Game is to hard.

[Col. Mustard]

I found this game/STM mod to be very hard. Are there any strategies so maybe I won't be Last everytime I play? lol As it is, using the STM 1.7.5 (not sure if its just the mod) I can't even destroy one race. There must be somthing I'm doing horribly wrong... But I'm not sure what. Any 'help' (lol) would be much appreciated.

[ July 28, 2004, 19:37: Message edited by: Col. Mustard ]

[Suicide Junkie]

Well, the first thing to do is analyse the enemy designs.
Figure out why they're beating you, and use the simulator lots.

If its simply a matter of being outnumbered, then you'll need to expand faster at the beginning.
Emergency building 1-turn colony ships for the first year will really boost you up.

Alternatively, you can build a pile of space stations with shipyards on them, and pump out everything quickly.

[Atrocities]

Its hard to describe the best tactic for winning in STM. Each of the five major races have really good technology that gives them an edge.

During game set up, set the Computer Player Difficulty to low, and leave Compter Player Bonus at None. This will even out the game a bit. The AI's in this mod are specifically set up to act as closely to the race they are representing.

Also you can tweak your own races settings. If you want some extra points, when you set up the game choose NO event, NO intel. (Also No sabotage/espinoge in the Technology settings.)

When you set up your race choose the unlucky trait and reduce your Cunning and Political characteristics to their lowest settings. Then amp up your construction characteristic to 125% and the same for INTEL (Research).

Aggressiveness and Defensiveness settings can be moved up as well, but they will cost a lot.

Also use one of the the alternate Cultural settings.

Now your loaded for bear.

In the game you will want to study propulsion, warp technology, and any of the energy weapons you gain access to. Also shields and armor and ship construction.

You want well armored ships, with as many guns as you can pack onto them. Also be sure to build training facilities and get those crews and ships trained.

[Fyron]

When you think you have enough colony ships, build more. Trust me, you don't have enough. Like all strategy games, expansion is the key. Try to create new colonies as fast as you can. Some new worlds should build a space yard right away and build more colony ships (especially in systems further away from the homeworld). Never stop expanding, until there are no more empty planets to colonize. Then expand via conquest.

[Col. Mustard]

I se.. Well, Maybe I shouldn't be the federation then lol. They have the worst guns and stuff out of all the races I've seen. (Oh, and one more thing. When the mod says it has 10 main races, 20 neutral etc. How come I can't pick te be all of them? (I.E I know there is not 50 reaces I could chose from when I started the game I'm on now...) Ok, so a question about colony's. When I make a new colony, I can't build ships there. At what point can I? Or do I have to make a shipyard? Also, you keep talking about SY bases etc. But, How do I build one? And thanks for all your help so far. I know how tempting it is to just ignore the n00bs, lol.

[Atrocities]

Originally posted by Col. Mustard:
I se.. Well, Maybe I shouldn't be the federation then lol. They have the worst guns and stuff out of all the races I've seen.

The Federation have the best weapons. They have the best sensors. They have the most ship classes, and they have the best economic system.

(Oh, and one more thing. When the mod says it has 10 main races, 20 neutral etc. How come I can't pick te be all of them? (I.E I know there is not 50 reaces I could chose from when I started the game I'm on now...)

You can pick to be any of the 20 races. There are only 13 EMP files though so you will have to set up the race you choose.

8472, Breen, Borg, Cardassian, Dominion, Federation TNG, Federation TMP, Ferengi, Klingon, Romulan, Orion, Tholian, and Monsters all have EMP files. Generally speaking you would not use the MONSTER emp files as a human player. That would not be fun for you. Normally they are set to Computer Control. To learn how to set up a race from scratch, look through the FAQ feature thread at the top of the forum. If you need additional help on this just post and I will post detailed instructions for you. (Sometimes helpful but mostly self explanitory.)

Ok, so a question about colony's. When I make a new colony, I can't build ships there. At what point can I? Or do I have to make a shipyard?

Um, - are you serious? (You must be really new to the game.) You will have to build a shipyard on any planet that you want to build ships at. That is hard coded into the game.

Also, you keep talking about SY bases etc. But, How do I build one?

Do this after you start your game.
1. Go to the design window.
2. Click on Create and choose BASE in the window.
3. Under vehicle size choose space station.
4. Under Design Type scroll down and choose Orbital Shipyard.
5. Under Design name just name it OSY (Orbital Shipyard)
6. Read the list of warnings in the WARNINGS window on the bottom left. This will tell you what you must have on the design as a bare minimum.
7. Add 1 Bridge, 2 Life Supports, and 2 Crew quarters.
8. Under the Components Available window, scroll over and add Ship Yard to the design.
9. Click CREATE DESIGN, then click close.
10. Click on any planet that has a spaceyard facility and then under the SHIPS menu add the OSY design to the build que. You will note at the bottom of the build que it will tell you how many turns it will take to produce.
11. Click on the END TURN icon until the first OSY is constructed.
12 Now when you look at the planet that built the OSY, you will see an icon there for it. Click on the OSY icon. Now you can add things to its que.

Remember to upgrade your design as you research shipyards. And then retrofit any exsisting OSY's to the new design. What I do when I upgrade an OSY, it rename it OSY 2, OSY 3, etc. Then when I retrofit my old OSY's, I can say retrofit OSY to OSY 2.

And thanks for all your help so far. I know how tempting it is to just ignore the n00bs, lol.

Your really should take some time and play a few stock games before diving into the mods. This way you can get a quick understanding of the game mechanics.

Also be sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions Freatured topic at the top of this forum. Since a mod cannot violate the physics of the game, most general questions about game play can be answered there.

Also during game set up turn on the CHEATS and use them until you feel you are procient enough to not use them. They can mean the differance between life and death.

As a game note: Design a Weapon Platform, remember to use the MOUNTS, and place two or three on every one of your planets. Satellites also help.

Mounts can be found in the Design window as you add components. A mount gives you access to greater weapon damage and range. Click on the Mounts icon and then choose one. Look for the little mount letters on the weapons and choose them for your designs. Mounts are a tool that you should always consider checking out. Especially if you are playing as the Klingons. (BOP mount, and such. Some mounts are gained through technology and others come stock.)

[ July 29, 2004, 02:04: Message edited by: Atrocities ]