Overwhelmed Newb! Where do I start?

from Sins Forums
Just bought the game and played the tutorials. 
Then I was all excited to get right into the game at this point.
What a let down I got. I became completely disappointed that there is no 'walkthrough' style campaign!  That just sux.

Anyway, so I go to play single player skirmish (or whatev its called) and after load up ....I just stare at the screen.

There are so many options and variables and buttons!   ...not that Im opposed to that b/c I know that's partially what makes a great strategy game.  

However, after staring at it all for a bit, Im like "now what?"    ...."where the heck to I start?"

A simple slap together campaign wouldnt hurt here.  I could care less about some fantastic storyline.  I just want an idiots guide to learning how to play sins.

So I guess Id like to know what some basic start up tips are and how to get moving into what seems like a great game here.

Thanks for any help.
6,867 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
right off the bat i'd make 3 scouts, set them to auto explore(to look for easy planets to colonize) make a colony ship and some light frigates (even unowned planets will have some local millita gaurding it, ship will be gray like pirate) thats kinda a standard start, after that get your mines going and build and reasearch stuff, trial and erreor will show what works for your stratigies and what doesn't.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
There are tutorials.
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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
There are tutorials.
End of quote

Yep, those are by definition, "...an idiots guide to learning how to play sins."

Stick around though. Plenty of people around here will be happy to answer your questions. Especially the more specific or debatable ones :p
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

No need to worry about the lack of a campaign. Just play through the standard maps one by one if you like and pretend that they occurred sequentially as part of a campaign. After you feel comfortable with your knowledge of the game, instead of lamenting the lack of a campaign, log onto Ironclad Online and begin playing the game in online multiplayer. (I can't even play it in single player anymore; it's just not compelling; a campaign wouldn't do me any good.)
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
This brings up a good question. Older games did not have these tutorials and just thrust the player into a trial by fire game. Where has it changed that we need these tutorial campaigns? No offense to the original poster, this game does take sometime to get the hang of.

It has been a while since I ran the tutorials, but here is a good starting plan:

Start by building your capital ship factory. Once it is done you can build your first capital ship free of charge, so get this done as quickly as possible.

Then send your construction frigates to build the crystal and metal extractors.

While all this is going on, build at least one scout to send off on exploration. Make sure you right click the auto explore button in the abilities window (bottom right of the UI after you left click on the scout). Then pump out 3 or 4 light frigates and a colony ship if your capital ship cannot colonize. By this time you will have tapped out all of your starting credits.

Wait for the extractors to start producing and your capital ship to finish before sending the light frigates and capital ship out to colonize. There you go, 25 seconds of clicking will produce enough ships for capturing at least your first planet, possibly more.

Don't forget to up your colonized planet's civilian infrastructure immediately (under planet development) to reduce the tax penalty you get when first colonizing.

Good Luck out there,

Dapperdanman
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
I have question 2 iwas playing tec and i upgrade all planets ect. But i could not upgrade my military no more it said i needed to build more military research stations. OK then when itry 2 build them it said need more logistics were can i get more 2 make my military up grade. I only had like 2 planets and alarge asteroid. It would not let me build more Military research buldings so iwas stuck with frigates whole game instead of upgrading 2 destroyers lol can somebody help me out please.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
If you want to take a quick break and read up on the buttons while in-game,

PRESS THE PAUSE BUTTON ON YOUR KEYBOARD!

Yes, it will pause your game! I didn't know this for forever, but thank god I finally did!

You CAN queue up ships and build stuff, but it won't show up in any visible manner so it is hard to tell what you just did. I usually use it to read up on techs, make decisions, and see how my forces are doing.

It really helps if you just want the game to slowwwww dowwwwn a bit.
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
A Planet Logistic upgrade is necessary - green button opening screen.

You can overfill your slots as they are limited but I doubt that was your case with only three planets.

Conquering larger planets will give you more slots to play with.

Original Poster - congrats on getting into the fray man. I used pause a lot when I first started and actually searched these forums for specific answers at times (how to capture a capturable asteriod eg.) Take your time and enjoy the learning experience. So kool to watch battles up close!

If you get you Captitol Ship (I'd make it a Colonizer one), build 4 - 6 frigates you are one your way to conquering the universe.

Make sure your have your infrastructure updated on your planets - (2) so you don't loose cash. Highlight the credits to see if any are in the red.

You can highligh about anything for additional information.

Conquering planets early on, I watch the health of my ships as not to loose one. Send em backwards.