What I learned from Dubya, McDonalds, and the Ferengi
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SG's strategy for Challenging/Tough mid+ galaxies
From Dubya, I learned that you don't have to be smart, or even slightly bright to command the most powerful military in the world.
From McDonalds, I learned to "clean as you go" and that (like Dubya) with the right marketing, even a clown can conquer foreign nations.
From the Ferengi, I learned that you don't have to be pretty if you are rich. Hell, I guess I can credit Dubya with that lesson too.
How does this translate into GalCiv?
Pre-Game: Spend your bonuses on Economy, Culture, and Morale.
Early Game: Do the standard scattergun seed-spreading land grab early in the game.
EG-1: When it is clear you have all the habitable planets you're going to get, then immediately stop military production and go 100% research for 5-6 turns. Use this time to pick techs that most other civs aren't likely to go for. After the 5th turn, start checking diplomatic screen. Once you have at least 3 techs that another civ does not. . .
EG-2: Become the Ferengi. Trade off your techs for other techs, if you can, and for tribute if you cannot. Even early on, if you have to trade 2 for 1, do it. Don't neglect minor civs . . their research is usually slower anyway and they are great for tribute. DO NOT waste your time trading for Corvette tech. The AI values it too much.
EG-3: Once you've managed enough tribute to last for about 20 turns at 100% spending, then go Social 100% and build up your infrastructure. Soil Enhancement -> Banking -> Embassy -> Manufacturing Center -> News Network -> Habitat Improvement.
***Put your most populated planet on Diplomatic Translators before Soil Enhancement.
Mid-game: As the tribute begins to wear off, you'll want to spend a few turns at 100% tech to give you a few more techs to trade. Check diplomatic screens to see what they already have, research something else. You should have Corvette tech by this time, if not, research it first.
Mid-game: For about 3 or 4 turns, put Mil to 100% and squat 2 corvettes into each star system. Try to grind out 2 freighters and 2 constructors at this time. Most of the resources will be mined, but no worry. You don't need 'em yet anyway.
MG-1: Become the Ferengi again. This time, see which civs are looking to be the most powerful and cozy up to them. Give them a free scout or two, give them Stellar Cartography or something worthless like that.
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Alternating from Tech-trade-tribute to Social production will make your culture spread pretty well and gives your population time to grow. When you see that you're social infrastructure is set up and ready to roll, then fire up the war machine.
Begin by going 100% mil and cranking out a pair of battle axes in each system and then put together a force of about 8 frigates. Look around for a quiet little Minor Civ and then throw in 2 1000 transports per planet. (more if they've got you licked on tech)
Charge. One fun tactic is to wait until an AI declares war on the minor civ and sit your transports out by the planet. Soon as the AI cleans their defense out, you walk in and set up camp. (minor cheese - if I was the AI, I would declare war on me for doing that)
Remember all those corvettes? Mobilize them. Either 1) Give them as tribute to the Civilization most likely to kick your butt.
2) Trade them en-masse for tech.
3) Sell them as tribute to the least powerful Civ. They'll be used to soften up the most powerful who is currently chewing on them.
4) Use them as kamikaze attacks against really powerful capital ships threatening to spank you.
Park the Battle Axes in orbit as defenders.
Late-game:
Make an alliance with someone, anyone. Or, if you are powerful enough, manipulate someone into going to war. Allow them to do the hard work for you. "Better to be a life jackal than a dead lion." Become a carrion-eater.
Keep your frigates as a reserve fleet with about 3 Combat transports or 6 regular transports. If you are forced into a war, then pick their biggest planet, invade it, and disband it if you can't expect to defend it. Scorch the Earth.
You'll wear 'em down, eventually, and your culture will start to absorb the weaker races. Your influence and power will grow. The rest is clean-up.
In this game, you'll spend very little on Research but will remain competitive in the Tech market. You'll spend very little on frigates or trade routes because most of your money will be in tribute. You'll spend less on defense/war because the goal is to let other people do your fighting for you.
--SG--
(lets see some more strats, please?)
SG's strategy for Challenging/Tough mid+ galaxies
From Dubya, I learned that you don't have to be smart, or even slightly bright to command the most powerful military in the world.
From McDonalds, I learned to "clean as you go" and that (like Dubya) with the right marketing, even a clown can conquer foreign nations.
From the Ferengi, I learned that you don't have to be pretty if you are rich. Hell, I guess I can credit Dubya with that lesson too.
How does this translate into GalCiv?
Pre-Game: Spend your bonuses on Economy, Culture, and Morale.
Early Game: Do the standard scattergun seed-spreading land grab early in the game.
EG-1: When it is clear you have all the habitable planets you're going to get, then immediately stop military production and go 100% research for 5-6 turns. Use this time to pick techs that most other civs aren't likely to go for. After the 5th turn, start checking diplomatic screen. Once you have at least 3 techs that another civ does not. . .
EG-2: Become the Ferengi. Trade off your techs for other techs, if you can, and for tribute if you cannot. Even early on, if you have to trade 2 for 1, do it. Don't neglect minor civs . . their research is usually slower anyway and they are great for tribute. DO NOT waste your time trading for Corvette tech. The AI values it too much.
EG-3: Once you've managed enough tribute to last for about 20 turns at 100% spending, then go Social 100% and build up your infrastructure. Soil Enhancement -> Banking -> Embassy -> Manufacturing Center -> News Network -> Habitat Improvement.
***Put your most populated planet on Diplomatic Translators before Soil Enhancement.
Mid-game: As the tribute begins to wear off, you'll want to spend a few turns at 100% tech to give you a few more techs to trade. Check diplomatic screens to see what they already have, research something else. You should have Corvette tech by this time, if not, research it first.
Mid-game: For about 3 or 4 turns, put Mil to 100% and squat 2 corvettes into each star system. Try to grind out 2 freighters and 2 constructors at this time. Most of the resources will be mined, but no worry. You don't need 'em yet anyway.
MG-1: Become the Ferengi again. This time, see which civs are looking to be the most powerful and cozy up to them. Give them a free scout or two, give them Stellar Cartography or something worthless like that.
-------------
Alternating from Tech-trade-tribute to Social production will make your culture spread pretty well and gives your population time to grow. When you see that you're social infrastructure is set up and ready to roll, then fire up the war machine.
Begin by going 100% mil and cranking out a pair of battle axes in each system and then put together a force of about 8 frigates. Look around for a quiet little Minor Civ and then throw in 2 1000 transports per planet. (more if they've got you licked on tech)
Charge. One fun tactic is to wait until an AI declares war on the minor civ and sit your transports out by the planet. Soon as the AI cleans their defense out, you walk in and set up camp. (minor cheese - if I was the AI, I would declare war on me for doing that)
Remember all those corvettes? Mobilize them. Either 1) Give them as tribute to the Civilization most likely to kick your butt.
2) Trade them en-masse for tech.
3) Sell them as tribute to the least powerful Civ. They'll be used to soften up the most powerful who is currently chewing on them.
4) Use them as kamikaze attacks against really powerful capital ships threatening to spank you.
Park the Battle Axes in orbit as defenders.
Late-game:
Make an alliance with someone, anyone. Or, if you are powerful enough, manipulate someone into going to war. Allow them to do the hard work for you. "Better to be a life jackal than a dead lion." Become a carrion-eater.
Keep your frigates as a reserve fleet with about 3 Combat transports or 6 regular transports. If you are forced into a war, then pick their biggest planet, invade it, and disband it if you can't expect to defend it. Scorch the Earth.
You'll wear 'em down, eventually, and your culture will start to absorb the weaker races. Your influence and power will grow. The rest is clean-up.
In this game, you'll spend very little on Research but will remain competitive in the Tech market. You'll spend very little on frigates or trade routes because most of your money will be in tribute. You'll spend less on defense/war because the goal is to let other people do your fighting for you.
--SG--
(lets see some more strats, please?)
