Re: Demo user seeks a few pointers
 

There is a tutorial but it only tackles the very basic stuff. The trouble with researching at random as you go along is that it can take a looong time. Plus of course the demo doesn't have the whole tech tree - it only shows you a selection.

What is the time limit after which the computer declares the combat over?

[This message has been edited by derb (edited 20 April 2001).]

Re: Demo user seeks a few pointers
 

Combat Lasts for 30 turns. You can adjust this though, I think in the Settings file.

Re: Demo user seeks a few pointers
 

Yep, 30 turns for space borne combat, and 10 turns for ground (troop) combat are the default time limits as set in the settings.txt file.

Also, when I was learning the differences between SE4 and SE3, I would just set up a game with two or three players, all run by me, set to test differing racial techs and play styles. That way, I didn't have to worry about the AI, and I could maneuver things the way I wanted to see what effects where had by what actions.

Granted though, the demo has limited functionality given its limited tech tree and all...

[This message has been edited by GruelThePurple (edited 20 April 2001).]

Re: Demo user seeks a few pointers
 

yes the combat length is changeable in the settings... you can also change the amount of damage required to kill 1M population. Increasing this "damage to kill 1 pop." greatly reduces the chance of an escort taking you out in one turn.

Re: Demo user seeks a few pointers
 

Yes, the battle map is a limited size and if the computer is controlling the battle your unarmed ships will run to a corner and die most of the time, although I have had a few rare instances where my ship was faster than the enemy and ran in circles until combat ended. It has been suggested to make the battle map larger but I don't think it is high on the list.
Basically any ship with a weapon can take out a planet given enough time. It may take 20 turns for an escort to knock out a homeorld but it can be done.
I think there was a file in the mod section that listed all the techs and the requirements to get them. It was in excel but I don't know if it is still there.
Don't know about the replay feature, as I always play tactical combat.
Hope this helps.

Re: Demo user seeks a few pointers
 

Does SEIV come with a tutorial? That's th bst way to learn. If there isn't one perhaps some of us should put on together for newbies, because that would probably be better than explaining the icons one by one.

Perhaps someone could generate a few "safe" AIs for newbies to practise on. If they never got angry and never started wars then a new player could explore nearly the whole tech tree / galaxy / diplomatic system without having to worry about getting glassed or trying to kp up with the right techs.


As for looking at the tech tree to research specific things... I never bothered. I just lookd at what was available and researched that, and learned th tch tree by trial and error. OK, I got wiped out by AIs once or twice, but what th hll - it's only AIs.

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There is an exception to every rule. Including this one.

Re: Demo user seeks a few pointers
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Perhaps someone could generate a few "safe" AIs for newbies to practise on. If they never got angry and never started wars then a new player could explore nearly the whole tech tree / galaxy / diplomatic system without having to worry about getting glassed or trying to kp up with the right techs.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Another way to do this would be to set up a game with only neutral empires for the computer players. Neutrals are "mostly harmless" [ http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif] no matter how mad they get at you.

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Cap'n Q