Report message to a moderator

I played the Xyrillians. Because of the game parameters (game ends at 2475 and highest score wins), I went with a race design that would likely not do well in normal games. I reasoned that with the game ending at this year, I could get away with nothing higher than Con 13 tech. I also assumed that EL 11, prop 12 and En 10 would be the highest that I would absolutely need as well. I played an IT and I went with W normal, all other techs expensive and put all the points into economy settings. A 100% planet maxed out at 3,718 resources for this race. In my tests that I ran this worked fine as I caught up in tech quickly once my factories were built. In practice this was a huge risk. I was always behind in tech. In 2419 I had only 13 total levels of tech (keep in mind I started with 10, 5 prop & 5 con). After I turned in my turn for 2420, I realized that public player scores were coming out. So I revised my turn and pumped all my resources into tech and got to W6 that turn so my total tech was 19. I was in negotiations with neighbors and did not want to appear too weak. So when PPS came out, I was in 3rd place score, leader in resources and behind the pack in tech (but not in last place with tech).

My race also took no positive LRTs and 4 negative for the points. I took NRSE, OBRM, NAS & RS. I did not take IFE and regretted it. I knew from my tests that I could get away with not having IFE with the IT PRT, but I would not do it again with a sparse universe. I built boosters, but it seemed like I was always short of boosters and could not keep up. I made it a point to send enough pop to build a fort with a gate in 2 turns minimum to help with this.

I started in the upper right corner, which worked perfect for me since I wanted peace for a while with my tech settings. By 2420 I had an NAP with the Gryphins, which were directly south of me and the Devoids, which were in the middle. My other neighbors were the Socks who appeared to be a tri-immune HE and the Norr a SD race to my left. Since I had an NAP with the Gryphins and the Norr had more planets that were green for me in their space, I started planning for my attack on them. My main dilemma for attacking them was deciding on a ship design. Since they were SD, I did not want to use FF ships for fear of exploding minefields. Because of my expensive Con tech, I was not close enough to Cruiser tech. I did not want to use DDs, as he could counter with more efficient FF ships. So I worked on a tech trade agreement with the Gryphins. They gave me Con 9 tech for Prop 7 tech. In the meantime, I snuck into Norr territory by planet hopping and colonized a red planet to build a gate. This gate was only 83 LY from his HW. I launched my surprise attack on 2435 with fleets of collodial cruisers and minibombers, catching him off guard.

By 2450, I had wiped out most of his planets and I got 7 very good green planets from his space. With my high resources per planet, that enabled a high growth and I was able to get to the 25k by 2450 benchmark. Then I sat on those planets and developed them. With my resource lead, I was able to catch up in tech. I waited until I had Con 13, EN 10, EL 11, Prop 12 and W16 before I built any more warships.

I made one major mistake in the end. I left 4 border planets without MDs and defenses. The Devoids took all of them out with mass packets. I lost 10k in resources that turn. I was able to recolonize 2 of them with full pop before the game was over, but this mistake almost cost me the game.

The best chance anyone had was to fight me early, but I don’t think anyone realized this until it was too late. The players in best position to do this were the Devoids and Gryhins. The Gryphins were a factory less IS I believe, but were expanding in a different direction. I was actually concerned about this, as I was worried that they would drop orgies on the last turn, doubling or tripling their resources on the last turn (I had considered an IS for this very reason). In the end the Gryphins got attacked by multiple players and lost most of their planets.

There came a point when our mutual expansion brought the Devoids and my race close together. At that time, the Devoids had BB tech and better all around tech than I did. I had Con10 at that time. If they had attacked me then, I would have had to choose between using cruisers against their BBs, or giving up some planets while I researched and then built BBs. I started a dialogue with the Devoids, which I believe prevented their attack on me. The Devoids and the Gryphins were plotting to attack me at that point. I ended up with a border agreement with the Devoids and a tech trade agreement with the Gryphins and instead of attacking me, the Devoids attacked the Gryphins. This tech trading with the Gryphins got me the Con 13 I lacked and allowed me to focus on the other techs I needed. It is likely that this diplomacy may have saved the game for me. I had a large lead in resources, but would have had a challenge defending against the Devoids and Gryphins without BB tech.

It was a fun game for me and I learned a few good lessons.

David (ManicLurch)

Report message to a moderator

Report message to a moderator

[Updated on: Wed, 23 June 2010 00:40]

Report message to a moderator

Tranquility

The Shima is HG IS race.

2401
11.
HW name is Kwaidan located in south eastern corner of the universe. I am last in score because of poor technology I suppose. I have not taken ‘expensive techs start at 3 because I stand at 2,5 cheap technologies.

2402
11.
It is a relief to find habitable planet at the start. This is not a breeder but it is close to HW. At least I have where to transfer colonists.

Research plan is to gain techs in the following order p2 -> c3 -> w5 -> el1 -> c4

I dedicate 70% of resource to get FM engine, which I need now to produce some amount of scouts.

2405
9.

2406
10.
There are first contacts with Gryphins (Galien) and Sentient Cheese (Kaloth). Gryphins seem to be on N, Sentient Cheese, I suppose, are SW from me. I guess, HW of Gryphins is Hull, but I will need to confirm it later. There is a nice gap between me and Gryphins so I feel fairly comfortable from north. Things look worse on south where planets are scattered evenly and there will be difficult to determine natural frontline.

Sadly, so far I discovered only 1 habitable planet among 10 visited. The only habitable is Potassium, which I am going to colonize in 2 years. The colonization fleet has just taken off from Kwaidan. I hope to find more planets soon in order to keep HW populated at 25% as long as possible.


................(Gryphins)


....* Potassium
............* Kwaidan


(Santient Cheese)

2407
10.
A scout reported new contacts on the west. The races met are Devoid (kicks) and Drakh (Drakhyulla). The Devoid are IT or JoaT, they triggered battle using Stalwart Defender. Fortunately, I took no casualties. The battle involved also scout of Drakh. It is a simple design, FM and bat scanner - just like my scouts.

I have found another planet suitable for colonization which is habitable in 56%. I am going to take it in 3 years -colonization fleet is setting out right away. This planet is in-between me and Sentient Cheese and I need to be careful. I am waiting my economy grows up to 570 resources and after that I am going to invest in researching w5.

…………………................(Gryphins)

(Drakh, Devoid)
…………………....* Potassium
........ …………………....* Kwaidan
……………………* Qaphqa

………………… (Sentient Cheese)

2408
10.
Devoid tracked my scout and eventually destroyed it in space. I looked at Stalwart Defender design once again. It seems that Devoid started with w3, p5, c3, el4, b4 which means that they must be JoaT. This gives me to think that I need to ramp up my techs ASAP in case I will be forced to get far distant planets. I have found only 3 planets by far from 20 visited - much below expectation. The 3rd planet is as much as 262 ly from Kwaidan. It is habitable only at 34% that is nothing attractive, but I will need to go for it if I do not find anything closer. Thus, I need to reach w5 in 2 years and build some escort DDs, and also I am going to get c4 for space docks and fuel transports. I dedicate 50% resource for researching.

Also, I decided to fill HW up to 33% which gives more resource available and more nominal pop growth. All in all, I do not where to distribute surplus of pop and even I would have I do not have enough MFs due to ironium constraints.

Recapping, I need to develop techs, put up mines, get more resource, find greens ASAP – that does not augur well.

2409
10.
At last, it is getting green around me. I encountered 5 greens this turn including 3 breeders. The problem is that they are 300ly from HW. But I am prepared for that possibility having FM, ISB and being IS. One breeder is in south eastern corner and I am going for it right now. Travel will take me 5 years. 2nd breeder is on north, it is tempting, but it is territory of Gryphins, I could be intercepted easily travelling through open space. 3rd planet is on the south west among Sentient Cheese territory, but I am about to establish colony there.

Nevertheless, this means that I can go both towards north and south west, which is great having these opportunities. As at today I am inclined to go towards west and even to break out war against Sentient Cheese. However, I will wait few more turns, and will go where I find more greens.

Mini guns will be in 2 years, than I am going to get electronics 1 for better scanners. These techs I consider necessary for early expansion. Just after I reach them I will afford myself for developing economy much more.

2410
10.
Sentient Cheese made a decision for me. I am going in south west direction. Sentient Cheese destroyed my 3 MFs at Qaphqa. They used basic DD armed blue lasers. Moreover, Qaphqa is populated by 46.000 Sentient Cheese. I need to retake it ASAP. Next turn I will have mini guns. I need to act in a hurry – Sentient Cheese are IT.

I found 3 more green planets this turn. 1 is in south eastern corner. 2 other are among Sentient Cheese territory. This is another argument for attacking Sentient Cheese.

2411
9.
Sentient Cheese wants to negotiate, but I do not. In response, I am producing 4 Namikaze DDs armed mini guns. They are intended to be at Qaphqa in 3 years. The action will involve also 6 MFs of colonists.

2412
8.
So far I encountered as many as 5 green planets among Sentient Cheese territory. There is no other option but to go for them. 4 Namikaze DDs are ready for departure at Kwaidan. Next turn my scout will visit Qaphqa. If there is no gate, I will attack.

2413
9.
Sentient Cheese put up unarmed fort at Qaphqa. There are also 3 DDs armed blue lasers. I am going in Qaphqa nonetheless. 4 Namikaze DDs are ordered to accelerate to warp 10. They are in space, but I assume that Sentient Cheese do not have scanners that could detect my fleet incoming.

2414
10.
Supposedly, Sentient Cheese did not expect my action at Qaphqa. All 4 Namikaze survived warp 10 jump, then destroyed 3 DDs and unarmed fort of Sentient Cheese taking slight damage. First stage of the operation seems to be accomplished; however Namikaze DDs stay nearby till Qaphqa is not fortified enough. To do it I need several turns more – my transports are still en route. Next turn I am going to seize Qaphqa, which will cost me a lot, because there are as many as 109,000 colonists of Sentient Cheese.

HW of Sentient Cheese – Green House – is 154 ly from Qaphqa only, which exposes me on counter actions. In case of any, if I know that I am not able to hold Qaphqa, my plan is to pick up colonists and run away.

Stalwart Defender of Devoids approaches my space heading towards Kwaidan. It would be nice to shot it down; perhaps I could earn a tech. Let’s hunt! Trap is set! 3 MFs returns from Qaphqa at warp 7 emulating they are out of fuel. At the same time, I am producing 2 additional Namikaze at Kwaidan.

One more thing… Sentient Cheese seems to have no electronics level which makes them blind. And in darkness there is only fear. I guess, Kaloth must imagine now horde of DDs reinforcing Qaphqa

2415
8.
Qaphqa is mine at last. I have only 29.000 colonists, but there are more in transit. I am going to push here as more colonists as possible. Qaphqa will obtain dock in 2 years possibly armed yokimora phasers. Qaphqa is intended to act as outpost for further expansion towards west.

In addition, I managed to colonize 2 breeder worlds in south eastern corner. I hope this will contribute for resource growth which I disregarded recently attacking Qaphqa.

Not good… Sentient Cheese have 71.000 colonists at Tank Top which is south from Kwaidan.

2416
10.
AAAAAAAAAAAA.... Sentient Cheese struck back! At Qaphqa I lost all 4 Namikaze DDs, and 3 MFs loaded with colonists. AAAAAAAA I feel this the beginning of Shima failure... Sentient Cheese took 4 PVTs at Qaphqa. It seems that I will lost it this turn.

Nonetheless, I am producing 10 Mutsuki DDs armed yokimora phasers. I hope this will be sufficient for retaking Qaphqa. This is the matter of to be or not to be. The last chance to postpone inevitable defeat.

2417
10.
As expected, Qaphqa is taken by Sentient Cheese. 10 newly produced DDs are ordered to reach Qaphqa. In transit to Qaphqa I keep also 11 MFs of colonists.

Additional, 10 Mutsuki DDs are set into production.

2418
10.
Scouts report that Sentient Cheese have 7 DDs at Qaphqa and 5 more en route to it. There is a chance of retaking initiative. I am going in! The incoming battle’ll involve 10 Mutsuki DDs, 2 Namikaze DDs, 11 MFs. Another 10 Mutsuki DDs are 1 year behind.

My hopes are in being advanced in weapons. Sentient Cheese still produce DDs on x-rays. I am going to reach w8 in 2 years. Bazookas have worse initiative and this why I will have to equip DDs with computers.

2419
10.
Great! I am at Qaphqa and it seems I will stay here for a bit longer. Battle at Qaphqa claimed 4 Mutsuki DDs, 2 Namikaze DDs of Shima, and on the other hand, 10 DDs, armed fort, 2 PVTs of Sentient Cheese. Qaphqa is now occupied by 155.000 troops of Shima.

Balance of the fights at Qaphqa is as follows:
…………………..Sentient Cheese………..Shima
Colonists……………..220.000…………….300.000
DDs…………………….13……………………..10
MFs……………………...-……………………….6
PVTs…………………….2……………………….-
Fort……………………....2………………………-

Next aim is to get southern planets: Skid Row and Lingo using Qaphqa as refueling base, where next turn will be a dock.

…………………................(Gryphins)

(Drakh, Devoid)
…………………....* Potassium
........ …………………....* Kwaidan
……………………* Qaphqa
…………….* Green House (HW of Sentient Cheese)
…………..Lingo * * Skid Row

Sentient Cheese have already reached w6, so I am going to invest to get w8 next turn.

2420
9.
Public player scores are switched on. I am shocked! Leader has 2800 res whereas I have only 1500! Sentient Cheese are 7th in score with 2300 res. I have bad feelings :/

Nice try by Sentient Cheese, using Tank Top, they sent 2 DDs and 4 PVTs to colonize next turn Satie - planet nearby my HW. Unfortunately, I cannot intercept them, so it seems they will get this planet. I however am going to pop drop it ASAP. This turn I am producing 7 Kasumi DDs armed bazookas.

On the other hand, I am setting off from Qaphqa to get Skid Row. I am taking 120.000 colonists, I hope this is enough. Hope is all I have now, not mentioning 11 DDs that escort colonization fleet.

Good thing is that from PPS I see that Sentient Cheese have only 3 DDs.


…………………................(Gryphins)

(Drakh, Devoid)
…………………....* Potassium
........ …………………....* Kwaidan
……………………* Qaphqa……* Satie
…………….* Green H..* Tank Top
…………..Lingo * * Skid Row

2421
10.
My fleets are in transit to Skid Row to strike next turn. Sentient Cheese did not produce any warships. It seems they are getting better techs before mass production.

2422
10.
77000 colonists of Sentient Cheese populate Skid Row. The amount of them is acceptable to drop out them. I am thinking of taking also Lingo at the same time. Mineral concentration of Lingo attracts my attention the most, as it is what lacks at Skid Row. Together that planets would complement each other Skid Row with it is habitability and Lingo with minerals. However, there is 1 problem, I do not know what is the status of Lingo now. To find out, I am sending 10 DDs, 2 MFs with 40.000 troopers to reduce production capacity of Lingo. Main forces are to be sent from Qaphqa this turn in number of 6 MFs.

What is worrying me a bit recently is that Sentient Cheese do not produce warships apparently waiting for better technologies. Thanks to PPS I see that perhaps they have already reached w10, and now comes a question if they are aiming at w11 for M-80 bombs or they want to get even w12 for jihads. I cannot let myself stay behind and also I am going to invest in technologies a lot. My intention is to get CCs in 3 years, which let me produce light CCs moving 2 in battles and armed bazookas.

2423
10.
Heh… in 2 battles this turn I lost 19 DDs which was 90% my battle fleet – they met armed forts of Sentient Cheese. But this does not worry me that much as letting Sentient Cheese settle Satie, which is only 2 years to my HW. Generally, I have to confess, I am losing initiative to Sentient Cheese. After taking their 2 planets, I do not have further aims.

To prepare defense, I am fortifying Skid Row, amassing minerals at Qaphqa. Soon I will get sappers against possible FF horde of Sentient Cheese. I feel safe as long as Sentient Cheese do not possess bombers.

I am sending a scout towards western planets Clapton and Spruance. Perhaps at least one of them is still inhabited.

Moreover, I am going to colonize a planet on north – Alexander. I do not know its current status, I was there 15 years ago. Nevertheless, I have to try, perhaps it is waiting for me intact.

By the way, I detected colonization fleet of Gryphins incoming from north. Sadly, I lost all DDs I had in this area, so I cannot stop them.

After lost battle at Satie, I need also to rescue 6 MFs loaded troops, which suffer lack of fuel.

The hope is I expect raise of resource by 500 to 2300. It is very close to Sentient Cheese which have 2600. However, the best player has 3900 resource

…………………................(Gryphins)
(Drakh, Devoid)
………………* Alexander
…………………....* Potassium
........ …………………....* Kwaidan
…Spruance**Clapton* Qaphqa……* Satie
…………….* Green H..* Tank Top
…………..Lingo * * Skid Row

2424
9.
First of all, the most important news of this turn is that Sentient Cheese produced mini bombers based on M-70 bombs. Only at their semi HW I spotted 12 bomber, I suppose there must be more produced at Green House. They increased number of escort ships by 20, so I may assume, Sentient Cheese are at possession of about 20 bombers. It means they are going to counter attack soon on me.

My answer is to discover sappers next turn in order to arm docks at all exposed planets of mine. Consequently, I need to take care of germanium in amounts necessary to arm at least 15 sappers on dock. Thus, I have to limit factory production for 2 years at Qapha, Skid Row and Pound. These planets lacks of mineral generally, and in particular of germanium.

Good news is that I agreed with Gryphins tech trade and also inter settling. They colonized planet named 409 which is only 116 ly form my HW. I requested Hexnut in return which is among their territory. Hexnut is a decent green planet with almost max mineral concentration, which makes it very attractive for me. I am producing colonization fleet to get it in 4 years or so.

We are going to install wolf – lamb method tech trade soon. At the beginning I hope to get prop 5 from them. I can offer in return weapons and construction – Gryphins have them only at levels 6.

As we are going to inter settle, I requested on NAP 5, which needs to be signed ASAP. I have to secure myself in case of unexpected attack in accordance with ‘trust no one’ rule. Having no NAP could occur a school mistake of mine, I cannot let myself be so naïve.

Scout reports that planet Clapton west from Qaphqa is populated with only 25000 Sentient Cheese. I see now that Sentient Cheese found out I could take it over easily and in order to prevent from such situation, they sent 2 PVTs to Clapton and 1 PVT to … which is nearby. I will visit … as well this turn, it is also green for me, and I would like to capture it. The plan is to wait a year longer in order to gather enough ships necessary to carry out the action. I will have only 1 chance to take it, thus I assess that I need 6 MFs, all available DDs (sadly, I have only 3 in this area). This is very risky, but I have to take advantage of any chance given to me. Good thing is that … is distant 164 ly so one could expect that to get it I need 3 years, and this is great, because, I can speed up to warp 10 and be a year before. Poor mineral concentration at … also works on my favour.

Furthermore, I am going to colonize Alexander, the colonization fleet is about to set off from Potassium. It will reach destination in 2 years, I am taking only 1 escort DD, which may turn out insufficient taking into account that Drakh (which are nearby) produced 43 warships only this turn. So, some of them might be sent to intercept my fleet, but I am aware of that risk, and in case of failure, I will not be crying.

<Later> Talks with Gryphins brought NAP 3, initial tech trade agreement, border agreement, inter settling agreement. It is possible I will get another one planet among Gryphins territory in return of course for planets in my land. However, I prefer to have planets colonized by Gryphins rather than Sentient Cheese.

2425
9.
Spruance is colonized by Drakh as I afraid, and what scares me more is that Drakh transferred here their battle fleet. There are 22 FFs armed bazookas and 17 M-70 mini bombers as well as some auxiliary ships. I am not sure against who is that fleet prepared, but I cannot disregard that threat. This fleet can be at Qaphqa in 2 years, which is enough time to prepare its defense. I also consider that Drakh are going to attack SC, which have similar habs to Drakh.

2426
9.
Drakh is heading towards Qaphqa. I am going to arm dock accordingly. I do not afraid of Drakh fleet. Sappers will do their job. This time I will defend myself.

Sentient Cheese did not attack this turn. They wanted to get know my dock design. That was wise decision. Otherwise, they would be massacred.

I fortify my positions and develop better techs. Soon I expect w10 CCs and m-80 bombers.

Alexander has been colonized. Drakh did not interrupted. However, I am sure, they saw me. I expect assault soon.

2427
9.
This turn brought great success of my defenders. Docks at Qaphqa and Skid Row broke attack of Drakh and Sentient Cheese. Drakh lost 22 FFs at Qaphqa and SC 30 FFs at Skid Row. Let it does not be my last win.

I am scared a bit of the future. It is probable that Drakh are at possession of weapons 12. FFs I shot down at Qaphqa were produced 4 years ago. Meanwhile, Drakh discovered 6 tech levels, which could be weapons taking into account that they have + 5000 res.

Next turn I will have CCs but I want to wait a turn longer to get w10.

2428
8.
I am exe quo with Sentient Cheese in score. This turn I reached construction 9. The turn to come will bring me weapons 10. Delta CCs is what I need currently. Having them I could think about attacking Clapton or Lingo.

Drakh withdraw their bomber fleet to Spruance. I am not going to follow them. It is not clear to me about Drakh’s attitude to me. They sent in game message that they thought that Qaphqa is in hands of Sentient Cheese. We will see what will happen in the future.

There is a delay in trade between me and Gryphins.

--------------------------------------------

Things went bad for me later. I disregarded scouting. I knew I had to keep an eye at Lingo which was near to Skid Row. Nevertheless, I wanted to save some resources and so did not produce chaff to check what is at Lingo. As a result SC surprised me and managed to bomb Skid Row which I lost definitely.

Since now Qaphqa become my main base. I produced a fleet consisted of CCs and some mini bombers. For couple of years I maneuver in between Qaphqa and Green House (HW of SC) and even managed to surprise SC destroying starbase.

Unfortunately, Griffins did not manage to displace SC from Sadie which threatened my HW.

At the same time, SC and Drakh cooperated exchanging techs. It was a matter of time when they outnumber and outclasses my ships. Soon SC attacked me at Qaphqa and later at Kwaidan. Almost simultaneously Drakh hit me at Potassium and Pop. I decided not to defend myself. I had only 1 fleet bombing Clapton. I was defeated.

iojho

[Updated on: Sat, 26 June 2010 07:06]

Report message to a moderator

Grpyhin race was factoryless IS
(a big mistake I think when victory was based on score,
however I chose this because of the short distances between HWs,
I figured I would need to be able to fight v quickly -
however Socks race flopped? and instead of pushing harder I negotiated too many border treaties. Probably should have pushed North against Xyrillians - but I didnt know then that they were "weak" at the start )

Grav Immune
1 in 3 hab
17%
En, Cons, We cheap rest expensive

Put En cheap as I had a plan to try and use mass drivers early to take out enemy planets... didnt really work.

Tried to get Devoids to jointly attack X about year 30s but they would only agree a NAP/border and let me attack X alone.
However, it was clear even then that X were way ahead in score and I felt that even though X were attacking Norr that without Devoids as well, I could not win.
So I tried to push South and get what I thought were easy gains from Sentient Cheese (SC) and help my ally to the South the Shima.
Unfortunately I botched it due to a lack of scanning and
completely underestimated SC forces and lost a significant battle.

After that I tried to split Drakh and SC alliance with some clumsy diplomatic in game messages...
Luckily SC didnt attack further, but towards the end of the
game my low resources and not so good tech were making me too
tempting a target for Devoids and Drakh.
I suggested Devoids, Drakh and I joined forces against X
(which were well ahead in score at this point)
but instead they attacked me
Perhaps they thought they could grow faster than X?

With little hope of winning and the prospect of X calling time on NAP and attacking also, my plan changed from trying to win to trying to spoil Devoids chances of winning - who I felt had broken my border/NAP agreement (no doubt Devoids will see differently).
I decided to renegotiate with X to allow X more of my space/planets without a fight whilst resisting Devoids and Drakh as much as possible, before I was overrun...
which I was mostly by year 75.

Lots of lessons learned for me, from this game -
starting with my race design and all the way through the game!
Doh!

Report message to a moderator

Good reads, sounds like the game was about as far from tranquil as I suspected

Galien wrote on Sun, 27 June 2010 20:57

Lots of lessons learned for me, from this game - starting with my race design and all the way through the game! Doh!

Taking -f was not a mistake. Taking en cheap was not a mistake (but you perhaps had the wrong reason - as a -f you want to hit your tech goals for good FFs very quickly, so en/prop normal or cheap is nice.)

Taking -f and 17% growth was the mistake. You really want 19% or 20% as a -f.

Your diplomacy sounded interesting. I certainly agree with your suspicion that border treaties are actually a disadvantage. Having part of your border secured by treaty is nice. Having most of your borders secured like this is definitely not.

[Updated on: Mon, 28 June 2010 13:07]

Report message to a moderator