more stuff we need

MegaTrain · #1 November 27th, 2001, 06:39 PM

Regarding trading technologies:

I can't confirm that it would work with AIs, but try this:
When you request a trade, request MULTIPLE copies of the SAME tech. I know it works with human players, giving 3 copies of Computers gives them levels 1, 2 and 3, all in the same turn.

You do have to be careful, though, because you can't specify EXACTLY which levels to trade. If you have propulsion up to 10, and the other race has propulsion up to 3, then trading them 3 copies of propulsion will give them levels 4, 5 and 6.

If you're giving or trading lots of techs, make sure they have the prerequisite techs, too. To trade for full computers, without knowing what they have, you would trade:
INDUSTRY
COMPUTERS
COMPUTERS
COMPUTERS
COMPUTERS
COMPUTERS
COMPUTERS (or however many levels there are).

apache · #2 November 28th, 2001, 03:09 AM

Oh geez. Looks like I can't write too well, because I think everyone misunderstood what I wrote. Except for that facilities upgrade thing. I never knew about that. Or maybe I did know, but forgot. Eitherway, thanks a lot.
Ok, first, I don't think I wrote anything about upgrading ships, it was late, but I am pretty sure I didn't put that in. I do know how to upgrade ships, so thanks, but that was useless info.
On mines, no they don't blow up friendlies right now, but my suggestion was to change them so that they do, unless you build in a sensor component into them. That way mine design and placement can be done with thought, and strategy.
On trading, yes I know how to get multiple technologies traded right now, however, I just sometimes encounter the situation where I think an AI has 3 levels of tech better than my own, for example, so I try to trade that AI for those 3 levels, but it turns out I was wrong and he only had 1 level better than me, so I get that same tech level 3 times in return for the trade. It would make more sense for the trades to request specific levels, so the AI can tell you he can't trade that stuff with you or whatever. I have successfully traded with the AI before for multiple tech levels. In a game recently, using the TDM modpack, I traded the earth alliance for 7 levels of planet utilization to get myself atmospheric converters. Well, I guess its a minor or irrelevant thing, but I think it would make tech trading easier and more efficient.
Hope this clears my post up a bit. And thanks again for that wrench info. Gonna make my life so much easier.

dogscoff · #3 November 28th, 2001, 10:53 AM

The upgrade thing was a misunderstanding of your point 3). I see what you meant, and I agree with it completely. Why can't I edit my prototype design when it's in a build queue? If it's being built, then fair enough, but if constuction hasn't started yet..?

dumbluck · #4 November 28th, 2001, 12:18 PM

You used to be able to edit designs that were in the build queue. I think they took it out mainly because of the old "I've got one turn left to build on my BC. Oh, look, I just got a new tech in engines and shields! We'll just edit that design, never mind that we are changing almost half the components in the design, it'll still complete in one turn...." They took it out at...v1.35, I think? Anyway, I think that was why. (Don't quote me on that, it's been a long time since that happened....)

dogscoff · #5 November 28th, 2001, 05:11 PM

Like I say, I'm not suggesting that we should be able to change a design that is *in-build*. If it's queued up to build though, but there are still items in front of it, where would be the harm in allowing us to edit it then?

Menschenfresser · #6 November 28th, 2001, 08:56 PM

Mysterial,
Are you sure you can see the mines of those who you have a partnership with? I am pretty sure in all the games I have played both PBEM and against the AI, I have never seen another guys mine field unless I ran into it.

???

Suicide Junkie · #7 November 28th, 2001, 09:19 PM

Mysterial confused the original question.

Currently in SE4, all mines are "smart", and assume races with treaties should not be blown up.

Apache wants mines to default to "dumb" and require a computer or sensor package to top them from blowing up friendlies. (They shouldn't ever blow up your own ships, right?)

This would allow you to limit the movement of friendlies through your core systems (dumb mines), while allowing limited access to outlying systems, or "warp point highways", so your allies can send reinforcements through.