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Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/16/2013 1:57:37 PM

SephiRok

Posts: 61
Joined: 5/3/2012
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Hey guys,

If you have any pressing questions regarding gameplay mechanics please ask them here and we'll do a collaborative effort in answering everything.

Let's try to stick to a Q&A format that can help everyone, including us in determining what we should improve going forward. If you just want to vent your frustration, it would be awesome if you could do it in another thread.

Please be considerate, try not to repeat questions and try to be concise.

Note: Specifics discussed in this thread may very well change with updates.

< Message edited by SephiRok -- 6/5/2014 11:06:02 PM >

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Proxy Studios

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Post #: 1

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/16/2013 4:04:08 PM

Maudite

Posts: 18
Joined: 11/16/2013
From: United States
Status: offline

How is the xenomorph pheropod used? I equipped it and tried a few attacks and did not convert the alien. Perhaps it is chance based and I didn't try it enough times? Or is there a trick to using it?

Thanks!

(in reply to SephiRok)

Post #: 2

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/16/2013 5:44:14 PM

lparkh

Posts: 426
Joined: 7/25/2004
Status: offline

The device worked for me if I won the fight. The captured alien appears inside the original attacking stack and needs healing. Their seems to be a bound on how many captured aliens you can have. Appears at the top of the screen where food amounts etc appear.

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Post #: 3

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/16/2013 5:45:03 PM

lparkh

Posts: 426
Joined: 7/25/2004
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Explain pollution please, how produced? how can you track how much you are creating?

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Post #: 4

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/16/2013 6:01:02 PM

Velihopea

Posts: 68
Joined: 5/26/2012
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quote:

ORIGINAL: lparkh
Explain pollution please, how produced? how can you track how much you are creating?

Tooltip says the polluters, if you put cursor on the pollution

Question of my own:
The population required to grow the city seems to scale based on something. What is it? Number of cities/population/somethingelse?

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Post #: 5

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/16/2013 6:10:48 PM

SephiRok

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Joined: 5/3/2012
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Velihopea
The population required to grow the city seems to scale based on something. What is it? Number of cities/population/somethingelse?

The growth required to grow a city scales based on the empire's population.

< Message edited by SephiRok -- 11/16/2013 7:46:48 PM >

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Proxy Studios

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RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/16/2013 6:23:41 PM

robc04_1

Posts: 146
Joined: 1/15/2012
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SephiRok

quote:

ORIGINAL: Velihopea
The population required to grow the city seems to scale based on something. What is it? Number of cities/population/somethingelse?

The growth required to grow a city scales based on the city's population.

I know it seems silly to question what you say, but from what I saw the amount of population required to grow a city scales to the population of the entire faction, not just that city. All cities within a faction have the same growth target.

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RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/16/2013 6:46:41 PM

SephiRok

Posts: 61
Joined: 5/3/2012
Status: offline

Yes, you are fully correct. We changed it so that an empire's growth is city-independent. I apologize. Thanks for correcting me. I edited my answer so no one gets confused.

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Post #: 8

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/17/2013 12:08:27 AM

dougo33

Posts: 86
Joined: 11/23/2011
From: Eugene, Oregon
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Is there any way to rename the various types of troops? I would like the ability to have Colonial Troop - missle, Colonial Trooper - Hellfire, etc. If this is not possible now, could it be added at a future date?

How many turns (at the beginning) does the "cease fire" with the aliens last?

Thanks

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Post #: 9

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/17/2013 12:27:59 AM

SephiRok

Posts: 61
Joined: 5/3/2012
Status: offline

You can rename troops by clicking on the pen icon both in the workshop and in the selection panel.

Native aliens turn aggressive differently by species. On default settings bugs currently default to 45-55 turns, but alien aggression modifiers and your actions can affect this number further. You can find the details of each species in Data/World/Factions under "initialRestMin" and "initialRestMax".

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Proxy Studios

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Post #: 10

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/18/2013 2:26:14 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Very enjoyable game so far, a few quick questions...

Is there any mechanical difference between selecting an entire stack to attack an enemy stack and selecting each unit in a stack individualy to attack the same enemy stack aside from giving the player more control over the order of combat?

Does terrain effect combat and are we able to see what those numbers are anywhere?

Does having freindly units flanking an enemy effect combat?

Do the players ever get access to air units or is it just the aliens (maybe I haven't played deep enough in the tech tree yet)?

Is there any way to increase area of control aside from population growth of cities?

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Post #: 11

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/18/2013 3:59:14 PM

robc04_1

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Joined: 1/15/2012
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: GrumpyMel

Is there any mechanical difference between selecting an entire stack to attack an enemy stack and selecting each unit in a stack individualy to attack the same enemy stack aside from giving the player more control over the order of combat?

I don't believe so.

quote:

Does terrain effect combat and are we able to see what those numbers are anywhere?

Yes, it is listed in the combat window. I don't recall offhand what the factors are, but the guerilla warfare tech gives a bonus to light biologic units in forests and mountains. I think mechanical units get a penalty in forests and mountains right from the start.

quote:

Does having freindly units flanking an enemy effect combat?

I've seen a flanking bonus in the combat window, but I didn't notice if there were adjacent units at the time.

quote:

Do the players ever get access to air units or is it just the aliens (maybe I haven't played deep enough in the tech tree yet)?

Yep, you just need to research the right tech to unlock that unit type.

quote:

Is there any way to increase area of control aside from population growth of cities?

Nope, but you can control which tile will be expanded into next but flagging it on the city screen.

Sorry I couldn't answer everything definitively, but my guess is that someone who knows more will fill in the blanks.

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Post #: 12

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 11/21/2013 7:03:46 PM

Donegal

Posts: 15
Joined: 12/31/2005
Status: offline

What is the different between beam,missile and automatic weapons?

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Post #: 13

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 12/10/2013 9:51:01 AM

arraamis

Posts: 1
Joined: 12/10/2013
Status: offline

Firstly, thank you for reviving a classic ...

1- Can additional factions be added to the game by modding or is there a six slot limit?
a.) Will new factions be added to the game by the Dev's in the near future?

2 - Can we have an "Automated unit" or function\Tech for map exploration (Equivalent to the explorer in SMAC)
Actually SMAC had two methods of revealing maps
1.) the explorer in the beginning (short lived map exposure)
2.) specific high-tech level achieved which used satellites to reveal the surface permanently by removing fog

3 - Is it possible to have a unique unit for each faction?
1.) for covert\espionage action (Destroy buildings - sow dissent by lowering moral etc...)
2.) unit used to steal technology\research data from other factions

4 - Will in-game faction statistics be added in the future?
1.) During the post-game display, you can see how well you did statistically in each category. Can something similar be added for in-game use.

Thanks!!!!

(in reply to SephiRok)

Post #: 14

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 1/4/2014 10:13:08 PM

spitfire_ch

Posts: 6
Joined: 4/16/2010
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I don't quite understand how the area of control grows. I know that I can flag the tile to expand to next. But some tiles never seem to be flaggable - even if they are neutral and next to my area of control. For example, I would like to expand the AOC to include an ancient observatory. I could expand to the field next to it, but not to the observatory itself. What are the rules to make a tile flaggable?

Thanks!

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Post #: 15

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 1/6/2014 1:43:01 PM

Joram

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Can each of the victory conditions be summarized here?

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Post #: 16

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 1/8/2014 11:28:39 PM

spitfire_ch

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Both, armor and weapons increase the fist symbol (strength). There is no symbol indicating defense. Does this mean that there is no difference between weapons and armor? They both are just slots to increase the strength of your unit?

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Post #: 17

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 1/9/2014 12:15:47 PM

Joram

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Any chance of an 'A' to my 'Q'. If this has already been answered somewhere, I'd be obliged if someone can point me in the right direction.

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Post #: 18

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 1/10/2014 12:56:32 PM

SephiRok

Posts: 61
Joined: 5/3/2012
Status: offline

quote:

I don't quite understand how the area of control grows. I know that I can flag the tile to expand to next. But some tiles never seem to be flaggable - even if they are neutral and next to my area of control. For example, I would like to expand the AOC to include an ancient observatory. I could expand to the field next to it, but not to the observatory itself. What are the rules to make a tile flaggable?

Every time your city grows, starting at 8, your borders expand. You cannot expand outwards more than a certain amount of tiles (4 currently IIRC). Hives also prevent you from expanding onto any tile around them.

quote:

Can each of the victory conditions be summarized here?

* Research 75% of all technologies to win a scientific victory.
* Control 75% of Pandora's population to win a military victory.
* Accumulate enough credits to purchase 75% of the other independent factions' economies to win an economic victory.

quote:

Both, armor and weapons increase the fist symbol (strength). There is no symbol indicating defense. Does this mean that there is no difference between weapons and armor? They both are just slots to increase the strength of your unit?

Yes and no. Weapons also give you conditional modifiers, like +25% vs biological and -25% vs mechanical. Sometimes weapon always-on modifiers don't have an effect, like when you're being bombarded or hit from no enemy retaliation weapons (snipers and artillery). Sometimes armor modifiers don't have an effect, like when you're attacking with no enemy retaliation weapons (snipers and artillery).

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Designer and Programmer on Pandora: First Contact
Proxy Studios

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Post #: 19

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 1/10/2014 4:40:13 PM

Joram

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Thank you. So it doesn't actually pay to skip over older technologies. The way the tree is structured this is eminently feasible if it weren't for that victory condition.

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Post #: 20

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 1/11/2014 1:45:06 PM

SephiRok

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Technically, it's 75% of all research cost, so late techs give you more.

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Designer and Programmer on Pandora: First Contact
Proxy Studios

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Post #: 21

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 1/11/2014 7:21:33 PM

spitfire_ch

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Joined: 4/16/2010
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Thanks a lot! Now the game is not just extremely addictive, but its mechanics are also much clearer, thus increasing the fun even more! :)

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Post #: 22

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 5/18/2014 11:18:17 PM

gunnergoz

Posts: 447
Joined: 5/21/2002
From: San Diego CA
Status: offline

How does remote harvesting work? What do I have to do and what is the payoff?

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Post #: 23

RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 9/6/2014 8:42:13 PM

Raindog101

Posts: 1209
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From: Hole-in-the-Wall
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I can't find the button or hot key to bring up the production menu. Any help would be appreciated.

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RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 9/8/2014 5:23:58 PM

jack54

Posts: 1402
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From: East Tennessee
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Old Eagle101

I can't find the button or hot key to bring up the production menu. Any help would be appreciated.

Closest thing I found is the F3 key or the 'economy button' on the bottom of the screen. This gives a list of Cities and what each is producing. Hope this helps.

< Message edited by jack54 -- 9/8/2014 6:24:28 PM >

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RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 9/26/2014 2:32:49 PM

RockKahn

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You can also open the production menu by clicking on the city name located under the city hex on the map. Then you can cycle through the cities by clicking on the arrow beside the city name at the near top of the screen.

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RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 9/26/2014 9:16:27 PM

RockKahn

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1. How do I get a list that shows where my faction currently ranks in military strength, economy, population, etc.?

2. How do I stop spies? I shouldn't have to ring my cities with troops to stop a spy from entering, should I?

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RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 9/29/2014 7:21:23 AM

Runesil

Posts: 12
Joined: 11/16/2010
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Is there any way to automate Espionage? It also seems to me that currently espionage is fairly overpowered.

As an example, I currently have 3 other factions bordering my own, so I've setup three sets of Agent pairs (One each for credit and research) and every turn I need to steal credit and research from each other faction manually. I often receive between 3-4x the amount of research and credits that I can produce within my own cities, and I'm the most powerful faction on the planet at the moment!

Thanks,
Greg

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RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 9/29/2014 9:44:48 AM

Tac2i

Posts: 2001
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: WV USA
Status: offline

1) use the diplomacy screen. What you see there is your relative standing vs each faction, or better said what their standing is relative to you.

2) as currently implemented that is the only full proof way. I station picket units out so that I have visibility on hexes within spy striking range of my city. Then if I see one approaching, I destroy it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: RockKahn

1. How do I get a list that shows where my faction currently ranks in military strength, economy, population, etc.?

2. How do I stop spies? I shouldn't have to ring my cities with troops to stop a spy from entering, should I?

< Message edited by Webizen -- 9/29/2014 2:28:02 PM >

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RE: Gameplay Mechanics Q&A - 9/29/2014 11:46:46 AM

Tac2i

Posts: 2001
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: WV USA
Status: offline

No way to automate.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Runesil

Is there any way to automate Espionage? It also seems to me that currently espionage is fairly overpowered.

As an example, I currently have 3 other factions bordering my own, so I've setup three sets of Agent pairs (One each for credit and research) and every turn I need to steal credit and research from each other faction manually. I often receive between 3-4x the amount of research and credits that I can produce within my own cities, and I'm the most powerful faction on the planet at the moment!

Thanks,
Greg

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