Info Request

[JudgeDredd]

I am not sure I'm understanding colonies and expansion in this game.

So I understand there are system. And I understand in those systems there are planets and gas giants etc...going through the tutorial, it says that systems I own are circled in my own colour. It also says that systems are part of my "territory" if they have my colour background...and a system can be owned by me even if I haven't colonised it...

So - where there's a system with my colour background (and therefore presumably a system nearby which I have colonised to get this sphere of influence), then it belongs to me AND I am able to get resources from it? If that's the case - is there any benefit to colonising it? I know if there is an independent race there and I colonise it, I get resources etc...but are there any benefits to colonising an empty system (are there empty systems?)?

[lordxorn]

The sphere of influence, or the color in the background, only means that it is your system politically. Meaning other empires cannot colonize there, however for you to get any benefit of the physical resources there you must build a mining station or colony.

This helped eliminate case in ROTS where you colonize most of the system and a rival will plop a minor colony in your same system, then you have relations drop because let's say you armed your transports that would piss off your now local rival. Which makes for a silly situation.

[WoodMan]

So I understand there are system. And I understand in those systems there are planets and gas giants etc...going through the tutorial, it says that systems I own are circled in my own colour. It also says that systems are part of my "territory" if they have my colour background...and a system can be owned by me even if I haven't colonised it...

Yes true in Legends only.  You can toggle the display of the sphere of influence on and off, the button is on the far right above the mini-map.  If a system is owned by you (even those without colonies) this means other Empires can not mine there.  You don't have to mine in your own territory, you simply can't mine in someone elses, unless you have mining permission in their territory (through diplomacy).

So - where there's a system with my colour background (and therefore presumably a system nearby which I have colonised to get this sphere of influence), then it belongs to me AND I am able to get resources from it? If that's the case - is there any benefit to colonising it? I know if there is an independent race there and I colonise it, I get resources etc...but are there any benefits to colonising an empty system (are there empty systems?)?

Yes you can get resources from it, you can get resources from anywhere as long as its not in another Empires territory by building mining stations.  Yes there is a good reason to colonise it, more colonies = more population = more money = more military = victory [:D]  Of course there are other ways to win especially now in Legends, but more money is always good, so you want colonies.  You also automatically mine a colonised planet, can build ships there, spaceports etc, its good to expand your empire, unless the quality of the planet is under 50% in which case its probably not worth it.

[JudgeDredd]

yeah - I remember that situation. Thanks

One other thing whilst I have your attention - Exploration Ships - if I was to take control of them myself - how do they work in temrs of exploration - do I just give them an order to explore a system and they will explore and report on ALL objects in the system (in other words when they get to a system - is fog of war lifted from that system) - or do I have to get them to explore each individual object in the system?

I'll likely leave it on - at least a while - it seems like I might have enough to contend with.


oh - and lastly - what are other peoples preferences with leaving automation on? It seems to me, with all the default automation levels set I will likely not have a great deal to do...or is that a ridiculous statement? Thanks

[JudgeDredd]

About exploration - it's ok - I just noticed if you tell an exploration ship to explore a system then it will arrive and explore each item in the system.

[Gelatinous Cube]

I recommend using the "Explore all System in Sector xx" option with explorers. The default auto-explore pattern is decent, but if you have a limited number of exploration ships, exploring sector-by-sector is very helpful.

[Bingeling]

Does the sector explore actually work?

I have noticed a pretty nice exploration pattern in my one and only Legends game this far. In former games I have had unexplored planets while all explorers sits idle apparently without figuring out something to do.

[Gelatinous Cube]

ORIGINAL: Bingeling

Does the sector explore actually work?

I have noticed a pretty nice exploration pattern in my one and only Legends game this far. In former games I have had unexplored planets while all explorers sits idle apparently without figuring out something to do.

Explore sector does work. Just turn off Automation first, otherwise the first time they go back to refuel they'll clear the mission queue and find somewhere else to be.

If your explorer is not automated, and you tell it to explore an entire sector, he will do so while returning to refuel when necesarry. Although I could be wrong, this is how it seems to me.

[Erik Rutins]

Hi Judge,

Whenever you have something selected, right click to see the most common commands, or Control-Right Click to see ALL possible commands. Leaving your exploration ships automated is fine, but some prefer to plan out their exploration. I usually automate most and keep a couple that I send to more specific areas of interest. The "explore all systems in sector" command is a good compromise between automation and manual control.

Also, have you looked at Das123's "Let's Play" videos yet? If not, they may help you by seeing how someone plays the game.

Regards,

- Erik

[JudgeDredd]

Thanks everyone...I'm trying to stick at this because I know once the frustration diminishes and I learn more about it - it'll be a great game - but I'm not very tenacious - especially with so many great games to get into and play - so generally I need to be grabbed by the game - I'm just finding it difficult to know what's going on where and why - then pirates show up when I think I created a nice big open easy world.

Oh well - we'll see. Time will tell. If you see me posting in here in a week or two then things are looking up [:D]

[WoodMan]

Judge are you aware that you can pay off the pirates, its called buying protection, at any time, not just when they offer it to you.  My general approach is to never give any money to pirates unless I'm about to lose something.  If they are destroying your mining base, send in your military ships ASAP.  If it looks grim and your military ships don't get there in time, before they are able to cause too much damage to your base open up the diplomacy window and buy protection from them.  They will stop the attack.

Also, if things are getting hectic you do realise you can pause the game at any time and issue commands, do diplomacy, everything while paused? You can also reduce and increase game speed at your will if you need to.

[JudgeDredd]

Yeah I did thanks Woodman.

I am well aware of the speed controls and pause - one of my issues is understanding the "missing link" between auto mode and manual mode. For example making a link between the messages I receive and the automation....kind of "Did me just saying yes there fix that or do I have to do something else" kind of thing.

Like I said - I'm trying to stay with it - I know it's a great game - I've just got to get past the frustration part to enjoy it.

If I'm posting here in a week or two, you know I've got past the "bad" bit (not your game - my blockage!)