Possible PBW game idea: Neutral Challange 2

TerranC · #1 October 31st, 2002, 10:58 PM

A question: if we (neutrals) do trade a planet that is OUTSIDE our homesystem, and build a ship from there, are those ships capable of warp, or is neutralnowarp thing hardcoded?

geoschmo · #2 October 31st, 2002, 11:04 PM

It is hardcoded. A neutrals ships cannot warp under any circumstances that I have been able to divine. I have heard reports, and even seen myself once or twice playing against neutrals of a neutral ship venturing through a warp point. But playing as a neutral player in several test games I have been completly unable to duplicate it.

It makes it quite interesting actually. If you happen to trade for or subvert a colony ship that is in a dead system, or any kind of ship anywhere pretty much, you won't be able to do much with it save patrol that system and maybe make contact with new races to have relations with.

Planets are definetly the thing to trade if you are a neutral empire. That's the only way to expand the reach of your empire.

I could imagine a decent strategy would be to build up your homesystem, trade planets with the first AI that happens by, and then capture all the planets in that system with troops. Then recapture your orignal planet in your homesystem and wait for the next AI race to happen by. Or figure a way to get the original AI to trust you enough to do it to him again.

Geoschmo

[ October 31, 2002, 21:12: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

Suicide Junkie · #3 October 31st, 2002, 11:13 PM

Can't you give an order to move to an explored system, and let the captain do the warping on his own?

But anyways, instead of getting the AI to sell you a colony, why not just get it to sell you a spaceyard, or a colony ship?

geoschmo · #4 October 31st, 2002, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
Can't you give an order to move to an explored system, and let the captain do the warping on his own?

But anyways, instead of getting the AI to sell you a colony, why not just get it to sell you a spaceyard, or a colony ship?

No to the first question. Your ship will move to the warp point and then clear orders.

Yes of course to the second point. However without a planet in the system it would be tough to keep a fleet supplied and maintained, and without population you can't make a supply station. Although you could make a fleet with some troop ships and whatnot and capture a planet. That would be doable in time.

Geoschmo

Skulky · #5 November 1st, 2002, 06:21 AM

Very cool idea, im in after a week or so (midterms)

Phoenix-D · #6 November 1st, 2002, 06:26 AM

"However without a planet in the system it would be tough to keep a fleet supplied and maintained, and without population you can't make a supply station."

This can be done without a planet, if you can afford it; one space yard ship or base, and one ship with a LOT of supply storge and many solar panels.

Phoenix-D

CombatSquirrel · #7 November 1st, 2002, 05:33 PM

I haven't seen the bug allowing Neutral races' ships to cross a WP under any circumstance, but I have seen the Event that flings a Neutral ship (or starbase) into a new and unexplored region of space...

Which reminds me that the Events.txt for this game would probably need to be inspected also... having your Homeworld Sun go Nova too easily would be unpleasant.

Any thoughts on the particular Mod (if any) to be used?

CombatSquirrel