No worrys , I actually read the sticky about why theres no mp after writing this and after starting the game well I can see why. The thing is it is a bit overwhelming but so is my gaming habbit so I have no problem sticking with it I was looking for something like this that Im going to be playing a while ......I basically started out on the first campaign of the 2 in the gold pack , maybe I will start a new game but im at the point just now where Im building farms, and research centres, entertainment etc , I have colonized 2 planets and am researching planetory improvements atm to get the soil thing that enables me to use yellow squares. Is there anywhere I can see what my civilians think of me?

Seems a really class game though , Im actually sick of games I complete in 2 days , and say I was to go over the top gaming , get up a 7am and play through that whole day theres many would be completeable in 1 day.(thats why i bought this) Is there any storyline element to just going new game as a matter of interest? Not that I will need it with having loads of factions to conquer

Im actually away to scour the forums for a spoiler free newbie starting out guide.

Thanks for your reply
David.

Hold your population under 20. The tax return relative to what you spend / give up to keep thim happy is essentially negative above that, except in very special (read: advanced) circumstances. In fact, for a newb, shoot to keep your pop / planet in the 13 - 16B range, so you don't have to worry about it too much.

drrider

Going back a few posts.... watch the time it takes to research certain techs. theres no rush to get the yellow tiles for a while and those techs take a while. Look for ones that help with your economy and production.


If you dont have a survey ship it MAY be because you're playing the campain. I never play it so i dont know what it has. Butm, in the new game (sandbox) mode you should have a miner, colony ship and a flagship=(surveyor) no matter who you start as.

Sounds like your refering to the Blind exploration option that is in the game setup screen. If ticked you can't see the area of influence of the AI, but if left unchecked you'll see where all the AIs are on the minimap right off.

Hi!

According to the above:

I am also new to the game and enjoy it like.... very much.

Should I buy "Dark Avatar" or wait and play through the campaign in GCII (basic game) first? Are there any updates in DA for the basic game that I am now missing?

Or should I (perhaps) begin with Dark Avatar right away, instead of playing the "old" game/first game?

Actually what I mean is: Is the expansion that much better (Dark Avatar) that it seems pointless to play through GCII without it? Or is it necessary to first play GCII to understand the story in DA?

BR Mem

Kryo is downplaying the differences a bit, IMO. DA is a bit more complicated (environment techs, treaties, always-hostile espionage), but many of us find it more interesting. Some folks who are hung up on combat math also prefer DA because it has some fundamental differences, e.g. per-weapon firing as opposed to all-at-once firing.

I tend to agree w/ replies to similar questions I'v seen around here: try DL for a while to learn the ropes and then try DA to see if you like the differences.

Total bonuses seem to be higher in DA, which makes DL a less specialised version - better suited for beginners.