Ideas for the Start

[Drogue]

Ok, our first turn will be played in a couple of days, so I need some ideas. First tech, starting location, build queues, general strategy, etc.

I think the very first tech should be Centauri Ecology, as formers are needed ASAP IMHO, although what do others think?

Also, should we build our base exactly where the pod starts, or look for a better place? Max number of turns to look if we want to? I would say build it there unless one or two moves can get abundant resources that are good (like mineral on rock, nutrients or energy on ridge high up)

First thing to build? I am thinking scout patrol to explore, one to defend, former as soon as we get the tech, and then another CP?

First SP? I think the Human Genome is good, but I think the Weather Paridigm is a must, for the help in former time, and the little terraforming trick I learned from Archaic, of having Boreholes and Consensers, in pattern, that means condensers get crawled for nuts, and boreholes give us loads of energy and minerals.

Just a few ideas. Please post any comments you want.

[Method]

first tech: Centauri ecology for sure

as for build Q it's always hard to say. scout maybe until ecology, then former, CP, former in the HQ. then in all other bases i'd go former former CP scout. fast growth, but we're vulnerable to the worms.

for SPs i'd go for the WP and HGP once we have a few crawlers out. Indus Auto is a MUST. as for copying archaic's ICS/terraforming, i've found that to work out pretty well, though i've had success with bases 3 tiles apart (usually N, N, NE or W, W SW, not 3x N or something)

now, maniac?

EDIT: BTW drug, you lost your flag

[Drogue]

I like it TKG. Screenshot for the terraforming? as for build queues, that's very open to worms Wouldn't maybe former, scout, CP, former be safer, and just as fast growing, just fewer formers? We may need to run for SPs soon, as others will go fast, especially for those two. Also, if we can stop the UoP getting the Virtual World, that would be great. Great SP, and even better to stop UoP. If we get a massive minerals base, i say go for it!

[Method]

i'll get a screenshot soon enough. as for worms, they're slightly less of a worry here than normal as G put native life to "rare" (i think) and i normally play with average.

[Maniac]

Personally I'd only focus on the HGP for our early SP (we're with five humans!). The reason is it's very handy for early expansion, and we need it more than other factions for golden ages under planned (few psych) and the consequential pop booming (also explained in my PM to Corellion). For techs: 1) CentEco 2) Biogenetics (for HGP) 3) to IndAut if nothing special happens on the road.

As for build queues etcetera, I really need to see our starting location for that. Therefore I'd really suggest - for the first turn only, after that it's less a problem - that Drogue opens the turn, takes a screenie, and let us all discuss before actually playing the turn.

[Drogue]

That seems a great idea, and I was thinking of doing just that. Should we ever attempt to go for SoTHB? If not, I think Maniac's plan is the best. As for HGP, let's try it, I don't normally, because I prefer Virtual World, but let's go for it and see.

[Method]

ok here's a screenie of my general terraforming. this is 2184, so i'm just getting my first condensors and boreholes in. basically what happened was i popped a pod in 2101 that gave me a unity foil, so seeing that i was on a small island i immediately headed south, for...yeah

as for SPs, whatever it doesn't really matter. VW would be best but i don't care, they're all good.

i'd support free market at the very beginning, just because it give so damn much energy, at that point you don't need psych allocation because it wouldn't do anything. the only problem is you can't grow to size 2 before you get the HGP

[Drogue]

But we want to explore, and having any units out wrecks our bases with drone riots. I'd rather go for GAs, or at least non-rioting first. Maniac? Bookwyrm? What do you think (well, methinks I know what Maniac thinks)

As for terraforming, I trust TKG, who did us proud last time (except for the Akirian/Aurillion Borehole of course ). An idea of condensers and boreholes, though time consuming, gives wonderful results.

[Maniac]

Do you mean what I think about early FM, Drogue? Well my classic strategy is just to stay planned until I can control drones in my bases. I've never understood how people (such as Archaic now in the RftP PBEM) can go FM very early on and be succesful (unless you're the UoP with the Virtual World). All those drone problems, not being able to explore far away, not being able to fight worms well... How do you deal with all those problems, TKG?

[Method]

well, i just don't like running planned at the start anymore. with the CyCon however, we may just need the growth

EDIT in response to maniac:

i just end up having to use a doctor whenever i grow to size 2 while building a colony pod, if not i install a rec commons. after the HGP, you don't have to worry about drones until size 3, and with rapid expansion i use, that doesn't come quick (see that's 2184, and most of my bases are 2's or 1's). i know this way probably isn't very efficient, but you make a lot more money and research sometimes doubles. i usually run wealth until i get knowledge too, so +3 econ +1 industry +2 effic +2 growth -2 support -2 morale -5 police and -3 planet. the morale thing is the biggest penalty i find.

[Drogue]

Yes, Maniac, I mean about FM. I agree, we need growth at the start, and we need to be able to explore. I think we should go FM, but later on, when we have reduced nearby fungus, explored much, and grown quite a bit. Maybe in 60 or 70 years after start?

[Method]

BTW, that game was played with FM right from when i got industrial economics. which was pre 2120 i'm sure. as soon as crawlers come out i hit the forests until i have bases making ~10 mins, then get on the SPs. i believe i finished the WP in 215(3?)

[Maniac]

Hmm, if you have to use a doctor every time you reach size 2, you lose a large part of your nutrients, minerals and energy. Is that truly a good trade-off for the mere +1 energy you get per base??? (as all bases only have one worker)

[Method]

well its only until the colony pod is completed. once it's done, i get back to size 1 and can install a rec commons. if the base isnt building a CP when it grows, i can just switch or put a doctor in place for a little bit if the retool penalty is too much.

[Drogue]

I tend to build as well as grow at the begining. I like to have a base producing either an SP, if I need it quickly, getting itself sorted with facilities, or producing military, if we start close to another faction. We can sometimes take a base, or even wipe a faction, right at the start

EDIT: BOO! ok, i'll stop now

Edit by Drogue: I really would if I were you. It is highly illogical