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Author Topic:   Transcend Help

Natguy posted 06-10-99 10:24 AM ET
Howdy. Since I got SMAC I've been working my way up the levels, and yesterday I finished the Thinker game, which makes the next game Transcend.
If you have any suggestions for the game, please tell me. I think I'll play the UoP, but somebody tell me if they think it's a bad choice, please.
I probably won't be able to start it for about another two weeks, though, as on Sunday I go to a gifted camp thingy, but they have computers there so I'll be able to check in on the Ol' Forum.
Well, goodbye. The book about Julius Caesar I'm reading is calling my name (Rome is something of an obsession of mine) although I'll probably skim through the Forum before I go.
Nathan the Newbie
signing off.
DilithiumDad posted 06-10-99 10:35 AM ET
I actually don't like transcend that much, mainly because I am a builder mostly and the AI gets very aggressive on transcend. All your citizens are drones after the first one, so a lot of effort has to be expended on all-out drone control.
Gixxer posted 06-10-99 11:30 AM ET
I am a builder too, so I play on Thinker as well. (I was so disappointed with SC3K) Anyway, my roommate did the same thing working his way up the levels. He played the majority as the Hive, but played his Transcend game as UoP and was (mostly) successful.
Smeagol posted 06-10-99 01:11 PM ET
What I've noticed about transcend level is this: though it isn't actually all that much harder than thinker, it is pretty much the only level at which the AI has any chance at all to compete. Unfortunately, I don't find the level fun to play on, because I have to micromanage every detail to the point where I lose my desire to play the game. I like to be able to play casually and make mistakes every now and then, and in the early stages of the game, Transcend level does not allow this.
Getting back to the point of this thread-- If you can play the UoP on Thinker without a problem, then you are doing fine and can certainly use them on transcend. I think they are an excellent choice on this level, as are the Hive and PKs. But if you can manage the drones of the UoP successfully, then you will probably have the most success with them.
Series II posted 06-10-99 01:15 PM ET
Ditto on all that. I do micromanage, but on trans it is SO much of a pain. If I want more of a challange I can change the world layout to hinder my particular faction.
Tried trans, don't like it.
K posted 06-10-99 03:38 PM ET
Don't listen to those sad asses, go for TI. You'll never regret it.
Only in TI do you actually have to use all aspects of the game and learn economy in your choices. The crucial early game choice of Rec Commons vs. Colony Pod vs. Recon Rover really tests your skills at decisive strategic thinking.
Natguy posted 06-10-99 03:41 PM ET
Thanks for your suggestions everybody. I've started a game as UoP and you're right, it isn't very fun. I think I'll stick to Thinker, but I'll finish this one out before I can say that for sure.
Koshko posted 06-11-99 12:22 AM ET
I'm a builder and I like Transcend. Once you get pass the initial Drones, you'll like it. Try Morgan. With the max 4 pop w/o Habs, all you need to do is build a Rec Common and Human Genome, and you can mass-produce Colony Pods and not worry about Riots.
MichaeltheGreat posted 06-11-99 01:12 AM ET
All of the factions are viable with Transcend, but PK's ahve an initial advanteage with the extra proportion of Talents in their population. You have to build Human Genome and Virtual World to help manage drones, but unless you have a bad starting position, you can dominate the AI while playing ANY faction at transcend.
Builder, conqueror, trancendent victory - it doesn't matter. I play all factions strictly as Transcend/Ironman, but have pretty much given up on thrashing the AI, and now do PBEM's and occasional IP play exclusively. The human interaction, and particularly out of game communication, adds another level of interest and complexity to the game.
StargazerBC posted 06-11-99 02:04 AM ET
I'm a builder and I've got to say, It's a lot more fun building at Transcend. Of course, ever since I increased the bonuses, by 3, for the computer factions and deleted their negatives ::Grins:: I've been more of a conquerer. . . But yes, it's still possible to make build all of the SP's (god believe it. . I've done it sometimes. . .usually miss 1 or 2)
Who do I play? Peacekeepers with no bonuses or minuses. I can't handle losing Coucil votes to the peacekeepers ::shudders::
tricks of the trade:
Never ever stop growing:
1. My usual build order: scout. pod. recylcing. pod. Former (might build this instead of 1st pod if I have to plant a lot of forest/terraforming b/c of bad areas). SP
2. Supply Crawlers for energy.
3. Expand in a circular web. I forest almost everything so my population growth is linear until Planetary Transit ::Grins:: This'll keep efficiency high. Don't worry about overlapping squares. If you forest everything (except for green/food areas You'll have more than enough space (4-6 spaces less is better, actually, because eco-damage will be a real pain from the forest later on). The Web Structure also helps to defend as invaders'll take longer to penetrate your country.
4. Don't ever build the Hab Dome (except for maybe beginning cities). More cities of 16 is a lot better than few cities of 30+. . .especially when someone has PB's ::grins:: And those people'll be starving once cloud cover increases or your supply line drops.
5. Use unconventional warfare. It'll save on support. Why build a bunch of units when 1 former can destroy the land and a few tactical units to hold ZOC's. Or Spies
6. Always harvest mindworms like you're harvesting resources in a RTS.
7. 1-1 units with radar for air patrolling. And High end units to mop up invaders.
8. In the Beginning, spend 20-30% on Psych (in SE window). Since, you won't be making that much money anyway it's good to use it for Psych. Then, you can get those golden ages very soon.
9. The AI is a joke unless you tweak them to make it harder.
10. If you do it right, you should have at least 12 bases within 50 turns. I usually aim for 25 and end up with about 19 or 20
Theses work for me
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Author	Topic: Transcend Help
Natguy	posted 06-10-99 10:24 AM ET Howdy. Since I got SMAC I've been working my way up the levels, and yesterday I finished the Thinker game, which makes the next game Transcend. If you have any suggestions for the game, please tell me. I think I'll play the UoP, but somebody tell me if they think it's a bad choice, please. I probably won't be able to start it for about another two weeks, though, as on Sunday I go to a gifted camp thingy, but they have computers there so I'll be able to check in on the Ol' Forum. Well, goodbye. The book about Julius Caesar I'm reading is calling my name (Rome is something of an obsession of mine) although I'll probably skim through the Forum before I go. Nathan the Newbie signing off.
DilithiumDad	posted 06-10-99 10:35 AM ET I actually don't like transcend that much, mainly because I am a builder mostly and the AI gets very aggressive on transcend. All your citizens are drones after the first one, so a lot of effort has to be expended on all-out drone control.
Gixxer	posted 06-10-99 11:30 AM ET I am a builder too, so I play on Thinker as well. (I was so disappointed with SC3K) Anyway, my roommate did the same thing working his way up the levels. He played the majority as the Hive, but played his Transcend game as UoP and was (mostly) successful.
Smeagol	posted 06-10-99 01:11 PM ET What I've noticed about transcend level is this: though it isn't actually all that much harder than thinker, it is pretty much the only level at which the AI has any chance at all to compete. Unfortunately, I don't find the level fun to play on, because I have to micromanage every detail to the point where I lose my desire to play the game. I like to be able to play casually and make mistakes every now and then, and in the early stages of the game, Transcend level does not allow this. Getting back to the point of this thread-- If you can play the UoP on Thinker without a problem, then you are doing fine and can certainly use them on transcend. I think they are an excellent choice on this level, as are the Hive and PKs. But if you can manage the drones of the UoP successfully, then you will probably have the most success with them.
Series II	posted 06-10-99 01:15 PM ET Ditto on all that. I do micromanage, but on trans it is SO much of a pain. If I want more of a challange I can change the world layout to hinder my particular faction. Tried trans, don't like it.
K	posted 06-10-99 03:38 PM ET Don't listen to those sad asses, go for TI. You'll never regret it. Only in TI do you actually have to use all aspects of the game and learn economy in your choices. The crucial early game choice of Rec Commons vs. Colony Pod vs. Recon Rover really tests your skills at decisive strategic thinking.
Natguy	posted 06-10-99 03:41 PM ET Thanks for your suggestions everybody. I've started a game as UoP and you're right, it isn't very fun. I think I'll stick to Thinker, but I'll finish this one out before I can say that for sure.
Koshko	posted 06-11-99 12:22 AM ET I'm a builder and I like Transcend. Once you get pass the initial Drones, you'll like it. Try Morgan. With the max 4 pop w/o Habs, all you need to do is build a Rec Common and Human Genome, and you can mass-produce Colony Pods and not worry about Riots.
MichaeltheGreat	posted 06-11-99 01:12 AM ET All of the factions are viable with Transcend, but PK's ahve an initial advanteage with the extra proportion of Talents in their population. You have to build Human Genome and Virtual World to help manage drones, but unless you have a bad starting position, you can dominate the AI while playing ANY faction at transcend. Builder, conqueror, trancendent victory - it doesn't matter. I play all factions strictly as Transcend/Ironman, but have pretty much given up on thrashing the AI, and now do PBEM's and occasional IP play exclusively. The human interaction, and particularly out of game communication, adds another level of interest and complexity to the game.
StargazerBC	posted 06-11-99 02:04 AM ET I'm a builder and I've got to say, It's a lot more fun building at Transcend. Of course, ever since I increased the bonuses, by 3, for the computer factions and deleted their negatives ::Grins:: I've been more of a conquerer. . . But yes, it's still possible to make build all of the SP's (god believe it. . I've done it sometimes. . .usually miss 1 or 2) Who do I play? Peacekeepers with no bonuses or minuses. I can't handle losing Coucil votes to the peacekeepers ::shudders:: tricks of the trade: Never ever stop growing: 1. My usual build order: scout. pod. recylcing. pod. Former (might build this instead of 1st pod if I have to plant a lot of forest/terraforming b/c of bad areas). SP 2. Supply Crawlers for energy. 3. Expand in a circular web. I forest almost everything so my population growth is linear until Planetary Transit ::Grins:: This'll keep efficiency high. Don't worry about overlapping squares. If you forest everything (except for green/food areas You'll have more than enough space (4-6 spaces less is better, actually, because eco-damage will be a real pain from the forest later on). The Web Structure also helps to defend as invaders'll take longer to penetrate your country. 4. Don't ever build the Hab Dome (except for maybe beginning cities). More cities of 16 is a lot better than few cities of 30+. . .especially when someone has PB's ::grins:: And those people'll be starving once cloud cover increases or your supply line drops. 5. Use unconventional warfare. It'll save on support. Why build a bunch of units when 1 former can destroy the land and a few tactical units to hold ZOC's. Or Spies 6. Always harvest mindworms like you're harvesting resources in a RTS. 7. 1-1 units with radar for air patrolling. And High end units to mop up invaders. 8. In the Beginning, spend 20-30% on Psych (in SE window). Since, you won't be making that much money anyway it's good to use it for Psych. Then, you can get those golden ages very soon. 9. The AI is a joke unless you tweak them to make it harder. 10. If you do it right, you should have at least 12 bases within 50 turns. I usually aim for 25 and end up with about 19 or 20 Theses work for me