support more population. This is good for races with
collective IQ. Mountain and desert have high resource content
but low fertility, so they're good for races with high metab.
Ice is useful since it is found on almost all the planets in
at least some small amounts, and water is a good choice for a
race starting on a class M, though it is generally poor in
resource content. Select an unusual mix and you'll find
working with allies much easier.
Microbians -
Similarly it's not a good idea to be compatible with every
kind of sector. MANY alliances are based on sector
incompatibilities.
Tribbles -
See comment to question 3.
NB -
Land, forest, and water are my favorites.
TheCulture -
100% for your "home" sector type (i.e. water for water worlds
etc.), and at least 50% on a couple of others. "Land" and
"Mountain" are pretty good choices, since they are quite
common. Again, this depends on your play style. You can
either invest a lot in sec. preferences and be able to
utilize pretty much anything right at once, or you can invest
in tech and build Terraformers as soon as possible (with
Terraformers you can change sector types into your own
preferred sector type.
Froos -
Try to include either land or mountain because many of the
asteroid/ iceball type planetary bodies will have one of
these two sectors on them.
Griffons -
Totally dependent on your home planet. The more the better
but you will find that some sector preferences cost too much
due to you being on a planet that does not have the sector
much. You will get the idea if you try having a desert home
and water compatibility. Water tends to be one of the most
common (generally supports high pop but low res production).
Forest is the same as water but supports a higher pop and is
very rare (throughout the universe, that is). Land, is
incredibly common with average pop and res production. Ice is
common, supports little population but high than average res.
Gas is only good if you are a Jovian race: low pop/sector and
low res. Mountain his high res and low pop. Desert same as
mountain but generally more res.
Pillarian -
Depending on what race gen is being employed will depend on
you avenues of decision. These mainly being that you will
require 100% of the main sector(s) of what ever planet type
you have chosen. Ie class M land(*) or mountain (^) on the GB
enroll system. Variances have and will occur in the 2 main
race gens available.. (GB's { code, and Clay's port driven
system).
Tao -
I've had quite a good start with starting on earth and being
able to use water, desert and land. Deserts could be changed
to mount, maybe. That way you can land on most planets, get
resourceful sectors (desert) and still can spread well on
your home planet (water).
Empire -
As many as possible so you have wider basement when you start
to colonize other planets..... Mountain is
resource-rich and quite a non- rare sector type, but it costs
points. If you take gas, you don't need to take any other
sector types.. :)
Link Baker -
Water is pretty abundant in the universe. Forest is rare.
Choose water, and then land or mountains. Stay away from rare
sector types.
Greenies -
Besides your planet type sector, definitely choose mountain.
There are mountains on every planet, and asteroid.
Zurgithian -
The primary sector type must be 100% i.e. on Water planets
have water 100%, forest 100% on Forest planets etc. On Desert
planets you can usually have desert, mountain or ice as 100%.
For metas it is good to have some compat with forest as your
population grows fast because of the high fertility. Always
go for some on land ! If playing HAP have some mountain as
there is lots around.
------------------------------
Subject: 53. What should I do before the first update?
Feepness -
Beg for an update. It doesn't make much of a difference to
unload people from the government center.
Lestat -
Unload a few people from your government center to join in
the first reproductive pass. Be sure to leave at least one in
so you'll get APs! Spend the APs you have moving a few people
around diagonally from your starting sector, to encourage
widespread colonization. Decide if you want a tax rate
(lowers efficiency I believe) or mobilization (eventually
produces destructive capacity at the expense of resources).
Chat some with other players.
Keskiolut -
Unload @, spread the ppl to next-to-@-sectors. Because you
NEED as much ppl as possible and they do _not_ reproduce
without you spreading them. Even if you have high adventurism
this is recommended.
Neue Regel -
Get your MIN-SEXES to as many sectors as you can. You will be
limited by both AP's and total population. I tend to unload
4-6 people from my @ before the 1st update. Load them back in
after the update though.
Garfel -
Unload your @ (load #number c -10). Depending on your number
of sexes, that number of people to the highest fertility
sectors so you have a lot of people after the 1st update.
Cylons -
Move your people around. It's important to get your planet
covered as much as possible. Move them around in small groups
so you use fewer action points. Soon, your people will start
making resources and fuel. HINT: Use the 'analysis' command
to determine which sectors are your most resource rich. It's
probably not a good idea to unload people from the government
center. You need people there to maintain efficiency, which
is a very important aspect of sector stats. The more
efficient you are, the faster you pump out res. And the more
efficient your government, well. . . think about it.
Thing -
On the first update, take enough people out of your @ and
move them 1 space away from your @. This will help you spread
out faster, but you will not get as many AP's as fast. After
the first update, load the @ to full again.
Muu -
The most enjoyable thing to do, and sometimes really useful,
is to meet all the people. Potential allies and enemies
always pop up. You should also look at your position and
determine possible routes to nearby stars. That's about all I
usually do before the update, except for unloading the @. On
the very first update, I usually unload five(5) crew from the
government center. I then spread them around to five nearby
sectors. After the first update, one should always reload the
center with crew, as an insufficiently manned center does not
produce Action Points(AP's), which, as you will find out,
limits the number of actions you can do. AP's are vital in
the beginning of the game.
Fnebish Legion -
Nothing, unless you want to try unloading your government
center Raising tax rates and mobilizing should come after
about the 6th or 7th updates, IMHO. If you will be on at the
update so that you can reload your center after the first
update, go ahead and do it. Unloading your center at the
beginning, taking 4 crew out, is nice because it gives you a
head start on your expansion at the cost of only a couple of
AP's (this is not entirely clear to me due to conflicting
information, but I'm told that centers probably _don't_
produce fewer AP's with less crew inside...still, you might
as well keep it fully loaded after the first update).
Microbians -
If you are playing in a game where you start out with 1200
people, You probably want to colonize the four sectors on a
diagonal from your start sector. (I assume here that all
races have six sexes or less) If your race has one sex move
one person into each sector, otherwise move six. This will
use your APs most efficiently. If you are playing in a game
where you start with one person, you might want to unload the
government center, but never unload more than 5 and reload it
immediately after the first turn.
Tribbles -
Drop the # of civ's in capitol by half. Use extra population
on the planet. Remember to load up the cap again later. Also,
spread people over sectors, just put your # of sexes in each
sector that you have AP for. ample. I have 1 sex, thus I move
1 pop into all but one of the surrounding sectors, I then
move all but one in orig sector into the one empty sector,
then I repeat the process again until planet is covered. If
you have over 40 pop in a sector though, move only half. If
costs too much AP to move more than 20 pop.
NB -
Not much! Try out commands, read the help extensively, and
try to communicate via broadcasting with other players. I've
never tried to unload my @! Hey, maybe I'm not all that far
from a newbie myself.
TheCulture -
Unload the crew of the government center (@), and move people
to nearby sectors that look promising (high resources and
compatible sector type). Chat with the other players. Try not
to think of the million other things you should be doing
instead of playing this (altogether too addictive) game....
Froos -
Spread your people out. I usually unload my @. For a morph,
dump off about 3 or 4. You only have 5 AP's to start out
with, and it costs one to move one guy, so dropping off more
really doesn't help.
Griffons -
Unload your @ and spread the pop out, but don't forget to
load the @ back up after the update
Pillarian -
First, unload 5 crew from your capitol (ship number of your
capitol will be equal to your race number)...eg, "load @ c
-5" or "load #shipnum c -5". Once you have done this, you
spread out the 5 pop (one at a time as you have only 5 AP's
before the first update. Make sure you don't move the pop
onto incompatible sectors. This is, of course only if you are
a one sex race; you would have to modify the numbers for how
many sexes you have. As long as you move a whole "breeding
group" you are okay. The good point of this: It helps get
your pop increasing faster; fert and eff on those sectors
will already start to increase. Bad: You will get half the
AP's that update, so I suggest after the first update you
load your gov center back up. Remember that a capitol or gov
center will only produce AP in relation to its current level
of crew (ie. 100% crew gives you 100% AP, etc.). The next
thing you should do is have a look at the number and
distribution of the planets in your home system. Next, go to
the global scope and have a look at where you are in the
universe (this is important as your position will determine
as a whole your further strategy). Other things you may
consider doing: naming your governor, perhaps changing your
password, appointing a second governor (more for your
convenience than anything). I would also (if you are willing
to, that is) place your email address in your "personal" this
helps when you "run" into other races. It makes the politics
much simpler. However in a HAP game this is regarded as a BIG
nono. Next, I would think about the possible access to a
postscript printer. If you have access to one, then I
strongly suggest that you pipe a copy of the stars list to a
log file, then generate a stars map (the program to do this
is available all over the place. Then I would just wait.
Tao -
Not much that you need to do. Talk to others and ask stupid
questions... They'll help you. I usually unload people from
my government center and spread them out.
Empire -
Use command: help and if theres still something unclear use
broadcast and ask it from other players, theres always
experienced players around. Unload people from your @ so you
can start to populate more quickly.
Link Baker -
View the maps of your home planet, system, and your location
in the universe. Unload @ and spread the people around. Find
out how close neighboring systems are, which one's you want
to explore 1st. Unload all but one crew from your @ so you
still get some AP's. Spread 'em around. Load it back up after
the 1st update. You should have plenty of pop unless you have
a really shitty birthrate. Get that planet covered A.S.A.P.
Greenies -
Get all but one of your people out of the Gov Center, and do
spread them around it. Look to see where in the universe you
are, just for curiosity.
Zurgithian -
As a meta with 1 sex you can take 6 sectors on the first
move, unload 8 crew from the @ and move 5 pop 1 sector in
different directions. Load up the @ again after the first
update. No tax yet, but have mobility at 25 or so after the
first update.
------------------------------
Subject: 54. What is the first ship I should build? The second?
Feepness -
If you are impatient and have lots of r, you can build a
ground telescope and survey your system, otherwise wait and
build a factory for shuttles.
Lestat -
If you are a meso, the first and second ship you should build
is a pod ;) If you are a normal race, build a factory (F) as
soon as you can afford it, and teach it to build shuttles (cs
#factnum; make s). If your res production is going to
outstrip your tech, use "modify" to make the shuttle lower
tech. Put people in the factory, turn it on, wait for it to
repair. Use the "fact" command (if present on the server) to
keep an eye on the factories over the segs and updates. When
it's finished, use "build #" to build # of ships while in
that factory.
Keskiolut -
First to build is F. Modify it to make s's, as cheap and FAST
as possible, maybe carrying nothing but 1 cargo (for
upgrading later) and SEX-number of people plus as much fuel
as possible.
Neue Regel -
Make a factory as soon as you can. Have it produce stripped
down shuttles so you can get to as many planets as possible.
Garfel -
One ground telescope as soon as you get tech 5 and 2 res then
aim at the nearest planets, then a Factory to build shuttles
with a modified speed of at least 6.
Cylons -
A good choice for a first ship for a techie is a Factory. Use
the factory to build a shuttle to send out to the other
planets in the solar system. Also, while your factory is
fixing itself,(it starts with 75% damage and needs time to
repair.) build a ground telescope so that you can see what
the planets in your system are like, and don't send your
first shuttle to an incompatible planet.
Thing -
The first ship you should build is a factory; do not build
it, though, until you have enough res to turn it on. Wait
until you have at least 33 res before building it. You want
the shuttle to hold only the minimum number of crew, no guns,
no destruct, and no resources. This will let you pay less per
shuttle and spend more on speed. If you are a meta, just
start building and launching pods as soon as you get the res
and fuel to do it.
Muu -
The very first ship I would build is a telescope. That way,
you can examine the other planets in your solar system and
see which ones you should target for colonization first. The
second should probably be a Factory to build colonization
shuttles. These should have 5-10 crew and 10 crew if
possible. Remember, when you construct a ship design on a
Factory, you don't have to be at the given tech of the ship
until you want to build them, which is as soon as the Factory
comes online (about 3-4 updates after activation).
Fnebish Legion -
If you're a metamorph, build pods like crazy until you have
the tech capability to build shuttles with speed 4 or so (you
can experiment with a factory to find out what tech you
need). Other- wise, build _nothing_ until you've built your
factory and turned it on. Don't even build a little
telescope. You want that factory turned on ASAP, even if you
have to set it to building really crappy and cheap shuttles.
Once you have something built, you can always modify it later
(when you can afford it)...the important thing is getting
that F turned on. Once you've spent your res doing this (it
costs 23 plus twice the cost of the ship design to build and
then turn on the factory), you can build a telescope to
survey surrounding planets in your system.
Microbians -
Pods for a Meso, shuttles for a normal. A lot depends on your
strategy, your race, your start planet, and (especially with
Ts) the rules of the game.
Tribbles -
Hmmm.... This is questionable. It really depends on the race.
For the normal player I would say shuttles and then
explorers. Though I've designed races to skip shuttle
production before. Remember shuttles are for in system
exploration mostly while explorers are for other systems
NB -
The first ship is almost invariably a shuttle from which the
weapons systems and so on have been stripped that can carry
your minimum number of sexes to another planet in your system
for colonization. The second? Another one! Later you should
build some shuttles with a bit of destruct on board, to give
you a chance of snuffing out unwanted alien colonies at the
beginning of their existence. Of course, if you're a morph,
you'll build pods first.
TheCulture -
In GB a "ship" is anything that you build, so in GB terms the
first ship you should build is (a) a pod, if you're a morph;
(b) a ground telescope if you're a normal race. With this
gadget you can view your solar system and get some picture of
your position so you can send your shuttles to the right
places. The second ship type you should build is a factory
(F). When you have enough tech and res, you can order it to
produce shuttles (for instance) and in a couple of updates,
you can start spreading out.
Froos -
If you're a morph, pods. :-) If normal, shuttle, then maybe
explorer.
Griffons -
Depends on what you can build pods are good for a meso. a
shuttle factory for all those who do not have pods.
Pillarian -
Again it depends on what race you are.. Meso .. You pod like
crazy.. if you are a techy then I suggest that you build a
telescope (gives you something to do more than anything) then
save up for a factory.. the second for a meso.. (second type
not the second ship) would be K's (Space plows..) at tech 5
..
Tao -
First ground telescope to see what planets there are in your
system. Then shuttles...
Empire -
Perhaps the Ground Telescope would be best as a first ship...
With it you can survey other planets in your star system...
Second would be a factory to produce shuttles to get
colonization to start... Don't forget to set your tax to about
5 percent, 'cause maintaining of the ships takes money and if
you don't have money your morale drops...
Link Baker -
1st) For a meso, a pod. For a techie, a factory (To build
shuttles) 2nd) Meso - pod. Techie - whatever you have the
tech for while you are waiting on the shuttles. Domes help
the planet and you.
Greenies -
A factory, for shuttles. Then a ground telescope, to check
out your system.
Zurgithian -
Find out how many planets there are in your system using the
explore command and build a pod for each one (only need 1
fuel) when you have the res. Send the pod to a planet, land
it on a good sector (use analysis to find one and scrap the
pod, hey presto another colony :-) As soon as you have the
res and fuel send 5-10 pods to your 10 nearest stars (send
them in waves, 1 update apart) you will need 1 fuel per ~8000
distance depending on your race's weight.
------------------------------
Subject: 55. What can I do to increase my resource production on a given planet?
Feepness -
Cover every sector.
Lestat -
Get a higher metabolism, get more population.
Keskiolut -
Build Y's. Nothing much else.
Neue Regel -
Build Y's or q's. Y's have an added effect of producing
plated sectors which make it harder for any ships landed on
that sector to be hit. q's produce extra toxicity but give
more resources in the beginning. As your sector efficiency
goes up, q's become less useful.
Garfel -
You could use quarries, but i don't recommend it. They cost
res to build and make the planet more toxic.
Cylons -
You can increase resource production with 'quarries'. Beware,
you can generate 'toxicity' with quarries, but they will
probably help you out very much. Also, I believe Domes can be
helpful.
Thing -
To increase res production, use domes (Y), and start out with
a good metabolism. Make the domes on sectors that have the
most res in them; use the analysis command to find out which
sector has the most res. Also make sure you can live on that
type sector.
Muu -
Generally, get as much population as possible. Cover your
homeworld as soon as possible. And build Domes (Y's) on a few
sectors to get their efficiency up (which affects resource
production).
Fnebish Legion -
First, cover every single sector you are compatible with.
Next, if you have spare resources, you can build domes to
increase the efficiency of some sectors, which will increase
your overall average efficiency, which will, in turn,
increase production without hurting your planet. I've found
that quarries are a real waste of time and resources.
Microbians -
Well, you are going to have to wait a while before you get
any significant production. If you are a non-Jovian and you
have the tech and resources to spare, you might want to
consider domes. Either way, KEEP THE TAXES LOW.
Tribbles -
You can build quarries, though I never do. You can also
increase your population using K's and build Y's(domes) to
increase it's efficiency. If your real brave you can design
your race to have a real high metab, like 1.5. Thus you'd
never have to worry about resources.
NB -
Spread your population thoroughly (make sure you're
compatible with the sectors you put people on however), and
build domes when you have the available time and resources;
domes increase efficiency greatly.
TheCulture -
Move people to the sectors with the highest resource
contents, build domes (Y) on the best sectors, and possibly
build a space plow (K) to increase sector fertility so that
more people appear there. If the planet has the wrong type of
atmosphere or temperature you can use atmosphere processors,
space mirrors, dust canisters and greenhouse gas to good
effect.
Froos -
You could build quarries, or try to put your guys on high res
sectors.
Griffons -
Increase the average efficiency(through doming) or increase
the pop through space plows etc.
Pillarian -
Well the bets way to increase r production is to increase you
efficiency. you can o this by Doming sectors.. Believe me it
is worth putting r into domes!!!!
Tao -
Build domes, quarries, terraformers, space plows...
Empire -
You can build Domes after tech-level 5, they increase your
sector efficiency on which depends your
resource-production....
Link Baker -
Get that entire planet covered! After that you'll have to
increase the efficiencies of the sectors with domes. Other
than that there's not much else you can do. That's why it's
important to have metabolism.
Greenies -
Wait. Quarries are overrated.
Zurgithian -
Cover the whole planet, even sectors you don't like, build
domes on these sectors as soon as possible so that you can
plate them. I don't use quarries; they're nasty.
------------------------------
Subject: 56. Should I colonize the planets in my own system first, or should
I focus on arriving in other systems before opponents can?
Feepness -
Concentrate on other systems, except hit the high fertility
planets in your system at the same time. An enemy could breed
on a class M ten times faster than on an iceball.
Lestat -
Yes.
Keskiolut -
Because you are a beginner, take your own system first.
Neue Regel -
Depends on how close the neighboring systems are. I try to go
for the neighboring systems first and get a shuttle to my own
planets after I have sent out 2 or 3 s's to the other
systems. If systems are very close (< 10K) it would probably
be better to get those first shuttles to your own planets.
Don't forget to build a telescope and check out your own
planets. This can save you a lot of time by not having to go
to every planet.
Garfel -
Both if possible. Colonize only the best planets of your own
system, like those over 40% compatibility and go fast to the
nearest systems!
Cylons -
Try to colonize your own system first, and establish a good
population base and fleet. Throughout the beginning, you may
talk confidentially to other players, or publicly to
everyone. If you can get a crypt set up with another player,
feel free to ask questions. Also, God is an experienced
player who can give advice, but don't run to him before
trying to figure it out on your own. Otherwise he'd be
swamped. It's good to establish friendly relations with other
players, and even better ones with races who are in a
position to mess with you. Try to get on peoples' good side.
Even if you are going to backstab them. :-)
Thing -
Do both. Use one ship to colonize the planets in your star.
Use a telescope to save time by aiming it at the planets and
seeing if you can live on them. Use your remaining ships to
colonize the nearest stars to you.
Muu -
Generally, get as much population as possible. Cover your
homeworld as soon as possible. And build Domes(Y's) on a few
sectors to get their efficiency up(which affects resource
production).
Fnebish Legion -
Use a telescope to check out the planets in your system if
you have the tech to do it. Colonize those you are compatible
with, but always send your first dozen or so ships out of
system so they can get a head start on the race with the
other players to arrive at and colonize unpopulated systems.
If waiting to colonize your planets allows some other race to
sneak in, odds are it will be quite easy for you to kick that
player out since you will have the resources nearby to build
the necessary ships to do it. This is a last resort of
course, since you should always ally with your neighbors if
at all possible.
Microbians -
Contrary to most of the advice I've been given, I usually
colonize my home system first. It costs less in time, and
after you colonize your home, you can use the same ships to
arrive at other systems.
Tribbles -
BOTH! You start off colonizing your planet until you get
enough tech to build speed 6-7 shuttles. Then use upgrade (cs
into ship scope have resources on ship and use "upg speed
7"). When you can do this then send some shuttles to other
systems. When you can build explorers, do so and send them to
other systems. An awesome race would have the ability to skip
shuttles, go to explorers and thus explore out space the same
time as it colonizes its home planets, but it's risky even
for experienced players.
NB -
Colonize your own system quickly! Arriving in other systems
early is fine if you can build some speed 9 shuttles to zip
to the nearest stars, but hyperdrive will arrive before your
slower shuttles reach places much further than a star or two
away. If you're a 'morph, of course, you should be firing off
pods from the very first updates!
TheCulture -
I'd say focus on the other systems. The primitive ship types
(pod, shuttle) move slowly, so you have to be fast if you
want to make it to the best spots before anyone else does.
You'll always have time later to focus on your own system.
Froos -
Do your own first. Easier and faster and it'll give you
additional supplies to conquer other systems with.
Griffons -
The latter, the more territory that you can gain early the
more that you will not have to fight over later
Pillarian -
Again everything is relative.. But my answer would be YES!
You should colonize your system first. You must at least
devote your first inter- scope ship to the task.. then work
out from there.. if you have close neighbors.. and they get
to you first.. and you haven't colonized your system, you
could be inviting disaster.
Tao -
I'd say it depends on what kind of planets you've got. If you
have great planets in your own system (the telescope!), send
the first ones there. Otherwise sort of divide your forces...
Empire -
IMHO, colonize your planets first before somebody else do
it...
Link Baker -
Everybody should have their own strategy regarding this.
Greenies -
Usually the competition for other systems doesn't happen for
a while. Definitely go for your own system first.
Zurgithian -
Both at the same time, pods are cheap in res so if you have a
high metabolism you can send out lots and lots. After the
first 10-20 updates you should have podded all the systems
within 100000 dist of you, if you have the time !
------------------------------
Subject: 57. What should I do when I see another ship other than my own?
Feepness -
Talk first... don't give away too much. If it's named
something nice like "Friendly" then you can assume it's going
to be OK. Also, if it is a size 1 shuttle you don't have much
to worry about in any case, but a size 6 d, you should
definitely make friends if you aren't going to be able to
destroy it immediately. Put yourself in the other person's
place (he is just trying to colonize and will be pretty
pissed if you blow away his ship for no reason other than he
exists.) Also keep in mind that this person is probably very
near you as well. A close-in fight like that can be
disastrous in a game.
Lestat -
Find out who owns it, try to communicate with that player if
you wish. If you're aggressive or foolish, attack it. If it's
a colonizing pod, blow it away. This is all more a matter of
personal style than learning the rules.
Keskiolut -
Talk, negotiate. Do not shoot first, you'll be losing most
probably.
Neue Regel -
Don't try and destroy them right off. That person could be
your best ally later on. If you see another ship early in the
game, it means that someone else is close by. If you start
into a war right away, you will have a really hard time
building up at all. The other players who are not fighting
right away have more time to expand to other systems.
Garfel -
Try to negotiate armistice if he is in a high place in power
list, or if you have good allies near then splat that
bastard.
Cylons -
When this first happened to me, I panicked somewhat. After I
calmed my self down and thought it out, I realized that the
ships were not a major threat, and that they couldn't know I
was here, so it's not a personal attack on me the player.
Open up a duologue. If there is a planet you can't use but
they can, let them in exchange for permission to colonize in
their own system. YOU CAN'T WIN GALACTIC BLOODSHED ON YOUR
OWN. FIND OUT ABOUT 'ALLIANCES' AND BLOCKS. THESE ARE WHAT
CAN BE DECIDING FACTORS IN WINNING THE GAME.
Thing -
If you see another ship that is not yours, send a telegram to
the ship's owner. If he is hostile, capture it. If it is in
your home system, capture it no matter what.
Muu -
That really depends on you. If you want a war, then by all
means, do what you will. However, it can be REALLY profitable
to team up with a Meta, if you are a norm. They generally
produce more rapidly, and make great troops. Be careful,
though, they are not as easy to suppress as some might lead
you to believe. Thinking of him as "my Meta" might just get
you into a nasty little fight. Again, its really up to you
and the situation.
Fnebish Legion -
Try to find out what player number owns it by using "tact."
If it is your own pod and you see the other ship on a map,
tact won't work, but there is a trick for seeing who owns
other ships which appear on your map but are too far away for
a tactical command to work on them: Use the "highlight"
command to run through the list of players, generating a new
map for each new highlighted player. As soon as the other
ship lights up, you'll be able to see who owns it. It's best
to talk to that person since he's probably a neighbor. If you
want peace, don't start by making demands or claims of "I was
here first." That gets you nowhere. Of course, as a general
rule, I only let the _most_ trusted allies colonize my home
systems. Players should understand that being allowed to
place a colony in another's home system is probably a pretty
big act of trust. A lot of full-scale and crippling wars have
been fought simply because one player refused to leave
another's home system. Deal with this as you see fit.
Microbians -
Diplomacy. Declare neutrality if you have the APs and start
talking to the owner. Look for an alliance and try to
ascertain the enemy's experience. Oh, and one other thing.
I've done EXTREMELY well in my first two games and the secret
to my success has been (with the exception the deity of
course) NEVER EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, LET ON THAT YOU
ARE A NEWBIE!!!!
Tribbles -
Talk first, shoot later. Besides, the first ship you see will
most likely be in a place where you can't do much any way.
Allies can be more powerful than enemies. *grin* Think about
it.
NB -
If it's in your own system, or one just adjacent to it, don't
shoot right away (unless it's a missile - ALWAYS shoot
missiles, and be sure to give their owners a hard time about
it in the future!) Try to communicate with the owner. If
you're seeing them relatively early in the game, then they're
probably a neighbor, and you need to negotiate with neighbors
to avoid counterproductive wars. You may have a planet
useless to you that would be useful to them - and vice versa.
When pods burst in your system, talk to the owners *quick.*
If they don't respond, snuff out the one - man invasion that
results on whichever planet it showed up, and do it quickly,
because 'morphs reproduce like, well, 'morphs. Bunnies can't
hold a candle.
TheCulture -
If it's a pod it might be a good idea to shoot it down (at
least if its in your home system), otherwise talking is a
*very* good idea. Making too many enemies too fast in the
game can lead to your home planet being turned into a nuclear
test site :-)
Froos -
This really depends on the individual context. Try to talk to
the owner, perhaps.
Griffons -
Close to find out who owns it and then try to parley with
them. Successful parleying can allow you to have a good
relationship or give you time so that you can backstab later.
Pillarian -
Find out who it belongs to (ie tact)! Then the best idea is
to talk to the owner (ie email to him) or send him a
telegram, etc., then decide between you two what you are
going to do. Then progress from there.. However you have to
remember that generating a fair trust level in this game is
difficult.. if you mess up explain the mess up.. else you
could invite war at the drop of a hat.. this could be good..
but then again :)
Tao -
Send him a message and say Hi!
Empire -
Try always negotiate first, you need allies to be good in this
game... And GOOD LUCK! ..we may meet sometime...
Link Baker -
Do a 'tactical' on it to see what it is, who owns it, etc . .
. If it's an enemy and you have an armed ship around, blast
it (fire command). If you are close enough board the ship and
capture it (Assault command). Any alien ship in your system
is a threat. You might want to telegram the person and find
out what his intentions are before taking action. A pod is
trouble; it means a meso is looking to colonize.
Greenies -
Send a message offering them one of the planets you don't
use, or tell them that you live there already.
Zurgithian -
As a meta there is not much you can do, arm up some military
on each planet so that they can not kick you off (high fight
is important). I usually go the diplomatic route send them
some telegrams, you will need a techie ally and they will
probably want a meta friend as well. Always check the tactical
report in your home star !
------------------------------