If there's 4+ people we can split it lots of ways, either two games of two people, or possibly a larger game though those have a tendency to be slow/not finish. Probably best to match up the most experienced people with eachother if possible, and people who want multifaction or single faction with likeminded players. Post what kind of setup you each want (multi/single faction, AI/no AI, copter or other bans/rules) and your experience level :).I think a 4 faction game is max.
Anyway, there's aquatic versions of all the official factions ready made, plus the pirates, plus a handful of custom factions (more coming soon) if both players want to include those too (if players want custom, I'll go through each and try to balance them better than current).
As for AI/lack of AI: I'm fine with not having them, but there is a pretty sound way to reduce the AI's tendency to be just a resource. Make them aliens so taking a base=pop1 base, make them immune to mind control, and make them a faction with fungal resource bonuses. Then you have a potentially annoying but not massively threatening foe who has a ton of bases which are basically useless to a human and armies with natives so it's not costless to beat them. It'd also not be too hard to start them in multiple places at once. But again, I'm fine either way, let me know each of your opinions.
I can give up my spot if we are overbooked. I am already involved in several games, and probably am better off not starting another.
No, BU is a coward.Then take The Hive and play turtle!
So, a game of 4 then?
Do I have to install Scient's Patch?
I'm in favor of using Scient's patch.And the next questions are:
(it's not in the Downloads section)Oh yes it is: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=27 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=27)
If I can pipe in here, though I am not playing, I have been VERY happy with Yitzi's patch. It fixes the most bugs, I think. I had Echelon Mirror crashes until I installed Yitzi's patch. And it had some cool options too, though you don't have to use them.
My internet was down for a week due to train workers cutting the broadband cable for several villages nearby (and not being able to fix it due to trains running), and I wanted to check who is keen to have perfect symmetry and who is okay with just fairly balanced starting positions before starting. I'll likely work on the map(s) on sunday/monday.
Questions:
Needlejet,M1, Penetrator,M1, Interceptor,M1, Tactical,M1, 8, 2, 2, 0, 1, 8, MindMac, Thunderbolt,M1, Sovereign,M1,
Copter,M1, Chopper,M1, Rotor,M1, Lifter,M1, 5, 2, 1, 0, 1, 5, DocAir, Gunship,M1, Warbird,M1,Do you want air power weakened? If yes here are some options:
Ban copters (or reduce their movement, or increase their cost)
Remove CBA
Make AA Tracking provide greater defensive benefit
Questions:
Do you want MCC removed? Yes, you cant really take SPs from humans and i never like the ''you need to gang up now'' idea
Moving CBA to orbital spaceflight sounds good. Im a bit ignorant on unit editing, would those custom units(or atleast the needle) proposed by geo be equipped with chaos weapons? Would need to make sure we couldnt retro engineer the chaos attack off.
Questions:
Moving CBA to orbital spaceflight sounds good. Im a bit ignorant on unit editing, would those custom units(or atleast the needle) proposed by geo be equipped with chaos weapons? Would need to make sure we couldnt retro engineer the chaos attack off. But i really like that kind of idea, the SAM\interceptor ability kinda sucks because the unit only defends with equal weapon and not at an advantage, so giving it chaos vs presumably missile attack would be a good boost. But i wonder if with all the new editing nowadays, is it possible to actually change the interceptor bonus from a 1:1 deal to say a 25-50% advantage for the intercepting air unit?
As proposed earlier to send in our faction choices by PM, and create clones if two players pick the same, i think we all agreed we prefer unique factions. Thus maybe we could put our faction choice in the thread to coordinate and avoid this.
Do you want custom factions allowed for player choices? Yes, please. Actually, I'd like to play one, but I have a hard time choosing, they all look a bit... weird. One thing about NN factions is that their pros and cons are usually mismatched. Can you... Can you choose one for me? Like roll a die or something? I would go with anything. ;)
Do you want Aliens allowed as player choices? Some of the custom factions are Progs. Do we have a list of all things Prog-related? I don't remember the last time I played them.
Do you want any custom changes? Maybe we could move submarines and other interesting abilities down the ladder? Also, please let's discuss the issue of sea sensor arrays. I feel blind without 'em.
I vote that both CBA and EG should go. All air power should get their movement points reduced down to 4-6.
I think that '8' refers to movement points. If I read it correctly, Geo wants to cut chopper mp down to 5 and move it to D:AP, while leave airplanes intact and move them to MMI. I'm OK with changes to movement points, but why the tech tree arrangement, Geo?
I don't think reducing the interceptor bonus is a good idea, that would simply make it harder to counter air power.
I am usually 1) conservative, and 2) nor really conversed in the arcanes of modding/customizing SMAC so...
Do you want AI factions?
I have nothing against. It's up to the scenario creator to decide what he wants to spice them up. Aliens, people say. According to the map, I could also see The Hive on some big enough island so they can be a recognizable power. Giving AI land power would alleviate the fact that they usually never build sea-probes but if we can give them the incentive like Kirov says, it's something else.
Do you want custom factions allowed for player choices?
I don't know them. I must add that I also don't know who I'll play! :-\
Give me some choice based on your idea of the game; I could play aquatic Gaians but it requires some native life not to be crushed early.
Air planes were developed long before helicopters though (now someone is going to drag up da vincis ancient heli design)
If Kirov still wants me to pick his faction with Sigma's aquatic factions on the menu, I will do so semi-randomly (select the factions which feel likely to be closest to the correct power level and interesting to play and flip some coins to decide on one).
Also, another question. We need to pick a patch to use since switching later may cause eco damage irregularities. Yitzi's patch has one slightly notable/annoying issue (actually caused by kryub I think) which means that switching production causes minerals to be lost for secret projects (maybe other things?). He is working on fixing it, and playing with his current patch allows us to switch to newer patches later on in the game, but it would mean dealing with losing a few minerals in some situations until then.
Anyway, is everyone cool with me aquatisizing Sigma's factions to give more choice on the condition I check them over for water balance (and if, after I make any changes, you have the right to veto a faction if you have strong reason to believe it's broken)?I am cool with that.
Also: After looking over the available options for custom factions, I'm fairly confident http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/The_Technocrat_Foundation (http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/The_Technocrat_Foundation) will be on the same power elvel as official factions at sea (-2 max base size is a bigger hit, but effic bonus and more importantly free NNs are a bigger bonus). The only other one I'm somewhat tempted by still is http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/The_Advent_Pilgrimage (http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/The_Advent_Pilgrimage) so Kirov.. If you have a preference between them let me know, otherwise I'll probably give you the technos. Anyone who does not want to play against either of these, speak up now and give your reasons for thinking they are overpowered.
I think I remember what to do with the turn though:
- when I receive the turn, I put it into Saves
- when I have finished, I name the save "game X to player Y" and email it
1. Drones
2. Hive
3. University
And remember to notify people of almost complete SPs :).UH?!? But why are they called SECRET then? No way in HELL I shall tell people about my secret projects, MY PRECIOUSES!! :P
And remember to notify people of almost complete SPs :).Or is it a new regulation? Never heard of it.
IIRC, something to do with the notification of newly started projects (so also nearly finished ones) not reaching all players. Only the first in line.