Alpha Centauri 2

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri & Alien Crossfire => Modding => Topic started by: Jerzul on October 15, 2017, 01:41:34 PM

Title: Custom Faction Power Ranking
Post by: Jerzul on October 15, 2017, 01:41:34 PM

First - Great site you have here! It's amazing to find an active forum for this game in 2017!

Second - I was curious how the people here determined how custom factions are balanced compared to each other. I found this site (http://alphacentauri.us/fac-tool/rate.htm (http://alphacentauri.us/fac-tool/rate.htm)) and I was wondering if people thought that was a fair way of rating the factions. If not, did someone else come up with a guide? Thanks!

Title: Re: Custom Faction Power Ranking
Post by: lithovore on October 21, 2017, 02:32:31 AM

There is a very interesting bunch of math normalising social engineering values in order to weight them against one another here:
 http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Social_Engineering_Mod (http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Social_Engineering_Mod).

I have to say I completely disagree with the author's changes to the social engineering table, but the calculations as to the value of different bonuses are instructive.  Of particular interest in the way the author considers how the value of different bonuses changes over time - for example, growth is valuable at the beginning, rather less so once everyone is freely pop booming and growth is of little importance.  The value of economy is marginal at +1, but HUGE at +2.

I realise this doesn't really answer your question, but it might offer another way of looking at things!

Title: Re: Custom Faction Power Ranking
Post by: Jerzul on October 22, 2017, 02:03:30 PM

Thank you! This is what I was looking for. I also agree with you that his SE choices aren't what I'd do, but his analysis is solid!

Title: Re: Custom Faction Power Ranking
Post by: Nexii on November 08, 2017, 01:31:13 AM

Yea his values aren't that close what I would use when trying to figure out how 'good' a faction is.  However I do remember running into this site awhile back and it's a good way of thinking in general.  For every benefit and penalty have a number in mind, and try to balance the end numbers somewhat