posted 07-18-99 03:38 AM ET            

If you are a completely pure Builder, try Demo + FM, and later add Wealth + Eudaimonic. This will give a great advantage over the other factions in terms of bases (+4 Growth, +5 Econ when in wealth, +3 Industry, +2 Eff.). However it will render your armies useless, whether fighting with conv. forces or alien life forms (-3 Planet, -5 Police, -4 Morale).
Two hints for this radical style:
-You might want to go for Knowledge instead of Wealth. It will give you a research bonus, but also a probing penalty (which is harmless when playing UoP).
-When you have Eudaimonia, and don't posses (for some strange reason) the Cloning Vats, you would want to start a Population Boom (analogical in Civ and Civ2 to the growth effect of "We love the _ day" when in Demo - but for all cities) by changing to Planned for some time. Your Economy should go through this without major problems.

For a mixed Builder-Conqueror strategy use Demo + Green, and later Knowledge and Cybernetic (when in war - but only after you build the Network Backbone - those -3 Police could hinder your military operations) or Eudaimonic (when in peace or in a small conflict). This should provide you with an adequate build - up potential without seriously distorting your army's strength.

Finally, for a pure Conqueror style, consider SE choices that increase your faction's morale, support, police or even your Planet rating- these are Fundamentalist or Police State, Planned or Green, Power and Thought Control. Great military boost at the price of a complete economic stagnation.

Remember, you don't need to go to the extremes. Try to experiment with different settings. E.g. in times of peace hide your claws by switching to more "peaceful" settings (unless you're going for world conquest AQAP); when you're fighting a war and losing, switch to more "militarized" options. However, nothing radical - as with any revolution it wastes time and resources, not just these 40 credits (or less/more) of Upheaval costs.

Other Final Tips:
-Pick a faction/s to suit your style. Typical builder is Morgan. Typical conqueror is Miriam.
-Again, going into extremes can harm you more than help you.
-There's no SE panacea.

'nuff said .