Build version: v1.1.5.8 (Beta)
Severity: Medium
Annoyance factor: High
Confusion for new players: High
Saved game:
The planet Tefnyl 1 in the Tefnyl system has Korabbian Spice. It’s not close to my main territory, but I recently colonize Teatatalm (in the Yage system), which is pretty close to it. So I decided that I’m going to try to put my hands on it.
But the game didn’t want me too. The tool-tip for the “Build a large mining station” was showing the infamous “Beyond Maximum Construction Fuel Range” message.
Still, I wanted the Korabbian Spice! I had a medium construction ship (Wily Obsession) who was on it’s way to build a mining station somewhere not too far away. I checked it’s fuel range, and it was able to reach the Tefnyl system (fuel range on the top right):
- CS fuel range.png (417.86 KiB) Viewed 741 times
So, I ordered it to build a mine on Tefnyl 1. And it looks as if it will do it. Not only that, but it will almost certainly be able to refuel afterward at the independant colony in the Vaselur system. But even if it wouldn't be, it's still worth it to sacrifice a CS to get Korabbian spice!
The Tefnyl 1's selection panel now says that Wily Obsession is building a mining station there. But, if I place the mouse pointer above the “Build a Monitoring Station”, it also says that it’s “beyond fuel range”:
- Tefnyl 1 selection panel.png (152.66 KiB) Viewed 741 times
Seems to me that both things can’t be true at the same time: a constructor building a mining station there, and the planet being beyond the constructors’ fuel range. Obviously, the one that isn’t true is that it’s beyond the CSs’ ranges.
I had an idea that I might be able to get the KS despite the game's message and behavior. It involved some micro-management that I'd prefer not have to do, but I was able to work around the problem. An inexperienced player on the other hand would probably just get frustrated, seeing that clearly the CSs have enough fuel range that one should be able to build a mine on Tefnyl 1.
So I suggest that, instead of preventing the player to send a CS, the game could inform the player that the constructor “might” have problem refueling after completing its mission (which isn’t even the case in this situation), and then let the player decide if he or she wants to still do it or not.
Maybe also add a policy that would allow to choose between the 2 behaviors: blocking the construction OR warning the player and letting him/her decide.
