disable aliens/barbs!

[bladex]

need an option/MOD to disable aliens (barbs) on the map. every map i play is infested with them they surround me can't even expand!

 

[IphStich]

Unlike the barbarians from the other Civ games, the aliens in BE aren't actually aggressive for the most part and will simply defend their own territory.

It should be fairly safe and easy (or has been in the couple games I've played) to expand out in directions giving the aliens and their nests a bit of breathing room.

The only real exception I've seen are the Seige Worms, so you should watch out for them. Though, I've only seen them move/attack 1 space a turn, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

 

[bladex]

well aliens attack me no matter what and the Seige Worms are too OP you do little dmg to them and they slaughter you!

 

[householder]

As a rule of thumb, aliens will (usually) attack any unit which comes too close to a nest. In my experience, two hexes is considered too close. This makes early exploration frustrating if you end a turn near a previously undiscovered nest.

I have also noticed that aliens will attack undefended colonists and trade vehicles. So sending an escort with non-military units is a good idea.

My understanding is that the game was designed so that the aliens would be the main threat during the early game. Aliens become much less of a threat by mid-game. If aliens were disabled, it might make the early game too easy. In addition, doing so would remove important decisions on how your civilization will develop. Deciding a long-term strategy for the alien management will help determine the direction of your civ and affect diplomatic relations with the AI civs.

 

[mnf]

I've been repeating the first 50 turns or so for a day.

My impression is that there's this hidden "human hate" parameter that has a randomized initial value. In some games I get dog-piled the moment I end my turn within 2 tiles of a nest, and in these games, the aliens invariably will attack my civilian units. In other games I can have my Explorer bee-line straight for a nest that has 4 or even 5 alien units around and take it out without any retaliation, and in these games I can also walk my civilian units right past alien units safely.

In other words, its like a hidden "raging aliens" option.

One thing I don't like is the Purity level 1 bonus (aliens will not attack Explorers). It seems counter-intuitive to what the affinities represent. I would have expected this bonus to be a Harmony level 1 bonus, seeing Harmony is about co-existence.

 

[bladex]

i think that raging aliens must be bugged if you have it off now and than it will turn on it has to. some games aliens will leave me alone unless i attack the nest directly. other times they just surround me and attack anything in sight!

 

[householder]

One thing I don't like is the Purity level 1 bonus (aliens will not attack Explorers). It seems counter-intuitive to what the affinities represent. I would have expected this bonus to be a Harmony level 1 bonus, seeing Harmony is about co-existence.

I agree that Purity 1 bonus would better fit the path of Harmony. I wonder it it was assigned to Purity for game balance, or some other reason?

And, yes, I have noticed that in some games the aliens seem far more aggressive than in other games, even though I am using identical game settings.

 

[bladex]

this is definitely a bug before you start the game enable and disable raging aliens a few times before finally leaving it off.

 

[civictor]

well aliens attack me no matter what and the Seige Worms are too OP you do little dmg to them and they slaughter you!

The concensus is that aliens are wimps. But here are some solutions to your problems:

Attack siege worms with city ranged attack. It does about 10 damage and takes a while, but it will kill them. Adding a ranged unit in the city does another point or two, but not much. Otherwise, keep your units away from them. The worms will pillage around your city, but you can repair.

Get Purity I affinity to make explorers immune to aliens and use explorers to loot nests, guard settlers and workers, and position obstacles to aliens to moderate attacks. Aliens are aggressive when you get within two hexes of a nest, so looting nests with immune explorers is a good way to pacify the aliens.

 

[Ryika]

this is definitely a bug before you start the game enable and disable raging aliens a few times before finally leaving it off.

As far as I know, raging aliens only increases their numbers, but doesn't actually change their behavior. Although I have to admit that I might be wrong here.

 

[bladex]

well i've been doing this with every game now and the aliens are no problem...except them MOFO siege worms their too OP it's a frigging joke!

 

[bcyy]

The concensus is that aliens are wimps. But here are some solutions to your problems:

Attack siege worms with city ranged attack. It does about 10 damage and takes a while, but it will kill them. Adding a ranged unit in the city does another point or two, but not much. Otherwise, keep your units away from them. The worms will pillage around your city, but you can repair.

Get Purity I affinity to make explorers immune to aliens and use explorers to loot nests, guard settlers and workers, and position obstacles to aliens to moderate attacks. Aliens are aggressive when you get within two hexes of a nest, so looting nests with immune explorers is a good way to pacify the aliens.

Are you joking? Get a ranged unit, an explorer, and purity 1 (grants explorers immunity from alien attacks). Stick explorer between the ranged unit and the Siege Worm, and roast the Siege Worm with the ranged unit, keeping the explorer in between them.

 

[Ryoga]

well aliens attack me no matter what

As long as you are nice to them and you don't get close to their nests:

-Aliens do not attack explorer units
-Aliens do not attack soldier units or anything that is stronger (they do attack the basic ranger and the rover)
-Aliens do not attack any unit that is in your borders. That includes workers and colonies. They are not safe outside of borders though, which is why you should defend them with soldiers.
-Sea dragons are a special case and attack almost any unit except for embarked explorers.
-Kraken are also an exception but they can be avoided by staying in shore tiles.

Considering all that you really shouldn't have many problems expanding even when surrounded by aliens. Except for the those rare occasions where every single path is in close range to a nest.