Alpha Centauri 2 Forum Community Succession Game

[Kirov]

The idea was to free Lal from Deirdre and then switch to PKs.
But if that's dropped, I'd say conquer Morgan ASAP.

I know and I keep that in mind, but the issue right now is "what do we do with our awful situation?". We need to get a grip with the Hive before challenging the rulers of this world. I'd start with some densely packed bases, add infrastructure and then then probe one of the other factions (maybe start with Zak for his Air Power; whatever happens, D:AP is always a huge advantage to the human player).

[binTravkin]

Freeing PKs only require a couple of probes though.
And then we will arrive at a completely different situation.
I will try it later today.

Also, you can switch factions without using scenario editor:
1. Start multiplayer TCP/IP game lobby.
2. In map field choose "load game", browse to file.
3. after game loaded, switch first player (you) to needed faction.
4. Start game.
5. Save.
6. Reload in single player.

[binTravkin]

Ok, so I loaded it up and it looks like indeed it won't be so fast simply due to time required for our probe foils to travel to Gaia's Landing.
They should have a decent chance to sneak past, but we will likely need 3 of them as elite probe teams in the test game had 75% success rate and our disciplined ones would probably have 50%.

I still think we should conquer Morgan. Should be easy with some fleet acting as artillery.
Once we conquer the 1 base that is close, we will not be in range for his air power either if he obtains any.
At least we can get some of the needed techs from him because he's right next to us.
Our research is useless at the moment and I don't see it becoming competitive before we free PKs, so probes all the way.

[binTravkin]

Ok, here's a plan, roughly.
I'm posting it because it is longer than 5 turns, so I can't execute it alone.

1.
Build 3-4 probe foils ASAP. Set them en route to Gaia's landing via Western approach (West along former PK territory). It may be longer, but it seems safer. If one of them is produced significantly sooner than others, infiltrate Morgan.

2.
Use our "normal" probes to obtain techs from Morgan.

3. (meanwhile)
Prepare for war vs Morgan.
+2 foils for a total of 3
+2 1-3-2 defenders
+2 4-1-1 attackers
More attackers + probe teams later, when invading Morgan's mainland.

4.
Be ready for arrival of our probe teams at Gaia's landing to immediately probe techs and capture both Gaian bases near us as soon as Deirdre declares Vendetta in retaliation, so Gaian's can't attack us easily.
Capture those bases before switching to PKs or Hive will be doomed after switch (but on the same turn, if not managed, switch to PKs to not lose turns).


I think we should go full probe + conquest until switch to PKs.
The chance we can catch up by our own research is something really close to 0.
And with probing and conquest we can at least give a chance to Hive after we've switched.

[Geo]

You better sign me off the player list. Had to reformat my hard drive, and I don't know how long its going to take to have the desk top working properly again.

[binTravkin]

So, I'm playing it now.

MY 2152
Got two loans - from Morgan and University.
This creates negative balance, but we should use it to build a force to conquer Morgan Collections and possibly all Morgan bases.
I suspect University might also declare a Vendetta on us sometime soon.. 

End turn: a sudden worm destroys our unit at Social Artery.


MY 2252
3 new bases build - People's Endeavour, Unity Lair and The Drone Mound.

End turn: Mindworms attack Social Artery, half of citizens slaughtered, Recycling tanks destroyed


MY 2253
Nothing worthy of note happened.


MY 2254
Two special ops teams depart to Gaia's Landing. Their voyage will be long, but we trust them to fulfill their mission.
They are accompanied by an escort ship
They will be followed by a naval special ops group, after it completes infiltration (?*) of Morgan Collections

MY 2255
A special ops team departs Port Yang towards University territory.
The transport ship is not fully loaded though - it will pick up another special ops team from Sea Hive.

* - we should probably try to probe for tech first as it may give immediate benefit

A few comments on what I did here:
1. I loaded two probe teams unto a foil and departed them in general direction to Gaia's Landing. As of start of the turn, they are @ 93,45.
2. I kept our Impact Foil in area with the idea that it will escort the transport foil in its mission. It is currently at 97,51.
3. I built a probe foil team with the intent that it would be the 3rd probe team which will attempt the mission of freeing Brother Lal. However, since it is faster, it can take two probe team actions and still catch up with the transport foil. It is currently @ 87,39.
4. I started building a probe team at Social Artery, it could be used to infiltrate Gaia.
5. I built a few probe teams in bases further to the East. The idea is to unload them in University territory, next to base and steal tech. The foil carrying one of those probes is @ 72,78 and I moved it to pick up another probe team from Sea Hive.

[binTravkin]

And the save

[Mart]

So we earned as Gaians 316 victory points.
A message to all score-oriented team members.

[Kirov]

I forgot that freeing captured leaders is done via probe not HQ conquest. This shouldn't take us long, right? Maybe instead of focusing solely on our mission, we can help out our Chairman a bit?

[binTravkin]

It will take some time as we have to probe HQ.
That's why I sent those probes already.
Meanwhile we should get up to tech with probing and conquer Morgan.

[Mart]

GAIAN NEWS NETWORK

Gaian government in shambles

Lady Deirdre has not been seen in public for past three days. Government official are silent.
What is more, some of them seem to be missing. Our sources in the government report, that
a number of Gaian Council members have left faction territory. Where? Unknown yet.
Following this news, we acquired information from our secret source, that Commisionar Pravin Lal
has been transferred to another facility two days ago.  The same facility, where the newest mind control
techniques are researched.
"Is he interrogated again?" we asked public relations Gaian Government official, but there was no response.
It is also worth mentioning, that Hive Division of Gaian Probe Office has been put on "high alert" yesterday.
We are eagerly awaiting new developments.

And as always, for you, the most recent and most important news from Gaians Stepdaughters.

[Kirov]

It's Kurvivor's turn now, right? And I hope Bodi gets back to us for his turn, he's been gone for some time now.

[binTravkin]

Yes.
But it's been 4 days since turn posted.
Maybe he's enjoying the summer.
So I'd say Mart can play it and let's move on.

[Kirov]

Kurvivor is around, he just probably wasn't sure who's next.

[Kurvivor]

Dreadfully sorry
i would like to skip this time, if that is OK with you
Faction switch scares and confuses me. Once, a wise man said that if the enemy has more tech, bigger army, more energy and is coming right at you - it is better to throw in the towel. We have made Deirde the best, how can we beat her?..