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Author Topic:   Stupid newbiew questions

CourtJester posted 02-19-99 01:22 PM ET
I downloaded smac yesterday and installed it and frankly I am lost. All of these new technologies and discoveries my scientists make, like when they show me new "foils", etc., I don't see any place for me to utilize them. Once I get a new technology or discovery, is it automatically usable? Then do I just go and design my own equipment in my workshop?
I have a lot more questions, is there anywhere I can get a complete overview on game concepts and overall strategy? Like when to mine or farm and stuff like that. I was using the tour, but that gets annoying because it is not all in one place.
CEO Bernard posted 02-19-99 02:00 PM ET
For a pretty complete guide try www.gamespot.com. They ust put up a guide today.
As to your other question, that depends:
1) If you have auto-design units on (see preferences menu) then your engineers will take your latest tech and design some units for you to make. They should now be in your production menu. This is the default.
2) If you have auto-design units off then you must design your own units from the workshop.
As you gain experience in playing you will undoubtedly want to play this way because the computer designs lots of units you will never use. In fact, it is almost easier just to start this way to avoid being confused by all the "New designs" popups.
I hope that helps. If you have any further questions, post away.
Good luck. My bill is in the mail (200 energy credits).
CEO Bernard
Prerogative posted 02-19-99 02:01 PM ET
Wow, this is against what I predicted. I sort've thought there would be no newbies to TBS since it's a far cry away from blowing up monsters with nailguns and whatnot...
Anyway, Jester, once you find a technology certain goodies come along with it. For instance, Doctrine: Flexibility allows you to start using the "Foil" chassis in your workshop, among other things. Foils can be put to numerous uses. You don't desing your own equipment, par se, but rather your own units. Technology opens up equipment for you to use on your units. A foil, for instance, is the first sea chassis you can get.
If you have alot more questions, shoot.
As for learning the game, well, I learned Civ 1 by just experimenting. And then, when totally stumped, I whipped out the manual (or, better yet the civelopedia{datalinks.}) In that way I learned the game style at my own pace, and used the manual just as an occasional tool.
Here are a few basic concepts on farming/mining:
Farms are best put on rainy or moist land, dry, arid, land is bad for farming. You're better off planting a forest or drilling a borehole. Mines are good on rocky areas or land with mineral bonuses.
Tybalt posted 02-19-99 02:07 PM ET
I've got a question too:
Is there any way to focus on specific technologies rather than areas to develop? I mean, if I'm starting to get a bit outgunned from lack of technology, I'll immediately try and boost the rate at which I get it. But, if all I need to get is Superconductor, and I have all the required techs, can I tell them to pursue that one? It's a pain when I find out in the middle of a war that I've just discovered how to keep my citizens real happy when all I needed was some new guns. Those citizens ain't gonna be too happy when they're dead
Merci!
CEO Bernard posted 02-19-99 02:14 PM ET
If you are playing with the rule "Blind Research" on then no. If you are playing with it off then yes, in fact you will always specify your next discovery.
To set the rule choose "Customize Rules" when you are building your new world. I think it goes Start Game - Customize Random World - Ocean % - Lifeforms - Rain - RULES (this is the one you want) - Faction.
Yes another bill, 100 energy credits for this one.
CEO Bernard
Prerogative posted 02-19-99 02:52 PM ET
Tybalt, hmm, that wouldn't be the same french-speaking shakesperian character from the infamous CWAL now would it?
Well, with blind on, you can, sort've designate things toward whatever tech you're after. There only tend to be one or two techs in one specific field available at one time. And, if you've got the preqs for one and simple set your research towards the field that the desired tech is in, chances are you'll net it.
Audrey Two posted 02-19-99 04:08 PM ET
Dunno what CWAL stands for, but Tybalt is Juliet's brother in "Romeo & Ethel^H^H^H^H^HJuliet". Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo kills Tybalt.
I don't remember Tybalt speaking French-- he's "Elizabethan Italian", a strange and wonderous nationality.
--A2
Tybalt posted 02-19-99 08:43 PM ET
Yes, indeed that would be the Tybalt from CWAL Might I inquire as to your identity, Mr. Prerogative? Or is that it itself?
Sadly, when I went to the local Babbage's (the only game store _I_ know of in the county) I looked for SMAC and couldn't find it. Then I asked the kid at the desk if they had any...
"Lemme check."
[Desk-Boy proceeds to check the same shelves I did, only takes a longer time (but just as thorough) as I did.]
"Nah."

Oy...
Prerogative posted 02-19-99 09:03 PM ET
Me? Merely a long time fan
Hmm, I feel your sorrow, I don't have the game either. Only played it for a few hours via friend. And no prospects for getting it 'till next week. Grr... it's evil I tells ya >
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Author	Topic: Stupid newbiew questions
CourtJester	posted 02-19-99 01:22 PM ET I downloaded smac yesterday and installed it and frankly I am lost. All of these new technologies and discoveries my scientists make, like when they show me new "foils", etc., I don't see any place for me to utilize them. Once I get a new technology or discovery, is it automatically usable? Then do I just go and design my own equipment in my workshop? I have a lot more questions, is there anywhere I can get a complete overview on game concepts and overall strategy? Like when to mine or farm and stuff like that. I was using the tour, but that gets annoying because it is not all in one place.
CEO Bernard	posted 02-19-99 02:00 PM ET For a pretty complete guide try www.gamespot.com. They ust put up a guide today. As to your other question, that depends: 1) If you have auto-design units on (see preferences menu) then your engineers will take your latest tech and design some units for you to make. They should now be in your production menu. This is the default. 2) If you have auto-design units off then you must design your own units from the workshop. As you gain experience in playing you will undoubtedly want to play this way because the computer designs lots of units you will never use. In fact, it is almost easier just to start this way to avoid being confused by all the "New designs" popups. I hope that helps. If you have any further questions, post away. Good luck. My bill is in the mail (200 energy credits). CEO Bernard
Prerogative	posted 02-19-99 02:01 PM ET Wow, this is against what I predicted. I sort've thought there would be no newbies to TBS since it's a far cry away from blowing up monsters with nailguns and whatnot... Anyway, Jester, once you find a technology certain goodies come along with it. For instance, Doctrine: Flexibility allows you to start using the "Foil" chassis in your workshop, among other things. Foils can be put to numerous uses. You don't desing your own equipment, par se, but rather your own units. Technology opens up equipment for you to use on your units. A foil, for instance, is the first sea chassis you can get. If you have alot more questions, shoot. As for learning the game, well, I learned Civ 1 by just experimenting. And then, when totally stumped, I whipped out the manual (or, better yet the civelopedia{datalinks.}) In that way I learned the game style at my own pace, and used the manual just as an occasional tool. Here are a few basic concepts on farming/mining: Farms are best put on rainy or moist land, dry, arid, land is bad for farming. You're better off planting a forest or drilling a borehole. Mines are good on rocky areas or land with mineral bonuses.
Tybalt	posted 02-19-99 02:07 PM ET I've got a question too: Is there any way to focus on specific technologies rather than areas to develop? I mean, if I'm starting to get a bit outgunned from lack of technology, I'll immediately try and boost the rate at which I get it. But, if all I need to get is Superconductor, and I have all the required techs, can I tell them to pursue that one? It's a pain when I find out in the middle of a war that I've just discovered how to keep my citizens real happy when all I needed was some new guns. Those citizens ain't gonna be too happy when they're dead Merci!
CEO Bernard	posted 02-19-99 02:14 PM ET If you are playing with the rule "Blind Research" on then no. If you are playing with it off then yes, in fact you will always specify your next discovery. To set the rule choose "Customize Rules" when you are building your new world. I think it goes Start Game - Customize Random World - Ocean % - Lifeforms - Rain - RULES (this is the one you want) - Faction. Yes another bill, 100 energy credits for this one. CEO Bernard
Prerogative	posted 02-19-99 02:52 PM ET Tybalt, hmm, that wouldn't be the same french-speaking shakesperian character from the infamous CWAL now would it? Well, with blind on, you can, sort've designate things toward whatever tech you're after. There only tend to be one or two techs in one specific field available at one time. And, if you've got the preqs for one and simple set your research towards the field that the desired tech is in, chances are you'll net it.
Audrey Two	posted 02-19-99 04:08 PM ET Dunno what CWAL stands for, but Tybalt is Juliet's brother in "Romeo & Ethel^H^H^H^H^HJuliet". Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo kills Tybalt. I don't remember Tybalt speaking French-- he's "Elizabethan Italian", a strange and wonderous nationality. --A2
Tybalt	posted 02-19-99 08:43 PM ET Yes, indeed that would be the Tybalt from CWAL Might I inquire as to your identity, Mr. Prerogative? Or is that it itself? Sadly, when I went to the local Babbage's (the only game store _I_ know of in the county) I looked for SMAC and couldn't find it. Then I asked the kid at the desk if they had any... "Lemme check." [Desk-Boy proceeds to check the same shelves I did, only takes a longer time (but just as thorough) as I did.] "Nah." Oy...
Prerogative	posted 02-19-99 09:03 PM ET Me? Merely a long time fan Hmm, I feel your sorrow, I don't have the game either. Only played it for a few hours via friend. And no prospects for getting it 'till next week. Grr... it's evil I tells ya >