Alpha Centauri 2

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri & Alien Crossfire => After Action Reports => Topic started by: NewAgeOfPower on September 29, 2012, 07:15:35 PM

Title: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 29, 2012, 07:15:35 PM
Hello everyone!

I've been searching for a unmodded ALPHAX.txt, since I lost my original while working on my mod (uncomplete, only 2 factions done)

(click to show/hide)

Anyways, screw it, these changes affect everyone equally (and I'm not using modded factions), starting SMAX with the mods.

I will playing as your local Russian Mad Scientist, with the original SMAC cast. No custom factions will be used.

 The Cast ;deidre; ;lal; ;miriam; ;morgan; ;santi; ;yang;

(http://i.imgur.com/JpYyc.png)

Planet is Large, with 30-50% surface in Ocean, 2 Moons giving average rate of Erosion, abundantly populated with Native Life, and life on Planet is BRUTALLY HARD.

(http://i.imgur.com/zX0Ov.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/DqXKE.png)

I hate techstag, personally. I love the coolness of Hovertanks and Skybases!
DO OR DIE TIME!

(http://i.imgur.com/7xZyW.png)

Oh yeah, mother always told me to eat some apples :D

The endings:

(click to show/hide)
Title: The First Years
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 29, 2012, 07:37:14 PM
The first few years are... Interesting.

First, I open up with the standard beeline. I think I'll go for IndEc route, lets play it safe...

What? 2 Pods??? Must be my lucky day...

(http://i.imgur.com/iG9FQ.png)

And... Jesus christ...

(http://i.imgur.com/m97lS.png)

The second pod... this is outrageously lucky. Its on my beeline too...

(http://i.imgur.com/cE17K.png)

Thats it. Building former on University base now. I send my colony pod further, and it stumbles into...

(http://i.imgur.com/BlVCC.png)

Usually, I stockpile Artifacts to rush very expensive techs, especially when I am near the Universal Translator Tech. However, I am feeling lucky today- setting up base, (Endisto Unity) and

(http://i.imgur.com/Vfbh2.png)

... Must be karma for all those times I randomly got mind-wormed...

My former finishes, and begins moving towards my second base, building roads and I think I'll go with Trees this game... Then an ugly anti-science redhead sticks her face in my com-channel, demands Centauri Ecology for her world map.

I laugh. I counter by offering to trade it for her Social Psych... which she accepts. She then offers me a treaty...

(http://i.imgur.com/cYqgQ.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/lbsDm.png)

I know how this is going to play out within the next 100 turns. I need to scout her out and calculate how many impact rovers I will need... But for now, mass bases. What do you guys all think? Accept for now? Thats what my gut (and a dozen games) tells me)...
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 29, 2012, 07:54:28 PM
I uh.. one more turned a bit. And forgot to take screenshots.

Oops.

I built a network of bases rapidly, using my Pod/Former/Recyc Rinse Repeat cycle, but the density of fungus is preventing me from ICSing. I rushed a few facilities, since the money is pouring in. I think I'll switch to heavier research SE settings once I get a few crawlers running.

Switching to Mines/Forests due to the heavy fungus preventing me from going pure forests.

Anyways, this is what the world looks like:

(http://i.imgur.com/4QMGi.png)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 29, 2012, 09:11:07 PM
I now own Miriam. I used "get off my lawn" twice to force her to declare war on me first.

I think I'll take Deidire next.

(http://i.imgur.com/Lkbmf.png)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on September 29, 2012, 09:14:11 PM
I have inspired folks :D Glad to have company on this kick.

University... interesting choice. Awesome research but drones and probes can mess your day up.

You did luck up with Centari Ecology first off bat. Kyrub and I think Scient were talking AI beelines one time and how it did not work well forcing them, but I personally facepalm when I see an AI 30 turns in without CE!

MSPaint works fine, but be sure you open it or even the freeware screenie apps BEFORE opening SMAX on some of our gfx cards. You will not be able to tell you are posting bad colors until you quit game and look at your thread in horror. The colors will still look messed up when you tab out in game, but they will be actually recorded right and you will see that upon closing SMAX. Only SMAC/X does that though. I will have to crank up another Win 98/95 era game and see if it is just pre Windows ME era stuff that does that.

I also noticed your beeline gets crawlers ASAP.

I usually with Zak go Centauri Ecology and then beeline Secrets of the Human Brain for free tech.

We missed a lot during your OMT one out. Don't worry. These 4X games make me one, too LOL!

Also, looks like Santiago is kicking some tail somewhere. Having rovers right off can do that.

EDIT: Not tab out, I mean quit game then look at your thread when describing screen capture/SMAX procedure. Corrected.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on September 29, 2012, 09:31:27 PM
Oh yeah... and holy jesus buddha crawlers! Then again, your avatar is a smiley face crawler IA logo!

MP folks put out that many crawlers?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 29, 2012, 11:03:58 PM
Yeah, drones are insanely difficult to deal with on Transcend, until you figure out that you should leave most of your bases size 1 until you grab HGP or Virtual world. This forces you to mass-expand, which is good, because bases are the most efficient square, early game.

It works for me. I haven't played MP, but crawlers are almost like free citizens... Within 100 years I have my core bases cranking out 40-50 mins/turn. My record so far was 800/turn, but that was just mass producing skybase crawlers and having mass produced boreholes for kicks...the sea level rising though, was absurd- rising over 5000 meters in 10 years? wtf?!?!
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 30, 2012, 01:39:02 AM
Ah crap. I forgot to take screenshots yet again.

(http://i.imgur.com/s8o98.png)

After I Miriam agreed to be my slave Pact mate, I grab FM. With my 20-40-40 SE settings, and Wealth, I quickly accrue about 1000 EC over 10 or so turns, and my populations boom. Golden Age at almost every base. I grab a half dozen or so SPs.

I'm getting the bureaucracy warning though (with new bases), so I switch Wealth to Science! (okay.. Knowledge) and my research rate remains the same, although my income drops dramatically.

Deidre threatens me, asking for Adv Ecological Engineering. I check my infiltrators- yep I can crush her. I laugh in her face, telling her to go away.

She says, fine, be like that. I sadface.

Some worms wipe out 3 of my crawlers, blowing up a mine. I send my Veteran Scout Patrol against a tiny mindworm... and he dies. Yeah, forgot I was running FM. >.> Sucks when you haven't played in months. Santiago builds the Supercollider, when I can't even see it on my tech tree!!! Grarggggrhhhh (This is a mini disaster for University)

Morgan calls me up, basically begging to treaty with me. 327 EC, power level = Feeble. I tell him to go away, then he offers me 325 EC to treaty. Sure... a few turns later, Yang erases his face from Planet.

Quickly realizing Yang could call and win Governorship, I crank out Empath Guild and switch to Green. Bribing Deidre with Adv Ecological Engineering, she pacts up with me (although is still ambivalent) and votes for me. I win Govenorship.

About 10 turns later, Deidre turns on me, abrogating our pact. We are still treatied though- and my forces are ready to punish her- but she won't pick up the phone!

I connect a land bridge to where I suspect Yang lies, and I see the borehole cluster! Chaos Needlejets scream down, eat my scouts, and begin attacking my eastern bases. Luckily for me, the AI is stupid dumb, and I park a few rovers to eat his forces. With Xenoempathy Dome and a sensor, Yang's forces are stuck in the mud while I abuse Monolith healing to rotate my forces.

He tries to crank out Planetary Datalinks. I realize I've actually given out a few T4 techs to other players, and I really want to be mean, so I cash in a half dozen supply rovers and snipe it. Yang takes Planetary Transit instead. Then, I finish researching MMI... and I have a dozen or so supply rovers lying around, stacked up...

(http://i.imgur.com/DRTpm.png)

Uh, I think I've won. I mean, sure, Deidre is ready to backstab me, except my army will crush hers in about 5 minutes (but I can't do anything to her, since she refuses to talk to me so I can't break our treaty... Unless I lose my Noble status. Hmm) and practically everyone else is at war with me, but... I have not only Cloud City but the Borg Factory too... And I have the edge in tech...
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 30, 2012, 03:19:55 AM
After repeatedly violating her territory with my troops, she angrily called me up and told me to pull out.

So I tried talking to her again, and voila! She picked up. I tell her to get out of my face and she declares vendetta... Predictably:

(http://i.imgur.com/Quqvt.png)

Despite her seething anger, she got on her knees and swore to serve me.

I really, really, think I won. If this game is boring... Please let me know. I'm getting a headache from hundreds of units.

Anyways, how do you guys want me to win?

By sword? [Conquest]
By votes? [Diplomatic]
By money? [Economic]
Or by Destiny [Transcendence]

Please vote below...
Title: So I opened my big fat mouth...
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 30, 2012, 03:43:24 AM
And this happens...

(http://i.imgur.com/1CLXt.png)

SPARRTTAAAAAAAA
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 30, 2012, 03:54:16 AM
You gonna have to whoop some Spartans....

As I told Green, Conquest is probably the most dramatic sort of victory for this sort of thing.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 30, 2012, 04:19:30 AM
Do you want a side of Nukes? :D I might be able to get the UN charter repealed (after I build 20 or 50 Orbats, of course)

I spent 440 EC rushing a destroyer probe team. It will take 3 turns to get to the nearest Spartan Base.

I hope she doesn't finish the HSA before then. That SP is CRITICAL to the University.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 30, 2012, 04:39:03 AM
I guess some PBs would make nice screenies... ;nuke;
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 30, 2012, 12:36:20 PM
Oh - and I posted this for you: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=99 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=99)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on September 30, 2012, 06:28:29 PM
Do you want a side of Nukes? :D I might be able to get the UN charter repealed (after I build 20 or 50 Orbats, of course)

I spent 440 EC rushing a destroyer probe team. It will take 3 turns to get to the nearest Spartan Base.

I hope she doesn't finish the HSA before then. That SP is CRITICAL to the University.

Hunter Seeker is needed for University. Almost more so than Virtual World. Otherwise, an enemy (even the AI) can just leech tech.

But.. hmm, a destroyer probe team? Does that get any benefit over foil probes for the cost?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 30, 2012, 07:23:17 PM
Substantially more range.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 30, 2012, 08:36:51 PM
Movement rate. Since I can't build needlejet probes, this is the fastest probe available to me. Since the Spartans are on another continent, it's also the only practical way.

It's not even leeching tech that I'm afraid of- my tech is so advanced that I can lose a half dozen techs and still have the edge; hell, Yang has the same exact unit composition I do; Chaos Needlejets backed by Chaos Rovers. I have Photon defenders (but not many of them) and he has Silksteel. Its just my units come out elite while his... don't.

Its that I can't keep any bases that aren't ringed with forests and sensors and fungus- they'd just get mind-controlled. Conquest is brutally difficult due to the high Probe Count that my enemies enjoy.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on September 30, 2012, 11:30:20 PM
Yeah.. I see. I suppose the cruiser movement would be necessary. Now, in Vel's guide he talks synth probes. Do you armor yours?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on September 30, 2012, 11:51:04 PM
Vel? Who is that? I didn't get around to reading many guides- but its not a bad ideal.

Putting minimal armor on a unit stops it from being a non-combat unit at a small price. I just didn't think about it this game; haven't played SMAC in over 2 months, or seriously play for over 4 months. Plus, I really, really, don't need to armor most of my units vs the AI- and I don't play MP.

To be honest, I've spent more time modding than playing in the last year.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 01, 2012, 12:42:25 AM
If you're going to armor probes at all, psi is the way to go, should you have psi armor.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 01, 2012, 02:13:30 AM
Vel is an old-timer who wrote a very well-thought-of SMAC(X) strategy guide (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=91), BTW.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 01, 2012, 02:47:15 AM
Yeah, I can see psi being the most cost effective, especially vs non trance/empath opponents; and probe teams tend to have high morale anyways.

However, it isn't available until late game...
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 01, 2012, 02:50:15 AM
Cost effective?  Psi armor fights back when the probe's attacked by a conventional unit!
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 01, 2012, 02:59:13 AM
So does every other armor.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 01, 2012, 03:55:07 AM
In the game Green just concluded, where I believe all his probes were born Elite, psi would usually be better.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 01, 2012, 04:28:50 AM
All my Probes are born elite... but I have a -4 Probe rating ;p

Again, if your dudes are elite and the enemy's aren't and he has no Empath forces deployed, Psi is very good.

However, if your enemy is massing Elite Empath shock troops, you might want to consider (consider- the high cost) of Stasis armor.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Petek on October 02, 2012, 11:52:59 PM
Vel? Who is that?
(snipped)

Reminds me of an old John Wayne joke about the five stages of an actor's career:

1. Who is John Wayne?
2. Get me John Wayne.
3. Get me John Wayne's agent.
4. Get me a young John Wayne.
5. Who is John Wayne?

Looks like Vel has attained stage 5. :)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on October 03, 2012, 01:20:23 AM
In the game Green just concluded, where I believe all his probes were born Elite, psi would usually be better.

Yeah, Roze rocks. Vastly under rated faction.

Vel? Who is that?
(snipped)

Reminds me of an old John Wayne joke about the five stages of an actor's career:

1. Who is John Wayne?
2. Get me John Wayne.
3. Get me John Wayne's agent.
4. Get me a young John Wayne.
5. Who is John Wayne?

Looks like Vel has attained stage 5. :)

I had never heard of him either, Petek. But I "LURKED MOAR" before coming out  :read:.

But stars in the gaming community go through those stages, too. Some get out of gaming. Some move on to other games. Some (very few)manage to live a dream making money off of it. You guys at CFC have had quite a few of all 3 types!
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 01:29:38 AM
Lurking MOAR is good, but just posting and asking is fine, too - all of us didn't know crap once upon a time, and anywhere I have any say about it, there will be NO newb-bashing.  Just ask - it's okay.

...Just a little policy statement I like to repeat once in a while...
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on October 03, 2012, 02:21:58 AM
 :clap:
Lurking MOAR is good, but just posting and asking is fine, too - all of us didn't know crap once upon a time, and anywhere I have any say about it, there will be NO newb-bashing.  Just ask - it's okay.

...Just a little policy statement I like to repeat once in a while...
:clap
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 02:28:52 AM
...I'm a pedant who enjoys lecturing, as well as a habitual forum activity builder.  (I play build-the-forum as a major hobby the same way I play SMAC almost like it's Sim City)..

Of course that's my policy.  ;)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on October 03, 2012, 02:49:51 AM
...I'm a pedant who enjoys lecturing, as well as a habitual forum activity builder.  (I play build-the-forum as a major hobby the same way I play SMAC almost like it's Sim City)..

Of course that's my policy.  ;)

Never did a forum. Had experience with wikis. Ya'll are  doing okay though.

Speaking of AARs, though. New Age, how is this going with the massive cockroach crawler army of doom?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 03, 2012, 04:01:17 AM
@Green: The game hasn't changed at all since you saw it- I specifically stated it won't get updated till Saturday.

Most of my bases have 4 crawlers, University base has 5 or 6, Baikonur has 10. There is a stack of 8 or so Rover Supply sitting outside University Base  waiting for my probe teams to steal Pre-Sentient Algorithms. Although mineral production is 40-60 in my core 4 bases, they all have support upkeeps of 10 minerals or more  ;lol I know, unoptimized.

=======

I am a poor student that has classes every day of the week but Saturday. I can't risk my (hopefully last) semester to One-More-Turn-Itis.

Kindly wait 4 days.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on October 03, 2012, 04:32:11 PM
cut to a scene.

A tall, crazed dude wearing a mindworm avatar and a thick deep south US accent shows up at your university riding of all things a bicycle!

Waltzing past the professors and campus police as if cloaked, he grabs you... drags you back to the dorm and forces you to play.

He then yells, 'NOOB... SMAX is more important than RL!" then mutters something incoherent while guzzling an adult cocktail.



--- But seriously, no worries man. Take your time. I understand, lol.

((Worse, is I have heard stories of Guild Leaders and Clan leaders who are like that. Gawd. Particularly back in the day))
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 04:48:07 PM
 ;lol
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 06, 2012, 11:17:02 PM
@Green: The game hasn't changed at all since you saw it- I specifically stated it won't get updated till Saturday.

Most of my bases have 4 crawlers, University base has 5 or 6, Baikonur has 10. There is a stack of 8 or so Rover Supply sitting outside University Base  waiting for my probe teams to steal Pre-Sentient Algorithms. Although mineral production is 40-60 in my core 4 bases, they all have support upkeeps of 10 minerals or more  ;lol I know, unoptimized.

=======

I am a poor student that has classes every day of the week but Saturday. I can't risk my (hopefully last) semester to One-More-Turn-Itis.

Kindly wait 4 days.
We've waited four days.  Feed us, please; we're hungry.

-A Fan
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 07, 2012, 03:37:03 AM
So, I finished writing 3 different papers, then promptly crashed.

I woke up in the afternoon, then realized, there is no rest for the wicked. Alas, Yang and Santiago don't care about my sleep schedule.

Escorted by the University Navy, University Spec Ops teams steal tech required for HSA. I lost both probes, but at University Base I 1-turn HSA with 4 Supply Rovers, with some red mineral leakage going on. Oh well.

The war goes very slowly. With my new pet Pactmate Deidre I march on Yang from the south simultaneously as my forces cross the landbridge my formers created to the north.

(http://i.imgur.com/C9wbz.png)

I discover Tachyon Weaponry and Probability Sheaths... My tech advantage is getting bigger and bigger every day; Santiago has Missiles and Plasma Steel, while Yang has Chaos and Silksteel. I discover Fusion and Space Travel to boot too! After massing fusion labs everywhere, I set multiple bases to Sky Hydroponics.

After I salvage the Unity Fusion Core, I then send a Probe Team to steal Lal's share  ;lol

At my core 10 bases, I finish all available infrastructure (except for punishment spheres, skunkworks... etc.) and begin mass producing Clean Rover Super formers. Unfortunately I disappeared my monolith (at University Base), while raising a Green Unit (that Deidre turned over to me) to disciplined!


(http://i.imgur.com/FCITS.png)

Farewell... : [

Again, despite heavy loses from the Spartan Air Forces, University Navy (along with University Air Force elements, based in Miriam's sea bases) seize War Outpost. Given the presence of The Citizen's Defense Force and The Cloudbase Academy, it is proving very difficult for Santiago's forces to retake it. However, University Air forces in the Spartan theater are almost completely wiped out due to Santaigo's swarm of Missile Tacticals jumping my out-of-base attackers.

(http://i.imgur.com/zKK9d.png)

Oh well, they were obsolete anyways.

I also seize Communal Nexus and Bunker 118, but Santaigo wipes out my battleship at Bunker 118 with a Cruise Missile : [ And Communal Nexus is wiped out by Yang after heavy fighting.

Now, I suppose I can mass produce Nukes and just win, or do you guys want to see some nice Gravship action?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 07, 2012, 03:38:55 AM
Great news! Sunday Class is CANCELED, allowing me to finish my AAR this weekend!
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2012, 03:44:45 AM
 :danc:

You're wasting money on those clean rovers; rovers are no support.  Test it, and see.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 07, 2012, 06:25:49 AM
Lol. I get lazy.

Anyways, over the last decade, I've been busy with my probe teams. Yeah, that -4 Probe Rating really makes stealing things unoptimal... oh well.

(http://i.imgur.com/BTsin.png)

University is the first in Space, the Final Frontier!

I decide to celebrate by exterminating Lal. But I think he would surrender or something, and I need that delicious electric symphony of captured enemy leaders : ]

(http://i.imgur.com/WdtHd.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/cMgNa.png)

ZZZZTTTTTT UAHHHHHH!!!! *SHONG* Doors close with a UN symbol. Smells a little like curry ;p

(http://i.imgur.com/Hh1YL.png)

World Map 2326

To celebrate the delicious curry... my citizens construct monuments dedicated to the greatness of the University.

(http://i.imgur.com/3Zd8s.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/JffBs.png)

Down to less than a dozen rovers in stack for University base. Yikes!

Oh, I farmed about 2000 EC by building Robotics Assembly Plants, and my uber-bases (University, Baikonour) have over 100 mins/turn, causing massive worm bubbles. I cranked out a few Clean Elite Empath Scout Tanks, and they generated windfalls of cash.

Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 07, 2012, 10:20:33 AM
While waiting for BU's final word (nukes or Skyfleets) I one-more-turned a little...

There is this bug where someone tries to communicate with you repeatedly, but simply pops this message back up for awhile:

(http://i.imgur.com/FdYeR.png)

This happens about 10-20 times, then switches to:

(http://i.imgur.com/iWvsx.png)

That WOULD be intimidating except my Faction Power Bar will soon be greater than all the other faction bars combined...

I accomplished quite a bit of research; here are a few snippets;

(http://i.imgur.com/rZLfe.png)

Which leads to rushing.

(http://i.imgur.com/2IrlF.png)

Before you know it, I get to build another super important SP

(http://i.imgur.com/Mm2c7.png)

And now I am filthy rich, ready to remove UN Sanctions; I can knock down nukes and they can't... Bwahahaha

(http://i.imgur.com/c4vKP.png)

Eh, Immortal as well, Santiago keeps calling elections she can't win:

(http://i.imgur.com/pkoaa.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/YB8Yc.png)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2012, 12:27:17 PM
:danc:

You're wasting money on those clean rovers; rovers are no support.  Test it, and see.
D'oh!

I meant crawlers.  Crawlers require no support.  Waste of time and resources to make them clean.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2012, 12:28:52 PM
While waiting for BU's final word (nukes or Skyfleets) I one-more-turned a little...
Say what?

I hate that comm bug...
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 07, 2012, 06:39:24 PM
I don't put clean reactors on my supply rovers.

How shall I win the game? Also, how do I see who voted?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2012, 06:48:25 PM
I guess I had a brain poot re:crawlers/rovers.

I would play for Transcendence personally, but voted for conquest, because I think that'll make a better show.  Three others beg to differ, and even I have no way to look up who, alas.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 07, 2012, 06:58:20 PM
Meh. I feel like conquering the world.

How shall it be done? By Skyfleets (I JUST unlocked them :D) or by nuking everyone to death?

Or both?

We've reached the point where my game altering mods take effect. Neutronium Plate, Antimatter Reactive, and Stasis Armor have massively increased Defensive Values (12/16/24), while the newfangled Hypometric Weapon has an 40 offensive value.

Oh yeah, I neutered helicopters. They are cheaper but shorter ranged needlejets... Otherwise I'd just run everyone over with swarms of Shard Copters.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2012, 07:10:12 PM
Again, I guess nukes would be flashier (ha!)

People, give this beardy-man some feedback!
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2012, 08:55:19 PM
We've reached the point where my game altering mods take effect. Neutronium Plate, Antimatter Reactive, and Stasis Armor have massively increased Defensive Values (12/16/24), while the newfangled Hypometric Weapon has an 40 offensive value.

Oh yeah, I neutered helicopters. They are cheaper but shorter ranged needlejets... Otherwise I'd just run everyone over with swarms of Shard Copters.
Why don't I see you in the Modding forum more?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 08, 2012, 12:27:44 AM
The aforementioned extreme busy-ness.

I am not in a safe position. I need to set up and ensure my future financial security and to meet my goals- I am not someone like BU who can afford to spend more than a few hours/week on games.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2012, 02:25:22 AM
Yeah, $#@! that rich &^%$#@!, BU.  :)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 08, 2012, 02:30:55 AM
I don't think you are an hyperelite oligarch, and even then, you'd probably have actually done something for your money.

I'm just not able to devote as much time as I'd like to games.

Even when I do have time for games, my crew tends to play other games.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2012, 02:39:27 AM
...I actually AM a bit rich, but I spend more time on the forum and forum business than on games.  AC2 is my actual main hobby, much as I love SMAC(X)...
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 08, 2012, 07:10:38 PM
Still haven't received any other feedback. But this has dragged on long enough- just as the game was getting fun too...

Crap! My image site of choice is over-capacity.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2012, 07:12:27 PM
Click on Media at the top of the page, and start an album - easy to img link from there.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 08, 2012, 07:34:07 PM
And so, Provost Zak was sitting in his Science Chair, wondering how he would overcome his opponents.

He could just run them over with his newfangled Skybases, or swarm them with his Hovertanks... Maybe win by Voting himself as Supreme Commander of the world... Or just buying the entire energy market... Perhaps even turning himself into a God... but a little voice on his shoulder, that sounded like a certain Uncle wanted to use Planetbusters.

He waited and waited for another voice- but he heard nothing... Still, his heart was heavy, when:

"Provost! According to this theory, it is possible to create an alternate timeline... A 'save point', if you will."

(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=321)

I see. What will we need to accomplish this?

"A megaproject that can warp space-time itself... a Certain Scientific Railgun Magical Index Singularity Inductor is necessary."

And we can't build multiple of these...?

"Even if we could IRON MAN makes multiple saves a hassle I mean, no, we can't."

Soon...

(http://i.imgur.com/uqbSu.png)

Then

(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=320)

"Are you ready Provost?"

Why is the interface so fishy? It says, save game... This is like an game inside a game insi-

*Bzzt*

"Are you ready Provost?"

I have this strange sense of deja vu...

"The time window is 30 seconds, Provost!"

Oh, damn it.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 08, 2012, 09:01:32 PM
I mean, there is no point in updating if there is 0 interest in my update, but...

Here is a preview, of Next Time, on Yu-gi-oh

(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=322)

(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=323)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2012, 09:04:59 PM
I park in Who's Online a lot of the time; I assure you that people are just being lazy about commenting.  They are checking this out.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on October 10, 2012, 04:33:21 AM
AARs tend to do that. They bring A LOT of views even from google. Much more so than LPs on youtube because you can read an AAR at work on your phone and still be productive.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on October 11, 2012, 04:49:30 AM
Love the crawlers up top! I did that on a Miriam game once.

... and who better to nuke than Yang.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 11, 2012, 05:25:51 AM
Love the crawlers up top! I did that on a Miriam game once.

Yep. You'll notice I've had them there since... Page 1, Year 2267.

Yeah, Baikonur is cranking out about 400 and change Minerals/Turn. I've already had to launch Solar Shades.

This means both my core cities can make A Nuke A Turn™, despite being on Transcend Difficulty.

BWAHAHHAHAHAAA!!!!11
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: sisko on October 11, 2012, 02:13:02 PM
Love the crawlers up top!
yeah, but using more crawlers than the AI, almost feels like cheating..
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 11, 2012, 02:29:31 PM
Fun polar square fact- the poles are generally buggy, and bases from different factions can work the same polar square.    I like to gift another faction a seabase in a single isolated water square next to the pole; (with land squares terraformed to surround it.) Then, when they inevitably declare vendetta later, I don't wipe out that pathetic base with the rest, so I can build the rest of the map like it was Sim City and run out the clock before I transcend without one of those pesky Conquest Victories getting in the way.  I have to crawl the 2-4 polar squares to keep the gifted base from working them for a min each, even though those squares are my territory and it shouldn't work that way.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: sisko on October 11, 2012, 02:41:58 PM
never knew that! ha.. i'm still learning this about this game
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 11, 2012, 02:49:34 PM
We should start a bug report thread - I have more.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Green1 on October 11, 2012, 07:13:21 PM
On one hand, I understand crawlers. By themselves they are not that powerful and can be destroyed easy with airpower. But even with Kyrub's AI the enemy does not use them that much. Kyrub thinks they are an exploit.

Maybe there would be some way -say, limit the number of crawlers allowed to the total number of bases.

Then again, maybe another solution: give crawlers a maintainence cost. After all, one of the downsides of automation is all those machines still break down. Or maybe increase drones. Displaced workers will not be happy a machine is doing the thier job depending on type of society.

This is probably the most serious bug SMAX has at the moment.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 11, 2012, 07:17:57 PM
Not bad ideas.

Now, I do most of my crawling in late-game and use hover chassis; that avoids the majority of the vunerability problems.
Title: The Conqueror's Pledge
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 01:19:37 AM
Conquest Achieved.

(http://i.imgur.com/9K7R7.png)

*A few thousand klicks south of Fisher Of Men, 2387 AD*

Gästprofessor-Sky Marshal Shaun Stevenson surveyed the scene around him, and on his screen, aboard the Command Module of his Hypometric Skybase (AA Model). He was not a happy man.

He was one of the most powerful humans ever, answerable only to the University Chief of Staff and the Provost himself. His command, First Fleet, was the most powerful task force ever assembled in the history of man. Eight Assault model Hypometric Skybases, a half dozen scout-model Psionic Skybases, 16 dedicated AA Hypometric Skybases. The primitive Believer allies that saw his units called them 'Deathspheres'.

(http://i.imgur.com/WnuEL.png)

Even a dozen of the University's Orbital Defense Pods, nicknamed 'Orbats' by University Military, had been on dedicated watch just to his task force.

However, his entire command had one purpose- to escort the naval force below.

Two divisions of AA Hypometric Stasis Cruisers were escorting a modified 'Carrier' below... which carried over 80% of the University Strategic Stockpile. He would be responsible for the murder of a significant percentage of humanity.

"We have launch confirmation, Sky-Marshal! The code is Remember the Martyrs!"

(http://i.imgur.com/HXtVP.png)

He once wondered if a 'demonstration' strike would work. Perhaps eliminate some enemy military formations with a Fission or Fusion Nuclear Device; but thinking back nearly half a century ago, at the House of Martyrs, when he was just a mere Adjunkt-Lieutenant...

Side Story- An Lieutenant's Regrets: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=2434.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=2434.0)

No, there could be no mercy.

(http://i.imgur.com/k6Wqi.png)

Besides, the Empath Guild at University Base reported the Hive Military had their own superweapons.


(http://i.imgur.com/oWWt5.png)

*15 minutes later, in command module*

The fresh-faced Adjunkt-Lieutenant commanding a Scout Skybase not only was incredibly annoying, but reminded him of himself.

"SIR!!! The planet-buster has re-entered the atmosphere, and is heading towards position Alpha-One-Niner, will hit within one minute!"

"Very good." He heard himself say, then noticed the Strategic Overlay Icons. "GET OUT! Your Nav-Officer didn't account for the slipstream, you're within the blast radius!"

*SHHH BOOOM!!!* He heard over the comm screen, as the screen turned static for a second.

"STATUS REPORT, LIEUTENANT!" He barked.

The lieutenant, who was thrown halfway across the room, began checking readouts. "Reactor is at 10% integrity, I've got a few injured Psykana, Psi-systems are effectively down, but we are still in the air, and Deep Radar is perfectly fine." His face broke into a toothy grin. "We got them sir! We got those bastards good!"

Indeed. Over 300,000 Hive citizens lived in the the Freshwater Sea's Basin, now a giant smoking crater, which the ocean should begin filling soon.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 01:31:00 AM
Zakharov was in a good mood. He was on the cusp of Final Victory. Sister Miriam and Lady Deidre had submitted to his will over a century ago, and soon Yang and Santiago would join Lal in his Punishment Spheres.

"Sky Marshal, you are to obliterate everything but the bases holding special Projects and bases near the Manifold Nexus with the Strategic Stockpile. Then you are to deploy our Bolos and Sky Fleet to seize all remaining objectives."

"Your wish, is my command, Provost."

(http://i.imgur.com/AIkpe.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/IjsVV.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/kQkMq.png)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 01:37:42 AM
University Sky-Fleet seizes the Command Nexus, Planetary Transit System, Merchant Exchange, and capture's Yang.

(http://i.imgur.com/rtwrX.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/ATz5e.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/l0JRB.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/8eEkK.png)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 01:47:29 AM
As University armadas converged on The Parade Ground, Santiago spirals deeper and deeper into delusion.

(http://i.imgur.com/ETlX3.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/Cl843.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/WTj43.png)

The Spartans managed to massacre the crew of a Scout Skybase which captured a Spartan Base by using a Cruise Missile on it (Psi defense is VERY BAD against missiles), and Zak considered deploying more planetbusters to limit University Casualties.

But University Sky-Fleet advanced at such a prodigious rate that nuking the Super Collider proved unnecessary.

*I smell some Spartan Sizzling :D*

(http://i.imgur.com/Q3KmA.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/2hEfI.png)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2012, 01:53:37 AM
 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :wave: :salute:
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 01:56:10 AM
Thanks, BU. Thats that for Conquest Victory.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2012, 02:07:58 AM
Are you skipping straight to Transcend, or gonna run the table?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 02:30:23 AM
I'll run the table.

Side Story is linked now, read and review!
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2012, 02:44:16 AM
You want comment in the story thread?  You didn't start a comment thread, and also, I'll have more to say when I'm wide awake.


Short review:  I want to see more.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 03:36:36 AM
Yeah, comment in the story thread.

Of course you want more. Everyone wants more. Do you mean that is not good? Is my style off?
Title: Unity at Last
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 04:53:46 AM
Diplomacy Achieved

*Meanwhile, in another alternate Universe generated by the Singularity Inductor 'Save Project'...*

Provost Zakharov stood upon the UN Council stage.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" His voice boomed, in all its Mad Russian Scientist accented glory. "It is time for us to unite behind the most advanced, meritocratic, and just faction of all!"

"I presume this deluded fool is speaking about himself and his bunch of mad scientists. And his two little [prostitute]s are going to vote for him, yes?" said Colonel Santiago, glaring at Miriam and Deidre.

Miriam simply glared back, as Deidre said: "Provost Zakharov's respect for Planet's fragile ecosystem..." before Chairman Yang cut her off.

"Simply because his faction is the most advanced does not mean he or his followers should be fit to rule the rest of us!"

Provost Zakharov simply laughed: "But a vast super-majority of the population already consider themselves my followers!"

"Your society is flawed! You don't control your workers enough!" responded the Chairman.

"His society is weak and too concerned with 'Knowledge'! Only those who embrace Power shall be fit to rule Planet!" Cried out Santiago.

"Which is precisely why when I seized Communal Nexus from the Hive, or when I conquered Hydrorock from the Spartans, how it went from having Drone Riots to it's citizens celebrating University Rule with a Golden Age?" smiled the Provost yet again.

"Only because your technology and Secret Projects are temporarily in lead..."

"HAHAHAHA!" Miriam and Deidre broke into fits of laughter. "'Temporary' lead indeed." Joked Deidre, elbowing Miriam.

"In addition to my Industrial Capacity, military might, terraformation level, energy production, total population count..." continued Zak, "Lets see, University Base alone has more mineral production and industrial power than your ENTIRE empire, more population than any five of Yang or Santiago's bases, in one year produces more energy than your little empires will make in a decade... The Skybase I arrived here on could conquer your entire empires, given enough time, and I have hundreds of equivalently well armed and armored units. Lets not forget the fact all Chiron Space Colonization is under the University Banner."

"Enough with your slandering!" Boomed out Santiago, bringing her hand down on the table, hard.

"Lets call the vote!" Cried out Yang.

(http://i.imgur.com/VikeS.png)

"Wait! The votes must have been counted wrong, or the voting Machine must have made a mistake... Miriam..?"

(http://i.imgur.com/hKYrv.png)

"I'm afraid not. We must dissent." She replied.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 04:56:18 AM
"What?!?!? How could YOU BETRAY ME?!?!" burst out Zakharov!

Miriam put on her best puppy face, which was quite adorable.  :-[

(https://1-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/tg/image/1338/37/1338373739883.jpg)

"Sorry, Zakharov, but I promised Prokhor Zakharov..."

(http://i.imgur.com/3m4sS.png)

"Oh yeah... I was drunk that night, partying with you and Deidre in her new tree-dungeon-thingy... I promised you Fusion Power if you'd vote against me... I'm quite touched you remember, actually... Well, it doesn't matter. I wonder how 77.5537 percent of Planet is going to vote, eh?"

(http://i.imgur.com/TYQ0a.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VGbM7.png)
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 05:16:58 AM
Epilogue:

*Celebration Party, Gaia's Landing*

Gästprofessor-Sky Marshal Shaun Stevenson leaned forward on the railing. "You know, Provost, that was inaccurate. Only 77.553675% of Planet voted for you..."

The Provost smiled. "And that, is why you are Gästprofessor-Sky Marshal, not Professor-Chief Of Staff."
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2012, 01:59:44 PM
Do you mean that is not good? Is my style off?
No.  I meant that you absolutely met the minimum standard, that I would have read more if there was more.  Sleepy as I was for hours yesterday before I gave up for the night early, it's a ringning endorsement.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 04:37:57 PM
No.  Absolutely minimum standard.

*Sniff.* Why you so mean, BU? :D

Next chapter will be up in 12 hours. What did you think of Diplomatic Victory? Quite Boring, eh?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2012, 04:41:33 PM
No, it was pretty good.  Sorry 'bout that. 

But if you insist on cherry-picking through what I say or do to find disaproval, you will find something to work with.  I'm not going to rupture myself trying to make it impossible to twist my words.  :P
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 08:25:10 PM
I enjoy making bad jokes. Kindly forgive me.

Writing next chapter.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2012, 08:33:41 PM
NEVAH!

Looking forward to it. 

I enjoy making lame jokes, too.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on October 21, 2012, 11:30:13 PM
Chapter 2 of the Side Story is up. Chapter 3 might not appear for a week or so though.

How did you like the Diplomatic Ending?
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 22, 2012, 12:05:08 AM
Pretty good; I said so. 

I found it unfortunate that the autocensor caught when Santi called the other girls whores....
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 22, 2012, 12:14:24 AM
I like chapter 2 of the story a lot, too.
Title: Re: Unity at Last
Post by: I)arkness Falls on February 09, 2014, 08:38:13 PM
Diplomacy Achieved

*Meanwhile, in another alternate Universe generated by the Singularity Inductor 'Save Project'...*

Provost Zakharov stood upon the UN Council stage.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" His voice boomed, in all its Mad Russian Scientist accented glory. "It is time for us to unite behind the most advanced, meritocratic, and just faction of all!"

"I presume this deluded fool is speaking about himself and his bunch of mad scientists. And his two little [prostitute]s are going to vote for him, yes?" said Colonel Santiago, glaring at Miriam and Deidre.

Miriam simply glared back, as Deidre said: "Provost Zakharov's respect for Planet's fragile ecosystem..." before Chairman Yang cut her off.

"Simply because his faction is the most advanced does not mean he or his followers should be fit to rule the rest of us!"

Provost Zakharov simply laughed: "But a vast super-majority of the population already consider themselves my followers!"

"Your society is flawed! You don't control your workers enough!" responded the Chairman.

"His society is weak and too concerned with 'Knowledge'! Only those who embrace Power shall be fit to rule Planet!" Cried out Santiago.

"Which is precisely why when I seized Communal Nexus from the Hive, or when I conquered Hydrorock from the Spartans, how it went from having Drone Riots to it's citizens celebrating University Rule with a Golden Age?" smiled the Provost yet again.

"Only because your technology and Secret Projects are temporarily in lead..."

"HAHAHAHA!" Miriam and Deidre broke into fits of laughter. "'Temporary' lead indeed." Joked Deidre, elbowing Miriam.

"In addition to my Industrial Capacity, military might, terraformation level, energy production, total population count..." continued Zak, "Lets see, University Base alone has more mineral production and industrial power than your ENTIRE empire, more population than any five of Yang or Santiago's bases, in one year produces more energy than your little empires will make in a decade... The Skybase I arrived here on could conquer your entire empires, given enough time, and I have hundreds of equivalently well armed and armored units. Lets not forget the fact all Chiron Space Colonization is under the University Banner."

"Enough with your slandering!" Boomed out Santiago, bringing her hand down on the table, hard.

"Lets call the vote!" Cried out Yang.

(http://i.imgur.com/VikeS.png)

"Wait! The votes must have been counted wrong, or the voting Machine must have made a mistake... Miriam..?"

(http://i.imgur.com/hKYrv.png)

"I'm afraid not. We must dissent." She replied.


You have inspired me my dear fellow. I shall write.
Title: Re: Lets Play SMAX!
Post by: NewAgeOfPower on February 10, 2014, 06:58:39 AM


You have inspired me my dear fellow. I shall write.

Whoa. People still read my works?

Glad to have inspired you.
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