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Author Topic:   Neutral Faction

Warp Warrior posted 05-07-99 07:32 PM ET
Excuse me if this has been covered here before or if its is buried in this topic somewhere - if it is please point me to the correct thread. I was just wondering if you created a faction with no pluses, no negatives, no bonus anythings, no free anythings, could use any government and agenda, would this faction be fair, too easy to play, or too hard to play?
Then if you would play this faction or any other new faction, which faction of the original 7 should sit out the game to make it still "fair" so as not to be too easy or too hard but just the way they designed the game to be?
Smeagol posted 05-07-99 09:12 PM ET
First off, it would be REALLY boring to play. Other than that, it would be at a disadvantage, because every faction has an advantage. If you want to try a neutral faction that still has advantages just play the PKs.
Warp Warrior posted 05-08-99 02:12 PM ET
I can't see this being a boring faction, a can see it being a challange though.
Though not as efficient as the Gaians or the Hive, they would be more efficient than PK. Population growth would be normal, where you wouldn't need Hab complexes right away like Morgan but wouldn't get the extra capacity like PK. Tech advancement would be average, but still way above Believers and without the disadvantage of negative probe like UoP. They wouldn't be quite as content as Pk or Spartans with there police but better than UoP. Military would not be as good as Spartans but better than Gaians, supporting more free troops than Morgan. The economy would be better than the Hive but not as good as Morgan. Middle of the road on how Planet likes them. They would be able to build stuff faster than the Spartans, but not as fast as the Hive. I guess it would kind of depend on who you ended up next to in the begining of the game as to how easy or hard it could get, and what SP's you could build/capture. Build Ascetic Values and you suddenly have one of the same advantages as PK. Build the Command Nexus and/or the Cyborg Factory and you have the same advantage as the Spartans without having to waste time building those extra buildings and not have to waste the energy on upkeep. Sure, others could equal you militarily, and the Spartans could still be somewhat better, but their economy will take a larger hit on upkeep than yours. Build HSA and you have an advantage equal to Believers only better.
I guess I'll just have to try this sometime.
Smeagol posted 05-08-99 05:14 PM ET
I agree that it would be a challenge. You can't deny that the factions designed for SMAC all have advantages that overpower their hindrances. The PKs don't really have a disadvantage at all with the -1 efficiency, because they choose democracy anyway. Of course this still limits their max efficiency, but it isn't ever a factor in my games.
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Author	Topic: Neutral Faction
Warp Warrior	posted 05-07-99 07:32 PM ET Excuse me if this has been covered here before or if its is buried in this topic somewhere - if it is please point me to the correct thread. I was just wondering if you created a faction with no pluses, no negatives, no bonus anythings, no free anythings, could use any government and agenda, would this faction be fair, too easy to play, or too hard to play? Then if you would play this faction or any other new faction, which faction of the original 7 should sit out the game to make it still "fair" so as not to be too easy or too hard but just the way they designed the game to be?
Smeagol	posted 05-07-99 09:12 PM ET First off, it would be REALLY boring to play. Other than that, it would be at a disadvantage, because every faction has an advantage. If you want to try a neutral faction that still has advantages just play the PKs.
Warp Warrior	posted 05-08-99 02:12 PM ET I can't see this being a boring faction, a can see it being a challange though. Though not as efficient as the Gaians or the Hive, they would be more efficient than PK. Population growth would be normal, where you wouldn't need Hab complexes right away like Morgan but wouldn't get the extra capacity like PK. Tech advancement would be average, but still way above Believers and without the disadvantage of negative probe like UoP. They wouldn't be quite as content as Pk or Spartans with there police but better than UoP. Military would not be as good as Spartans but better than Gaians, supporting more free troops than Morgan. The economy would be better than the Hive but not as good as Morgan. Middle of the road on how Planet likes them. They would be able to build stuff faster than the Spartans, but not as fast as the Hive. I guess it would kind of depend on who you ended up next to in the begining of the game as to how easy or hard it could get, and what SP's you could build/capture. Build Ascetic Values and you suddenly have one of the same advantages as PK. Build the Command Nexus and/or the Cyborg Factory and you have the same advantage as the Spartans without having to waste time building those extra buildings and not have to waste the energy on upkeep. Sure, others could equal you militarily, and the Spartans could still be somewhat better, but their economy will take a larger hit on upkeep than yours. Build HSA and you have an advantage equal to Believers only better. I guess I'll just have to try this sometime.
Smeagol	posted 05-08-99 05:14 PM ET I agree that it would be a challenge. You can't deny that the factions designed for SMAC all have advantages that overpower their hindrances. The PKs don't really have a disadvantage at all with the -1 efficiency, because they choose democracy anyway. Of course this still limits their max efficiency, but it isn't ever a factor in my games.