Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

and have 1.27 patch?

During setup, enable can only settle own type planet and own type atmosphere.

I did, got stuck behind 3 (or more) empty systems on one "leg"; had a damaging warp point/nebula on the other AND only one other oxy/rock planet in home system (medium size). This is gonna be a back-alley, dirty fight as ALL the AI I have met are oxy/rock races.

darn glad I didn't set finite resources...oh my! I'd be deep in the "natural fertilizer" then...

[This message has been edited by pathfinder (edited 01 March 2001).]

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Try giving yourself the minimum reproduction too, as only Optimal or very good planets will produce any population growth.

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Got the new patch, yet I haven't installed it yet...

Question? If you enable "settle only own type of planet and atmosphere" do you get any extra racial setup points and / or is the AI setup the same - are they also restricted to their own type and atmos???

IOW, what are the local and global impacts of this setting. If the AI is restricted to the same, it does not do much to strengthen the AI, just slows the gameplay IMO (maybe a little more realistic). I know that the mod packs go a long way in enhancing the AI, but it is difficult to adjust those mods "on the fly" or at game setup. I know very little about modding, - , as always, many kudos to those of you who do - GREAT JOB!!!. However I can navigate thru the Game Setup screens pretty easily and could hopefully accomplish some of this there.

Any ideas???

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

AI setup by way of new race within the game is same and the AI gets the same setup as the human does. and yes, I am having a very slow game...the AI ARE spanking the doo-doo outta ech though http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

I ain't big enuf to pick-on ...yet...

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

I wonder if the next mod could include a setting to allow special technologies that let you LEARN how to colonize different atmospheres and planet types. It always strikes me as odd that in a normal game I can only colonize my own planet type but can live in domes anywhere, be nice to have a long game where I had to research "domes:Methane" as well as "Ice planet colonization"

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

I guess someone with some programing experience could come up with a tech component or something like that, but there is the atmosphere conVersion research. once ya get atmosphere converter iii it "only" takes 25 turns to convert an atmosphere http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Actually, what would be nice is a tech available only in the limited-colonization games that would allow you to change an atmosphere before building a colony. Maybe have to park a large ship around the planet, or maybe building a starbase would be better. I can't decide if it should work slower than the Atmosphere ConVersion facility.

I'd also vote for making remote mining more efficient in the limited-colonization games. If I can't colonize that gas giant, I'm certainly going to pull as many resources out of it as possible... http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

I don't think there should be a way to research other colonization techs, though. Defeats the purpose of the limitation. On the other hand, if the nomadic race ideas are ever implemented, maybe the idea of building facilities in space could be applied to building facilities in starbases around a planet. Perhaps a bonus for facilities based around a planet? Just a way-out idea, since we can't build facilities on ships yet. Although I've heard that the system-wide facility abilities can be incorporated into components already...

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

I wish you could pick the colonization choice for each race independently. Then you could have a real mix!

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pathfinder:
...once ya get atmosphere converter iii it "only" takes 25 turns to convert an atmosphere http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Have they changed with the patch? I thought AC III's converted in 20 turns....

As to the "same planet and atmosphere type, I guess I'll have to load the patch and try it. The way I currently play (large galaxy, low tech, low setup points), it takes me 250 - 400 turns for a game; I'm not so sure I'd like 'em any longer. However, it is cool, that players have the option.

Personally, I think a scenario editor would be a great addition to the game (of course this has been said many times by others). I like the other threads about how players are taking the "neutral challange" (becoming like a neutral empire), and I've played games where I've built a coupla' ringworlds and gave everything else to the AI's (ships, planets, etc) - that is a cool challenge. The problem is that I have to go very far into the game to build my scenario. I would love to be able to setup the game to my desired scenario. For instance, I'd like to be able to be put on a Sphereworld as a Homeworld and give the AI massive bonuses (ships, points, planets, techs, etc.) and be instantly at war at game start.

Anyone heard any word on a scenario editor (or can you point me to other threads??)

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Heres a challenge for you,

Maximum number of AI's
No Neutral Races
Highest AI setting
High Ai racial Bonus
Only one planet start
Research cost high
Only colonize own plant type/atmosphere
No warp points
No trade/tribute/gift technologies
No ruins
No victory conditions (winner takes all)
High research cost
High chance of dissters

I'm not sure it's winnable, but if you want a challenge. LOL


[This message has been edited by Windborne (edited 02 March 2001).]

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

I guess if you gave the AI bonuses it would increase the challenge. However, I think that on most settings, the AI gets the same advantages (or disadvantages) as you. So IMO, setting "colonize same planet type / atmos" does nothing but slow the game down. If this is NOT the case, then it would be worth playing IMO (again just my opinion).

EDIT: I normally play most of those settings anyways. However, I NEVER play low tech and no WP's together - you gotta' play at least 100+ turns just to get outa' your system!!!! If I play no WP's, I'll move up to med tech - other then that, I usually play those settings. I guess I'm saying, that those things are cool as long as you can turn 'em off and on - for me right now, they're off...

[This message has been edited by rdouglass (edited 02 March 2001).]

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Does using no warp points force the AI to use stellar manipulation items?

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

&gt;&gt;&gt;I guess if you gave the AI bonuses it would increase the challenge. However, I think that on most settings, the AI gets the same advantages (or disadvantages) as you. So IMO, setting "colonize same planet type / atmos" does nothing but slow the game down. If this is NOT the case, then it would be worth playing IMO (again just my opinion).

If you want this setting. (They AI can colonize anywhere but you can't) Then DON'T choose this setting so the AI won't be limited, and then just don't (throught the amazing thing called self control) colonize any planets that aren't you home type and atmosphere.

BTW, turning on this option ISN'T the equivalent of just slowing the game down. It actually has effects on game play too. Normally I might blow away annoying enemy colonies and then colonize them myself later. Now if that enemy breathes a different atmosphere, I'm going out of my way to drop troops or get that planet through diplomacy cause if I destroy it, The planet is dead to me forever. It makes diplomacy or troops (with an unreasonable opponent) more important to your strategy. Especially when dealing with outlying worlds of a large empire, troops will be more important because it'll be harder to threaten the world out of the AI.

[This message has been edited by Lastseer (edited 02 March 2001).]

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lastseer:
....Now if that enemy breathes a different atmosphere, I'm going out of my way to drop troops or get that planet through diplomacy cause if I destroy it, The planet is dead to me forever...
...troops will be more important because it'll be harder to threaten the world out of the AI.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Awesome point - one that I had not considered at all!!! I now see the light and am looking forward to trying that. I had rarely ever used troops (really never saw the need) and now they could definitely be important..

I guess that's why the forum is here...so I can see past my thumbs... http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/blush.gif

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Lastseer: I did this to see what effect it would have on gameplay. It IS slow but...I was stuck way behind several layers of blank systems and a damaging warp point, which most definitely affected the game. I will try again (as soon as I test the silicoids a bit) and see if I can't get a bit more open start.

I will say, as I said before, the AI were really knocking the stuffing out of each other while I fumed in the corner http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pathfinder:
AI setup by way of new race within the game is same and the AI gets the same setup as the human does. and yes, I am having a very slow game...the AI ARE spanking the doo-doo outta ech though http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

I ain't big enuf to pick-on ...yet...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmmm, "not big enough" I've (as we all) had the AI come after me when I've had 2 planets (then only 1 after)
Mott

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

hehe...they're more worried about the Terran 30+ dreadnaught fleet http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif than my little 4-LC fleet...

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nitram Draw:
Does using no warp points force the AI to use stellar manipulation items?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I regularly play games with No Warp Points, Finite Resources, AIs set to High numbers and Difficult. So far, I've stomped the AIs every single time, even with giving them a low or medium tech bonus. I'm playing the stock Version 1.27. They never use stellar manipulation in any games I've played. They regularly beat me to Stellar Manipulation level 3, but refuse to build a simple ship to take advantage of it. I've tried to change the default AIDesignCreation file to change this, but to no avail. Meanwhile, I build a simple ship based on a Frigate hull with GQRI and not much else, and am expanding like crazy while the AIs sit in their systems, foolishly use their resources up, and then just wait to be conquered.

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Play on high bonus. Then, they actually build the SM ships. They still don't use them. But at least they build them. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by raynor:
Play on high bonus. Then, they actually build the SM ships. They still don't use them. But at least they build them. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

But what sort of design do they use? I've taken a peek at their designs, and they're all based on Cruiser hulls, with lots of shields, armor, and some weapons. As a result, that annoying message "Insufficient Technology" always pops up. Meanwhile I build a simple SM ship and use other bigger ships to protect it when I open warp points to unexplored systems. By the time they get the tech to build their Cruiser SM ship, they've run out of resources, since they flatly refuse to build the necessary storage capacity to save them up to pay maintenance.

I'll give it a try though, and see what happens.

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Also, in a clustered quadrant (255 systems, clusters, not all warp points connected), the AIs still don't appear to be creating warp points even 'tho I *know* they have the resources and the technology to do so.

It's well over turn 300, my travelling fleet has seen enemy DNs with pretty much maximum combat tech backed by numerous planets... and not one warp point creator among them.

As it is, I'd say that to make it harder, you want the highest connectivity possible -- partly because of the SM issue, but mostly because a person can adapt to the low connectivity and can maximize resource production, research and intelligence while the AIs still go for combat techs that'll be long obsolete by the time of first contact, and won't help nearly as much as, say, Monolith IIIs in the long run.

------------------
-- The thing that goes bump in the night

Re: Want a challenge in SEIV?
 

Yep, I haven't seen the AI do much with the SM techs either. I turn it off when it is just me and the AI. In a hot seat it gets tricky but the AI is again at a serious disadvantage.
The only solution I have come up with is to make the SM items VERY expensive and the components VERY large. It helps for a while in my hotseat games.