3 questions

[Daeromont1]

Three quick questions:

1. Automation: I have had an issue, twice in my last game, where suddenly new ship and base types started appearing...and I found that the 'automated' options for building and upgrading were turned 'on' although I was playing a manual game. The first time I thought I clicked something wrong....second time, it became suspicious. Any ideas on what I might be doing to inadvertently trigger this?

2. Efficient world defenses: I LOVE how well the Pirates and other AI works in making strategic choices of where to attack me. Before I really understood what was happening (I've only played two full games now), I lost 4 worlds WITH defensive bases and spaceports. So...my question is this: what ideas do you all have for balancing defense of worlds (troops, bases, etc) while keeping the economy from tanking?

3. Diplomacy: Now, I had technology trading off in my last game (which I will change in my next one); however, I had a real problem with my strong allies in the early/mid game turning into my enemies in late game, due to our completing borders, encroachments (mostly on their part), and the like. My next game will be the first one where I really start thinking about the diplomacy aspect. Any general advice in this area? For example, does it make sense to trade 'disputed systems', keep pumping money into allies to keep them on your side, etc.? The AI kept encroaching on my area, so I'm not sure how to avoid this without completely stunting the growth of my own empire. Perhaps this is intended?

Thanks in advance!
D

[Bingeling]

1. Automation. Did you try some test games? It seems automation settings are shared between games. Check quickly in options that things are indeed on manual.

Edit: Also on automation, if having construction on suggest and using build order screen, make sure you clear away all AI suggested purchases before making your own.

2. World defense. Micro mangement... Spot incoming attacks, have a fleet waiting on top of the target (require some manual work to make sure they are on top and not across the system). Manually target some troop transports with various ships nearby as the invaders arrive. That is one way of saving the colony...

3. Diplomacy. When influence circles grow, contested bases happen. Did you try to swap contested bases in trades? If they covet resources etc, those modifiers are hard to get rid of, but contested bases can be fixed. If you give a good deal on a contested base, it should boost happiness too. If you hand over a fuel mine, do you really have that few of them? Does it matters if your civies pay the ally some money for fuel when bringing them home?

Also, if influence circles are "brushing", in later game it may be possible to colonize near the border on your side to move the border a bit. This could give a good mining system or two, and potentially bring your mine "back home", or create some contested mines the other way to use as trade pieces when swapping other mines? Also, you can try buff relations high enough to get mining rights.

And about "my area". Your area is within the influence circles, they can't touch that. Want more space? Make sure to grab territory with colonies. And don't over extend in the early days to achieve it.

[Tcby]

For the first question:
Go to options-> empire settings -> bottom left "newly built ships are automated".
[:)]