Some newbie questions

[Beorne]

I'm new to this wonderfully complex and deep game.
I have this game by genuine luck: I ordered Dominions 2 and they sent me this. I wrote Shrapnel the error and they sent me the right game. After some months of the awesome dom 2 I'v given a try to this game and I've found a true treasure.

Now I have some questions:
1) I've found tons of mods for this game, much of them very complex and full of features. Are there some mods that are used "by default" by almost all players? What are the most populars?
2) Is there a way to automatically update the ship designs with new components without doing this explicitly (and rename and make obsolete the old design)?
3) Is there a way to change the "colony type" after it has been founded?

Thanks!

[brianeyci]

1) Lots of mods around. Should play stock, stock is rich for about 10 games. Then you'll probably get bored of it. I'm playing Adamant mod, its pretty good.

2) Yes here's what you do. Click upgrade. Then in the name put "II" or "III" or the appropriate roman numeral. Click create. Then click on the old ship, and click obsolete. That is what I do.

3) Colony type is largely meaningless. You should be able to change it if you really need to. But a "mining colony" only produces minerals if there's mineral extractors, and doesn't give you any kind of in game effect if you call it a "mining colony" or "kick-*** super-duper hole-digging place"

As well play simultaneous games. Better for PBW, for the eventual time you will get bored with AI's. PBW is way different than playing an AI.

Brian

[Beorne]

brianeyci said:
1) Lots of mods around. Should play stock, stock is rich for about 10 games. Then you'll probably get bored of it. I'm playing Adamant mod, its pretty good.

Perhaps I'm not clear. In Dom2 there are some mods (the "Zen's balance bods") thet are widely accepted and almost standard. Are there "alost standard" nods for SEIVG too?

2) Yes here's what you do. Click upgrade. Then in the name put "II" or "III" or the appropriate roman numeral. Click create. Then click on the old ship, and click obsolete. That is what I do.

This is like what I do. I thought there was an automatic way.

3) Colony type is largely meaningless. You should be able to change it if you really need to. But a "mining colony" only produces minerals if there's mineral extractors, and doesn't give you any kind of in game effect if you call it a "mining colony" or "kick-*** super-duper hole-digging place"

I know it is only useful as organizing purpose, but I tought there was a way to change is after it has been given. To differently organize changed purpose planets.

[rdouglass]

brianeyci said:
...
3) Colony type is largely meaningless....

I don't believe that's true if you're using the Ministers...I'm sure someone will corrct me if I'm wrong...

[Kamog]

I think you're right. The minister will build different facilities on the planet depending on what the colony type is.

[Alneyan]

1) There is no mod used by default for SEIV (Zen Balance is not standard yet, though I expect it will be so soon). TDM for single player and FQM for better maps are fairly common, but they do not alter gameplay directly.

The mods actually changing the gameplay depend on what you are looking for. For example, Proportions slows down the game pace , and actually prevents you from getting all the good stuff rather quickly. PvK Balance Mod makes Empire creation less of a no brainer as well, as the best options are much more expensive all of a sudden (pretty much like Zen Pretenders mod). The Adamant mod has a feel closer to the standard game, while mods such as Devnull or Deathstalker mods tend to have a quicker pace than regular SEIV.

In other words, your favourite mod would depend on your particular tastes I guess.

2) In addition to what Brianeyci posted, I believe you should not make designs obsolete if they are still used. I seem to recall having add trouble with their ship strategies (in strategical combat) with obsoleted designs, which no longer followed their orders. I could be wrong however, since I hate strategic battles with a passion, but my natural paranoia makes me wary of this potential problem.

3) You are a very patient player. In the Colonies screen, click on "Set colony type", select the appropriate planet, and change its type. Repeat the process as needed.

[Atrocities]

You have been given some good advice. Also read the newbie FAQ and the Tips thread. There is a LOT of very very useful informaiton in both of those threads. And the nice thing is, its easy to find and use.

2. Most peope simply click the UPGRADE option for their design and then rename the Design "Constitution II" then CREATE DESIGN. They then make the old design OBSOLETE so that it no longer shows up, if the ONLY LATEST or NO OBSOLETE option has been selected, in the construction and design lists.

I would also strongly recommend that you download and install all of the Image Mod Packs, those being Components, Facilities, Events, Combat, and Planets. wwww.imagemod.spaceempires.net or use the Suicide Junkie link at the bottom even if it is marked as being off line.

Install to the corrosponding folders under your Space Empires IV / PICTURES folder. IE simply unzip say the component pack and drop into the PICTURES /folder and click yes to the over write.

THe IMAGE Mod packs add a ton of new images to your stock files that many many mods utilize. By having the additioanl images in your base files, ALL mods can access them.

Good luck and reember to train your ships and fleets.

[Aiken]

Beorne said:
1) I've found tons of mods for this game, much of them very complex and full of features. Are there some mods that are used "by default" by almost all players? What are the most populars?
Thanks!

TDM modpack - for better AI opponent.

Fyron's Quadrants Mod Standard/Deluxe - for variety of solar systems and quadrants.
You can actually combine these 2 into the one mod (see docs for FQM).

I'd mention PvK Balance mod also, which changes the race creation stage (makes it more fair).