Shock the FRIDAY!

[Anguille]

Pre- or post-Reformation?  ;)  I created a Vulcan-style race for Stellaris as well; it remains one of my favorites (even if I haven't played the game itself in a while).  8)

I am playing with the latest version...getting ready for Fedeartion. Playing a full game with 1.9 is on my pending list.

There are at least a couple layers of irony in that you now play the current version of Stellaris, whereas I (who encouraged you to try it out) can't fucking stand it.    You must have a stronger stomach than me...

Well, when you've managed to learn and enjoy Master or Orion 3, nothing is impossible!

I did buy the most expensive edition of the game on release...just didn't find the time to play before 2.2 :(

Seriously, i still think the new planet management is pointless and doesn't bring anything interesting to the gameplay. I mostly ignore it and just make sure that no pops is unemployed.  I am also still not a fan of starlanes or the diplomacy system or different artificial limitations in the game. Not having any DLCs so far but i am interested to see what Federation will bring (i like to play diplomatic games).

[Martok]

Well, when you've managed to learn and enjoy Master or Orion 3, nothing is impossible!

I did buy the most expensive edition of the game on release...just didn't find the time to play before 2.2 :(

Seriously, i still think the new planet management is pointless and doesn't bring anything interesting to the gameplay. I mostly ignore it and just make sure that no pops is unemployed.  I am also still not a fan of starlanes or the diplomacy system or different artificial limitations in the game. Not having any DLCs so far but i am interested to see what Federation will bring (i like to play diplomatic games).

Lord, there's so much I could say here, but I'll try and restrain myself (I've already ranted about Stellaris enough tonight)... 


First off, I will simply say that I agree with you:  I was deeply unhappy about the changes Stellaris received in the 2.0 update (although I reluctantly stuck with that version so I could play the game with the Distant Stars DLC), and was even more even more bitterly opposed to the changes in the 2.2 update at the end of 2018...to the point that I simply cannot make myself play that version of the game.  Of course, that then means I cannot play it with any DLC after Distant Stars, but I find it's unquestionably the lesser of two evils. 

The rework to the economy & planetary management added complexity without adding depth, failed to reduce micromanagement to any appreciable degree, and -- most importantly -- is simply not fun.  It is pointless tedium at best, and migraine-inducing frustration at worst. 

The changes in the 2.0 update to hyperlanes, fleets, warscore, the method for annexing/claiming star systems, etc. were no better -- in that, we're in complete agreement.  The Cherryh update was the beginning of changing Stellaris from something unique, to something more like your conventional 4x game.  (Excuse me while I spit in disgust.) 


And to watch the Paradox fanboys slobber all over the changes like it's the greatest thing since sliced bread just makes me want to gag.    At least they got after the devs for ignoring longstanding issues (most notably, late-game performance and lackluster AI), but it took them over three years to do that.  It's utterly bewildering to me how mindlessly forgiving they are of Paradox as a whole. 


That's not to say that I don't enjoy the game -- I still do, actually, despite what I said above.  But i can only stand to play either the 2.1 or 1.9 version, the latter of which I continue to regard as "peak" Stellaris (as you probably well know by now from my innumerable comments ::) ).  If & when you do play a campaign in the 1.9 version, Anguille, I'll be curious to see what you think of it. 



(Ugh.  So much for restraining myself. :-\ ) 

[Anguille]

Lord, there's so much I could say here, but I'll try and restrain myself (I've already ranted about Stellaris enough tonight)... 


First off, I will simply say that I agree with you:  I was deeply unhappy about the changes Stellaris received in the 2.0 update (although I reluctantly stuck with that version so I could play the game with the Distant Stars DLC), and was even more even more bitterly opposed to the changes in the 2.2 update at the end of 2018...to the point that I simply cannot make myself play that version of the game.  Of course, that then means I cannot play it with any DLC after Distant Stars, but I find it's unquestionably the lesser of two evils. 

The rework to the economy & planetary management added complexity without adding depth, failed to reduce micromanagement to any appreciable degree, and -- most importantly -- is simply not fun.  It is pointless tedium at best, and migraine-inducing frustration at worst. 

The changes in the 2.0 update to hyperlanes, fleets, warscore, the method for annexing/claiming star systems, etc. were no better -- in that, we're in complete agreement.  The Cherryh update was the beginning of changing Stellaris from something unique, to something more like your conventional 4x game.  (Excuse me while I spit in disgust.) 


And to watch the Paradox fanboys slobber all over the changes like it's the greatest thing since sliced bread just makes me want to gag.    At least they got after the devs for ignoring longstanding issues (most notably, late-game performance and lackluster AI), but it took them over three years to do that.  It's utterly bewildering to me how mindlessly forgiving they are of Paradox as a whole. 


That's not to say that I don't enjoy the game -- I still do, actually, despite what I said above.  But i can only stand to play either the 2.1 or 1.9 version, the latter of which I continue to regard as "peak" Stellaris (as you probably well know by now from my innumerable comments ::) ).  If & when you do play a campaign in the 1.9 version, Anguille, I'll be curious to see what you think of it. 



(Ugh.  So much for restraining myself. :-\ )

Well, i pretty much agree with everything you say . It's also one of the reasons i don't even try to micromanage my colonies. I guess the quality of the Federation DLC will determine if i continue to play the game with the latest version or go back to 2.1 or 1.9. Maybe i should get myself the Distant Stars dlc?

Cheers

[Martok]

Maybe i should get myself the Distant Stars dlc?

If you can tolerate the gameplay changes made in version 2.0/2.1, then I would say it's definitely worthwhile.  Distant Stars markedly improves/expands Stellaris' exploration phase, which is never a bad thing IMO. 

[Anguille]

Maybe i should get myself the Distant Stars dlc?

If you can tolerate the gameplay changes made in version 2.0/2.1, then I would say it's definitely worthwhile.  Distant Stars markedly improves/expands Stellaris' exploration phase, which is never a bad thing IMO.

Thanks. Any other DLCs to improve the gameplay when playing 1.9?

[CJReich46]

Maybe i should get myself the Distant Stars dlc?

If you can tolerate the gameplay changes made in version 2.0/2.1, then I would say it's definitely worthwhile.  Distant Stars markedly improves/expands Stellaris' exploration phase, which is never a bad thing IMO.

Thanks. Any other DLCs to improve the gameplay when playing 1.9?

I think Utopia or Synthetic Dawn, and Leviathans. 
Leviathans adds Guardians and Enclaves (these are traders you can boost your research, commission art for your empire, or sell and buy resources) - they add a bit of flavor to the game.


Utopia adds Megastructures. (Dyson Spheres, Habitats) Hive Mind, Purge, Slavery, Ascension Perks (which boost your empire) more Civics etc (such as syncretic evolution)

Synthetic Dawn - Machine races, ranging from Exterminators, Rogue Servitors, Fallen Machine Empires, Assimilators. Plus it added some extras to Utopia.

[Anguille]

Maybe i should get myself the Distant Stars dlc?

If you can tolerate the gameplay changes made in version 2.0/2.1, then I would say it's definitely worthwhile.  Distant Stars markedly improves/expands Stellaris' exploration phase, which is never a bad thing IMO.

Thanks. Any other DLCs to improve the gameplay when playing 1.9?

I think Utopia or Synthetic Dawn, and Leviathans. 
Leviathans adds Guardians and Enclaves (these are traders you can boost your research, commission art for your empire, or sell and buy resources) - they add a bit of flavor to the game.


Utopia adds Megastructures. (Dyson Spheres, Habitats) Hive Mind, Purge, Slavery, Ascension Perks (which boost your empire) more Civics etc (such as syncretic evolution)

Synthetic Dawn - Machine races, ranging from Exterminators, Rogue Servitors, Fallen Machine Empires, Assimilators. Plus it added some extras to Utopia.

Thanks...you're playing with all these DLCs?

[CJReich46]

Anguille to answer your question: I do.  I haven't played it much in recent months, but I do play with them.

I sometimes add a mod or two. Mostly graphic tweaks to improve performance.

I don't play on 1.9 though. I might have to reconsider that just to see.

[nelmsm]

Play testing for JTS this weekend and maybe some Command Ops 2.

Probably under an NDA, but are you allowed to say what series? Never hurts to ask ;)

Usual PBEM, BA and FOG2, the rest is an open question, Maybe Skyrim, Armored Brigade, CCTBF, not sure.

Panzer Campaigns

[Martok]

Anguille:  I second CJReich46's recommendation of Utopia, Leviathans, and Synthetic Dawn. 

That's also the order in which I personally rank those three DLC's, but they all vastly improved my enjoyment of the game.  I can't imagine playing Stellaris without them. 

I don't play on 1.9 though. I might have to reconsider that just to see.

If you do end up trying out 1.9, I'd be interested in your take on it. 

It plays very differently from 2.0 and later, and while I admittedly miss features from more recent versions of the game, there's something about 1.9 that I still find to be...almost zen, I guess.  I think it's the "purer" product, even if it's not necessarily as refined as later versions.  That could just be me, though.   

[Anguille]

I will report on it. I am waiting for the DLCs to be discounted (should be the case when Federation comes out i hope).