[PvK]

Originally posted by Narrew:
One of the things I am wondering about, the HW starts out with a Resupply Base which is not needed, what do most of you replace it with (ie research). Right now in a solo game I have just been building Research I centers on my newly colonized planets (the cheapest thing to make).

There are a number of interesting options for what to put on the homeworld's free slot(s), which can have important long-term effects. I often change what I have there at different stages of the game, depending on what is going on.

In the doc for Proportions it mentions that once you get to 50 mil pop the build speed curve tapers off, do you get a planet to 50 mil then go to other planets and get them up to 50? or work on 1 planet till near max?

There are several valid techniques. One thing to consider is the range to destination, and another is what other planets you could raise to higher levels. Note there is also a drop off in construction rate at around 10 million, and the low millions are really sad compared to about 10-12 million. It depends on the situation and your strategy what makes the most sense. A good approach though may be to fill closest planets to about 50, and more distant planets to about 10, or maybe less for ones that are farther out.

That brings me to my Last item, if you have a new planet that is 5 max facilities, I have made 4 Research centers, when would you start building a Settlement, right away regardless of pop, or until after you hit 50 mil or more (am wondering if the build time will adjust as you add more pop while something is building). Can you upgrade a Settlement to a Colonial Community? or should I just start building a Colonial Community (will take forever, hehe).

Well, that's an even wider-open decision, I think. I'd consider circumstance, such as proximity to threats, storage space for defenses, the need for a resupply depot, etc. If it's a research colony, you might want to put a computer complex there instead of a cultural facility, for another example.

For the simple questions, yes the build time will adjust to match the current population level. You can start building something that says it will take ten years with 1 million pop, and then dump more pop on it and it will go down to the correct amount.

Colonial Settlements can be upgraded to Colonial Communities, but those can't be upgraded to cities. Small Cities can be upgraded all the way to Megolopolis, however. So Colonial Settlements and Communities are good if you want just a little multi-purpose ability on a planet, without the investment time of building a city. Cities are better for serious long-term investment, though.

PvK