Build Orders...by faction!

[mintcandy]

So, I've revisited SMAC, and I'm very interested in moving up in difficulty from Librarian.

I've found that my build order is typically the same, regardless of whether it is my first city or my 100th city: build foot unit optimized for garrison duty, build former, build colony pod, build base improvements. When I discover Clean reactors, I switch out colony pod orders for aerial units with clean reactors instead.

Do you guys have different build orders for your bases, especially for the early game?

 

[Petek]

Early on, I almost always build a Former first (rushed, if possible), then build a garrison. Getting a Former out first allows you to begin to improve the base several turns earlier than otherwise. I would build a garrison first only if an enemy unit were nearby.

Later on, I first build facilities (esp. Recycling Tanks and Creches) in new bases. I should have enough Formers by that point that I don't need another one right away. I also build garrison units (clean, if possible) in established bases and then send them to guard the new bases. This strategy depends on having lots of bases, so YMMV.

 

[mintcandy]

Later on, I first build facilities (esp. Recycling Tanks and Creches) in new bases. I should have enough Formers by that point that I don't need another one right away. I also build garrison units (clean, if possible) in established bases and then send them to guard the new bases. This strategy depends on having lots of bases, so YMMV.

What about before the discovery of clean reactors? Do you typically have a mineral powerhouse pumping out garrison units, and switching support to the new base on the garrison unit's arrival?

Man, I've been playing Civ V for too long. I'm too used to having unit maintenance represented at the macro civ scale. I shudder to think about how bad I'd be at Civ II or III now.

 

[Petek]

What about before the discovery of clean reactors? Do you typically have a mineral powerhouse pumping out garrison units, and switching support to the new base on the garrison unit's arrival?

Yes, that's exactly what I do.

Man, I've been playing Civ V for too long. I'm too used to having unit maintenance represented at the macro civ scale. I shudder to think about how bad I'd be at Civ II or III now.

 

[green1]

You need formers ASAP then you need to spit out colony pods as fast as safely possible without feeding the mindworms while having at least enough scout patrols/ synthmetal sentinels to pop any pods AND gard bases and repond to any native threat.

Everything else is situational. The thing about AC is there really is no "set" build order. You have to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.