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In just about all of my SP SMAC games I usually build the Universal Translator. One because I can - Two, because it gives me two free techs. I know it also allows you to cash an unlimited number of Alien Artifacts at that base, but I cannot recall using it for that purpose.
Does it have another feature I am overlooking?
Please note that usually:
- I usually play as Zak, so I get a free NN at every base; and
- I usually play on a huge map so that the base that I would choose for the UT is usually a decently sized base from an area that is already well developed (makes it easy to build the SP quickly) with any pods in the area near the UT base already harvested so any AA obtained from a pod is usually very far away from the UT base.
- Usually, I am, I guess what is called a sprawler. I build a lot of bases and ignore any and all bureaucracy warnings. In many games, after the computer starts labeling all my new bases University (or Sparta - whatever) 58 I have to start making up my own names.
In the times I am fortunate enough to get an AA, and I am playing a faction other than University, I am more than willing to rush build a NN in the closest base to cash the AA for tech. (Maybe if a game lasts long enough I will place a PSI gate in the UT base so I can quickly move found AA's to it from other bases with PSI gates; although it would seem easier just to rush a NN in the closest base to the new found AA.)
I can understand UT might useful to cash AAs for tech if you had a game where you were greatly limited in the number of bases you could build but otherwise I do not see the value of UT (other than the two free techs).
Please let me know if the Universal Translator has some other special ability that that I am unaware of. If it does not, it has to be one of the weakest, if not the weakest, SP.
Mead
P.S.
Usually, if you are able to build the UT before your opponents, it means you are have already won the game, but are still hanging around to have the ability to end it.
Does it have another feature I am overlooking?
Please note that usually:
- I usually play as Zak, so I get a free NN at every base; and
- I usually play on a huge map so that the base that I would choose for the UT is usually a decently sized base from an area that is already well developed (makes it easy to build the SP quickly) with any pods in the area near the UT base already harvested so any AA obtained from a pod is usually very far away from the UT base.
- Usually, I am, I guess what is called a sprawler. I build a lot of bases and ignore any and all bureaucracy warnings. In many games, after the computer starts labeling all my new bases University (or Sparta - whatever) 58 I have to start making up my own names.
In the times I am fortunate enough to get an AA, and I am playing a faction other than University, I am more than willing to rush build a NN in the closest base to cash the AA for tech. (Maybe if a game lasts long enough I will place a PSI gate in the UT base so I can quickly move found AA's to it from other bases with PSI gates; although it would seem easier just to rush a NN in the closest base to the new found AA.)
I can understand UT might useful to cash AAs for tech if you had a game where you were greatly limited in the number of bases you could build but otherwise I do not see the value of UT (other than the two free techs).
Please let me know if the Universal Translator has some other special ability that that I am unaware of. If it does not, it has to be one of the weakest, if not the weakest, SP.
Mead
P.S.
Usually, if you are able to build the UT before your opponents, it means you are have already won the game, but are still hanging around to have the ability to end it.
@ Curiosity
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