Alien Artifacts and their uses

[binTravkin]

on the topic,is there any way at all to predict AA techs?

1.It will only give you the same techs as tech predictor would show you possible to choose.
2.If you happen to get the same result, it means, the preservation of random seed is in effect. Try doing some action (but not the same each time) before cashing in and you'll see different result.

[Kataphraktoi]

no i did no actions but after enough reloads it chose the correct tech. or more accurately any tech but app phsyics

[Straybow]

A thought occurs to me. I hear some saying they never build bunkers, but it sounds to me like having a bunker in place to stash AAs and a defensive unit might be a good idea.

Also, does removing the 50% defense penalty for non-combat units cover AAs?

[Chaos Theory]

As far as I can tell, alien artifacts have 0 or near 0 (like a probe team) defense, and have just 1 hit point. Artifacts simply lose combat.

I figure a city is a better place to stash an artifact than anywhere remotely open like a bunker.

[Xian]

Originally posted by Kataphraktoi
if you have enemy units running around in core areas i suggest you forget the AA and build some army

in the early game its impossible to avoid mindworms showing up in xenofungus and even regular mainland

[Kataphraktoi]

in the early game its impossible to avoid mindworms showing up in xenofungus and even regular mainland

unless your using some very wide base spacing,only fungal pops could get worms in near my HQ etc.its imposible for worms to get in-i always have so large a mesh of units etc ZOC prevents movement.i always kill em at some outpost base

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by mmontgomery
I would say that I get about an average of 6 AAs per game on a normal size planet. (Much more on huge.) Many of these come from popping sea pods with Isles.

I've found early game 'gift' foils and isles great for Ogres and artefacts.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Regarding movement in Fungal square that may indeed be the case. I also remeber reading once upon a time that it extremely unwise to use an AA as a podpopping unit because they tend to evaporate.

Anyone else recall that as the case?

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Ogie Oglethorpe
Regarding movement in Fungal square that may indeed be the case. I also remeber reading once upon a time that it extremely unwise to use an AA as a podpopping unit because they tend to evaporate.

Anyone else recall that as the case?

Yes-- An AA that opens a pod tends to vanish. Finding an AA in a distant fungusy place is always a lot of fun since you just know the worms will hit at you on your way back

[Kataphraktoi]

Yes-- An AA that opens a pod tends to vanish. Finding an AA in a distant fungusy place is always a lot of fun since you just know the worms will hit at you on your way back

this is merely represnted as another pod pop chance-ive still popped pods with AA and iirc once got another AA from it(yes i do dumb stuff in SP )

[Leon Trotsky]

Really? I was sure AA ALWAYS disappeared! In any case, the risk is still too high, so I wouldn't try it myself in a real game.

-opening scenario editor-

[Petek]

According to the Prima Strategy Guide

"Also note that Artifacts which are used to explore pods have a 50% chance of vanishing without a trace."

(Bottom of p.17.)

[Kataphraktoi]

did a tough and quick test on 20 aa\pods and that would seem to be correct. guess i was redicoulessly lucky

prima? how did you get that,or do you actually have the guide? i guess it could have something of interest...

[Petek]

Originally posted by Kataphraktoi
prima? how did you get that,or do you actually have the guide? i guess it could have something of interest...

Found it for sale a couple of years ago on the Internet. The complete name is

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri: Prima's Official Strategy Guide

ISBN is 0-7615-1584-4

Just checked Amazon.com. It's available from third-party sellers with price ranging from $0.75 to $29.99 (!).

The guide is of marginal value, but does have some interesting facts (like AAs popping pods). Basically for fans only.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Ogie Oglethorpe
Regarding movement in Fungal square that may indeed be the case. I also remeber reading once upon a time that it extremely unwise to use an AA as a podpopping unit because they tend to evaporate.

Anyone else recall that as the case?

It does indeed happen frequently, but you could also get one 'cloned' in a pod dimensional rift, as happened with a Mk. I Ogre I had in the early stages of a game- great for police work at home in the first few bases during production and before I built the HGP and VW.