some questions...some thoughts....
 

Ok, I am STILL using the demo (why does there have to be a backorder!!??!!)...Anyways, learning how basically to play the game. Here are a few questions:

1. What is the difference between Drones and Fighters? I noticed that in combat, drones crash into a ship, and disappear...I take it fighters will return after the battle (haven't used fighters yet).

2. how many fighters can a fighter bay hold? or does the fighter bay not have anything to do with anything? I noticed that there can be 2 drones per 1 drone bay, wondering how many fighters a fighter bay can hold...

3. what is the purpose of transports?

4. can space stations move to another planet, or system?

5. the game takes place in a "galaxy". A sun w/ it's planets and what-not are the "system", and the actual grid coordinates are a "sector", right???

Now for the comments:

I think I have found the game I have personally been looking for. I see the simple complexity everytime I load up the game, and this is just the demo!! There are layers upon layers of stuff in this game...I really like the diplomacy. The AI actually proposes treaties (trade alliances, trade & research, all the way to partnerships). Very impressive I think. I actually like the strategic combat, instead of the tactical...the only thing about this game, I get kinda lost...lose track of what I am doing...the micromanagment is tough to get used to. How do you all keep track of what you are doing, and what you need to do each turn???

Well, anyways, I really like the demo, and I am sure the actual full Version will be unspeakable....

Chris

Re: some questions...some thoughts....
 

"1. What is the difference between Drones and Fighters? I noticed that in combat, drones crash into a ship, and disappear...I take it fighters will return after the battle (haven't used fighters yet)."

It's more than that. Fighters stack into Groups, drones don't. Fighters use special small components, and are small, drones use regular ship components and are large. Drones can only be told to attack and cannot be ordered after that; fighters can move around and have their orders changed. More, drones cannot be recovered; fighters CAN.

"2. how many fighters can a fighter bay hold? or does the fighter bay not have anything to do with anything? I noticed that there can be 2 drones per 1 drone bay, wondering how many fighters a fighter bay can hold..."

Fighter Bays generally hold 2 tech level fighters, that is a Bay I will hold 2 small fighters, Bay II holds two medium, etc. But you'll fit much more fighters than drones in cargo space- since they can be stored in cargo bays and then launched, you don't have to go 100% bays.

"3. what is the purpose of transports?"

Move population, weapon platforms, troops, spare fighters/sats/drones

"4. can space stations move to another planet, or system?"

No,

"5. the game takes place in a "galaxy". A sun w/ it's planets and what-not are the "system", and the actual grid coordinates are a "sector", right???"

Close enough.

Re: some questions...some thoughts....
 

I understand drones can be left "hangin" in space.

Would there be an advantage to leave then "hangin" around a planet?

If so, has anyone done it?

Re: some questions...some thoughts....
 

They burn 200 supplies per turn while floating in space. So, it isn't good to leave them hanging for too long. At least until you stick 2 solar panels on it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: some questions...some thoughts....
 

1. What is the difference between Drones and Fighters? I noticed that in combat, drones crash into a ship, and disappear...I take it fighters will return after the battle (haven't used fighters yet).

-- Basucally, Drones are BIG missiles. There are special drone warheads that can do immence amount of damage. Special anti-planet drones can be thought off as SE Version of ICBM. Fighters are well, fighters http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

2. how many fighters can a fighter
bay hold? or does the fighter bay not have anything to do with anything? I noticed that there can be 2 drones per 1 drone bay, wondering how many fighters a fighter bay can hold...

-- As already answered, two.

3. what is the purpose of transports?

-- Move staff around.

4. can space stations move to another planet, or system?

-- No, but you can put Space Yard on ship and build Space stations anywhere, not only around planets. Build one on top of the warp point to enemy system and name it DS9 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

5. the game takes place in a "galaxy". A sun w/ it's planets and what-not are the "system", and the actual grid coordinates are a "sector", right???

-- Yes.

Now for the comments:

I think I have found the game I have personally been looking for. I see the simple complexity everytime I load up the game, and this is just the demo!! There are layers upon layers of stuff in this game...I really like the diplomacy. The AI actually proposes treaties (trade alliances, trade & research, all the way to partnerships). Very impressive I think. I actually like the strategic combat, instead of the tactical...the only thing about this game, I get kinda lost...lose track of what I am doing...the micromanagment is tough to get used to. How do you all keep track of what you are doing, and what you need to do each turn???

Well, anyways, I really like the demo, and I am sure the actual full Version will be unspeakable....

--- Glad to hear this and welcome to the forum !
The best thing about SEIV is its total modability. You will be pleasantly surprised by Pirates&Nomads mod, Proportions mod, Babylon5 and many others.

Late game mictromanagement is a problem, just like with every other TBS game. You can turn on some Ministers if you do not mind less than efficient running of your empire.