Distant Worlds: Universe annouced!

OJsDad · July 06, 2014, 01:00:37 PM

I haven't gotten into any games real deep yet, but it seems like in the early games I have to turn off AI control of taxes and set them myself to keep from going into debt.

OJsDad · July 06, 2014, 01:01:33 PM

Quote from: Barthheart on July 05, 2014, 01:21:18 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 05, 2014, 12:57:23 PM
I only play sandbox. Victory or death.

+1

+2

Martok · July 06, 2014, 03:02:27 PM

Quote from: OJsDad on July 06, 2014, 01:00:37 PM
I haven't gotten into any games real deep yet, but it seems like in the early games I have to turn off AI control of taxes and set them myself to keep from going into debt.

I'm guessing this is in a Shadows/pre-warp start?

I ask, because in a regular start, I rarely have money issues. Even if my "state" income is in the red for a time, my bonus income nearly always keeps me afloat during the lean times.

Quote from: OJsDad on July 06, 2014, 01:01:33 PM
Quote from: Barthheart on July 05, 2014, 01:21:18 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 05, 2014, 12:57:23 PM
I only play sandbox. Victory or death.

+1

+2

Bah. I'm surrounded by Philistines.

OJsDad · July 06, 2014, 03:21:36 PM

Quote from: Martok on July 06, 2014, 03:02:27 PM
Quote from: OJsDad on July 06, 2014, 01:00:37 PM
I haven't gotten into any games real deep yet, but it seems like in the early games I have to turn off AI control of taxes and set them myself to keep from going into debt.
I'm guessing this is in a Shadows/pre-warp start?

I ask, because in a regular start, I rarely have money issues. Even if my "state" income is in the red for a time, my bonus income nearly always keeps me afloat during the lean times.

Yes, a pre-warp start

OJsDad · July 06, 2014, 05:51:13 PM

hmmm, I looks like there is a new posting for an AAR for Distant Worlds.

Also, as second posting in the same thread for a bit of history.

Jack Nastyface · July 08, 2014, 11:13:59 AM

Alright...how exactly does one go about blowing up enemy space stations, etc? I just kitted out a fleet of fifteen ships - 5 capital ships and 10 cruisers, and set it against a pirate colony that had two small space ports and a fewer small ships flying defense. I thought the battle would have been a cake walk, but I lost everything. I was sort of doing a "points calculation" where I estimated that my fleet was "worth" (in terms of money to build) about 3X the enemy assets. I can't even imagine what big battle will look like in this game...100+ ships?

Rayfer · July 08, 2014, 12:26:32 PM

Quote from: Jack Nastyface on July 08, 2014, 11:13:59 AM
Alright...how exactly does one go about blowing up enemy space stations, etc? I just kitted out a fleet of fifteen ships - 5 capital ships and 10 cruisers, and set it against a pirate colony that had two small space ports and a fewer small ships flying defense. I thought the battle would have been a cake walk, but I lost everything. I was sort of doing a "points calculation" where I estimated that my fleet was "worth" (in terms of money to build) about 3X the enemy assets. I can't even imagine what big battle will look like in this game...100+ ships?

I've had the same experience. I gave up attacking pirate bases (even on weak pirates setting), they seem unbeatable, I lose my fleet or flee first. I have found it is easier to just continue paying tribute or protection to keep them off my back. They seem unbalanced and over-powered.

Grimnirsson · July 08, 2014, 12:32:44 PM

I am playing in a pre-warp galaxy and my game started with me and another race in one system. When I had a larger fleet around 20 ships I attacked their home planet and also lost almost every ship...so that doesn't seem to be a pirate thingy...

Martok · July 08, 2014, 01:12:59 PM

Quote from: Jack Nastyface on July 08, 2014, 11:13:59 AM
Alright...how exactly does one go about blowing up enemy space stations, etc? I just kitted out a fleet of fifteen ships - 5 capital ships and 10 cruisers, and set it against a pirate colony that had two small space ports and a fewer small ships flying defense. I thought the battle would have been a cake walk, but I lost everything. I was sort of doing a "points calculation" where I estimated that my fleet was "worth" (in terms of money to build) about 3X the enemy assets. I can't even imagine what big battle will look like in this game...100+ ships?

Without knowing more specifics about your situation, there are a couple things I will note:

1.) Even small spaceports can be surprisingly tough nuts to crack, especially with the right weapons/defenses.

2.) Don't forget that in a pre-warp start, pirate factions begin with a much higher tech level than the planetary-based factions. As a result, their bases are, on average, going to be much tougher than yours are until you catch up on research (which I understand generally takes a little while).

Quote from: Grimnirsson on July 08, 2014, 12:32:44 PM
I am playing in a pre-warp galaxy and my game started with me and another race in one system. When I had a larger fleet around 20 ships I attacked their home planet and also lost almost every ship...so that doesn't seem to be a pirate thingy...

You started with another race in the same star system? Ouch.

That's gotta be either a bug, or incredibly bad luck. :-\

Grimnirsson · July 08, 2014, 01:16:40 PM

Yeah, I'm Human and there's a planet in my system where the Kiadian live...

Martok · July 08, 2014, 01:45:38 PM

Are they an independent colony or another empire like yourself?

If the former, you might be able to simply colonize them (unless you've already tried that?). Kiadans are generally fairly well-disposed towards Humans, and any independent worlds inhabited by them are therefore more likely to allow you to colonize them if you make the attempt.

Jack Nastyface · July 08, 2014, 01:57:37 PM

Well I obviously can't give too many specifics, but I have some really good weapons tech developed. I just completed or am about to complete the entire research tree for the rail guns / mass drivers.
I suppose the frustrating thing about this game is that even if I research rail guns, the ships that are produced (destroyers and cruisers) tend to be using torpedo weapons. I have tried to edit the ship designs, but I get all these crazy messages about not having enough this or that, etc, and then once you upgrade a ship, it seems like all the automatic "recommended" upgrades stop happening (ie: I built a "Mk II" cruiser with mass drivers, and when I later researched improved hyperdrives, the default cruiser was updated with new engines, but my Mk II was not. I don't want to spend the entire game in ship design mode...).

Once I have saved up enough money, I think I am going to build me a fleet of 10 capital ships and then go raid the pirate colony again. To my credit, it doesn't look like the pirates are repairing their spaceports, so maybe this is supposed to be a war of attrition thing...

Kushan · July 17, 2014, 07:52:20 PM

New AAR is up on the front page

http://grogheads.com/?p=5462

Jack Nastyface · July 19, 2014, 01:22:06 PM

So is it actually possible to win vs the Shakturi? I just completed my first "storyline" game, and the bad guys were simply overwhelming...

Martok · July 19, 2014, 01:46:17 PM

Yes, it is possible to beat them, but there's no question it's a tough fight regardless of the outcome. Ally with as many races as you can, tech up as quickly as you're able, and pray the sons-of-bitches don't find/refurbish a Death Star before you have a fleet that can take it out.

It also helps a lot if you manage to stumble across the Way of the Ancients government -- gotta love them bonuses!

Even if you win, you can generally expect the Shakturi (and any insectoid allies they may have) to mess up your shit pretty bad before all is said and done...but you *can* defeat them. It's just difficult (not impossible).