Tell me all the handy tips you have for AC.

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Author Topic:   Tell me all the handy tips you have for AC.

MikeH II posted 03-31-99 10:44 AM ET
I might have posted a lot of messages on this forum but I haven't played very many games of SMAC yet, only a few in fact. This is partly because I seem to take ages doing everything so I need help, my strategy is sound my tactics cunning but my progress slow. (nothing to do with my computer slowing down either)
You know the type of thing I need, sneaky shortcut keys, ways you get automatic things to do what you want, cunning devices that remind you to eat, etc.
I can find them all out but which ones are really useful? You use them almost every turn.
MikeH.
The Doc posted 03-31-99 10:59 AM ET
Here's one tip: As soon as you get the advance that allows Hypnotic Trance special ability, change all new defensive units (the 1-x-1 type) to have this ability (hit U for workshop, create the new unit, make the original one obsolete). This ability does NOT add to the cost if the unit is slow). It seems the game should do this automatically but it doesn't do it right away.
MoSe posted 03-31-99 11:14 AM ET
I read in some 'Stars!' documentation (I really did only try some single player demo play of that game) that the developer (intended to) devise some UI option for mouse only interaction: that was meant to allow you to reach for the Stars! with one hand, leaving you a free hand to reach for pop-corn while you seat at your workstation.
The way I get automatic things to do what I want, is to de-automate them and do it by handwork.
For the rest I'm really much yon your very same situation, this is mostly because I enjoy much more being in the Forums and devise and figure out everything off the top of my head (virtual fiction).
So I join you in your wait for really useful tips.
Certhas posted 03-31-99 11:15 AM ET
My games take forever, too. Because of that I often save, and later go back to try a different tactic (I consider myselve in the learning phase), for a month could pass before I get in a only remotly similar position again.
Keys I use often are Ctrl-R and Ctrl-T for roads and magtubes, but this is certainly not what you had in mind.
MikeH II posted 04-01-99 04:26 AM ET
I never go back to an old save. I don't know why but it's not my style.
Great tip from The Doc, I'd never thought of that. I feel stupid now that I didn't.
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Author	Topic: Tell me all the handy tips you have for AC.
MikeH II	posted 03-31-99 10:44 AM ET I might have posted a lot of messages on this forum but I haven't played very many games of SMAC yet, only a few in fact. This is partly because I seem to take ages doing everything so I need help, my strategy is sound my tactics cunning but my progress slow. (nothing to do with my computer slowing down either) You know the type of thing I need, sneaky shortcut keys, ways you get automatic things to do what you want, cunning devices that remind you to eat, etc. I can find them all out but which ones are really useful? You use them almost every turn. MikeH.
The Doc	posted 03-31-99 10:59 AM ET Here's one tip: As soon as you get the advance that allows Hypnotic Trance special ability, change all new defensive units (the 1-x-1 type) to have this ability (hit U for workshop, create the new unit, make the original one obsolete). This ability does NOT add to the cost if the unit is slow). It seems the game should do this automatically but it doesn't do it right away.
MoSe	posted 03-31-99 11:14 AM ET I read in some 'Stars!' documentation (I really did only try some single player demo play of that game) that the developer (intended to) devise some UI option for mouse only interaction: that was meant to allow you to reach for the Stars! with one hand, leaving you a free hand to reach for pop-corn while you seat at your workstation. The way I get automatic things to do what I want, is to de-automate them and do it by handwork. For the rest I'm really much yon your very same situation, this is mostly because I enjoy much more being in the Forums and devise and figure out everything off the top of my head (virtual fiction). So I join you in your wait for really useful tips.
Certhas	posted 03-31-99 11:15 AM ET My games take forever, too. Because of that I often save, and later go back to try a different tactic (I consider myselve in the learning phase), for a month could pass before I get in a only remotly similar position again. Keys I use often are Ctrl-R and Ctrl-T for roads and magtubes, but this is certainly not what you had in mind.
MikeH II	posted 04-01-99 04:26 AM ET I never go back to an old save. I don't know why but it's not my style. Great tip from The Doc, I'd never thought of that. I feel stupid now that I didn't.