Resources and strategy?

[jnpoint]

There are so many resources and I just build mining bases everywhere, but is there any strategy here that I have not seen?
I would like that there was because it would add even more depth to the game. I know 'fuel' is important to protect.
Do you know if resources are equally distributed to all your planets or do you have to do it manually?
What do you do? and does anyone have some advice according to resource strategy if there is one?

[Ingor]

That's a deep question. Early on, i'd say focus on getting luxury ressources, they help you grow your colonies a lot.

[baldamundo]

Yeah I've not worked this out tbh. Particularly because so far it seems like you usually have the resources to build them everywhere + it's not that difficult to afford enough construction ships to build everywhere that's in fuel/exploration range at a decent speed. And I'm yet to run into real shortages of any strategic resources.

i think by design it's difficult to ever have enough of all luxury resources without massive trade or conquest - iirc in DW1 it was randomised such that particular luxury resources would be more common in particular parts of the galaxy, so you didn't have access to all of them without some effort, and I assume it's the same here.

The only real strategy I've worked out is the obvious:
- urgently prioritise ALL Caslon sources
- prioritise anything the game tells you you have a shortage of
- urgently prioritise Zentaba Fluid, Korabbian Spice, and Loros Fruit. these are extra rare super-luxuries, which only spawn on a handful of planets each game, and give ENORMOUS bonuses to your colonies

I think it would be really helpful if you had access to an adjustable priority queue for construction. Usually I want my constructors to build EVERYTHING they possibly can - but it would be useful if I could tell them to focus on this or that first and leave them to automatically finish up the others later.

[Carewolf]

Yeah, this is also a relevant question midgame. The AI starts suggesting building bases VERY far away or for minor resources. Could such bases be a drain, and should I stop agreeing to such suggestions? (I already refuse when I notice it, but it is a mess).

[jnpoint]

Thanks for the answers and suggestions.
I did not know of those rare super-luxuries. Now I'll look out for them

[secondcircle]

This is part of my issue with the game right now as well. I feel like if you are short something, you just build a mining base at that resource, it doesn't feel like resources play into my overall strategy to win. Which is pretty disappointing because it felt like the resources and economy would be really important strategically.

[WiZz]

Open design menu and look below on right side. There is the list of resources needed to build current design. All resources from that list are obligatory to have.

[baldamundo]

This is part of my issue with the game right now as well. I feel like if you are short something, you just build a mining base at that resource, it doesn't feel like resources play into my overall strategy to win. Which is pretty disappointing because it felt like the resources and economy would be really important strategically.

Yeah, this is my experience so far. Got very late into two different games and have never noticed a shortage of strategic resources. Obviously more luxury resources are basically always desirable, but it doesn't feel like it's added a lot of strategy besides making a beeline for the three Super-Luxuries when they're available. Although tbh maybe I just need to up the difficulty level.

Yeah, this is also a relevant question midgame. The AI starts suggesting building bases VERY far away or for minor resources. Could such bases be a drain, and should I stop agreeing to such suggestions? (I already refuse when I notice it, but it is a mess).

From my experience so far, the maintenance costs of your private sector usually seem low enough that it's not worth worrying about that side of it. If you don't have good warp drive, i guess it could be a drag the very long travel times. However, I think the bigger issue with far flung resource bases is actually just security of trade lanes & refuelling. You'll end up with your freighters and mining bases being harassed by pirates and space creatures, and you'll always be at risk of enemy empires just nicking your resource bases.