Help--computer kicks my butt on easy

from Sins Forums

I like big maps, so I play the biggest map with all computer players.

At first I would play on normal setting.  I would do pretty good, but after about 4 planets 4 or 5 massive armadas from different computer players would show up all at the same time at different planets and my massed fleet could not defeat them.

So I switched to easy--thought I was kicking butt.  But after about 8 planets the same thing happened---its like all the computer players are working together against me.

Any tips for general ways to beat the computer?  I tried defending each one of my planets with tons of missle points or hangers (maxed out tactical slots), but eventually these just get totally overwhelmed by massive fleets on different planets all at once.  My fleet, although large, just can't help everywhere at once.

Any tips would be greatley appreciated.

And BTW,  this game RULES.  Even getting my butt kicked its fun as hell :)

Thanks fellas.

 

6,079 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Computer players have a nasty habit of ganging up on the top player. If you check your name in the diplomacy menu, you can see how you rank against the rest of the empires.

The AI also has a nasty habit of forming strange chains of alliances that leave them at relative peace with each other. This gives them even more time and resources to gang up on you.

One strategy is to get your economy up stronger. TEC is very good at making a booming economy with large numbers of trade ports. They take a while to pay off, but they are your strongest method of making credits (then use those credits for resources.

Another strategy is to play the Vasari race. Focus heavily on Empire labs, and aim to get the Returning Armada tech. It takes a while to get there, but after you grab it you can spam fleets until your eyes bleed.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
Or lock teams - try that option next time you play :)
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
Why doesn't this forum have auto-merge double post?
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
Focus on economy research, with any player, at the start. Money and resources are the IT in game. Meh, here is how I start as vasari WITHOUT RA (which I NEVER use).

-First thing, before anything is to build your capital ship factory.
-Next is you build your crystal extractor and two metal extactors in that order.
-Build your first imperial lab closest to your last extractor built (for time saving).
-By this time, que your first capital ( I recomend the carrier).
-Then build two scouts (to see is to believe, it also alows you to choose which planets to take first).
-Build colony frigate.
-capital shoud be done by now and sent out to a astroid for an easy grab.
-Build another imperial lab once your crystal is 80 (reason for crystal extractor being first).
-Then build 2-8 skirmishers depending on what intital planets are near you.
-By now you should have a 100 crstyal to research ice planet or fire planet depending on what is closer. and colonize it.
-On your astroid planet build a military research station for assasliants.
-Once you have your ice or fire planet, if you used your capital for these it should be level 2 or 3 by now, build two more imperial labs for trading port.
-Once you have a few planets under your belt, while keeping your fleet to a minimal because the AI never rushes, research your resource techs to get a 10-20% increase on your mineral asteroids. Also building refiners in near planets to increase resources to a max.

If you do all that I just said, keeping your fleet as small as possible you'll be able to dominate resources and research. You build a few ships as needed. If one planet is attacked, you change all efforts to fleets... and ONLY THEN. One planet is worth all the money and research. I wouldnt start building a fleet until you have atleast 8 planets consisting of two ice and two fire. If you don't you're wasting money and drawing attention.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
If you can post a replay, we can give you more specific advice. (Click "record" at the end of a game.)
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
Build a battleship with a few attendent light frigates, and use a colony frigate. BUY CRYSTALS FROM BLACKMARKET BEFORE THE OTHER PLAYERS CRASH IT ZOMG HIT THE HOTKEYS...oh, yeah, cpu players, nevermind. Okay. I like to rush to trading posts and roll in the money. Use your early advantage to keep the other player busy with constant pirate raids. Roll in your massive oceans of cash some more and watch as the research flies by. Get heavy cruisers. Eat everything. Take time to look at the research trees the first time you play, they are probably the most complicated aspect of the game, heh. :p

More random tips. Secure 2-3 planets MAXIMUM early game, and upgrade/build trading posts on planets farthest from eachother. Don't over extend, and try to plan ahead to secure your empire behind 1-2 chokepoint 'wells...if you can. Go for 'dead end' planets last, colonize outwards and get those chokepoints planned out. Then you can backcap. Harass, harass, harass if you're fighting good players/higher difficulty cpus.

Easy computer players pretty much just roll over and die once you grasp the basics of the game. Hope to see you online, soon. ^.^
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
You forgot the most important step. Diplomacy. How many AIs are you playing. Try to make an alliance treaty with one or two AIs. And remember, it all about divide and conquer. Don't make an alliance with an AI that in your same star system.
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
Thanks SO much for the tips guys. I listed to yall---steamrolling computer opponent on easy now (own all of 2 of the 3 star systems)---time for normal after I win this one!

Thanks again.