Just bought the game: Question about tech tree

Silent Sorrow · #1 June 25th, 2002, 01:14 AM

Yep, picked it up recently. Cost me a pretty penny. I hope it's worth it. Ironically, though I'd been eager to get it, once it arrived I let it sit there for a couple of weeks because it's just so damn massive and hard to get into. Not exactly a jump in and play kind of game. Played MOO2 instead.

Er, anyway, here's my question: I haven't a clue how to approach the research portion. My main problem is that the descriptions you get by right-clicking the items are so brief that I really don't have a sense of how the techs all fit in with each other and certainly no idea in what general order to research things. Has anyone done up a research/tech tree information sheet/page where the stuff is laid out, MOO2 style? You know, something where I can read a meaty description of what each item does?

Ragnarok · #2 June 25th, 2002, 01:26 AM

Well others might be able to tell you better then I can. But really there is NO right or wrong way to reseach anything. You have to adapt it to your game. Each game is different in some ways. Some games you may want to use missles to take out your enemy, another game you might one direct fire weapons. It all changes from game to game. So just keep that in mind and mess around with it and you'll catch on real quick. It also depends on how you like to play. There's many different playing styles out there.

You say this is such a massive game it was hard to jump right in? Well that's true, have you ever played SEII or SEIII? I grew up with SEII (never played SEIII) so it was alot easier for me to jump in to SEIV. In about a weeks time I had it down pretty good. Still had to mess with research though. But that's all I can tell ya is just make your own best way of research. Hope it helps.

Silent Sorrow · #3 June 25th, 2002, 02:28 AM

Well, if I have a better idea of what it means when I choose to research "Psychology I" or whatever then, yes, I can put together a strategy myself. But what I mean is I don't even have useful definitions for each technology. A simple three- or four-line description for each in the manual would have been extremely useful.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ragnarok:
Well others might be able to tell you better then I can. But really there is NO right or wrong way to reseach anything. You have to adapt it to your game. Each game is different in some ways. Some games you may want to use missles to take out your enemy, another game you might one direct fire weapons. It all changes from game to game. So just keep that in mind and mess around with it and you'll catch on real quick. It also depends on how you like to play. There's many different playing styles out there.

You say this is such a massive game it was hard to jump right in? Well that's true, have you ever played SEII or SEIII? I grew up with SEII (never played SEIII) so it was alot easier for me to jump in to SEIV. In about a weeks time I had it down pretty good. Still had to mess with research though. But that's all I can tell ya is just make your own best way of research. Hope it helps.

Ragnarok · #4 June 25th, 2002, 02:41 AM

[quote]Originally posted by Silent Sorrow:
[QB]Well, if I have a better idea of what it means when I choose to research "Psychology I" or whatever then, yes, I can put together a strategy myself. But what I mean is I don't even have useful definitions for each technology. A simple three- or four-line description for each in the manual would have been extremely useful.

Oh! Ok, my bad. Well AFAIK there isn't a TXT file or PDF or anything like that out that someone has put together. But I say that would be Extreamly useful. Maybe there is something like that out there, I just don't know about it. It's possible.

DavidG · #5 June 25th, 2002, 03:41 AM

Well I certainly hope you stick with it and get into it. I know what you mean though the tech is confusing at first. Partly the reason I wrote a program to view it. Perhaps this could help you out?? (links below, pick the viewer not the moder link) It will for example tell you what components Psychology will allow you to build or what tech you need to build a certain facility or component. If you need any assistance on what to research first just post. There is always lots of people around will to help out.

Baron Munchausen · #6 June 25th, 2002, 03:54 AM

1) You can click on the techs themselves in the research window and see what researching that current tech level will give you. But if there is more than one tech requirement for a given component or facility it won't be visible until you get to the Last requirement. So yes, some tech areas will seem to be 'mystery doors' for a time.

2) When you start a new game, make sure to choose 'Player can see complete tech tree' under Game Settings. This will let you see where the tech tree goes and even what techs are needed to get what components or facilities when you use the "Tech Tree" button which will then be available in the research screen. It's a rather simple 'flat' display but it's better than nothing.

3) There's a nifty utility posted to this BB within the Last week or so. Check it out in this thread: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...3;t=006046;p=2

This utility has a really nice display of the tech tree, too.

[ June 25, 2002, 13:50: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

Tenryu · #7 June 25th, 2002, 04:23 AM

Silent sorrow, the game is awesome great!
In the beginning:
Buy ship construction, then you can stick more death and destruction on a ship.
Then get BIGGER guns, DUC 2 is a start.
Then, MORE GUNS, or bigger ships, varied with propulsion. Get Mil Tech to get Point defense stuff. Physics to get shields , sensors. Construction to get mines , fighters.

You need to dance in R&D a little depending on your opponents stuff. Bigger hulls, Bigger guns, Bigger missiles all help in the beginning. Don't get too far behind in any of these areas. Do not ignore speed.(engine tech)
Almost everything is needed, but all in its own time. Out-number them, Out-gun them, Out-produce them.

Concentrate your forces. Even a single escort can sometimes be the margin of victory.

[ June 25, 2002, 03:27: Message edited by: Tenryu ]

Silent Sorrow · #8 June 25th, 2002, 06:15 AM

Just had a very brief look through your program and I have to say it's great work! It helps greatly. From what I've seen so far I'd say it's a must-have. I'm hoping you can make some arrangements to have it bundled with a patch Malfador might put out some time. Thanks again!

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidG:
Well I certainly hope you stick with it and get into it. I know what you mean though the tech is confusing at first. Partly the reason I wrote a program to view it. Perhaps this could help you out?? (links below, pick the viewer not the moder link) It will for example tell you what components Psychology will allow you to build or what tech you need to build a certain facility or component. If you need any assistance on what to research first just post. There is always lots of people around will to help out.

Atrocities · #9 June 25th, 2002, 05:47 PM

First, welcome to the forums, and welcome to the game of SEIV Gold.

Second, if you have not already visited the LINKS sticky, you might want to check it out.

As for research, the best option is to just play a few games.

For my first 100 turns, I generally try to research Phased Poleron Beams, Armor, Political Science (Urban Pacification Centers are great at keeping the peace in your empire.) Intellance, and Missle Weapons.

Past that, Combat support, Computers, Resupply, and Propulsion are always excellent to research.

ICE, ROCK, or GAS colonization I often do after the first 100 turns because by then I will have colonized all of my primary type worlds, (Usually ROCK) and have built up quite a good Research system. (Mainly colonize a planet, build research centers)

There is no right or wrong way to research, it mainly is up to the players preferance and the game he is in.

Wardad · #10 June 25th, 2002, 07:06 PM

Silent Sorrow,

You might want to startup a full tech test bed game and save the Tech Tree from it.

Start with 5000 racial points, low tech cost, high tech, omniesance view, and allow tech tree save. Have enough races for all of the special racial traits, like Organic, Religious, Temporal, Phyisic, and Crystaline. Take control of all races and turn off random AI empires. Save your starting turn.

This game could be used as a tech reference, and a combat test bed.