Should we change production at Apolyton Prime?

[Corellion]

Given that our negotiations with PEACE have finally come to fruition, we have attained both Industrial Base and Industrial Economics. As you all surely know, this means we now have the ability to use synthmetal armour, opening up a plethora of new units to us (more specifically, 1-2-1, 2-2-1, 1-2-2, and 2-2-2, whatever you prefer to call them). While most of these are expensive and of limited use to us, the synthmetal sentinals can be useful. Apolyton Prime is currently building a scout patrol, which will be done in either 1 or 2 turns (I can't precisely remember). Do we want to change production to a synthmetal sentinal, which will prototype the armour for us and will be finished in 6 turns?

[Drogue]

I'd go yes, as it seems like a good idea, but not at the expense of too much. If it looks easily done, as this does to me, go for it

[Maniac]

One question. What's the big advantage of building a 1-2-1 when you can build a 1-2-2 at the same cost? It seems many people don't know this little but handy fact.

[Corellion]

Oh, you can? I only knew about the 2-1-1 and 2-1-2 being the same cost.

I assume that everyone here would have voted for that had they known... if you don't, then please report to the nearest maintenance lab so we can remove those pesky Unimatrix Zero chips.

[Maniac]

Ah yes, though I first intended to vote "yes", I chose for "no" after some consideration. Why? We'll be getting crawlers next turn, and since we should be trying to finish our SP asap, I vote we now build a cheap scout patrol in Poly Prime and then immediately switch to a crawler. Or I would even dare suggest that Zetaris builds its own garrison and that we immediately switch towards a crawler in Poly Prime.

[Corellion]

Ah yes, it's so easy to forget these things when they're not staring you in the face.

This poll was made under the assumption that we still wanted to get AP to build the garrison for Zetaris. Anybody who wishes to change this can express that opinion here, as our Prime Function just did.

[Drogue]

Crawler

Everywhere. Forget Zetaris' garrison, we need crawlers

I propose having a standard base facilities build of:

• former
• garrison
• CP (or Rec Commons)
• crawler
• rec commons
• former
• crawler

2 formers, 2 crawlers and a rec commons per base, the CP is if it grows too fast (not under FM ). I think every base should have at least 2 crawlers, and more as we progress (crawling farm/condensers) Then we can build and work boreholes, so we get all the food we need from crawlers (4 per turn min each) and hoards of energy and mins from boreholes.

Let us bask in the glory of Method's old plan... "The Swiss Cheese Project"

[Chaunk]

Finish the scout, then crawlers. Everywhere.

'Nuff said really.

C

[Maniac]

Do we need another poll, asking whether to build a 1-2-2, 1-1-1 or crawler right now?

[Chaunk]

The only problem with a 1-2-2 is the increased expence in upgrading compared to a 1-2-1. If we're ever tempted to upgrade (and we're just using it as a garrison) then a 1-2-1 might be the better choice.

Course if we can build a crawler before the 1-1-1 completes then we should methinks.

C

M

[Drogue]

Maniac? Is that your editing I see before me?

It costs the same for a 1-2-2 as a 1-2-1? I thought synthmetal rovers were expensive?

[Corellion]

Alright... my understanding of the positions thus far is...

Mani Alpha-3: Crawler
Chaunk... something: Scout patrol
Drogue Beta-8: Crawler
Corelli Omega-9: Crawler

Correct me if I'm wrong... but I believe that means we switch production to crawler.

[Chaunk]

I'm saying crawler if we have the tech, scout patrol otherwise.

[Googlie]

For the record, costs (running Planned. Wealth, giving +2 Industry) are:

Scout chassis:

1-1-1 is 8
1-2-1 is 16
2-1-1 is 16
2-2-1 is 24

Rover chassis

1-1-2 is 16
1-2-2 is 16
2-1-2 is 16
2-2-2 is 32

Crawler:

0-1-1 is 24

G.

[Corellion]

Googlie: Thank you very much
Chaunk: We will have the tech. It's done next turn.

So, a crawler then.