Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Are we safe to continue? I did my turn, looks like something went wrong, and when I go to get the next one its Turn 1 again..

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

It looks like a real turn 2 to me, though I can only check it by reseting your password and looking at turn 3. PBW says it's a turn 1, as I forced the upload, but that's expected behaviour.

If the turn you download from PBW says 2400.0 in game, with absolutely nothing done, please yell at me and I'll recreate the game.

The good news is, it looks like you are safe now Slynky, as I'm redirecting all potential screw-ups to someone else. Of course, I blundered with three different games of yours in a row, whereas I did it thrice in the same game this time, but still...

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

When you are processing the next turn offline you should leave the "Replacement turn" box unchecked when you upload it. That way PBW will increment the turn number properly and they won't be out of sync like you are seeing here.

The reason for the check box is if you want to replace the turn without incrementing the turn number. Like in the case where something got messed up with the previous turn processing and you want to rerun it.

Geoschmo

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Ok, looks like it kicked over without incident this time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

K.O.T.H. Tesco Samoa vs Fuzzie

Tesco wins turn 65

Thanks for the good game fuzzie.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Thanks for the note Geo.

KOTH has been updated. Of course, this should mean a game will be over in the next few hours (most likely the Hill game), following the recent trend to that effect.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

I'm trying to decide if I should be offended at this remark. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

I think he was just going on the amount of time my games have been taking...either getting beat or winning around turn 60.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Well, that was an ***-stomping! No doubt about that. Though I would have probably lost the battle anyway, I DO feel a bit cheated by the game in that I had 2 fleets moving at 9 each and yet, combat occured one at a time. Something isn't right there http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif.

Can you explain why 2 fleets moving at the same speed have combat on different turns? I do that all the time and never have them fight separately.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Well, without looking at your end of the turn I couldn't say for sure. Have you done it through a warp point before. I was thinking about it earlier today because it came up in the other thread and I couldn't remember if I had ever seen it work correctly when my fleets are going through a warp point.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Well, I can't remember either but I know I attack like that through warp holes all the time because, well, it happens so often that one needs to attack through holes (smile). I divide the ships up with different strategys according to what they do and send them in.

According to the game, movement occurs...ALL movement and if ships occupy enemy sectors at the same time a combat round occurs, then they fight.

I guess I'll have to see what the movement replay looks like but I can promise you this: Last thing I did was check that each fleet moved at 9.

Still, you did damn well and I don't want to take that away from you...but all 60+ ships would have done better than fighting at piecemeal.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Well, quick update for anyone reading:

Geo, who I never take for granted, has stopped a major insertion attempt of mine. Really, embarrasing! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/redface.gif

I wondered at his strategy and now I see what he's done. Though I've taken quite a hit (like losing 60 ships and killing...what was it (?)... ONE?), I remain positive.

Still, I maintain 1st place (in points) and continue to grow in all areas. BUT, I've ordered stict training rules that must be adherred to from now on! I WOULD threaten commanders with severe punishment but, as we all know, if they fail, they will die anyway (LOL).

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Actually I think in the big battle you didn't kill any, although you may have gotten a few of my fighters. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I have lost a few though probing your defenses in various places.

Geoschmo

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

..this is one weird game. Without giving too much away, I'll show off the highlight:

I switched to a different atmosphere than I normally use. And now what do my colonizers find but a system with SIX planets..all of the OLD atmosphere type. It would have been a breathable bonanza, but right now its almost useless..

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

I think that's the Murphy's Law section that applies to SE4. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Same thing on the other side Phoenix.. Remote mining is all I have to say!

Rathar

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

This game is going to go on forever- we'll be too broke to kill each other off. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Well, we made contact, with a couple minor skirmishes so far. Skirmishes that would have gone better if I hadn't made the newbie mistake of sending a colonizer out *empty*. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Hehe, I remember that mistake. It was such a "DOH!" moment on turn 2 or 3 of the Race to SEV Dertran game when I noticed all three of my first colonizers were empty. I still ended up winning the game, though.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

I have conceded to Slynky in our King Match on turn 101. Once again he gets the better of me, and once again I climb tooth and nail to the top of the hill only to be dashed to the bottom. I’m not sure, but I think this was my fifth King match, with none of my butt prints on the royal throne cushion to show for it.

This game I tried something a little different. Slynky was quite confused that I appeared to be conceding two-thirds of the map to him from the start. In our many games the normal thing that happens is we both expand at about equal rates and meet about halfway across the map, then he beats me backwards till the end of the game as he always has more ships in the initial border conflicts.

My plan this game was to keep my empire compact. I only expanded as far as my colony ships could go without refueling, and I researched the other colony techs very early on. He would have been surprised at the number of planets I had, despite the difference in the number of systems. The idea was that he would be strung out and I could punch through in the early going and get him on the defensive.

Unfortunately Slynky is even better then I thought as he was able to capture the middle third of the systems I conceded, and he was still able to gather enough defenses at the choke points to resist my initial attacks. Once the borders solidified the numbers started working against me as I knew they would eventually. I was able to hold him off for some time because of the number of colonies I had, but I was never able to effect a formidable enough attack to breakout.

I have played Slynky many, many times in 1v1 battles in Koth and non-Koth games, probably more than anyone else I’ve played. He’s gotten the better of me in almost every case. The only times I’ve won were when he was given a poor starting position on the map. Considering that neither of us likes to play random maps any longer, I feel confident in saying in all seriousnees and no false modesty that I will likely never beat him again.

That’s not to say that I won’t keep trying, I want to return to my place at the bottom of the hill and begin again. I am merely saying, I hope somebody beats him before I get back up there so I have a chance for once. Or at least someone new to beat me down. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

You're much too gracious.

And you sell yourself short, I think.

Let's recap a bit:

Yes, I was bewildered about how long it took to meet you. The longer it took the more careful I got. For my part, I thought you had taken Religious and were working for the Talisman (and keeping it secret as long as possible). Accordingly, I got cautious as I crossed into the 2nd 2/3's of the map.

When we finally met, I knew you had combat advantage but I figured I had "numbers" advantage. As we (and others know), I thought I could whip you with numbers but your training (and combat advantage) killed me!

I got careful...many, many turns later, I broke through but you showed up with a formidable fleet and I backed down from advancing. It was then I decided I wouldn't attack again till I was sure. That's where a long time passed as I built a fleet of over 100 while a fleet of 55 guarded the hole. Your ship desigh and combat advantage was tough to overcome. My only consolation was I had economics...and, really, I could wait till you could build no more. But, that's boring, and a bit chicken-s--t.

I was amazed at how you handled your economics with only 15-16 systems. That underlines your skill. I had 31 and at one point had 50 yards idle because I didn't plan well. THEN, I over-compensated...so many resources, I couldn't store them fast enough! Finished the game with about 1.3 million mins, .7 million orgs, and .6 million rads in storage.

The one thing I worried about most was you consolidating 2 fleets (gambling) and breaking through a point.

It was a good game, a long game, and played fast. Turns took an hour for the last 20 turns. UGH (LOL).

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

over 100 turns in under 3 weeks. Some of those turns taking over an hour! That's pretty fast and dedicated playing in my book. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Yes, it almost qualified as a part-time job towards the end there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Well, that was..interesting.

I launched an abortive attack on Rathar in our KOTH game, after being driven from the System Of the Empty Colony. The idea was to sweep over one colony, blast it, and move to the next in the same turn.

Worked fine, except those two colonies just would..not..die. I even sent renforcements in and nothing would kill the blasted things! Then panic set in as a unexpected fleet of 8 emerged from the southern warp point as my attack force ran low on supplies.

There were only two surviors from the resulting butchery. One fled south, taking a colony with him during his death throes. The other fled north. Renforcements raced to the scene, but too late! Rathar's fresh attack force arrived. The CSM-1 armed Alaska managed to inflict some damage during the warp point assult, but no ships were lost.

The renforcements were diverted to the nearest colony to make a stand there while Alaska 001 stood firm, hoping to delay the attack on the system's planets.

What happened next..well, check the attachment. The Digger ships are, like the Alaska, first gen models armed with CSM-1s. The III is armed with PPBs and a Point Defense Cannon.

Someone get this man a medal. Someone get him ALL the medals!

(oops, he's dead. Next combat, same turn- he gravely wounds one of the survivors, but is blown to bits for his trouble )

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Wow, what a ship! Someone round up the bits and pieces of the captain and contact Willow about bringing him back to life ( http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ...you have to be a Buffy fan to understand)

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

KOTH Rathar vs Phoenix-D is over in 51 turns. The enemy having a tech advantage can be overcome. The enemy having a numbers advantage can be overcome.

BOTH, on the other hand..doesn't work out so well. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Twas a fun game Phoenix-D. I am really being forced to think that randomness in planet generation is bad however.

I reallllly desire for sheer luck to have a factor in these games but not for said sheer luck to be decisive in any way.

Rathar

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

A much-delayed update has been made available for the good people of the realm. Yay for the first Debian-powered KOTH update!

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Alas we seem to have given you the wrong impression as to whom the victor was, which was I, Rathar and due to mere luck, not phoenix-d.

Rathar

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

That would be correct. However, since I can never be wrong, I won't correct that mistake.

Please, could you start rioting? I so want to see a revolt up close. I'll correct the KOTH page right now.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

I am sorry, for this being the very first incident to upset our people We can only give indifferent (Large piles of police troops you know..)

Thanks

Rathar

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Most odd...Glyn and I seem to be missing from the hill! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/redface.gif

This gets us from Indifferent to Angry! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Annoying. Near as I can tell, you are supposed to be on the first level. Is that correct?

By the way, you aren't going to riot anywhere. We only have one world, so this is our homeworld, and the main homeworld never, ever, riots. So, I'm afraid you'll be stuck on Angry.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Yep, we're on the first level. Thanks!

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

The reason our game was not listed was because we were using stealth play mode!

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Geo victor in Geo VS Fuzzie game.

Thanks for a great game Geo. I am amazed at how long I lasted, but have a suspicion you took your time in destroying my wonderful empire. It was kind of like a cat playing with it's prey before it eats it. LOL.

Good luck to you in your next game.

A side note: I just don't understand how you guys can support so many ships. I constantly struggle with resources. I have boosted my Mineral minning abilities and I still have challenges. What's the deal?

Fuzzie

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Well, either your Empire isn't optimised, or you do not expand fast enough. There is virtually *one* optimal Empire around here, with a couple varieties for the spare points. just don't go too far, like I did right now: 0% reproduction is a major annoyance (bah, I *need* to play offensively now). Maintenance (at least 110%) is particularly important here.

I've always felt SEIV is all about economics, and hence expansion. Fewer colonies on a given turn snowballs into fewer resources, lower technology levels, fewer ships and poorer ones, and so on. When the playing field is more or less equal, and both players will it, then tactics and the like can play a role; I must admit "battle between two fleets" is something I do not indulge in myself.

Of course, I'm also the worst tactician on this side of Betelgeuse, so my whole strategy is ripped off from Space Invaders: if the first wave won't get them, the second one will. Or the third one. Or the Star Destroyers wave. So what if our ships, despite better training, equipement and numbers, get beaten up? Assimilation is inevitable.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Once I get mining 2 I whip out lots of remote miners (and for extra nice places, at mining 1). This helps a lot with resources as does maintenance picks in the initial empire creation.

Rathar

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Please note that this is the last KOTH update as you know them. From now on, KOTH updates will be handled by a third party maintainer, and will involve extensive use of Flash, Javascript (and plain Java, of course), and the BLINK tag, among others.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Thanks for the advice.

Fuzzie

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Yes, empire settings cannot make up for rapid expansion. I usually have my mineral production rate somewhat stunted actually, unless it's a high racial point game or something. Lot's and lot's of colonies is the key.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

For the first 11 turns, Emergency Build is your friend. What I do every KOTH game is immediately stick my homeworld on E-Build, that way I can pump out a colony ship per turn for 11 turns if so desired (the duration of E-Build). If you don't use it, you can only build one colony ship per two turns, which can really stunt your development in the early game. Of course, you can vary this theme; building a couple base space yards to get a little extra production; build a couple frigate scouts to speed up exploration, etc. Note that the above examples can all be built in a single turn, but ONLY if you have E-Build on.

I'm not entirely sure, but you may also require a bit of a racial trait boost in order to get colony ships/base space yards built in a single turn. But I always like to take a +20% boost to spaceyard rate, so that never an issue http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Hope this tip helps!

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Fuzzie: for our game I propose:

-no intel
-no mines

I'm open for any other settings?

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Ok . And .....

-no intel
-no mines
-manual placement
-rest KOTH default

Is this okay?

Fuzzie


Quote:
"Fuzzie: for our game I propose:

-no intel
-no mines

I'm open for any other settings? "

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Just a comment to both you guys...hehe...NO MINES is a tricky game. Manual placment almost a must. But tip of the hat goes to careful gaming without mines. It's a lot more "wide open".

Have fun!

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Thanks for the advice Slynky. I played my last game with no mines, and I enjoyed it. I didn't have to take up time cranking out mines and mine layers. It indeed is a different game. Mines in a game does have a lot of advantages.

Fuzzie

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

I'd be more favorable toward mines if the sweeping method wasn't so absurd.

Those settings are acceptable. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Renegade 13 surrenders to Glyn.

I'm not sure where I went wrong, but somewhere I did! Congratulations Glyn, and good luck!

I look forward to my next ***-kicking http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

Thanks for the game Renegade. What did you think of the balance mod?

I think, I’m learning how to be more effective in [balance mod] expansion. I don’t known about others, but I find it better not to colonize the best planet first in each system. Chose a world with about 3 to 5 slots first. Build the Shipyard and space port. That way by the time the second colony ship get to the system or is build in system you can safely colonize the breathable world and build facilities for the next twenty turns without locking up your shipyard.

If there is anyway possible to eliminate planet and moons of being the same type (IE 2 rock types or 2 Ice types) it needs to be done in the balance mod. I had three such jewels in my empire. Two of which were placed conveniently for ship training on the way to the front.

I’m ready for some system variety in my next game.

Re: Are you tough enough to be the \"King of the Hi
 

If you don't mind, I'll wait for another game to wrap up before updating. It looks like games finish in clusters, so that should work out alright. Besides, I *promised* worse updates, so I should deliver the goods.

I don't handle Balance mod expansion very well, at least compared to my expansion in the standard game. Still, we agree on one thing: the SY planet should be pretty bad and be settled soon, unless the system is contested. Of course, this implies that the system will get only one SY to begin with (for further expansion).

I do not worry about spaceports unless I need resources, though. If I see a huge breathable, I will settle it as soon as possible and start building facilities there, even if there isn't any spaceport. The rationale is to fill it up as fast as possible, and a spaceport can always come in later (it only takes two turns to build with EB, at no cost if used on ordinary planets). I know I'm happy when I almost, but not quite, manage to collapse my economy during expansion.