A newbie writes:

[rdouglass]

quote:

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Originally posted by raynor:
[B}When you are systematically annihilating an enemy system, don't forget to check every planet in the stack. I can't tell you how many times I've thought I destroyed an empire only to check the score and find they still have one or two planets left. Then begins the long search to see where you might have missed something...[/b]

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When I do that (genocide thing), I make sure the system I'm in does not have a triangle over it in the Galaxy view window. If you can't see anything in the system view and there is a little blue triangle (on the system you're in) in the galaxy window, there's still something there....

[DirectorTsaarx]

Jon:

You're close: it's condition improvers, then resource improvers, then atmosphere converters.

As for happiness: it depends on your "happiness type". Oddly, for "neutral" races, just colonizing a new planet decreases happiness. They also don't like treaties, unusual events, building warships (I think), enemy colonies in "your" systems, basically anything that doesn't involve sitting around contemplating their navels. "Peaceful" types get happy about new colonies, new treaties, etc. and unhappy about wars, enemy ships, other races' (whether enemy or ally) colonies in one of "your" systems, etc. Finally, "Bloodthirsty" types get upset about treaties, new colonies, other races' (whether enemy or ally) colonies in "your" systems and they get happy about wars, destroying enemy ships and colonies, etc.

This is just a small sample of what goes into happiness; read the various "AI_Anger" files (in the AI directory; I think aggressive=bloodthirsty, defensive=peaceful and neutral=neutral) for more information.

And build an Urban Pac. Center in EVERY system (I'm pretty sure it's a system-wide effect, so you don't need one on every planet). If you use the Temporal technology trait, use the "Temporal Vacation Center" instead; if you use the Deeply Religious trait, I think you can use one of the shrines. They may not be better than the Urban Pac. Center, but since you'd be researching the racial technology anyway, it saves you from researching Psychology as well.

At least that's how I play, and my planets stay "Jubiliant" (they're fixing this typo in the next patch - although it's been around since SE3). I find that if I don't build a happiness facility, my populations eventually get less and less happy. Not to mention that conquered races STAY unhappy, and frequently end up rioting.

[DirectorTsaarx]

rdouglass, raynor: yeah, I have that problem too. The Ukra-Tal are really sneaky about that - I've found them on LOTS of moons. I first figured it out the same way rdouglass did; I looked at the galaxy map and realized there was a triangle in the system, even though all I saw were MY ships. Then I found those sneaky Ukra-tal on a couple of moons... unfortunately for them... hehehehe

[rdouglass]

quote:

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Originally posted by DirectorTsaarx:

And build an Urban Pac. Center in EVERY system (I'm pretty sure it's a system-wide effect, so you don't need one on every planet). If you use the Temporal technology trait, use the "Temporal Vacation Center" instead; if you use the Deeply Religious trait, I think you can use one of the shrines. They may not be better than the Urban Pac. Center, but since you'd be researching the racial technology anyway, it saves you from researching Psychology as well.

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Nice explination, but you forgot the Med Labs (in Organic Tech). Those are cool in the sense that they increase happines AND cure plagues system wide based on their level. IE ML I cures Level 1 plagues, MD II cures Level 2 plagues, etc.

And Yes, I too found out about the triangles the hard way - had to backtrack my "expansion" to eliminate a fleet that had "popped out of nowhere" from a base hidden on a moon and glassed a few of my newer colonies.

[DirectorTsaarx]

Good catch, rdouglass. I never use organic, so I forget about their facilities. Although now that you mention it, I remember reading someplace that they don't have as much of an effect on happiness as an Urban Pac Center (probably to make up for the fact that they prevent plagues).

My condolences on the fleet that came from nowhere. I hate those moon colonies...

[DirectorTsaarx]

I did a little more research:

Religious tech: Fate shrine I/II/III. Lowers bad event chance (-10%/-20%/-30%), lowers bad intel chance (-10%/-20%/-30%), increases happiness (+1/+2/+3).

Organic: Medical Lab I/II/III. Improves reproduction (+1%/+1%/+1%), prevents plagues (1/2/3), increases happiness (+1/+1/+1). Note that the reproduction and happiness benefits don't increase with the level of Medical Lab.

Standard tech: Urban Pacification Center I/II/III. Increases happiness (+1/+2/+3).

Temporal: Temporal Vacation Service I/II/III: Increases happiness (+2/+4/+6). Note the high happiness bonuses. No wonder I like using Temporal tech in my games...

[lwmweb]

Are the increases from an Organic Med lab and the UPC cumulative?