Re: Updated the FAQ
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Oh, I see... well, I meant the two paragraphs as wholely separate. The second was about the reproduction rates with happiness vs. conditions chart, and had nothing to do with the rest of the post. They were not meant to go together at all. Your interpretation is not what I meant at all. The first paragraph's answers really have nothing to do with that chart. Sorry for the confusion.

[ March 10, 2004, 05:15: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Ok, now that we're all friends again, we've sung our Kumbaya's and all that happy stuff, let's get back to business. I'm still letting the "dust settle" after the release of v1.91. I intend to put together one "Last" revision that has a bunch of things. ("Last" being only until another one is needed.) Here's what I'm thinking:

- I want to add a small section for "true newbie questions and frequent mistakes". I'd like input on this one. I'm thinking of things like colonizers with no population or other mistakes we have all made. I'll consolidate all these into a small section near the top, add a short answer, and refer the readers to various other sections of the FAQ if relevent. Maybe a "top ten list" or something of that nature. This section will be intended to be small.

- Update any sections for correctness under v1.91.

- Hopefully get Stone Mill (I've seen you lurking recently...) to finish, or at least do another installment to the Strategy Articles section.

- Incorporate things in this thread and others I have been keeping track of that contain applicable info since Last update.

- and do a Last scrub for overall formatting, etc. with the idea that I probably won't be updating it again.

- Last chance for anyone to submit anything. I'll target around the end of April or so. By then there will probably be revised mods out which use the new features in 1.91 so any issues under the new patch should have been found by then

Please know that I have tried a few methods of editing and the sheer size of the faq is becoming unwieldy (sp?). Copying/pasting into another editor usually results in losing some of the particular formatting that is used on this UBB. Using the UBB editor here is causing the board to almost choke and, even though you don't see it in the FAQ itself, there are lots of "errors" reported as it saves the text (even though it appears to save it properly in the end). The size is approaching some limit of the UBB. Hopefully there is room for a little more.

Slick.

[ March 10, 2004, 05:42: Message edited by: Slick ]

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Perhaps save it as an HTML file and have it hosted somewhere? You should be able to use the forum's Printer Friendly option to get it in basic HTML with no sweat.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

I'll probably be breaking it up as Geo suggests. The idea of hosting it elsewhere has come up before. I still like the idea of it being here where it is easily accessible for forum questions to reference. I try to answer questions with references to the FAQ if possible. This way, people read it and hopefully get answers before they need to post, as well as if any incorrect info is there, it usually gets flagged out.

Probably moving it off site when the SE5 demo is released would be a good idea.

Slick.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Reading the FAQ, I have found several spelling errors and repititions of information (credited to one person after another). It would be good to streamline that a bit. I'm no English major, but would be willing to go over it before it is finalized.

Any revisions I would make would be more for grammer than for content, I assure you.

Wildcard

[ March 10, 2004, 15:16: Message edited by: wildcard06 ]

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

If you'd point them out, that sure would be helpful. Also, not all of the contributers (contributors?) has English as a first language.

Slick.

[ March 10, 2004, 16:06: Message edited by: Slick ]

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">have? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Besides, you asked us to point them out. Oh, you just meant in the FAQ? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Ouch. I sure asked for that one. Geo, your aim is pretty good too.

*rubs the sore spot between his eyes*

Slick.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

I've been using the FAQ on SE.net as it has HTML links. Is this FAQ also being updated to mirror the changes on this forum??

Thanks!

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

No. It is several Versions out of date. The guy that was updating it has become rather busy as of late.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

If you want to post it somewhere I'd be happy to mirror it on PBW.

If you want to keep the full text of the FAQ here in the forum, what you should do is break it up. The problems you are having aren't caused by the amount of data in the FAQ thread. There are many threads much longer and they don't have problems. It's the amount of data for a single post in the FAQ thread. Break it up and put each section in it's own post. Rememeber to make the Posts in reverse order though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

One advantage of this is you'll be able to make the index clickable so people can go right to a specific section. You can make a UBB link that goes directly to a specific post in a thread.

Another advantage is since each section is a separate post, you can edit sections without having to edit the entire thread.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

There isnt going to be any more SE4 patches - therefore the FAQ should recieve one Last upgrade - then when the SE5 demo comes out you could generate a new one for the next Version.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

From another thread. For next update.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">At least #1 is simple. Construction queues (F7), select Rate. Click on Rate, then Construction to sort: non-building colonies are listed first, starting with highest production rate (i.e. usually those on emergency) on top.

Having the same #2 problem (haven't we all? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ) I usually design a few units named like "* upgrade *" or "* build ship now *" etc. Inserting them into the queue at the appropriate places alerts me to take action whenever I see an item starting with "*" in the queue. And they are listed first if you select sort by Construction, so it is easy to check it. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana"></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

From another thread for next update:

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">p.s. I'll edit for spelling. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Didnt you get it slick - there isnt going to be another patch. Space empires 5 in 1 - 2 years is the next installment - if one can keep the revenues coming in for Se4 - so go promote and get some new paying players.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Thanks Geo.

My wife came home and forced me to eat some pills, so I'm not feeling all that bad anymore, just feverish and about to die http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Edit:everything

[ March 16, 2004, 16:25: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Ruatha, please don't feed the trolls. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Has any one ever printed the FAQ? If so how many pages is it?

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Click on the Printer Friendly link, do a Print Preview, and see how many pages it would be.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

The Last time I imported into MS Word it was 60+ pages. That was several Versions ago. I'd guess it's 80-90 pages nowadays.

Slick.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

why print it out when it changes? maybe in six months...

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

I need to upadate my copy.

We should also update the Dubvious guide as well. That thing is horribly out dated.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

I notice that section 3.0 Research lacks these formulae:

Low tech cost: (Level Cost) * Level

Medium tech cost: (Level Cost) * (Level² / 2)
--> except at level 1, where the cost is simply Level Cost.

High tech cost: (Level Cost) * (Level²)

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

The most recent FAQ is 66 pages printed out in MS Word with 1/2" margins.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">It is located in 1.6.1; I'll cross reference it.


<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Odd. I just tried it and mine was 85 pages. Maybe different fonts or point sizes...

Slick.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Ok. Could you also make it explicit that at medium tech costs, level one technologies cost LC, not LC / 2?

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Is there any FAQ or info on the best way to set up a TCP/IP game? Either via Internet or LAN?

Thanks,

Kana

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Some updates and corrections:

0.0 current Version is now 1.91

1.1.1.2.2 Gestation Vats - increases the percentage for reproduction rate in system. Replicant Center - increases population by an additional fixed amount each turn in system. Medical Lab - prevents plagues in system (actually cures plagues, but this occurs 1 turn after plague hits so you still receive 1 turn's worth of plague damage), increases the percentage for reproduction rate in system, increases happiness in system. All three levels of the Medical Lab give only 1% improvement in happiness, unlike other happiness facilities which increase the rate with each level.

2.10.2 Ships do retain original strategies after being captured - you can overcome this by making a 1-ship fleet and giving it new fleet orders. *Deleted "retrofitted or" between "being" and "captured".*

5.9.10 Attacking with Cloaked ships/fleets: You must first give the order to Decloak before an attack. (Stone Mill) Only one ship in the fleet needs to be decloaked.

6.2.4.5 Warp Point Defense Formations: Wall and phalanx are not so good here. Better to use a more "circular" formation like spider, dome or bull.

*Please delete this entry, it is not true.*
6.4.1.1 In strategic combat your design will refuse to board if there is a SDD present on the target ship.(Dogscoff)

6.4.2 Or use a level 2 intelligence project called "Crew Insurrection" where you plant a spy on the enemy ship and attempt to convince the crew to join your cause. If successful, the ship is yours to do with as you please. (Gandalph) The insurrection will occur at the very end of the turn, so no battle will occur that turn. On the next turn, you will often find the insurrected ship amongst a fleet of enemy ships.

6.6.1.3 Once the population has all expired, the [plagued] planet reverts to uncolonized and may be recolonized by anyone without fear of residual contagin. (Arkcon)
Q. Do the facilities remain?

6.8.3 Ship moves on different days during the turn depending upon their speed capacity. (The 'movement day' is the day that the ship ends up in a new sector.):
Spd Movement Days
02: 15, 30
03: 10, 20, 30
04: 7, 15, 22, 30
05: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30
06: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
07: 4, 8, 12, 17, 21, 25, 30
08: 3, 7, 11, 14, 18, 22, 26, 29,
09: 3, 6, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 26, 30
10: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29,
11: 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 24, 27, 30
12: 2, 4, 7, 9, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 29
13: 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29
This is essentially correct but I've seen ships/fleets move on day one, so there are minor variation.

7.2.24 Bear in mind weapons on a troop transport will not fire at the planet, even when in range, but will fire at ships and units in space. Unless you change the strategy [from "Capture Planet"], and then they won't drop troops. Point defense is ok though I believe. Will help if the planet is shooting missles at you. (Geoschmo)

9.5.0 Some stellar manipulation devices work anywhere, others must be at a specific location. IE: A warp point can be opened from anywhere, but naturally, you can only close a warp point where a warp point already exists. This can cause problems with the orders you give to the ship.
For a warp opener, your orders can read "open warp point, move" or "move, open warp point, move" or "move, open warp point, sentry". Basically just about anything.
A closer must start at a warp point to use its close warp point order. Your orders will read "close warp point, move" or something similar. Putting a move order before the close order is a risk and often not even possible.

*Please delete section "a.". It is not quite right.*
9.5.6.1 Sequence:
a. In simultaneous games worm hole opening and closing happens before all players ships are moved.

12.0.2 Happiness affects resource production and reproduction (see settings.txt)

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I questioned this before adding it and DS stated that it was true. I don't use boarding designs; maybe I should. No offense, but are you sure this is wrong? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif

Slick.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

I'm dead certain for 1.84, but I'm not sure I've had an in-game occurance in 1.91.

In my experience boarding ships are unreliable. Sometimes they will close in to a target ship and neither board nor fire weapons. Sometimes they fire their weapons, sometimes they board and sometimes they board and both ships disappear indicating the presence of SDD. Further investigation has shown that, indeed, the target ship did have SDD. Unless something else is happening to cause the destruction of both ships, boarding ships will board SDD equipped ships, but not every time.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

That's good enough for me. None of the 1.91 changes should have affected boarding. Thanks.

edit: just ran a little test and boarding ships attempted to board 100% of the time and both ships were destroyed 100% of the time.

Slick.

[ April 26, 2004, 02:55: Message edited by: Slick ]

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Definitely need a link to this on the next update:

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...;f=23;t=011584

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Well it would seem that one of the bugs in v 1.91 is the boarding and SDD situation that said it runs reasonably well and will surfice until we have SE5

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Paul, I don't consider that a bug, I consider it a feature. It allows a small and cheap boarding ship to eliminate a much larger ship. At the same time the SDD prevents the capture of a powerful ship. I can't decide if that's win/win or lose/lose... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...;f=23;t=011981


I'll get to an update one of these weekends when I am not working, which won't be for at least a month. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Slick.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">This makes no sense in the "6.8 Simultaneous Combat Specifics" section of the FAQ. It is not really part of combat, but of how the turn is processed. Perhaps it would be better located in the "14.1 Simultaneous" section? Or maybe place it in both, or just a reference to the chart in the section that does not get the chart...

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

There should atleast be areference to it, as it explains WHY combat started....

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Sorry about the looooong overdue update, guys. RL is severely limiting my free time; most of my "free" time is spent catching up on RL things. I haven't forgotten about this.

Slick.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

No hurry.
I haven't thought it very pressing for an update..
so there's no hurry.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Trade Adds.

1º tech by now difficult to trade.

2º trade colonizing tech with neutral ai opponents NOT with the others (as they win options), if u cant in a 1 vs 1 add some resources.

3º Use trade as weapon if u have a good storage (even at the begining), mostly with ai opponents, sell them organics and rad resources get minerals, """!!!extremely!!!!!"""" important strategy in finite resources games.

Why? resource convertor looses a 50% in level 1 40% in level 2 20% (not secure about) in level 3, 5 years or more to take this tech.

you can trade ex-3000org+2000rad for 4000 minerals (loose of 20%).

-----

some tricks

puppet parties in enemy colonies they will abandon they empire, declare war on them they will give u the tech of the original empire.

Give this colonies to other empires (after scraping the buildings), mostly in direct or not direct contact, the relations between them will go badly (for contested systems).

Maybe (not secure yet), ruined planets too for this strategy (i dont know if they win the tech of the planet).

Avoid Mega Evil Empire if u can (u can win many with trade and so on), at the begining, u can colonize ruined better.

from a newbie player

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Good to see you at it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Has anyone ever posted info to update part 15? Multiplayer and PbEM play? Other than the next line sending them to PBW?
Whats the step-by-step to start an MP game without PBW?
The manual wasnt all that clear either.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

The links at the beginning of the FAQ (section 0.1 Other Reading)are bad in some cases.

Specifically, the Un-Official Space Empries IV Strategy and Tactics Page, the SE4 Mod Utility 1.71, and the Encyclopedia link.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

*SNIP*
Hit the refesh key if you use IE http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Ok, between now and probably the end of the year as time permits I will be issuing a final (most likely) revision to the FAQ. I may update the actual FAQ in stages if it becomes easier to do it that way. Unless another patch is ever made, this FAQ will be finalized. I will be using all the info in this thread, some other things I have been keeping track of, and updating existing entries for changes since v1.91. The most likely scenario is that I will issue the final revision to the FAQ and SE V will be right around the corner so things will shift focus from SE IV to SE V in all likelyhood. Thanks for all the input so far provided in this thread.

If anyone wants to submit anything, please feel free to post in this thread. We are always open to input, corrections, and other ideas. But get the info posted here soon or it will be too late.

Thanks,
Slick.

Re: Updated the FAQ
 

Question:
I only have about 5 planets with a ship yard on them. The problem is remembering which ones have a ship yard and picking them out of the colonies report menu. I realize I could write them down, but I was wondering if there's a way to view only colonies with a specific facility? When you have say 30 colonies and only 5 ship producers its quite difficult to pick them out you see.



Answers:
You name your planets with shipyards on them, or

1. click on the Minister icon (The Crown)
2. Click the EMPIRE OPTIONS Tab at the top right
3. Scroll down to SYSTEM DISPLAY.
4. Check the 6th line down "Show Resupply Depots (R), Spaceports (S), and planetary Space Iards (SY)
5. Click CLOSE
6. Click CLOSE