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Author Topic:   The Xenoempathy Dome

Urban Ranger posted 05-24-99 03:21 AM ET
The Xenoempathy Dome seems to be one of the under-rated SPs. I don't know if somebody has pointed this out before, but having the XD lets ALL your units to heal to full strength in fungus squares. That's a very cool feature, esp when you are conducting a campaign a long way from home: just bring along a few formers and start planting fungus.
Gixxer posted 05-24-99 09:20 AM ET
I am with you UR. I kills me how many times this SP gets missed in the "My Favorite SP" threads. Next to the Weather Paradigm, I think this is the most usful.
eNo posted 05-24-99 11:55 AM ET
You have a point there. I don't think it's one of the greatest but it does take a lot of bashing as the most useless. The ease of moving through fungus is what I notice the most.
Darkstar posted 05-24-99 12:30 PM ET
I didn't realize that with XenoDome, your units heal to 100% in fungus. I'll keep that in mind. Should help naval units most...
XenoDome is underated because WAR is underrated. You don't need very much mobility unless you are playing War. And on maps with little land, you loose the advantage of Elite Rovers moving 9 squares/turn through the wilds to reach wherever it is going. It speeds Infantry from one to 3 squares/turn through fungus, allowing an Army to quickly deploy through the wilds. I love the X-Dome on maps with the natural Pangaia land mass that the Random world sequencer makes. On maps of archipelegoes though, its not as significant. In that case, its the Native Life Breeding bonus, and naval units NOT slowing down for fungus that are its primary benefits.
So, I think that the X-Dome is mostly underated by the classic builders who have little use for it. For me, it depends on the shape of the world if it is a "nice to have" or a "must have". But it is certainly more useful than the Merchant Exchange, which is a nice long term bonus...
-Darkstar
Centaurion posted 05-26-99 09:26 AM ET
Also, your units can wait in the second line of fungus, when the AI moves a unit into the first square, its stuck until the second turn and you can engage him in the mean time.
Strangely enough, I�ve never seen the computer build Hovertanks.....
LoD posted 05-28-99 10:16 AM ET
Centaurion: It does, believe me - fortunately only 1-1-3 ones .
Urban Ranger: They do? Thanks! This really opens new strategic possibilities...
Gixxer: The WP is not as important as it may seem. Sure, its lack will slow down your development - but an increased number of Formers will easily overcome this.
BTW, the XD is also useful for another reason - those extra movement points are vital if fungal blooms get out of control.
icosahedron posted 05-28-99 10:24 AM ET
Having had the experience of controlling the ruins first, and then getting reamed by Deirdre and her Xenoempathy-assisted troops, made the war value of this SP really sink home for me.
If I don't get it, then I remove every speck of fungus from any territory I want to hold onto.
- icosahedron
Gixxer posted 05-28-99 01:35 PM ET
LoD,
I beg to differ, I play as the Spartans who take an industry hit immediately. Plus, I make 2 formers per base (I can always find something for them to do). W/O the WP you suggest I make it up by making 4 per base. Not very practical.
I don't think anyone mentioned that the Xenoempathy Dome also allows double fungus clearing capabilities. So, with the XD, Fungus tanks and the Super Former ability, it is possible to move a single former into fungus and clear it, all in the same turn.
LoD posted 05-29-99 12:17 PM ET
Gixxer, I admit you have a point there. But, for the UoP, (the faction that I play the most) the WP is not a "must-have" with their research bonus, altough it helps greatly. The problem is that on Trancend you usually have to choose between the Human Genome (vital, as it neutralizes the drone penalty) or the WP (which is frequently rushed by the Gaians).
LoD
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Author	Topic: The Xenoempathy Dome
Urban Ranger	posted 05-24-99 03:21 AM ET The Xenoempathy Dome seems to be one of the under-rated SPs. I don't know if somebody has pointed this out before, but having the XD lets ALL your units to heal to full strength in fungus squares. That's a very cool feature, esp when you are conducting a campaign a long way from home: just bring along a few formers and start planting fungus.
Gixxer	posted 05-24-99 09:20 AM ET I am with you UR. I kills me how many times this SP gets missed in the "My Favorite SP" threads. Next to the Weather Paradigm, I think this is the most usful.
eNo	posted 05-24-99 11:55 AM ET You have a point there. I don't think it's one of the greatest but it does take a lot of bashing as the most useless. The ease of moving through fungus is what I notice the most.
Darkstar	posted 05-24-99 12:30 PM ET I didn't realize that with XenoDome, your units heal to 100% in fungus. I'll keep that in mind. Should help naval units most... XenoDome is underated because WAR is underrated. You don't need very much mobility unless you are playing War. And on maps with little land, you loose the advantage of Elite Rovers moving 9 squares/turn through the wilds to reach wherever it is going. It speeds Infantry from one to 3 squares/turn through fungus, allowing an Army to quickly deploy through the wilds. I love the X-Dome on maps with the natural Pangaia land mass that the Random world sequencer makes. On maps of archipelegoes though, its not as significant. In that case, its the Native Life Breeding bonus, and naval units NOT slowing down for fungus that are its primary benefits. So, I think that the X-Dome is mostly underated by the classic builders who have little use for it. For me, it depends on the shape of the world if it is a "nice to have" or a "must have". But it is certainly more useful than the Merchant Exchange, which is a nice long term bonus... -Darkstar
Centaurion	posted 05-26-99 09:26 AM ET Also, your units can wait in the second line of fungus, when the AI moves a unit into the first square, its stuck until the second turn and you can engage him in the mean time. Strangely enough, I�ve never seen the computer build Hovertanks.....
LoD	posted 05-28-99 10:16 AM ET Centaurion: It does, believe me - fortunately only 1-1-3 ones . Urban Ranger: They do? Thanks! This really opens new strategic possibilities... Gixxer: The WP is not as important as it may seem. Sure, its lack will slow down your development - but an increased number of Formers will easily overcome this. BTW, the XD is also useful for another reason - those extra movement points are vital if fungal blooms get out of control.
icosahedron	posted 05-28-99 10:24 AM ET Having had the experience of controlling the ruins first, and then getting reamed by Deirdre and her Xenoempathy-assisted troops, made the war value of this SP really sink home for me. If I don't get it, then I remove every speck of fungus from any territory I want to hold onto. - icosahedron
Gixxer	posted 05-28-99 01:35 PM ET LoD, I beg to differ, I play as the Spartans who take an industry hit immediately. Plus, I make 2 formers per base (I can always find something for them to do). W/O the WP you suggest I make it up by making 4 per base. Not very practical. I don't think anyone mentioned that the Xenoempathy Dome also allows double fungus clearing capabilities. So, with the XD, Fungus tanks and the Super Former ability, it is possible to move a single former into fungus and clear it, all in the same turn.
LoD	posted 05-29-99 12:17 PM ET Gixxer, I admit you have a point there. But, for the UoP, (the faction that I play the most) the WP is not a "must-have" with their research bonus, altough it helps greatly. The problem is that on Trancend you usually have to choose between the Human Genome (vital, as it neutralizes the drone penalty) or the WP (which is frequently rushed by the Gaians). LoD