Free Drones: the most powerful faction?

[Chaos Theory]

Compare Morgan in FM/Wealth to 0 Econ factions that can run FM/Wealth. Morgan gets 2 more energy per base tile and +1 commerce, but pays an extra mineral in support at most bases. Since 2 ECs are roughly equal to 1 mineral, even with some multipliers, Morgan isn't far ahead of anyone else.

[Kirov]

Originally posted by Chaos Theory
Compare Morgan in FM/Wealth to 0 Econ factions that can run FM/Wealth. Morgan gets 2 more energy per base tile and +1 commerce, but pays an extra mineral in support at most bases. Since 2 ECs are roughly equal to 1 mineral, even with some multipliers, Morgan isn't far ahead of anyone else.

In case of Morgan it definitely translates to more than just 2 energy per base. Take into account that there is some sort of "threshold" for commerce calculations purposes. Say the base in question generates 7 energy - no commerce. Now add a worker harvesting a forest and suddenly you get not 9, but ca 11-13 from trade treaties! I have seen Morganite bases size 3 generating around 16 energy (which also translates to 2 talents from 20% PSYCH allocation).

BTW, I have just finished a HtH playing Morgan against Uni and can say that Morgan with one pact and 2-3 treaties can easily compete with Zak's tech output.

[CEO Aaron]

So you go for Rec. Tanks? Wouldn't you like to get FM and Wealth a bit sooner?

The early rec tanks more than compensate for delaying FM and IA. My attitude is that getting Biogenics ASAP is the fastest way to turn my cash stockpile into a growth advantage. For Morgan, nutrient income is the limiting factor to the founding of new bases, and tanks address that nicely.

Compare Morgan in FM/Wealth to 0 Econ factions that can run FM/Wealth. Morgan gets 2 more energy per base tile and +1 commerce, but pays an extra mineral in support at most bases. Since 2 ECs are roughly equal to 1 mineral, even with some multipliers, Morgan isn't far ahead of anyone else.

You can't buy tech with minerals, and energy is affected by many more multiplying facilities than minerals will ever be. But above all, I maintain Morgan's strongest advantage is his initial stockpile of 100 credits, which as you point out, is roughly worth about 50 minerals (early on).

[Senethro]

You make a lot of sense when you speak Aaron, but this time I'll disagree with you. With the manner that tech costs increase noone can afford to delay IA.

Wealth will make those recycling tanks be built cheaper and faster, anyway.

[Net Warrior]

Originally posted by Kirov


In case of Morgan it definitely translates to more than just 2 energy per base. Take into account that there is some sort of "threshold" for commerce calculations purposes. Say the base in question generates 7 energy - no commerce. Now add a worker harvesting a forest and suddenly you get not 9, but ca 11-13 from trade treaties! I have seen Morganite bases size 3 generating around 16 energy (which also translates to 2 talents from 20% PSYCH allocation).

BTW, I have just finished a HtH playing Morgan against Uni and can say that Morgan with one pact and 2-3 treaties can easily compete with Zak's tech output.

Someone entering into a Treaty or Pact with Morgan in PBEM is just as foolish as someone trading tech with The Free Drones. You have to hope that everyone in your game understands the true impact of their transactions with other factions.

[Chaos Theory]

Originally posted by Kirov
Take into account that there is some sort of "threshold" for commerce calculations purposes. Say the base in question generates 7 energy - no commerce. Now add a worker harvesting a forest and suddenly you get not 9, but ca 11-13 from trade treaties!

When you see that effect, often it's just that by boosting the base's raw energy income, it moved up in the ranking of bases by raw energy, and thus was paired with an opponent's base that also produces more raw energy (or if you have more bases than that opponent, maybe it wasn't paired at all before). However, several of your other bases moved down in the ranking, and thus receive less commerce.

In short, your perceived gain is mostly if not completely offset by losses in other bases. Use the F8 screen to compare commerce income before and after.

[Chaos Theory]

Originally posted by CEO Aaron
You can't buy tech with minerals

The hell I can't! Supply crawlers! Besides, in the early game, minerals are fairly important, partly to field former/crawler armies, partly to ICS, and partly to scoop up some of the SPs unlocked by early techs. Laying that foundation yields greater returns than simply pushing for tech. Of course, if you're embroiled in an early war, minerals are crucial.

[Kirov]

Originally posted by Senethro
You make a lot of sense when you speak Aaron, but this time I'll disagree with you. With the manner that tech costs increase noone can afford to delay IA.

Wealth will make those recycling tanks be built cheaper and faster, anyway.

Although I have to put it to test, I see some point in it.

First of all, the cost increase doesn't hurt that much factions with great research capacity, like Uni, Aki and Morgan. Secondly, the third tech Morgan grabs is IndEcon and thus FM (and he can always afford to switch to it). With that in mind he's probably only 3-4 turns late to IA, and during this time he's already got some tanks, meaning energy points as well.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Net Warrior


Someone entering into a Treaty or Pact with Morgan in PBEM is just as foolish as someone trading tech with The Free Drones.

Not if you have nervestapled a few bases first

I noticed this in a current PBEM. I was getting equal trade with the PKs (treaty) but none from my other two treatymates. So when the PKs got the governorship, I said screw it and nervestapled a few bases of my own. I don't know when sanctions will end for others but I wouldn't be surprised if there is not one more bit of commerce on Planet in the game.

[Kirov]

Originally posted by Net Warrior


Someone entering into a Treaty or Pact with Morgan in PBEM is just as foolish as someone trading tech with The Free Drones. You have to hope that everyone in your game understands the true impact of their transactions with other factions.

Most PBEMs which are not labeled 'CGN' or 'vets' something have some AIs on the map, very often tweaked by CMN. When you're Morgan they're easy to convince that you're harmless.

[Net Warrior]

Originally posted by Kirov


Most PBEMs which are not labeled 'CGN' or 'vets' something have some AIs on the map, very often tweaked by CMN. When you're Morgan they're easy to convince that you're harmless.

Good point. I'm playing The Drones presently in a heavily tweaked PBEM and I met Santaigo early and she provided 2-3 critical beeline techs that helped boost me in to lead in that game.

[Straybow]

There's a sucker born every minute!

[Sikander]

Originally posted by Straybow
There's a sucker born every minute!

And as suckers go you could do worse than Santiago...

[CEO Aaron]

Originally posted by Chaos Theory

Originally posted by CEO Aaron
You can't buy tech with minerals

The hell I can't! Supply crawlers! Besides, in the early game, minerals are fairly important, partly to field former/crawler armies, partly to ICS, and partly to scoop up some of the SPs unlocked by early techs. Laying that foundation yields greater returns than simply pushing for tech. Of course, if you're embroiled in an early war, minerals are crucial.

Don't mistake me, I don't mean to minimize the pivotal utility of minerals at any stage of the game, I just think that the 2 energy == 1 mineral formula overlooks some of the secondary effects of having a robust energy income.

Remember that my remarks are built around the opening strategy of grabbing Biogenics as the lead-off tech for Morgan, not to poo-poo the critical effect of crawlers, and the minerals they help you rake in. Biogenics for Morgan is a triple threat: It accelerates your base growth, your pod construction and your research rate, at a very early stage in the game when every single resource is critical. I've played Morgan a great deal, and tried a large number of opening strategies, and at this point I have no doubt that hitting Biogenics first is the best one.

I wish I could dig up some of Sikander's old threads about specialist-heavy builder strategies, because some of the respondents posted some really spectacular Morgan games showing the power of the biogenics opening. Sadly, I think they have been eaten/archived.

[Kirov]

Originally posted by CEO Aaron

Don't mistake me, I don't mean to minimize the pivotal utility of minerals at any stage of the game, I just think that the 2 energy == 1 mineral formula overlooks some of the secondary effects of having a robust energy income.

I understand this formula as a very genergal comparison, applicable in situations like "I can increase my output by 1 min or 3 energy, what should I do?" IMHO it has nothing to do with in game situations when you lack one element and what to balance it with the other.

Simply put, Energy Bank is NOT just a small Genejack Factory.