Matrix Games Forums

Hey Guys,
I bought Distant Worlds on Friday and while I've only had a bit of time to monkey around with it, I do have some questions...

a) How does one build research stations manually at pulsars / black holes / etc?

b) Is it worthwhile to build space ports on new colonies as soon as possbile?

c) How do I (or rather, what techs do I need) to colonize Desert and Ice planets?

d) Can I setup mines to harvest luxuries or is that only a colony thing?

e) If I've got a colony near to a pulsar, is it worthwhile to turn it into a tourist resort (aka build one?)

f) Is it normal for exploration ships to have a bit of a 'lag' after they are built before the "autoexplore" (a) kicks in?

I'm sure more questions will come up as I continue playing, but those are top on my list.

Hi I'm new but I can toss a small bone your way:
a) Use construction ships. Select one and keybind it (like Ctrl+1). Then go to the Blackhole, pick a spot away from the ring and hit "1", rightclick and select build at location option.

b) To my knowledge it is not worth it. Though some point out you can redesign a small spaceport to be very cheap and easy to maintain and build.

c) You need to have an appropriate alien species living in your empire.  Then you will have the option to colonize these. To get these aliens you need to find an Independent colony of them, most likely, though an AI emprie planet will do if you conquer it.

d) I believe you can.

e) I am not sure how much money these resorts bring. But I guess it be a worthwhile investment. Though it does not have to be at a colony. You can build it in space.

f) Yes. You can also issue orders manually. Also make sure if you queued the building of the ship yourself that you see a circular arrow icon in the bottom right corner of the infocard when you select it. It means this unit is automated. If you don't have it, just hit "a."

b) at the beginning no, because you will need the cash for other things like colony ships. Later when you got enough cash yes.
When you colonize an independ colonies, these generate enough cash and is a good place for a space port for sure.

c) desert with the best colonisation module.  Ice and Vulcanic just with the race that live on these planets.
You can get other races in your empire, Conquering other Empire planets, Colonize or conquere Independed planets, discover Colony ships at space.

d) normaly any mining or gas mining ship/Station got luxury harvester too.

e) Yes, you should build so much Resort bases you can. Tourist generate alot income. Check the Starmap (F5) for places for resort bases.

Kkortekaas,

A. Science at the edge of eternity That is a micro AAR LordXorn did describing where to put a research base at a black hole.

B. Well, economically speaking, probably not but, then again, without a space port only one ship at a time can dock and bring your fledgling planet resources and, more importantly, luxuries for it to grow. A space port would speed this process along as it has multiple docking ports for ships. Also, a space port gives the benefit of its hospital/recreational facilities to the planet, further enhancing development. As well, another space port is another place for the PRIVATE sector to buy/build ships which they seem to want to do most everytime you found another colony. Some wait to build a space port, I automatically build one, everytime.

C. As was said, the Desert module is researchable but to colonize Volcanic/Ice worlds you need a race that can already live there absorbed into your empire so you can build a colonizer from one of their worlds to colonize another, like, world. Or, you can get lucky with finding a derelict Colony ship.

D. The default design for Mining/Gas Mining Bases and Ships have a luxury extractor on them. You can, of course, redesign them with extras if you wish.

E. If you open up the Galactic View (button on bottom right, methinks) you can use the drop down menu to view all the scenic places you know about on the map. You then need to go to that place (not just a colony near it) and build a resort base. Try to only build them on the highest scenic value sites, preferably near a rich colony.

F. In my experience, yes. Not sure why, I just usually tell it to explore all systems in whatever sector and then put it on automate.

Awesome, thanks for the help guys.
 
Any other tips / tricks / pearls of wisdom to impart?