Alpha Centauri 2 Forum Community Succession Game

[binTravkin]

1. If we get something for free, it doesn't mean its useless. We're using them to explore and they will be useful later when upgraded and coupled with proper units.
2. Mind worms cost no upkeep when in fungus. Since there is no cost, there is no reason to dispose them at all.
3. We don't hurt University by making a suicide and damaging some unit. We might even help them as they get promotions.
4. If properly fungus farming, mind worms are actually generating energy credits.
5. They cant rampage in University territory. University has enough units to dispose of them swiftly.

[Mart]

I was not sure, if taking Morgan Distribution near Unity Wreckage was a good idea. But I did occupy it.
The main problem is, that Morgan has a lot of units in a base 3 tiles away. Only one is 2-2-1, the rest like 1-x-1. And that convinced me, that we have a chance to keep it. Though getting quickly more units there would be a good thing. Morgan is making (or was) a colony pod in that area. He can switch to it again. We also do not know how many units he may have in the area, that we do not see.

Yes, we have still land area to colonize. Westeros to the west and Sunny Mesa to the east. We can use them before colonizing sea. We could make some sea bases or a base near our present coasts, if there are some good tiles (bonuses). Sea pods are expensive though, even though they have recycling included.

With crawlers our development will speed up. While I would advocate economic growth at this point and probing for 5 techs (or more), exploration could be made by probe teams and foils, which would also scout for incoming Univ and Believer units.

[binTravkin]

But it was a good idea. 
We also have a bunch of units to complete conquest of Unity wreckage island.
By then we will have D:AP and can take out Yang.
We don't really need Morgan posessions down south nor perhaps any others, but the Unity wreckage island poses direct threat if air units are used from it.
Since University is pacted with Morgan, that's a realistic possibility in the next few turns.

[Mart]

If you think about it, Morgan is an excellent pactmate for generating trade income.

[Kirov]

Well, Geo, I'm sorry for being harsh but I thought you had made a blunder. I didn't know it's that rule that changes the gameplay so much. So sorry for the misunderstanding, obviously you did what you had to do.

That we all knew we play different versions and still believed it can work somehow is another story, isn't it? 

Mart, what's the current status of the rules? Because I see PSYCH at 30% in the latest file. Does it mean you play at 8? Because I don't think I want another copy of SMAX with a temporary rule which was neither asked for nor needed.

And with IA and AP soon to be stolen, the game is essentially won. I wonder if we could make a side-switch or play another game with some self-imposed rules (no crawlers, maybe no air power, etc.). Tech stagnation combined with blind research worked great.

One thing about PSI fight - aircraft engages mind worms at 1:1, only ground units get 3:2.

Neither Santiago nor Morgan would be our pactmates for too long due to our SE choices.

[Mart]

I play with rule 8, as the original 3.4 patch files, as it seems mostly players in this game have it.
However, if the change is made in the "First Pbem" game, we will have more players with rule 0 over here also. And we might all switch to rule 0.

As this game is not as strict as MP game and we play here on "the fun of it" side, we may relax these things and even agree on playing with either 0 or 8. So far, this is a question of adjusting psych and/or specialists in bases. Not perfect to have different settings, but this is singleplayer, so AI gets everything as the human player currently has.

There is quite more to tell about that whole issue (of rules in alphax.txt and patches). But this thread is not for such discussion. I already "stole" several posts on the topic, and this says only part about it. I am not sure, there is point in going much into a lot of writing about it, as it was because of a mistake during coding and testing (as I know). We all make mistakes from time to time.

[binTravkin]

Since Rule 8 is just a mistake as it was not supposed to be in the patch, I suggest we all switch to Rule 0.

But even with Rule 8 it's possible to lower psych to 10% without serious consequences (5 bases need adjustment).

aircraft engages mind worms at 1:1

That means mind worms are currently our best defense vs aircraft and thus should be saved and moved towards potential combat zones.

[Mart]

My vote also goes to: we can play with drone rule 0.
But if someone wants to have the patch 3.4 version with its value 8, that's ok.
Every player in the beginning of the 5 turn term can adjust psych/doctors.
They can even run constant drone rioting if they wish so... 

[binTravkin]

Set rule 0 and checked with 0% psych - 4 cities need adjustment, 2 of which need to crawl condenser to make up for lost food.

Vishniac is next I think, but he may be skipping it.

[Geo]

Its about 3 days after the previous player posted. I'd say next one in line can have a go.
Just put my 'drone rules' on 0, down from 8.

[Kirov]

I'm sorry guys, if it's me, I need to skip until Monday. Some work today, leaving for the weekend tomorrow.

Instead of skipping I can swap with someone, depending on how many of us are left. And if we're getting dropouts, maybe it's time to think about something more challenging, like switch sides or another scenario.

EDIT: Be back Monday but maybe also Sunday.

[binTravkin]

So, Geo, you can have a go.
Because Bodissey seems absent for a week or so (been waiting on him in a PBEM).

I see somebody has been checking out my profile at Apolyton. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Stumbled over a 2005 post yesterday.  Was tempted to go with Kirk getting his drank on...

[Kirov]

It's likely I'll fit it in tomorrow, but can't say for sure. Geo, go ahead if you want to play today and maybe I'll take your turn tomorrow.

[Geo]

Okay. Downloaded.