ISG Pre-Alpha8 play-through and hints

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Konstantine, Aug 16, 2017.

  1. Konstantine

    Konstantine Grand Admiral

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    Hi all,

    Today I started a game of ISG Pre-Alpha8 (impossible, medium map), I will relate the play-through for you and also give some hints to newer players that will save them some needless grief.

    The current game is at turn 50. I have Sierra at Terra and Ka2120 at Ivliuf… and that leads me to the first hint. I had both of these leaders assigned when I finished research for Economic capitol. Guess what, they both then desired that I build it in their respective colonies at the same time. This means no matter what I do, one of them will be pissed off. If you want to avoid this, here is what to do. Prior to completing your research you must un-assign all colony leaders except the one located where you wish to build the econ-cap. Un-assigned colony leaders do not generate desires (only ship leaders do that). You must then keep all colony leaders un-assigned until the project is completed. Yeah I know, not very elegant but it works.

    Now notice my survey ship (second hint). If you want to avoid losing it to a space monster when exploring, have a Frigate escort it. In this way, if a monster is present, the choice for manual combat is activated, choose manual and flee on your first turn. Both the FF and Survey ship will withdraw. Without an escort, the Survey ship is lost automatically.

    Looking at my map there is not much going on now. I’m holding my colony ship in reserve until I find a better world to colonize, right now everything I un-covered is deficient.

    Research is smooth and I have already concluded vaults, swamp col, desert col, scanners, shields and econ cap. Space culture is rapid and I am half way through the Adventure section already.

    I scrapped the starting FFs for some cash but have two of my nasty gun Frigates constructed, they can more than handle anything the AI can throw at them this early but expect more ships to be built once my econ cap is complete.
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  2. Konstantine

    Konstantine Grand Admiral

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    Play ISG enough, and you’re going to roll some pretty weird starts. Check out the situation at turn 100. I’ve explored half the map and no sign of the AI. Directly north of my HW I have a concentration of monsters that I can’t take on yet. I built up my military a bit more and have 5FF now, on the civilian side of things I settled another poor swamp world as it was better than nothing. I’m building an outpost and have researched Med bay, Nukes, T-gun, II shields and improved logistics. I rescued Wan and he is at my new colony. All quiet on the space front.
    100.jpg

    At 140 I found the Moltar. By this time I had expanded with another colony and 2 outposts while the navy had also grown.
    140.jpg

    Sure enough, a few turns later, the Moltar attacked and we fought two battles. At Drid we squared off with a single FF each, even though the Moltar FF was new construction, (it had shields), I destroyed it. At Sliux, a single Moltar FF withdrew when faced with DD and FF of mine. The Draguul also made their appearance and I attacked them at Aslems with a single DD, their lone FF withdrew. So far so good, the AI is not suicidal and is pulling back. I on the other hand am expanding quickly, Neutronium is being mined and giving my colonies a boost. Research into Ecological improvements has been completed and upgrades are under way at 3 out of 4 colonies, including my HM.
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    By turn 161, I am comfortable and debating going after the Aliens with the forces present rather than building up more, we’ll see. Money is a problem though and I am considering firing a leader, there is one on every colony now.
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    Last edited: Aug 16, 2017
  3. Konstantine

    Konstantine Grand Admiral

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    "Fewer but more important ships", nice concept but a double edged sword. In the early game it is a struggle to build ships, usually I am content if I have 4-6 new FFs by turn 100. This is difficult in ISG, especially if you attempt to build civilian ships early on. The problem then becomes that you really can’t afford losses early, even the loss of 2FFs can mean defeat. For the AI, the problem is even more pronounced.

    With that In mind I took my time attacking the AI as I had a total of 3DD and 9FF spread out over multiple systems. Even still, I was able to take down the AI fairly easily as neither AI faction had expanded well. I think this was because of their random start though, they were both boxed in and had limited room to expand, as a result, I beat them without too much trouble.

    However, these types of starts are rare from my experience and this session did not answer enough questions for me, as a result I started a game on a large map in order to give the AI (and myself) more breathing room. So far I have only found the Moltar who are in very good shape, I’ve stayed friendly with them as I’m not sure I want to fight with just 1DD and 5FF at my disposal. Making matters worse, I’ve found very poor choices for colonization and expansion. I also have Wan as my only leader. This I like, give me a challenge every time and I’m as happy as a pig in mud.
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  4. Adam Solo

    Adam Solo Developer Administrator Grand Admiral

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    Do you happen to be playing in Impossible in your most recent Large game? If so, that helps explain the less favourable start for you, and why you feel you're struggling to build ships.
     
  5. Konstantine

    Konstantine Grand Admiral

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    Yes Adam, I am... and it is so sweet.
    Take a look below
    This "feels" impossible, I've raided the Moltar and knocked out a colony and outpost as well as a few ships, they sneezed that off and attempted to rebuild. See their Battleship parked there at Acriu? I've yet to build a Cruiser. On top of that I need to divert effort to eco improvements and exploits. It's a real need because I can't keep up with the Moltar. Holy heck, I love ISG when all things fall into place like this and every single aspect and mechanic becomes vital. Talk about hard choices when you only have your HW to rely on.
    For the first time in a long time, I feel threatened, I feel I could lose. I'm glued to my PC now. Just imagine when everything is adjusted and refined even further...
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  6. Konstantine

    Konstantine Grand Admiral

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    Here gents, take a look at the potential of the AI. I took Usagla as a forward base, this puts Vreh just in range of my fleet. That system is the driver behind Moltar expansion and I must knock it out to stand a chance. The problem is I have 1CA, 1DD AND 3FF at Usagla, there is no way I can take on the garrison depicted in the screenshot. I'm now researching Antimatter achievements as a way to boost my productivity and see if that helps. I've got to try and draw some Moltar ships away from their main group and take them on piecemeal, It's the only viable strategy at the moment, a head on attack would be foolish.
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  7. Konstantine

    Konstantine Grand Admiral

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    Well, what a predicament.
    Under the correct circumstances, Pre-Alpha 8 can be a formidable challenge and it seems like I will lose this time. I tried to strike at the Moltar as best as I could.
    I gathered a fleet of 2CA, 3DD, and 7FF and attacked at Draiphab, the Moltar had 1TN, 1BB, 1DD and 2FF there. I destroyed all but the Titan which managed to withdraw at the last second and headed to Vreh, the Moltar have 2 more Titans there. This was unfortunate as that Titan was what I was really after, in the battle I lost one of my Cruisers to swarms of fighters launched by that same Titan. I noticed that my PD weaponry managed to kill some of those fighters but not enough to stop them.
    Even though I destroyed the colony there, the Moltar are stronger than ever so I withdrew to Usagla. My own colonies are now receiving the benefits of Antimatter exploits but I need to do more.
    At least the Draguul are not in range to strike at me as that would mean certain collapse. I think the time has come to try my hand at diplomacy and befriend the Lizards, maybe bring them into the war on my side.
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  8. Konstantine

    Konstantine Grand Admiral

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    Will miracles never cease?
    I'm allied with the Lizards now. I approached them a while ago for a research treaty and they accepted, this allowed me to stay in good graces with them (thus protecting my flank), and pick up some additional techs to help my efforts. After a while I proposed a trade treaty as well and they accepted. Finally, with relations at an all time high, I offered an alliance and they accepted... sheesh, they even called me "brother" (puke!)
    A few turn ago I requested some ships from them and they promised to send some though they have yet to arrive.
    The lava-heads are ignoring me even though every time they re-build a colony at Draiphab I keep destroying it. Last time this happened I took out a Battleship of theirs but spotted at least 5 Titans in their territory with an assortment of smaller ships.
    Things will come to a head soon as I am frantically building up new advanced classes of ships, my older designs are having a hard time penetrating Moltar defensive tech. Just to give an example, my new Frigates have quantum missiles while my newly designed Battleships have wurzite armor, class 5 shields, Photon torpedoes and nice heavy main guns, the ones without range penalties.
    This game is kicking now, I've started to exploit more strategic resources and am getting into aspects that rarely play a role on the medium map. Perhaps the only negative is that the Moltar are too passive but that is likely due to poor scanning and logistical tech. In other words, they can't see me and my planets are out of their range. I continue to insure that any forward bases they construct are destroyed quickly so as to protect my territory
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