What the New StarTraders4X (ST4X) Player Needs to Know
Feb 13, 2016 13:18:52 GMT -5
elwoodps, acecow, and 1 more like this
Post by tenbsmith on Feb 13, 2016 13:18:52 GMT -5
This thread is intended to provide critical advice to the new player relevant to the two most difficult-to-learn aspects of ST4X. (It is a work in progress, feedback is encouraged.)
Most ST4X game mechanics will be familiar to players experienced with other empire building games and intuitive to others. ST4X game mechanics involve the four X's (4X). 1) eXplore the universe to identify potential resources and the location of the enemy Xeno. 2) eXpand your empire by colonizing new star systems. 3) eXploit resources by building up your colonies. And, 4) eXterminate the Xeno through ship-to-ship combat and planetary invasion.
However, ST4X has several unique game mechanics which add fun and depth to the game but, these mechanics can be difficult to understand and impede empire growth if not managed properly.
1) Politics: Politics influence your economy which drives the war machine that kills the Xeno that leads to VICTORY! A thorough explanation of politics is provided in the ST4X Faction Politics Guide. For those who want start faster, use this ST4X Politics Quick Start advice.
1) Unlock Planetary Construction I in the Technology Tree.
2) Start a Trade Meeting by going to the EMPIRE SUMMARY Screen, then clicking the NEW TREATY Button, then clicking the TRADE MEETING Bar and, finally, clicking the $ Buy Button.
Do this as soon as possible and you'll be glad you did. To understand why, go to the ST4X Faction Politics Guide.
2) Unexpected Population Growth: Population growth in ST4X is driven primarily by the arrival of Star Traders fleeing the shattered galactic core. As a result, population on any given colony increases unexpectedly. This can lead to overpopulation--more population than hab units. Overpopulation decreases morale. Lower morale increases colony maintenance costs. If left unchecked, this can lead to negative overall empire income, especially early in the game, There are several things you can do to avoid this.
--Always keep Hab Unit capacity one point ahead of population.
--New colonies--especially those using Colonization Module 1--are vulnerable because it takes them longer to build Hab Units. So, as soon as a new colony is founded, start building a Hab Unit. Once this Hab Unit is 1-2 turns turns from completion, start a Factory and move it to the top of the build list. Once the Factory is 1-2 turns from completion, start something else (Mine/Exchange/Palace) and move it to the top of the build list. In this way, you can keep a Hab Unit 1-turn from completion in the build list and move it to top when you need it.
3) Ship Designer: Designing your own ships is fun and leads to superior ships than the canned designs the game provides by default. But, there is a learning curve. ...
---I plan to develop a thread that combines pointers on using the Ship Designer with a few early game ship designs. Upon opening the Ship Builder you have the option to start a new design or edit an existing one. Either way, give the design a unique name as soon as possible.---
Most ST4X game mechanics will be familiar to players experienced with other empire building games and intuitive to others. ST4X game mechanics involve the four X's (4X). 1) eXplore the universe to identify potential resources and the location of the enemy Xeno. 2) eXpand your empire by colonizing new star systems. 3) eXploit resources by building up your colonies. And, 4) eXterminate the Xeno through ship-to-ship combat and planetary invasion.
However, ST4X has several unique game mechanics which add fun and depth to the game but, these mechanics can be difficult to understand and impede empire growth if not managed properly.
1) Politics: Politics influence your economy which drives the war machine that kills the Xeno that leads to VICTORY! A thorough explanation of politics is provided in the ST4X Faction Politics Guide. For those who want start faster, use this ST4X Politics Quick Start advice.
1) Unlock Planetary Construction I in the Technology Tree.
2) Start a Trade Meeting by going to the EMPIRE SUMMARY Screen, then clicking the NEW TREATY Button, then clicking the TRADE MEETING Bar and, finally, clicking the $ Buy Button.
Do this as soon as possible and you'll be glad you did. To understand why, go to the ST4X Faction Politics Guide.
2) Unexpected Population Growth: Population growth in ST4X is driven primarily by the arrival of Star Traders fleeing the shattered galactic core. As a result, population on any given colony increases unexpectedly. This can lead to overpopulation--more population than hab units. Overpopulation decreases morale. Lower morale increases colony maintenance costs. If left unchecked, this can lead to negative overall empire income, especially early in the game, There are several things you can do to avoid this.
--Always keep Hab Unit capacity one point ahead of population.
--New colonies--especially those using Colonization Module 1--are vulnerable because it takes them longer to build Hab Units. So, as soon as a new colony is founded, start building a Hab Unit. Once this Hab Unit is 1-2 turns turns from completion, start a Factory and move it to the top of the build list. Once the Factory is 1-2 turns from completion, start something else (Mine/Exchange/Palace) and move it to the top of the build list. In this way, you can keep a Hab Unit 1-turn from completion in the build list and move it to top when you need it.
3) Ship Designer: Designing your own ships is fun and leads to superior ships than the canned designs the game provides by default. But, there is a learning curve. ...
---I plan to develop a thread that combines pointers on using the Ship Designer with a few early game ship designs. Upon opening the Ship Builder you have the option to start a new design or edit an existing one. Either way, give the design a unique name as soon as possible.---
