Noob lost in space (Full Version)

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SundiataWTF -> Noob lost in space (6/19/2014 11:01:42 PM)

So I finally got the courage up to play this game. I gotta say, the UI is really killing me. I thought I'd like to start as a prewarp human empire. The game suggests that I research hyprdrives and colonization techs. It also recommends spaceport technologies, build mining stations, etc.

Problem is, I don't know how to research the right techs because I can't find anything in the Galactopedia or the manual that says what techs are necessary for what components which are necessary for what ships/bases/buildings. Maybe I missed something. Does something like that exist? Is there a list or chart or anything that I can use for reference? I can build a construction at the beginning. Is that what I use to build my spaceport?

All help appreciated.[:)]




SundiataWTF -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/19/2014 11:26:00 PM)

I found the answer to the spaceport was to right click the homeworld. I am still looking for prerequisite documentation.




Fleshbits -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/19/2014 11:28:19 PM)

My step 1 in any strategy game, that I am unfamiliar with, is to look for stickies in their forum. Stickies with guides... Those are neat.

There is one in there that guides you all the way through your first system and hyperjumps that would be particularly useful for you to read.

spaceports are built by colonies. select the planet, moon, or whatever your colony resides on, right click on it, and menu should pop up for build->ssp small spaceport
colonies also build the construction ships.
construction ships build mines and other useful stations.
once your spaceport is done, it can build military ships, colony ships, exploration ships, etc.





LandShepherd -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/19/2014 11:29:25 PM)

F7 will bring up the tech tree.




Tcby -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/19/2014 11:30:35 PM)

Right click on your planet and select Build -> small space port. The space port builds ships and lets ships drop off/pick up resources.

As you will see, a Constructor can also be built from the planet. You use these to build mines and other things away from your home planet.

Once you have a spaceport up you can access the build order screen from the top bar, and choose what you want it to build. You could also do this by right clicking, but the build order screen is more straightforward.

After your spaceport is built, your basic priorities should be:
1.)Open up your design screen from the top bar, find your small space port design (you can filter to state bases to find it easily), select 'Manually Upgrade Design', and add research labs (called weapons lab, high tech lab, energy lab. Not plants, which are for construction) to your space port. The amount you should add is based on your research capacity, but for a first game there's no point worrying about that. Just add 5 of each. If it asks you whether you want to keep things automated, say yes. Once you have added the labs, you need to tell the base to retrofit to this design. Left click on the base, and select retrofit in the box on the bottom left of the screen. You could also order this retrofit by right clicking, or in the ships and bases screen.

2.)Research.
Weapons: get armor then anything you want :)
High Tech: Do what you want. You will need colonization eventually to do what it says on the tin. Other essential techs are Transport Systems, Medical facilities, and Recreational Facilities. Note that you can several build wonders with this tree. They are all very good. If you don't know what to pick, go with the Traders Bazaar at the bottom of the tree. Money :)
Energy:Get Energy Collectors in the Energy research tree. Once you have energy those, you can put them on ships and bases to let them power their systems without burning fuel (as long as they aren't moving). Since fuel is a resource (the one you currently use is called Caslon, mined from gas giants), this will save your economy quite a bit. Further research priorities in the energy tree are shields, construction size increases, and warp tech. Note that you won't be able to research warp tech until you have explored your starting system. Build Exploration ships to do this.

3.) Build 2 or 3 exploration ships at your small space port. Automate them if you want.

4.) Pay off any pirates, if you have them enabled.

5.) Build 1 or 2 constructors, to begin building mining stations at suitable locations in your system. You can see what resources each planet, asteroid etc has by clicking on it. You can only see resources once you have explored them, by scanning them with anything that has a resource scanner on board. At the moment that's your exploration ships. You could put a scanner on your constructor as well if you want...your call.

At this point you will have decent research, the ability to make ships and mining stations, the techs that allow your ships to not blow up instantly when attacks (armor, shields), and the techs that allow you to ferry troops or tourists around, depending on your inclination.

Hope that helps a little.

Edit: Also try the in game tutorials.




pycco -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/19/2014 11:33:14 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fleshbits

My step 1 in any strategy game, that I am unfamiliar with, is to look for stickies in their forum. Stickies with guides... Those are neat.

There is one in there that guides you all the way through your first system and hyperjumps that would be particularly useful for you to read.

spaceports are built by colonies. select the planet, moon, or whatever your colony resides on, right click on it, and menu should pop up for build->ssp small spaceport
colonies also build the construction ships.
construction ships build mines and other useful stations.
once your spaceport is done, it can build military ships, colony ships, exploration ships, etc.




[:)][:)]

@SundiataCole

look in the tech screen its all laid out fairly simply, the warp drive precursor is on the planet with a icon next to it in your starting system. they are ruins that must be explored with an exploration ship, i would just jump in remember that there is an auto setting to allow you to ease your way into the game.

here is a link to a lot of information
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3497284

you can also watch a lets play series to get an idea of how to play.




Tcby -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/19/2014 11:35:33 PM)

^ Yes. You are meant to start with partial automation to ease into things.




Canaris_PL -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/20/2014 8:09:44 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Tcby

^ Yes. You are meant to start with partial automation to ease into things.


Im sorry but i have to disagree.
As a veteran 4x/strategy player i have to say that starting with anything on automate is really stupid idea. Everything in this game is related to everything else. Automating some part of the game makes the water muddy and really prevents you from learning how various things relate to each other, how different gameplay elements work etc etc.

Its better to go full manual, go slow ( normal or 0.5 speed ), start at the very bottom i.e. Normal Shadows Empire and simply learn from your own mistakes.




Tcby -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/20/2014 8:28:26 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canaris_PL

Im sorry but i have to disagree.
As a veteran 4x/strategy player i have to say that starting with anything on automate is really stupid idea. Everything in this game is related to everything else. Automating some part of the game makes the water muddy and really prevents you from learning how various things relate to each other, how different gameplay elements work etc etc.

Its better to go full manual, go slow ( normal or 0.5 speed ), start at the very bottom i.e. Normal Shadows Empire and simply learn from your own mistakes.

Heh, ok disregard my really stupid idea. I wouldn't describe myself as a veteran so I guess I have no retort [:'(]




Sirian -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/20/2014 9:12:25 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canaris_PL

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tcby

^ Yes. You are meant to start with partial automation to ease into things.


Im sorry but i have to disagree. [...]


And I have to counter disagree here.

Well, there may be different approaches to learning a really complex game, but I found it helpful to automate most of it in the beginning. Then I learned to control one aspect at the time. Controlling a ship, a fleet, a ship design, the reseach tree, colonization, taxes, in time everything made sense. Then I learned how the parts fitted together, or rather I am still learnng that.

Of course I lost all those early games, automation can behave so strange. But its ok, since we only want the show to keep on running while we take our magnifying glass and look at a detail.




Gregorovitch55 -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/20/2014 11:34:19 AM)

I guess people's mileage varies, but for me I stopped my first game where I was using a lot of automation very quickly because I didn't really have a clue what what was going on and started again working through Timotheas' guide - I'm sure it isn't the only way to play, but it sure works to get you off to a decent start in a game and gives you a good grounding in the fundamental mechanics of DW. Then you can make much more informed decision on what you want to automate in future.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3508583






fenrislokison -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/20/2014 11:58:32 AM)

Fully agree with Gregorovitch.
When i first started to play, automation didn't explained me the game, instead it just felt like it was playing by itself and i was just a clueless observer.


Besides, by playing fully manual you get to be a macho man, eh... i meant manly man!




ribroast -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/24/2014 9:11:15 PM)

Another noob here. I bought the game at 9:00 pm yesterday, downloaded and installed it by about 10:30 pm. I figured I would check it out real quick so I fired it up and left everything on auto, just so I could see what it looks like, you know. My plan was to play my first real game on manual so I could figure out how everything works on my own. Well I ended up playing it until 4:00 am, and I did not want to quit but I was looking at starting my day today with no sleep at all, so I finally shut it down. Starting out on auto is actually working out pretty well for me, I've played plenty of 4X and RTS games over the years and I have a good understanding of whats going on. I am opening up all the dialog boxes and making quite a few of the important decisions that affect my empire. The price tag has kept me from getting this game since I first heard about it probably six mouths ago, but I finally bite the bullet, I was waiting for Universe to come out at least. Of course I missed the discount price when it was released. Most expensive game I've ever bought. To me this game has all the stuff I always wanted in a computer game. I think it is worth the asking price, steep though it is.




Gilmer -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/24/2014 11:26:21 PM)

Welcome ribroast. I started off everything manual. I have never played DW before, so it has been a shock all on manual. I watched some of Larry Monte's let's plays and Das' let's plays, so I wasn't playing cold turkey, but it still has been tough.




SundiataWTF -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/25/2014 6:20:21 PM)

Thanks very much for the feedback. The game sat on my hard drive unused for nearly a year before the Universe expansion prompted me to try again. Before, I never got past the Galactopedia! I've been starting games on manual with "suggest" settings on for everything except taxation and the ship building. Tbcy, your sugestion about editing the spaceport is something I'm doing every time. I don't know if research would be effective without it.

I have to say I find the pirates annoying. I have the setting set to "very few" and "distant" but they still always show up and extort me before I even have warp capability. The one time I didn't pay them my facilities kept exploding! I guess I have to pay them until I find their bases through exploration?

All in all, I'm enjoying the game (finally) and looking forward to getting past warp drives and colonizing my first world. Really got to get out of my initial system!




pycco -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/25/2014 6:45:13 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: H Gilmer

Welcome ribroast. I started off everything manual. I have never played DW before, so it has been a shock all on manual. I watched some of Larry Monte's let's plays and Das' let's plays, so I wasn't playing cold turkey, but it still has been tough.


i started to play with no auto on myself i found it challenging to say the least once you understand how the game works it gets much easier. don't give up you will die lots and lots learn form your mistakes and keep trying.




Darkspire -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/25/2014 7:03:28 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Canaris_PL


quote:

ORIGINAL: Tcby

^ Yes. You are meant to start with partial automation to ease into things.


Im sorry but i have to disagree.
As a veteran 4x/strategy player i have to say that starting with anything on automate is really stupid idea. Everything in this game is related to everything else. Automating some part of the game makes the water muddy and really prevents you from learning how various things relate to each other, how different gameplay elements work etc etc.

Its better to go full manual, go slow ( normal or 0.5 speed ), start at the very bottom i.e. Normal Shadows Empire and simply learn from your own mistakes.


Dude have a heart, the OP said he was a noob, the automation really does help except for the adviser, ignore him for anything except planet facilities, once you are in a positive flow for credits, order your own ships, 5 of the first 4, escort, frigate, destroyer and cruiser will do for each system, tone down the pirates, they will really spoil your game until you are used to things, let the AI handle the designs and retrofits. If you keep at it it will not be long before you are saying to yourself, 'I could do better doing it this way', turn the AI off slowly for each section when you become familiar with things, no need to go completely manual, get the AI to suggest things for you then once your comfortable with that then move on to manual.

Try watch some the Lets Play videos, those are great for getting started.

Have a look through these from Das How to Play Distant Worlds

Darkspire




Tcby -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/25/2014 9:28:31 PM)

As Darkspire said, the pirates are a real pain until you are more familiar with the game. I suggest keeping their settings the way you've got them. Through pirates you can get better at managing your money and planning attacks (other empires don't mind if you exterminate pirates :)).

They are also useful in their own right. You should buy information about other empires from them whenever they make an offer. You can also use steal pirate territory maps to reveal the locations of not only their bases, but also any colonies they have protection deals with. This also gives you a handy list of independent colonies to take over when you achieve warp capability.

Oh, regarding your comment that they always find you before you reach warp tech: that is by design. In the shadows start, pirates are supposed to be your first major roadbloack to becoming space faring. They are also meant to limit your expansion once you have warp capability. Slowly overtaking the pirates, and driving them from your systems, can be considered the early game. It's fun once you're a bit more familiar with the whole process [:)]




Gilmer -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/26/2014 12:02:45 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pycco


quote:

ORIGINAL: H Gilmer

Welcome ribroast. I started off everything manual. I have never played DW before, so it has been a shock all on manual. I watched some of Larry Monte's let's plays and Das' let's plays, so I wasn't playing cold turkey, but it still has been tough.


i started to play with no auto on myself i found it challenging to say the least once you understand how the game works it gets much easier. don't give up you will die lots and lots learn form your mistakes and keep trying.


I'm not doing too badly. I just need to figure out the best way to defend bases and how many defensive ships I need. And maybe a little more on the best designs. I had the race (I quit that game) that had the Shakturi missiles. My military power went up exponentially, but I quit the game because I lost my 2nd colony. I got a little frustrated. :) Sorry to hijack your thread.




pycco -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/26/2014 12:55:35 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: H Gilmer


quote:

ORIGINAL: pycco


quote:

ORIGINAL: H Gilmer

Welcome ribroast. I started off everything manual. I have never played DW before, so it has been a shock all on manual. I watched some of Larry Monte's let's plays and Das' let's plays, so I wasn't playing cold turkey, but it still has been tough.


i started to play with no auto on myself i found it challenging to say the least once you understand how the game works it gets much easier. don't give up you will die lots and lots learn form your mistakes and keep trying.


I'm not doing too badly. I just need to figure out the best way to defend bases and how many defensive ships I need. And maybe a little more on the best designs. I had the race (I quit that game) that had the Shakturi missiles. My military power went up exponentially, but I quit the game because I lost my 2nd colony. I got a little frustrated. :) Sorry to hijack your thread.


nothing wrong with starting over, the game is quite difficult. think in terms of spacial control and don't over expand i would suggest selling techs if you can for the boost in $$$. start with a good start and not in pre-warp would be best imo.




necaradan666 -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/26/2014 1:25:06 AM)

I don't get why people don't just RTFM. I learned the game by reading through each tutorial and reading all text displayed in each screen as I used them. Sure some mechanics are a little esoteric but overall the game tells you pretty much everything you need to know.




fenrislokison -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/26/2014 7:33:04 AM)

Perhaps because it feels nice to have answers coming from other players? and because those who answer probably feel nice too because they were able to help?
I'm also quite sure there's a lot of lurkers quite happy to find an answer to a question they didn't dare to ask (or too lazy to create a account).

And overall, it creates a good activity on this forum which would be dead if all players knew exactly how to play the game.

And all this is a good thing since i have something to read when i'm bored at work [:D]




necaradan666 -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/26/2014 8:32:02 AM)

Didn't really mean anything by it, just gets frustrating helping people sometimes knowing that the information is readily available if they just open their eyes. I had just watched a friend playing an xbox game getting red in the face, screaming mad, had to stop him throwing my controller out the window and all because he couldn't figure out how to do something when right there at the bottom of the screen it said 'press X to equip item'




Sirian -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/26/2014 10:51:18 AM)

Having an actual player answer a question has one added benefit: It is an answer by someone who actually did that and can confirm it works like the "FM" says. Often enugh, the answering person will add other hints and isights. Additionally, those not involved in the question - answer process can read it and improve their game experience.

Its a win-win-win situation.




Bingeling -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/26/2014 11:05:59 AM)

I love good questions with good answers. I suck at asking, and pick up knowledge from the answers given to others.

If closely observed, I can on occasion be found desperately googling while internally screaming "Have really noone had this problem before?". Then finally find one that asked, and that never got an answer...




Tcby -> RE: Noob lost in space (6/26/2014 12:07:30 PM)

^ Reminds me of me [:D]




SundiataWTF -> RE: Noob lost in space (7/13/2014 3:29:45 AM)

I really appreciate all the help. The strategic depth of this game is awe inspiring. However, the UI is so hard to use that I find myself competing more against the interface than the enemy. I think a lot of the problem for me comes down to the 2D nature of the game. I'm clicking and clicking where my planet, spaceport and several ships apparently occupy exactly the same space (which I think violates several physical laws) in an effort to tell a construction ship to build another research lab. He was automated, so once I "thought" I had control of him I tried to give the order. Nothing happened. I felt my frustration building so I stopped playing. I came back the next day to try again and I got the same result: I couldn't give the construction ship an order. I got so frustrated I nearly uninstalled the game. But at this price, I couldn't bare to do that, so I resinstalled Enless Space and Galactic Civilization II instead. I know, they aren't as deep, don't offer near the challenge, but at least I can click the button I want and have the action executed, even if the action is simplistic ore even a mistake on my part.

Another problem I'm having reminds me of a comment further up in this thread. Someone said I should RTFM. Well, answers to most of the arcane interface questions that all noobs ask on this forum aren't in the manual. I just wish there was more polish. I'm going to give the game a bit more of a rest and try again later.




DeadlyShoe -> RE: Noob lost in space (7/13/2014 6:08:36 AM)

quote:

I really appreciate all the help. The strategic depth of this game is awe inspiring. However, the UI is so hard to use that I find myself competing more against the interface than the enemy. I think a lot of the problem for me comes down to the 2D nature of the game. I'm clicking and clicking where my planet, spaceport and several ships apparently occupy exactly the same space (which I think violates several physical laws) in an effort to tell a construction ship to build another research lab. He was automated, so once I "thought" I had control of him I tried to give the order. Nothing happened. I felt my frustration building so I stopped playing. I came back the next day to try again and I got the same result: I couldn't give the construction ship an order. I got so frustrated I nearly uninstalled the game. But at this price, I couldn't bare to do that, so I resinstalled Enless Space and Galactic Civilization II instead. I know, they aren't as deep, don't offer near the challenge, but at least I can click the button I want and have the action executed, even if the action is simplistic ore even a mistake on my part.

Sorry about your frustration [:(]. FYI: you generally shouldn't use construction ships to build at an owned colony. If you want to build something other than a spaceport or a DFB, go into the colony's information screen by double click its details and select the construction yards tab.




johanwanderer -> RE: Noob lost in space (7/13/2014 6:18:57 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: SundiataCole
...
I'm clicking and clicking where my planet, spaceport and several ships apparently occupy exactly the same space (which I think violates several physical laws) in an effort to tell a construction ship to build another research lab. He was automated, so once I "thought" I had control of him I tried to give the order. Nothing happened. I felt my frustration building so I stopped playing. I came back the next day to try again and I got the same result: I couldn't give the construction ship an order. I got so frustrated I nearly uninstalled the game.
...



The magic key is the Control Key. Select your contruction ship by left-clicking her (pause the game if necessary so she won't move). With her selected, try control-right click on a planet. That brings up the extended menu for you to build most things.

Also, as DeadlyShoe mentioned, on a planet that you own, it is easier to build it from the planet. To do that, slect the planet (left clicking) then control-right click to access the build menu.

Hope that helps!




Tcby -> RE: Noob lost in space (7/13/2014 6:37:57 AM)

Also a minor point: ships being on top of each other doesn't violate the laws of physics. Top down view doesn't account for depth - things overlapping are simply above or below each other. In space, ships could be vertically above or below each other but still a vast distance apart [8D]




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