Disappearing Credits?

[HumanHive]

Hi All,

I've had AC for years but only recently started playing a lot. I've currently got a game going as the Hive but my energy credits are zero. I watched it over a turn and it went up to 4 then dropped to zero so I think someone is stealing them.

I believe it is the Morganites but I have a pact of brotherhood with them so I'm not sure if its possible for them to take actions against me? I'm wondering if there's any way to find out where the probe team is or which faction is sponging off me - or if I've done something wrong that eats up all my credits each turn?


Thanks!

 

[Petek]

Welcome to CFC!

Your ECs probably are decreasing due to the Hive's Economy rating of -2. That means that each Hive base produces one less EC/turn than normal. Most base facilities (such as Children's Creches, Network Nodes, Command Centers and so on) cost you maintenance of one or more ECs/turn. Building too many such facilities without improving your economy can cause you to lose ECs. The same can happen if you build more units than a base can support. You can increase your ECs by building and working Solar Collectors, Forests and Boreholes. Build Recycling Tanks, since they provide +1 EC and cost no maintenance. Other facilities, such as Children's Creches and Energy Banks, increase ECs but cost maintenance so you have to consider whether or not they are worthwhile to build in a given base. When your bases grow to size five, you can use specialists to improve your economy. When available, you can run Wealth, which increases the Hive's Economy rating.

Also note: I tend to play as a "builder", so all of the above strategies reflect that style. If you're more of a "momentum" player, then you might want to just build a few basic facilities, crank out units and go after the AI.

A lot more can be said about this subject, but I don't want to overwhelm you. Please post again if you have any questions.

Petek

 

[HumanHive]

Thanks Petek, I had no idea that base facilities actually cost credits per turn! What happens if you don't have enough credits?

Edit:/ I'm more of a builder too, I have gotten a VM set up with my old Windows 95 and SMAC installed on it to play in a window rather than full screen so I can have extra long strategic games

 

[bdanv]

What happens if you don't have enough credits?

one rnd facility will be disbanded

 

[vyeh]

I've currently got a game going as the Hive

Welcome to CFC! You might find this article on Hive Strategy useful.

 

[HumanHive]

That strategy guide is interesting, I've been playing on the easiest difficulty and completely differently to the guide but have won a few games

Fast research into weapons then exploration then back to weapons and also getting formers seems to be the key - at least at this difficulty and against the AI.

 

[vyeh]

You might be interested in Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri - Basic Strategy, which came from Firaxis.