Gaian ability to capture native life

[Petek]

It's been well-known almost since the initial launch of SMAC that the Gaians will always capture a mindworm on the first attempt. After playing the Gaians several times, I noticed something that I don't recall being previously known (although I could be wrong): The Gaians will always capture any form of native life (except fungal towers) at first attempt, provided that the attacking unit has the ability to do so.

See the attached file, Test Gaian Capture, 2101.sav. The scout patrol in the base can attack and capture the mindworm, the scout patrol outside the base can attack and capture the spore launcher. The two gun foils can attack and capture the IOD and Sealurk. However, when the needlejet and chopper attack the adjacent Locusts, no captures take place. But the SAM scout infantry, having the Air Superiority ability, can attack and capture the Locust.

It's also known that the capture success rate decreases as more captures take place. It might be interesting (or not!) to ascertain whether the IOD capture rate, say, depends on the total number of captures, or only on the number of IODs previously captured.

Petek

 

[Lefty Scaevola]

But the SAM scout infantry, having the Air Superiority ability, can attack and capture the Locust.

I have not tried that before, new tactic for me.

 

[chuft]

I have used SAM rovers to capture Locusts before.

But I don't recall ever capturing a Sealurk with anything.

 

[vyeh]

I captured a Sealurk with a gunship (1)-1-4. I think it was my first capture (validating Petek's observation).

I would have preferred an IoD:

(1) the Sealurk can not carry anything;

(2) it costs a Sealurk 3 mp to move through fungus while it only costs an IoD only 1 mp.

In a MP game, the Sealurk will be harder to spot by opposing human players than an IoD.