When to get the Expansions?

from Sins Forums

I had Impulse open for the first time in a while this weekend, and Sins had a fresh update, I noticed, which inspired me to start playing it again.

 

I bought the retail box of the game when it was still shiny and new, and never played it extensively, but I am having fun with it this go round.  I'm wondering if the expansions are of the nature of a Paradox type expansion...must have no matter what point/proficiency level you are with the game, or like a CnC type expansion, where you really don't need it until you have exhausted and mastered the vanilla game?

 

The point being, I'm not certain I'll play enough to reach expansion content if it EXTENDS the experience of the original game, but it it greatly improves gameplay or adds novel features which are worth having without mastery of the game (I am far from mastery), then I'll pick them up.

 

Thanks in advance.

9,526 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Entrenchment definately fits the improves gameplay and adds novel features. Diplomacy fits may fit more with the mastery of the game and it's time to move to the next level. I would definately recommend Entrenchment at any time. Diplomacy is fun and probably will be better for online play in the future.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

Entrenchment is better as the additions are right there in your face, but you don't have to use them if your strategy doesn't call for them.  It adds new content to the game without changing the core game.  The additions are all in the form of early-mid game defensive options, and makes the AI more interesting as it will make good use of these options, so mastery of the game certainly isn't required to benefit from them.

Diplomacy is more subtle, and the changes do affect the game at the core level.  While it's a general improvement to the game, it makes things more complicated for inexperienced players.  If you play the game a lot, it's a no-brainer.  If you only play it occasionally, it's safe to pass on.

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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

I wouldn't say that the AI makes good use of the Entrenchment additions.  If anything it ends up further crippling the AI, reducing the challenge.  The AI just cannot make proper use of the starbases nor assess when and how to attack a human player's starbases.  However, Entrenchment was a great addition for online multiplayer.  Diplomacy is probably a good addition for single player games.  It's merely OK for online multiplayer.  The other thing Diplomacy adds to single player is tougher AI opponents and much tougher pirates, but the AI is only tougher because additional difficulty levels received eco boosts, not because the AI is better at the strategy.  (Instead of a mindless brute you get a mindless brute but with really big muscles.)

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

Play an aggressive AI and then a fortifier AI or economist AI.  It's like day and night.  The aggressive AI plays the game like original Sins; it masses lots of ships and attacks.  This is not difficult or exciting to beat, and I don't mean having to exploit it with a chokepoint starbase or Marza.  I also didn't load up Sins to play C&C.  The fortifier AI and economist AIs build a much more balanced empire, building up their defences and economy while slowly building up a fleet.  This is much more difficult to beat and more importantly fun to play against.  A late game fortifier AI is not easy to take out, and you will pay dearly for every planet you take from them.

But yes, I will agree the Visari AI is at a loss when dealing with chokepoint starbases.  But nobody has a gun to your head forcing you to exploit the AI to win.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

Entrenchment is a must diplomacy is good for the pacts