Atuuk Gameplay Advice

[FireLion1983]

So I started a random game last night and I got the Atuuks. I was surprised as hell when I read their race description. How they even get to space is beyond me, but they seem incredibly charming. I imagine them as sort of the goblin race from Warhammer 40k, without all the crazy engineering smarts. So, I guess they're more akin to Ewoks with a bent on filling up the galaxy with their own kind.

Being my first real game, I'm not sure how to take advantage of their bonuses, nor how to properly play them. They are too dumb for research, but they want to invade everywhere. How does this work?

I could use some advice on how to best play as the Atuuks - thanks! [:)]

[TrooperCooper]

You dont play the Atuuk! The Atuuk play you! [:'(]

[FireLion1983]

lol, thanks everyone! [8D]

[Spidey]

Not exactly a huge amount of advice. But I'm pretty sure you play the Atuuk just like you play everybody else, except with as many provisions taken for their weaknesses as possible. They're essentially a race of lazy wimps and pansies who somehow managed to stumble into space. They build slower than everybody else and their troops are pathetic. A Sluken infantry can almost take on an Atuuk tank, if I'm not mistaken. And the only real bonus you have is that they're a fast growth race with high happiness.

What that means is that you need the Bakkuras Highspeed Shipyards wonder at your homeworld in order to speed things up, at which point you can build colony ships quite fast despite the penalty. Your other priority is to find an independent colony from a race with high troop strength. Mortalen, Boskara, Ikkuro, Sluken, Naxxilian, Kiadian, Dhayut, Haakonish and
Human are solid candidates, ranging from 138 to 120 in descending order. Find a colony and use it to recruit all the invasion forces you need. That way you can be aggressive without needing a gazilion invasion troops to compensate for inherently weak racial troops.

In terms of research, you're at a disadvantage, since you're not getting as many scientist characters as other races. And you don't have an inherent bonus either. And on top of that there's a 25% racial victory condition about being dead last in terms of research. My advice is to ignore that condition completely and make the best of the rest. All you'll get for being last in science is a mighty beating in just about every space battle you participate in.

[Unforeseen]

Eh its possible to win with bad tech, it requires very precise tactical planning and ship designs. What research you do work on, imo should focus mostly on propulsion and missiles. Kiting enemies, and attacking enemy refueling stations with fast attack craft that will withdraw at the first sign of resistance. You should never engage an enemy in a perceived fair fight as an Atuuk. Always try to overwhelm them in numbers and always stay at maximum range. I also wouldn't have a problem with making alliance's with pirates.

Ground troops are another issue, Atuuk ground infantry is worthless. You'll need to find yourself an alternative very early.

[FireLion1983]

Thanks for the advice! [:)]