Alpha Centauri Forums
Strategies and Tactics
poll : best secret projects
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Alpha Centauri Forums
Strategies and Tactics
poll : best secret projects
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| Author | Topic: poll : best secret projects |
| Kris Huysmans |
posted 05-23-99 05:18 AM ET  
One player can only give one vote. You can't split your vote. So you must choice ONE. I vote for The Cloning Vats. Because they give you a population boom and in every civ liking game population is power how more population how more power 
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| Michael Kelly |
posted 05-23-99 06:03 AM ET
Cloning vats also but mainly because you can get power and thought control with no negatives! P.S Everyone please keep a running total of the votes so far: Cloning vats = 2 |
| laurens |
posted 05-23-99 10:59 AM ET
Neural Amplifier Would really love to add in Twister, but since there's only one choice...
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| ApcJK |
posted 05-23-99 11:07 AM ET
Ascent to Transcendence |
| Sir Proverbius |
posted 05-23-99 11:31 AM ET
Hunter-Seeker Algorhythm.. I hate being probed but it's good to know I can probe the other guy! > |
| Black Dragon |
posted 05-23-99 01:41 PM ET
Assuming you are not talking about the A to T, I would say the telepathic matrix. |
| Plato90s |
posted 05-23-99 02:56 PM ET
Telepathic Matrix. There are other ways to get population booms, but there is no other way to shut all the drones up simultaneously. |
| mcginnism |
posted 05-23-99 07:01 PM ET
My vote is definitely for Hunter-Seeker. There is nothing I hate more than having either units or cities mind-controlled, but I don't like running a fundamentalist government. Telepathic matrix is pretty cool too, but it comes up so late in the game, that it doesn't have that much impact on the game. |
| mcginnism |
posted 05-23-99 07:04 PM ET
Running total: Telepathic Matrix: 2 |
| K |
posted 05-23-99 09:09 PM ET
Waether Paradigm. Good terraforming means the difrence between a crappy city and a great city. It's also nice to have Boreholes already built instant you get the tech for +2 minerals. |
| K |
posted 05-23-99 09:12 PM ET
Sorry, most days I do actually look at the screeen to make sure I correctly key in everything. |
| High Priest |
posted 05-23-99 10:10 PM ET
Uhhhh... take out the A to T, its far too obvious I suppose I'll have to vote for HS. The ability to be invincible from probes can really help you out(and no one else is completely invincible, either) The cloning vats are very good, too, and there really isn't much that makes HS better, but you can only vote once, sooooooo....... Hunter Seeker: 3 The Telepathic Matrix can be very helpful on late games, but it comes so late in the game, I've usually just about won, anyway, or I've found a reliable system to zap drones. Plus, it doesn't help on Golden Ages, any. High Priest |
| High Priest |
posted 05-23-99 10:11 PM ET
Ugh, forgot to erase the A to T. High Priest |
| Datalink |
posted 05-24-99 12:27 AM ET
I suppose i would have to say Hunter-seeker. Since i generally have the advantage in tech, and am always next to the believers (sigh), i don't like having my hard earned knowledge stolen by some laze good for nothing... um, by another faction. Running total Hunter-Seeker: 4 (took our A to S for you high priest). |
| Kris Huysmans |
posted 05-24-99 02:44 AM ET
Ok, because the A to T is more like a spaceship(civ 2) then like a wonder it will not be include on this poll |
| Kris Huysmans |
posted 05-24-99 02:46 AM ET
But ApcJK you can give a new vote when you want. |
| Zonker |
posted 05-24-99 03:09 AM ET
All things being equal, I'd have to go with the Cloning Vats, for the population boom. Telepathic Matrix is great, too, but the Vats could have already decided the game by the time you could get it. However, depending on level and faction, some things become much, much more important. Oh, and I think someone left out a vote for the Weather Paradigm. Total: |
| Stasis Archon |
posted 05-24-99 07:40 AM ET
On transcend level the Telepathic Matriz is the best. On lower levels I prefer the Hunter-Seeker. Hunter-Seeker Algorithm: 5 |
| george6865 |
posted 05-24-99 08:44 AM ET
Virtual World. Virtual World is to drones what SMAC is to us. |
| RRKJ |
posted 05-24-99 10:32 PM ET
I have to vote for Hunter-Seeker, its a must when playing UoP. Hunter-Seeker Algorithm: 6 |
| Igor |
posted 05-25-99 10:55 AM ET
Human Genome Project. Prevent Prometeus(?) virus and help expand. |
| icosahedron |
posted 05-25-99 11:47 AM ET
Telepathic matrix. |
| Kris Huysmans |
posted 05-25-99 12:09 PM ET
the score is now: Hunter-Seeker Algorithm: 6 |
| Beta1 |
posted 05-25-99 12:20 PM ET
Hunter-Seeker. I like command nexus to but Hunter seeker is the best |
| laurens |
posted 05-25-99 01:19 PM ET
Dear Igor: It's the Longevity vaccine that prevents the spread, not the Genome project. |
| Porkmonger |
posted 05-25-99 02:35 PM ET
I'm going to cast my vote for a rather underappreciated SP... the Maritime Control centre. This thing gives you complete naval dominance, which can be really helpful in the early/mid-game, especially if you're playing on 30% landmass. This, the command nexus, and the cyborg factory are especially good; particularly if you're a peaceful faction. The morale bonus most helps your city defense units, since they're particularly important and generally don't see all that much combat. |
| Veracitas |
posted 05-25-99 03:27 PM ET
I suppose it all depends on the unique variables within the individual game itself, but, overall, I would go with the Cloning Vats just because population is an extremely important asset in SMAC. Unlike the real world, more population always means more power (except drone problems, but, if you have that many drones, you already have a large infrastructure anyway) Running Total: |
| HeatherWst |
posted 05-25-99 03:51 PM ET
For me, definite Hunter Seeker. Running Total: |
| warmachine |
posted 05-25-99 04:54 PM ET
The Cyborg Factory. Gives you that wonderful edge in combined warfare, especially with Interceptors. Running Total: |
| Igor |
posted 05-26-99 09:57 AM ET
Dear laurens. HG ALSO prevents epidemic, just check it. I like LV but it comes to late even on Huge 30% landmark map. HG helps to sprout a colony with less problems from bureaucracy. Moreover, effect of HG doesnt depend on an economical choice. |
| Series II |
posted 05-26-99 10:26 AM ET
Well the best SP sort of depends on where you are in the game. Perhaps a better question would be best 200, 300, 400, 500 SP, but my vote goes to Weather Paradigm becasue I play on a huge Island worlds. I love connecting my islands into one land mass and the early boreholes are a BIG bonus. I also sink enemy cities and make land bridges to enemy land rather often. Hunter seeker would best mid game and Telepathic Matrix is the best late game. Running Total: |
| Leahcim |
posted 05-26-99 12:20 PM ET
The Virtual World Free Hologram Theatres with no maintenance costs. Hunter-Seeker Algorithm -8 |
| Zozo |
posted 05-26-99 04:51 PM ET
I vote for Virtual World at deity level. I go for it and even get it playing as the Believer :-). By the time I need to build the first Recreation Common, I am so far ahead of the rest of the pack that the game is pretty much over. That is, as in the current game as the Gainnes, that Miriam b*tch doesn't decide to do an Impact infantry rush on me forcing me to spend all the early and rare mineral resources on the defence and can't build a single Network Node until around the year 2220. Drones were everywhere. What use is the Virtual World if you can't afford the minerals to build the Networld Nodes ? |
| laurens |
posted 05-26-99 10:13 PM ET
Igor: Sorry, didn't get a chance to see that the HGP could help to prevent the spread, and neither do I see the computer doing it. If that's the case, then the HGP would indeed be better off since you get it early in the game. |
| drako |
posted 05-27-99 04:17 AM ET
My vote is for the Universal Translator I get 30-40 alien artifacts on a huge map & if u link it all up to the Universal Translator (plus the 2 free tech), I am so far ahead in tech that the game is as good as over. |
| Kris Huysmans |
posted 05-27-99 11:39 AM ET
the score is now: Hunter-Seeker Algorithm 8 |
| rem63 |
posted 05-27-99 01:09 PM ET
It has to be Hunter Seeker. It's essential if you like UofP like I do. Eliminate your weakness totally. Gotta love it. |
| VictorK |
posted 05-27-99 11:25 PM ET
I vote for Weather Paradigm. I don't like to rely on hybrid forests, and Weather Paradigm allows me to build better structures much faster: boreholes for 0-6-6; echelon mirror networks, rivers and terraform up for 10+ energy per square; farm/enricher/condenser for 10 nutrients w/ nutrient bonus, 13 nutrients w/ nutrient bonus and jungle. Compared to 3-2-2 for hybrid forests, which are expensive to build in mid game. HSA is overrated IMO. It is very convenient against probes, but nothing more than that. Especially if I already have Command Nexus, which allows me to build high-morale defensive probes in all bases before I can build HSA. I play UoP at transcend, and HSA is behind Xenoempathy Dome, Maritime Control Center and Ascetic Virtues (among several other early SPs) on my priority list, and when I've got all those, I'll have the later SPs (e.g. Cloning Vats) to build. |
| MrMojoRisin |
posted 05-28-99 10:46 AM ET
I also give the Weather Paradigm my vote as well and think that HSA is overrated. WP gives you such a good start in terraforming and this game is all about getting a great start. In contrast to the vote for WP just prior to mine though I love to switch to forests with Tree Farm/Hybrid because 2 production from a square is better than 1, you can still build rivers through forests, and it is too expensive to terraform up everywhere for the return you get. Besides, Tree Farm/Hybrid costs 8 (i think) maintenance but gives you +100% econ/psych and lets you build as many damn boreholes as you want! |
| Series II |
posted 05-28-99 10:59 AM ET
the score is now: Hunter-Seeker Algorithm 9 Another Former trick/bug is that you can't build a aquafir next to a river square, but you can build an aquafir next to a former that is also building an aquafir. Just for fun I put 6 formers in Garland Crater and started them all drilling aquafirs at the same time. I got 8 river squares out of the effort. |
| VictorK |
posted 05-28-99 03:11 PM ET
In response to MrMojoRosin's comments: I don't generally "terraform up everywhere"; I build echelon mirror networks, rivers and terraform up and terraform up is usually last in that order, depending on the number of squares that are raised per terraform action (if performed at the top of a hill, adjacent squares are also raised). Hybrid forest gives me 2 energy (not counting river and free market), and a 1000-2000m square next to 2 mirrors gives me 4. If I build the WP, by mid game I already have many squares producing that amount of energy, and I don't want to mess with that. I use hybrid forests, but only selectively in bases. By mid game, it is too expensive to buy hybrid forests in every base. |
| NoMercy |
posted 05-28-99 03:49 PM ET
Definitely Weather Paradigm 1) It's early HSA is great but WP is essential! Hunter-Seeker Algorithm 9 |
| KrazyJ |
posted 05-28-99 06:13 PM ET
I like to play with lots of water cities, dont ask me why. I just think there cool. so the Maritime Control Center is a must. Plus, to a lesser extent, like CivII if u control the ocean's u got it made. almost. Hunter-Seeker Algorithm 9 |
| RSHER |
posted 05-28-99 07:00 PM ET
I have to vote for the HSA, but for a reason nobody else has mentioned. I love the WP and try my best to build it, but I'd just hate it if I actually had to fight to get all of my enemies cities when it's so much more efficient to buy them. If they had HSA, I couldn't do that. Hunter-Seeker Algorithm 10 Rodney |
| papillon |
posted 05-29-99 12:56 AM ET
These are all great choices but I think we should get at least one vote in for Citizens' Defense Iniative. It gives me such a feeling of security knowing that when I take over an enemy base it will immediately have a defense perimeter, so I rarely experience the back and forth win/loss of bases that I see other warring factions suffering. When I take a base it stays taken. I would have opted for the HSA, but I am currently in a game where I didn't get it. Brother Lal did. I have handled this problem by doing everything possible to block off easy access to my lands, putting counterspies in cities I can't otherwise protect, and keeping as much cash as possible in the bank. On the other hand, life with the HSA is a lot less tense. I hate to have my hard-earned tech advances stolen away by worthless, ignorant fritterers. IT DRIVES ME MAD! BTW, doesn't the Longevity Vaccine just make people happier? |
| Rackam |
posted 05-30-99 07:44 AM ET
Universal Translator, two free advances and I usually save all the alien artifacts I find just for this. Then the rest of the SP's I can build at leisure since the others are still low-tech. Hunter-Seeker Algorithm 10 ~Rackam |
| seth5454 |
posted 05-30-99 11:23 AM ET
The Hunter Seeker Algorithm is the best because when the AI is on par with u it tends to send more probes at u. |
| MrMojoRisin |
posted 05-30-99 11:51 AM ET
Question: Does cashing artifacts at the base with the Universal Translator give you any bonus or does the UT just let you cash in as many as you want in the one base (an advantage that doesn't seem all that big if you have a node in every base anyway) |
| PatrickD |
posted 05-30-99 12:41 PM ET
I'd have to vote for the Weather Paradigm, simply because you can then drill boreholes like crazy and churn out needljets and stuff. The energy also helps you get the research. Current total: |
| K |
posted 05-30-99 05:22 PM ET
I want to change my vote from Weather Paradigm to Command Nexus. Because? 1. It's a SP that lasts 9/10ths of the game. 2. It provides a critical facility to all bases, thereby saving a total of hundreds of production turns which could be spend on something else. 3. The energy maintainance is variable for a Command Nexus(Not sure why. Possibly based on base size or # of supported units). If you have a Command Nexus, then you don't have to worry about the expenditure of energy on a empire-wide basis. |
| eNo |
posted 05-30-99 06:12 PM ET
Weather Paradigm Hunter-Seeker Algorithm: 11 MrMojoRisin, I'm pretty sure you don't get a bonus. The only effects I've noticed is two free advances when built and the artifact cashing. |
| 1212 |
posted 05-30-99 06:50 PM ET
The planetary data links. It allows you to more freely research what you want or need and not fall to far behind . Now this should be on the higher levels of play because the AI resaerches faster. Weather Paradigm: Sure you can build boreholes and such but are you willing to stick around for all the damage. Hunter Seeker: Yeah this is good. But when you play on 256x256 maps it becomes silly because so little probe teams come your way. Cloning Vats: great i think, but all those drones!!! and the telepathic matrix doesnt come soon enough to help. Telepathic Matrix. It would be better earlier in the game but its not(probably for play balance). Virtual world: this would be my second choice. not only do you not have to build those damn hologram theaters and use time, you also dont have to maintain them. Citzens defense: Same as above
Universal Translator: no way in hell this is the most usefull. By the time you build it there arent many unity pods left. +100% labs. yeah so does the super collider. Maritime controll center: its okay. i suppose for one that uses a navy liberally. Nueral Amplifier: i think this is also a good one. along with the dream twister, cyborg factory, pholus mutagen, and Xeno empathy dome, and a centauri meditation thing in each base you could churn out locust armies that wpould be hardpressed to defeat. Comand Nexus, just like virtual world and the like. human genome projec: no!!!! Hunter-Seeker Algorithm: 11 |
| Undersea Dragon |
posted 05-31-99 06:04 PM ET
I have to go with the Hunter-Seeker Algorithm. I just love the immunity it gives, and when a rival steals my stuff it makes my blood boil! Besides, I will soon have a baby to take care of, and me screaming at the computer because it pilferred my hard earned tech would probably wake her resulting in me having less time to play SMAC. Hunter-Seeker Algorithm: 12 |
| 1212 |
posted 05-31-99 11:51 PM ET
Sorry the universal translator gives you 2 techs. just lazy i guess. but i still think that it still isnt that great when you consider the far reaching effects of the other ones. |
| High Priest |
posted 06-01-99 09:59 PM ET
AHHHHH!!!!  You fools. The WP only has five votes, K changed his vote from WP to CN, he didn't just vote CN. Actual score is: Hunter-Seeker Algorithm: 12 Weather Paradigm: 5 Cloning Vats: 4 Telepathic Matrix: 3 Virtual World: 3 Maritime Control Center: 2 Universal Translator: 2 Citizens' Defense Force: 1 Human Genome Project: 1 Neural Amplifier: 1 Cyborg Factory: 1 Command Nexus: 1 Planetary Data Links:1 High Priest |
| eNo |
posted 06-01-99 10:55 PM ET
Actually it's 6 votes because I subtracted K's vote and then added my own to the total. Net gain = 0 so it stays at 6! Hunter-Seeker Algorithm: 12 |
| High Priest |
posted 06-02-99 02:03 PM ET
AHHHHH... I see sorry  High Priest |
| DilithiumDad |
posted 06-02-99 02:11 PM ET
Add another vote for the Weather Paradigm (cool video, too) |
| Series II |
posted 06-02-99 02:38 PM ET
I have voted, but want to speak up from my under appreciated SP. THe Weather Paradigm is THE project to get. An early borehole at your first 4 cities makes getting almost every secret project almost a breeze. The boreholes give you a HUGE advantage for mineral and energy production. Raising Terrain is also a great ability to 'claim' a nice uncolonized land mass next to your initial landing. I use ships less and land bridges (with a hord of land units) more for attacking neighboring factions. |
| Igor |
posted 06-03-99 02:27 AM ET
When I get EcoEng, I'm in middle of game, when I get EnvEcon.... As Hive or Believers with their support, just build 1 more formers for every base. WP is good, but HG is better. Or CN, or EG. |
| laurens |
posted 06-03-99 10:20 AM ET
Change of vote: Got to admit that the initial Neural Amplifier preference was bit of a biased decision. After a thorough analysis, best SP to benefit the majority would be the Hunter-Seeker. Neural Amplifier = -1
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| LocustOfChiron |
posted 06-03-99 07:44 PM ET
I'm gonna have to vote Telepathic Matrix. The HSA is overrated. If you have your own island (which I usually do at 50-70%) or you have some nearby poor faction (like Yang) or you are allies with your neighbor (which is a good idea anyway) probes in your own cities does the job for 20 minerals instead of 300. The TM comes along a bit late, but theres no other power trip that even comes close to being able to have a city with 1 talent, 2 workers and 11 drones and it not rioting. This is a great way to get to the AtoT if youre in a little bit of a time crunch, too. The running total is: posted 06-03-99 10:20 AM ET Neural Amplifier = -1
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| Titan |
posted 06-03-99 08:56 PM ET
Telepathix Matrix. No drone riots is an incredible advantage. |
| Resource Consumer |
posted 06-04-99 11:49 AM ET
Cloning Vats - I just love the video - |
| Resource Consumer |
posted 06-04-99 11:50 AM ET
I'll update. Hunter-Seeker Algorithm: 13 |
| Oleg Leschoff |
posted 06-04-99 04:09 PM ET
Virtual World Rules! When I don't have it, I build NNs just after Rec.tanks, rec.commons, maybe something else. With VW, first thing I build (maybe after former, colony pod and recycling tanks) is Network Node. Thus, research rates are MUCH faster than without VW. In addition, it's very good idea to keep this out of UoP's control. It's too much for one man -- have a free NN and HT with it. |
| WhiteFox |
posted 06-04-99 07:01 PM ET
Hm... Gonna have ta go Telepathic Matrix Usually I play on huge maps, and have way more than the "efficiency base limit" of about 24 bases (for +1 Effic.) Telepathic Matrix is very good because it removes any chance of drone riots, so you can sell all your Rec Commons for quite a bit of money. Totals: |
| Oleg Leschoff |
posted 06-05-99 09:57 AM ET
You apparently meant this: Totals: WhiteFox: btw, to sell anti-drones or pro-talents facilities is a great way to prevent those useless Golden Ages. Right you are. |
| Krushala |
posted 06-05-99 10:14 AM ET
have to go for the cloning vats. It skyrockets you up the power graph. totals: |
| Denker |
posted 06-07-99 08:01 AM ET
When I build Cloning Vats the game is almost over, so this SP is pure luxury. No, the best SP can only be an early one and for me this Weather Paradigm. Most of the factions indivually have a better SP (Virtual World for UoP, Command Nexus for Spartans etc) but everyone benefits from WP. totals: |
| Natguy |
posted 06-09-99 11:40 AM ET
For me, it's the Empath Guild. I chose this because in the early game I tend to play a rather isolationist strategy, researching and getting ready for my mid-game late-game conquests. The Empath Guild lets me communicate with EVERYBODY, usually before anyone else can, so I have a tech-trading frenzy from which I emerge stronger with more technologies, more voted due to the 50% thing, as well as several allies (and enemies) This also lets me find out where people are so its easier to take them over. Totals: |
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