Very new to the game, need help badly!

[BadAsh]

Hey guys, you probably get this alot here, but I just got the game and I love it. But so far I really stink at it.

Can anyone give me some suggestions on what to do in the first bunch of years or so? In the game I'm playing now, my treaties fell apart, they attacked me, and I ended up losing a whole system. I didn't really have any ships that could compete, just some escort ships. I'm gonna have to start a new game because they are coming into my main system.

Any suggestions on how to start off on a good foot would be very helpful. Thanks!

[Mudshark]

Try Atrocities site, look for the Duboius stratey guide; http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/NewAgeShipyards/index.html
Perhaps my site (located at the bottom) may also be of help. They are both compulations of some usefull threads that have been posted

[pathfinder]

One of the things I do is make a base yard station with a single cap missile launcher. This should take care of any early incursion by escorts and frigates.

Satellites with guns or missiles also could help some, though in my opinion that station is better. also make a balance between new weapon research and infrastructure. make take a few games of getting yer hiney handed to ya before a strategy that works for you evolves.

[ 10 May 2002, 00:24: Message edited by: pathfinder ]

[Wardad]

Ok, I know I've done this before on some thread somewhere....

1. Rock planet type (more to colonize).

2. Set up race to build a colonizer on Homeworld in 2 turns. This may mean stripping out half the engines and the cargo hold (good for a local colony ship). You have to boost your races construction rate by ? (5 %to 10%?) oops.

3. Experienced players build 3 space stations with shipyards first, but I think 2 is easier to manage. When you do run short on resources you can mothball these stations for a while.

4. Colonize your system fast. The extra research, resource, and shipyards early on are an advantage. Green star planets are your atmoshpere type . Red star have different atmosphere and are domed, so the build space is limited.

5. I generally do not waste resources on escorts. I build small transports instead. Arm them with a missle and add 3 SAT launchers, 3 cargo, 1 supply, 5 engines etc... they are good for exploring, transport and SAT laying.

6. Ships are fragile early on. A few SATs for Worm Hole defense can cause kill or cause them to limp home. It's better than letting them concentrate forces.

7. Weapon platforms. Better some than none, don't be a easy target. Try mixing missles with direct fire weapons, and use the largest weapon mount you can.

8. Early research. Opinions differ but most would suggest: More than one project in que, rotate projects and do not spread points evenly.
Larger ships (frigit, destroyer, light cruiser).
Depleted Uranium Cannon (DUC) to level 3.
Point Defense (PD) at least level 3, I prefer 4
I might start PD inbetween destroyer and LC. As you have to study Military Science before PD opens up.

9. Gunboat Diplomacy early on. Big guns get respect.
"You guys are farmers" quote from SE3 aliens.

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NEWBIES KEEP HAPPENING

[Master Belisarius]

Research mines fast, and explosive warheads II. Then, deploy mines over your planets.

[Atrocities]

Dubious Strategy Guide

Also go to the SE IV Strategy Site

How I play my first 100 turns is really based upon how I have my game set up. I often set the AI to max and do not use cheats. I max out the racial points to 5k and spend a bit of time setting my player up.

Under Advanced Traits I always choose Natural Merchants, thus eliminating the need for Spaceports.

I always set tech to low and cost medium. I start with 1 planet at max conditions.

My first turn is spent designing a colony ship, escort/explorer, a shipyard, and defense base. I start researching technology - for me I go for propulsion and resupply early on. I repeat the Que. and research these two items until they reach their maximum. However research is something that is best learned by doing. I recommend that you spend your time concentrating on what you feel is best for your empire. Political science is a must for keeping people happy. Weapons, and weapons support systems are vital. Intel is a must have and can be put off until you encounter another player.

I explore the area colonizing every planet that I can. I build RESEARCH facilities and storage facilities for resources. I also build one of each resource facility and urban pacification center in each system I colonize a planet in.

I try to keep any aliens I meet happy, and if I fail, I mass produce Escort/Attack ships and park them on the warp points. I then research mines and satellites and then deploy those to the warp points. Also Point Defense weapons, you'll need those for sure.

Mostly I spend my first 100 turns exploring colonizing and researching necessary technology. The next 100 turns are spent aggressively colonizing, terraforming, and conquering smaller enemies. Turns 200 to 300 are for the big fish.

Things to keep in mind:
1. Fighter are awesome.
2. Diversify your ship designs.
a. Build weapon specific ships. Ships with multiple weapons types often get destroyed.
3. Always consider the AI your enemy and never trust it.
4. Mines and satellites are great for warp point defense.
5. Weapon platforms are the best for planetary defense.
6. Always be sure you have colonist on your colony ships before sending them out to colonize.
7. Come to this forum to ask questions.
8. Play the game as much as you can and if you have to use the cheat codes until you gain experience.
9. Point Defense cannons will save your fleet
10. Play as many multiplayer games as you can at PBW when they come back up next week.