Readly newbie questions

[Samson2]

I have just bought a copy on SMAC really cheap, 'cos I had heard such good things about it. It came with no manual. I have played all the civs to a fairly high level, and it definatly does remind me of Civ 2.

The main question I have it how do I set reaserch to a particular tech? I have found Lab status, f2, and that does not seem to actually do anything. I can set the general direction of reaserch with Shift-R but that does not help me much as I do not know what techs that means.

An on-line manual or tech tree would be great.

Thank for any help. I may well undate this thread with new questions as they arise.

[Petek]

Welcome to SMAC!

You're playing the game with what's called blind research. This can be changed when you're starting a new game by selecting the Customize Rules option. Deselect the choice Blind Research: Cannot set precise research goals. You'll then have much more control over what you can research.

Concerning a manual, you might want to search your CD for .pdf files. Some discs contain a manual in this format. You also can access the Datalinks via the F1 key while playing the game.

A one-page copy of the tech tree may be found here.

HTH

Feel free to post again with more questions. You also may wish to look through old threads, which contain lots of good information. See the FAQ, especially item #57, for more information.

Petek

[Hydro]

Welcome to SMAC!

First, you need to make sure your game setup allows for Directed research. Your options when you begin a game are Directed and Blind research. In Directed you choose exactly what research you want. In Blind you can choose only the general type of technology (explore, build, conquer, discover) you want and you won't know what you have until the discovery.

For Directed research you select what you want by Shift+R. This will bring up your technology options, which will include some (but maybe not all) of the techs you have the prerequisites for. Then you select a tech. If you've already selected a tech and change you lose, as I recall, have of your accumulated tech points - so do this only when necessary.

In Blind research you can select any combination of Explore, Build, Discover or Conquer techs. Each tech is classified with a series of ranking for these for classifications. For instance, Centauri Ecology (which will get you terraformers) is primarily an Explore technology. As you may guess, techs for weapons are generally Conquer, research is Discover, and Build gets you development techs. You can change the general type of tech you want at any time without penalty (although I think it doesn’t take effect until after your next tech breakthrough).

Does that help?

Hydro

[Hydro]

Looks like Master Petek is quicker on the click!

Also be sure to check out the Gamespot SMAC strategy guide, the link to which is at the SMAC home page: http://www.apolyton.com/smac/

Hydro

[FullMetalJack]

You can get a .pdf manual here:

http://public.planetmirror.com/pub/replacementdocs/Alpha_Centauri_-_Manual_-_PC.pdf

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Hydro
Welcome to SMAC!

...

In Blind research you can select any combination of Explore, Build, Discover or Conquer techs. Each tech is classified with a series of ranking for these for classifications. For instance, Centauri Ecology (which will get you terraformers) is primarily an Explore technology. As you may guess, techs for weapons are generally Conquer, research is Discover, and Build gets you development techs. You can change the general type of tech you want at any time without penalty (although I think it doesn’t take effect until after your next tech breakthrough).

Does that help?

Except there doesn't seem to be much effect unless you choose only one priority.

[CEO Aaron]

It always baffled me why blind research was made a default game option by the developers. Nothing hampered my early understanding of the game than not having direct access to the tech tree.

[BlackCat]

Well, blind research has a certain resemblance to what happens in the other realm (some seems to call it real life)

[Petek]

Originally posted by CEO Aaron
It always baffled me why blind research was made a default game option by the developers. Nothing hampered my early understanding of the game than not having direct access to the tech tree.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the developers thought that blind research would simplify the game for beginners, since they would be faced with fewer choices.

[Hydro]

I prefer blind research since the typical and boring B-lines no longer apply. With directed research the game becomes formulaic since there really are only a few ‘good’ research directions. In my experience directed research is good to understand what goes where, but in the end it is pretty uninteresting – the game is my spicier when, as Forrest Gump said, you never know what you’re going to get!

Hydro

[Hercules]

I played a wonderful game (never ended) that had blind research and we struggled to get to MMI. Then we hit sunspots and couldn't exchange with allies for 20 years.

One of my first games and sadly it was never ended.

[CEO Aaron]

I'll say this for blind research, it really helps the momentum factions.

[Hydro]

Why do you say that? Momentum factions can't B-line for Impact, rovers, and the like. If you are a momentum faction then every turn you let a Builder or Hybrid live works against you - big time. Even Yang or Miriam will be insufferably delayed with their hordes if they don't have basic techs, which Builders will get much faster.

Hydro

[Samson2]

Thanks for the help. The tech tree sort of helps, but it is kind of unreadable. The reasorce yealds spread sheet from the same page is absolotly vital though.

One question, I have been going through the how-tos at http://www.civgaming.net/smac/academy.shtml and the builder one seems to prioritize crawlers over formers. It seems to me you need a good few formers before there is any point in building crawlers (you want every tile your citizens are working to be developed, and most of the ones your crawlers are working). What is wrong with my thinking?

Re. the discusion, I would agree that builders are more hampered by blind reaserch (though you know how long I have been playing this game ). You can attack with anything, but if you do not have formers, crawlers and creches you are seriously hampered as a builder. Also the combat path seems less cluttered. I was playing one game before I was told about directed reaserch and I did not get creches until very late.

[Hydro]

No question - formers should be the first tech you shoot for, regardless of whether you're a Builder, Hybrid, or Conqueror.

I've played Domai and Yang with blind research and have been crippled by not getting Centauri Ecology until 2140 - ack! So much for conquering the world.

Certainly you need Industrial Auto (B3) to get supply crawlers, but that is much after Centauri Ecology (E1) and formers. If that strat guide says to ignore formers and B-line for Ind Auto then I think they haven't played the game very much.

Hydro