War vs. Probes

[Capt Dizle]

Wouldn't it be really nasty if you could MC a base in PBEM/hotseat and then gift it to a third party?

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by jimmytrick
Wouldn't it be really nasty if you could MC a base in PBEM/hotseat and then gift it to a third party?

A similar situation happened to me in a recent H2H game. I had dug in at my AI allies base, knowing full well that, with the current technology employed on Planet, I could defend this position for the forseeable future. Next turn, the base had changed hands to an unfriendly AI faction! When I queried my opponent, he stated that he had demanded the base from my AI ally, then gifted it to my AI enemy!

Here is the thread over at Civgaming concerning this:

http://www.civgaming.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=877

[Mongoose]

AI intervention in a pbem can really screw up the works!

[Fitz]

Originally posted by johndmuller
1) Is it worth it to incite drone riots first, or doesn't it matter?
2) Is it worth it to take a few pot shots with artie first, or doesn't it matter?
3) Is it worth it to kill a defender or two first, or doesn't it matter?
4) Is it worth it to sabotage a facility or two first, or doesn't it matter?
5) Is it worth it to destroy some terraforming first, or doesn't it matter?

Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure what follows is correct, but if you want to be sure open the Scenario Editor and do some test.

1) Yes, drone riots in a base reduce the cost by about 1/2. If you want this to work though, plan to send more than one probe, because in all likelyhood the player, and definately the AI, will have halted the drone riots on the following round. The AI will starve it's citizens rather than face drone riots (which you can use to your benefit).

2) *shrugs* I don't think so, but possibly the cost of a unit goes down if you damage the unit first. See 3 below.

3) Yes, as part of the cost to control the base is the cost of the units inside it. I personally believe (but have not tested) that the cost of units you get control of that ware adjacent to the base is not included in this cost.

4) Yes, as part of the cost is the facilities included in the base.

5) No, I don't think terraforming affects it.

A question you should also have asked: Does it help to target an enemy with a low SE Probe rating? Yes, because part of the cost is determined by their SE rating. I don't know (actually more like can't remember) if your SE Probe rating affects the cost though.

As far as efficiency (and/or distance from headquarters), I couldn't say.