David Floyd
April 12, 1999, 00:59
The difficulty level I am currently on is Thinker, and I have found this strategy to be effective throughout every level (played a full or almost full game on every previous level): Huge Map with the University, expand quickly to dominate your continent. Your government should be Democracy/Free Market/Wealth, and you should contact every faction ASAP and get elected Planetary Governor. Do not go to war, just go defensive until the late middle game. Don't expand off of your continent, unless it is very small. I have even pulled this off with only 8 or so cities on a tiny island. Soon, your income will exceed 1000 credits a turn, and with your research bonuses you should be able to research every Project technology and buy each project in 1-2 turns. Cloning Vats are a must, as are all anti-mind worms and anti-drone techs. Build a large navy and a large air force. Send the navy out to conquer every sea base that your enemies own (oh, by the way, make sure the Morganites are your ally, the Gaians are nice to have too). Miriam and Yang usually have a ton. That will give you control of the seas, and you can conquer the enemy continents one by one using your unlimited range drop pods and aircraft carriers.