Frequently Asked Questions for Newbies

[Gryphin]

Yes, it is superb.
I must eat crow. When it was first discussed I did not think it could be done.
I am wrong on a regular basis, this one takes the cake.
:: Performs 3 Kow Tows ::

[Arkcon]

I gotta say it too, it's a well done FAQ. I thought any faq would eventually become too big and sink under it's own weight. And I was getting worried about this one as well. But it is really consise and helpful.

P.S. Minor nitpik ... Please change my name ... it's Arkcon not arcon ... Thanks

[Ruatha]

Great work Slick.
I'm impressed.
I too was thinking that the FAQ was becoming heavyweight. I tried to reorganize it but never came close to this kind of structural organizing.

Keep up the good job, let's continue to keep in touch as before

[Shyrka]

What is the difference between the "Move" and "Attack" orders? Both seems to do the same. Also for the "Sweep mines" and "Move" orders.

[Slick]

I think these questions are addressed in the "Dubious Stragetegy Guide", but basically the "attack" command is pretty much identical to to "move" in sequential games and is only really used in simultaneous games. In simultaneous games, all ships move at once, so the "attack" order is used to have your ship or fleet SEEK the enemy ship or fleet, not just move to a location.

"Sweep Mines" is of lesser use, but can be used if you are in a sector and just had a battle with the enemy and he dropped mines during combat. Using this command would sweep the mines in the sector without having you move to another sector then move back.

Hope this helps.

Slick

[Shyrka]

Yes Slick, it helps Thank you very much.

[tbontob]

Originally posted by Slick:
I think these questions are addressed in the "Dubious Stragetegy Guide", but basically the "attack" command is pretty much identical to to "move" in sequential games and is only really used in simultaneous games. In simultaneous games, all ships move at once, so the "attack" order is used to have your ship or fleet SEEK the enemy ship or fleet, not just move to a location.

"Sweep Mines" is of lesser use, but can be used if you are in a sector and just had a battle with the enemy and he dropped mines during combat. Using this command would sweep the mines in the sector without having you move to another sector then move back.

Hope this helps.

Slick

To put it another way (in simultaneous combat):

"Move" means your ship is to move to a particular location. If an enemy ship happens to be at that location, you have combat.
"Attack" means your ship is to "close" with the enemy for a battle. So, when the enemy moves, your ship adjusts its course to close the distance between the two ships and have combat.

[Slick]

2.6.2 You can put an Emergency Propulsion Pod on a base since it can be put on "ships/bases". You can later "Use" it, but there is no way to actually get the base to move using an EPP, so don't bother.

8.2.3 Fighters cannot be used to "fire on" other ships, even if the fighters have weapons.

8.2.4 Fighters cannot be used to blockade a planet.

Based on another thread, 1.5.1 is wrong (typo). Victory conditions are "or" not "and", except for the option to have them take effect after a given number of turns - that is an "and".

[Stone Mill]

1.2.1 Empire Setup - Hapiness Types.
1.2.1.1 Peaceful - Hapiness is increased by constructing ships (especially in system), peace treaties, winning battles (especially in system), troops, colonizing. Decreased by losing ships (especially in system) enemy presence in system, losing planets, population killed, wars, amount of time at war. (Peaceful is regarded as the best type to play).
1.2.1.2 Bloodthirsty - Similar to peaceful, but happiness is increased by wars, and decreased by establishing peace treaties.
1.2.1.3 Neutral - Dislike treaties of any kind; except non-intercourse (regarded as the absolute worst type to play).

1.6. Game Setup Options

1.6.1.3 Technology Cost. The technology progression formula used varies for each of the three levels (Low, Medium, and High). Where (LC = Level Cost) and (L = Level);

Low tech cost - LC*L
Mid tech cost - LC*(L²/2)
High tech cost - LC*(L²)

(Andres Lescano)

1.6.1.3.1 The Technology Progression Formula is useful when trying to calculate the value of tech trades in multi-player games.

1.6.1.4 Player Settings, Racial Points. In the Game Setup --> Player Settings screen, the Racial Points for New Players setting must match (or exceed) the amount of racial points used to create a player empire file. For example, if you created a empire race using 5000 racial points, you can only use them in a game which has 5000 point setting enabled.

1.6.1.5 Players. Use the "Add Existing" option to select existing AI or player races for your game. Remember to select Edit and select "Controlled by Computer" for AI races, and "Controlled by Player" for player races!

[Slick]

Based on another thread giving the expected fixes in the next patch:

8.2.3 Fighters cannot be used to "fire on" other ships, even if the fighters have weapons. This is expected to be fixed in the next patch.

2.3.4.5 If a Master Computer is destroyed (and it does not have normal bridge, etc.), the ship CAN then be subverted. This is expected to be fixed in the next patch.

6.1.10 Organic armor will regenerate only in battle, not in strategic mode. If got 1 left, engage immobile target and just sit there to regenerate. This is expected to be fixed in the next patch.