Quick Answers / 'Newbie' Questions

[Matty R]

On BTS, is there a limit to how many spaceship parts you can build before you stop getting an advantage?

For example, the ship needs 5 sets of thrusters. If I build 50 sets of thrusters will I have a ship 10 times as fast?

 

[ori]

On BTS, is there a limit to how many spaceship parts you can build before you stop getting an advantage?

For example, the ship needs 5 sets of thrusters. If I build 50 sets of thrusters will I have a ship 10 times as fast?

you cannot build more than the max amount of parts - only less, though no less than the minimum amount for each part

 

[Matty R]

you cannot build more than the max amount of parts - only less, though no less than the minimum amount for each part

Thanks for the reply.

I didn't see those "1-5 parts required" bits.

If I changed the XML files so instead of 1-5 thrusters required it became 1-10, would I get additional benefits from those extra five parts (So building 7 thrusters would make it faster)?

If I have to start messing with PYTHON I think I'll leave things as they are.

 

[ori]

Thanks for the reply.

I didn't see those "1-5 parts required" bits.

If I changed the XML files so instead of 1-5 thrusters required it became 1-10, would I get additional benefits from those extra five parts (So building 7 thrusters would make it faster)?

If I have to start messing with PYTHON I think I'll leave things as they are.

I did not check the code - but I highly suspect that it works this way:
Minimum Number of Parts = Minimum Speed and maximum chance of Failure
Max Number of Parts = Max Speed and Zero chance of Failure
Anything between those two will likely just push both values towards the max values in increments - so if you change the max numbers required you'll change what happens between min and max but won't push the max limit further out, for that you'll likely have to go c++ programming (I doubt that this code is in python).

 

[Matty R]

I did not check the code - but I highly suspect that it works this way:
Minimum Number of Parts = Minimum Speed and maximum chance of Failure
Max Number of Parts = Max Speed and Zero chance of Failure
Anything between those two will likely just push both values towards the max values in increments - so if you change the max numbers required you'll change what happens between min and max but won't push the max limit further out, for that you'll likely have to go c++ programming (I doubt that this code is in python).

Thanks again for the quick reply.

I haven't had a Space Race victory in BTS, (probably because I'm still playing my first BTS game), so I'm going to take your theory on board. I'll just increase the maximum numbers. I don't know if I'll be able to see the speed of the ship or anything, but if I can I'll be able to keep reloading and adding extra parts to see what happens.

Thanks again.

 

[Roland Johansen]

Thanks again for the quick reply.

I haven't had a Space Race victory in BTS, (probably because I'm still playing my first BTS game), so I'm going to take your theory on board. I'll just increase the maximum numbers. I don't know if I'll be able to see the speed of the ship or anything, but if I can I'll be able to keep reloading and adding extra parts to see what happens.

Thanks again.

The graphical representation of the spaceship only shows a limited number of components when you build it. I don't know what will happen if you allow more components than the graphical representation uses. It could just not show the graphic for these components or it could crash, I don't know.

 

[_alphaBeta_]

If you build less than 5 SS casings, the mission can fail. I believe the spaceship has a 20% chance of succeeding for every SS casing. (5*20% = 100% success).

I assume that thrusters and engine affect the travel time in a similar fashion. Anyone confirm?

Has anyone had it fail yet? Do you get the opportunity to build another from scratch?

 

[Roland Johansen]

Yes, the thrusters and the engines decrease the travel time. Note that the engines are one of the most expensive parts of the space ship and right at the end of the tech tree and you can build 2 of them. They also don't get a lot of production bonuses from resources. Because their building time is pretty long, it's beneficial to pick a research path that doesn't research fusion (the enabling technology) last.

If you want to use the production bonuses of the space elevator, then you'll also have to plan your research path well. Not only is it expensive and can it only be build in a few cities, but it is also not a wonder that you can build in time to help with the space parts if you don't focus your attention on getting it as fast as possible.

 

[Michael Alan]

Are there "official mods" or are they all unofficial. The Civ4 manual makes a reference to official ones but I don't see any on firaxis or 2k web sites. I see a mods folder in My Docs. Do you have to "install" mods meaning do they alter your registry and possibly have install-uninstall issues like patches can have? I like safe and simple stuff I can just drop in a folder. Where are the best of these found?

 

[ggganz]

The game comes with Mods, and you can download mods too. They are safe and simple stuff, sometimes even simpler than dropping in a folder. They're sometimes self-installing! And the only compatability issues are if you have the right Civ4 patch (because sometimes Mods won't be updated to work with the latest patch right away) but when they are, it will be released either as a patch to the Mod, or downloading the whole Mod again, just with different files.

They will usually self-install, but if they don't just plop them in the Mods folder. There is no registry; all the files there are are just the files that the Mod uses to actually work (XML, Python, some art files of various formats such as DDS, and possibly DLL files), and also the .ini file that lets the Mod tell the game "I exist." Then just go into the game, click Advanced>Load a Mod>Click the Mod you want. OR an alternative would be to create a shortcut, the target is, in quotes, the path to the .exe file of the game (C:\Program Files\Firaxis Games...) followed by /mod= (yourmod). Make sure there is a space between the path to the .exe and the /, and one between = and (yourmod).

You can find these Mods all over the place. Check in the Creation and Customization forum, in its Modpacks subforum.

 

[Michael Alan]

so many to pick from...
can you tell me which one I would like? *snicker*
Looks pretty simple. thanks ggganz

 

[ggganz]

can you tell me which one I would like?

Yeah, the one that doesn't exist. Mods suck, period. I don't understand why anyone would think the Epic game is so bad, or why anyone would take the time to learn the second set of rules for the new Mod.

 

[cabert]

so many to pick from...
can you tell me which one I would like? *snicker*
Looks pretty simple. thanks ggganz

Yeah, the one that doesn't exist. Mods suck, period. I don't understand why anyone would think the Epic game is so bad, or why anyone would take the time to learn the second set of rules for the new Mod.

try Fall from Heaven.
You'll never play the standard game again .

 

[Michael Alan]

hmm interesting polarization in players here. Appreciate the ideas ggganz & cabert. FFHII looks to be the most popular. So extensive. My inkling was for minor changes, not new rules. For example: In Command & Conquer Generals/Zero Hour, you can download maps that are tenth of a megabyte and such, not too massive. Doesn't change the AI or balances or units, only the playing field, the distribution of sources of income and terrain. Something to make it a little more interesting. But no need for worry about what patches and game versions you have etc.
What would be similar to that kind of add-on for Civ4?
Thanks for your help so far too

 

[ggganz]

That's not a Mod, that is a scenario. You can create that easily by pressing Ctrl+W and entering the World Builder.

 

[Michael Alan]

Scanning for senarios
Gonna open Ctrl+W too.

 

[RoboPig]

Two questions:
1. Are the turns in a Marathon game worth less years each than a quick game?
2. If i have a theocracy with no state religion, will no religions spread through my empire?

 

[ggganz]

1. Yes, that's how it works.
2. No, they won't. It's like running an atheist country.

 

[JujuLautre]

2. If i have a theocracy with no state religion, will no religions spread through my empire?

This behaviour has been changed in the last patchs/expansions, to avoid the atheic theocratic saladin for example. So:
- you can spread religions to an atheist without a state religion
- a civ can spread by itself a religion in the civ itself which is not the state religion in BTS (though I don't understand why)

 

[NSPaintball]

Is installing a graphic card able to be done by yourself or do you have to bring your computer to a technical place to install it? And if you have a more updated card will the computer run more smoothly because it will have more RAM? Thanks (Im thinking of buying a PNY 8600GT or a BFG 6200)