RK-02 Gaia's Stepdaughters

[Meatbuster]

Never tried playing as the Angels, so I've no idea what they were like. The Crossfire factions were quite interesting, but never as good as the original bunch, in my opinion.

Angels are OK, but compared to the other SMAX factions... let's see. Svensgaard's start is overpowered; he has the entire sea (and subsequently, all sea-based goodie pods) all to himself for a while. Of course it IS hard to get a land foothold but who cares, the sea is good enough. Cult of Planet is like an alternate (and IMO better) Gaians. Yep, all the other SMAX factions aren't interesting but they're mostly better than the SMAC factions (especially the Progenitors). I wish there was a "12-civ" mode where I can pit all the human factions together.

As for variant 4, I want Emperor at least for that one, don't you think? Not that I've won an Emperor game, but come on, we have an extra settler! Oh wait, no tech trading for a while does hurt.

 

[hamtastic]

Oops! Robo_kai, I saw a post of yours in another thread about strategy somewhere suggesting a merchant-based SG. So I started one - the Hanseatic league. I didn't realize you really already had it in the works (I just looked at the previous page). Care to join though?

 

[Meatbuster]

Great! It's fine, you may start it without me. I'll be lurking intently, it seems the "Gaian Council" is up for a second Alpha Centauri-themed SG.

 

[Scowler]

Status report: I've played 5 turns so far, but that took the better part of 2 hours so the rest will have to wait 'til tomorrow.

As for what happened, I started the beeline to Assembly, which looks to be a long and winding road via Constitution; I successfully defended the Spanish coastal cities against Russian aggression; and I captured Moscow:

By this time Cathy was really starting to annoy me, so I persuaded Alex to declare war on her in exchange for Chemistry. This will keep him occupied, and hopefully distract her. If Alex can attack her western cities it will make it easier for us to continue in the south and then up into the former Aztec colonies. If all goes well it shouldn't take much longer to cross the domination threshold:

 

[Scowler]

Angels are OK, but compared to the other SMAX factions... let's see. Svensgaard's start is overpowered; he has the entire sea (and subsequently, all sea-based goodie pods) all to himself for a while. Of course it IS hard to get a land foothold but who cares, the sea is good enough. Cult of Planet is like an alternate (and IMO better) Gaians. Yep, all the other SMAX factions aren't interesting but they're mostly better than the SMAC factions (especially the Progenitors). I wish there was a "12-civ" mode where I can pit all the human factions together.

But for me this is the problem. The balance just feels "off" with some of the SMAX gameplay. The original factions were also so well-designed as a group with the antagonistic interaction of their differing ideologies that the mix n match approach demanded by the expansion spoils things. And above all, the originals reach a level of characterisation unmatched by their successors. And that, for me, is what makes the game.

 

[Meatbuster]

I kinda feel the same way about SMAX's story.

But the SMAX storyline is really only about the aliens, so the human factions there are just extras... I think the best experience is to play as the Usurpers, with the Progenitors second. Then beat the game all the way to the Ascent to Transcendence to see the different endings for both alien factions.

I used to play SMAX with the original factions though for the extra techs. Then if I ever want to play as Svensgaard or Cult of Planet, I remove the probe team civ (yep that's why I totally forgot about her... no big loss, they don't even play a big part in the SMAC novels) or Santiago and switch in my favorite SMAX faction in.

 

[Cosmichail]

Lots of MMing in this game as we have gotten so big. Good show on taking Moscow and keeping Cathy at bay from Madrid. It won't take much for dominaton. I am really enjoying the smac talk or smax talk. I tried Alien Crossfire demo and it didn't do much for me. I am beginning to think I missed something and might see if it's on ebay cheap just to see what it's all about.

My last turn took all afternoon to play so I hear ya Scowler. Good fun though. Shuttling those troops keeps you busy. I must say overall we have done very well in this game. Considering we haven't touched a jungle or forest. Imagine how powerful Deirdre would be if we could max out the cities like a regular game. OOOOHHHH YEA.

 

[Meatbuster]

So this game proves that Civ 4 (up to Monarch at least) is beatable without chop-rushing. Or even getting rid of jungle!

 

[FuRRie]

Well, iw WL that's just that litle tad harder, but not impossible (just won my first Emeror normal speed game in WL )

 

[Scowler]

...just won my first Emeror normal speed game in WL

Congratulations! Hail, Emperor FuRRie!

This game has gone very well indeed. When I think about how blocked in we were at the start ... once again the value of early warfare and the momentum it generates has been demonstrated.

Will finish the turnset later, but don't expect a very detailed report. With the size of our empire now it just becomes absurd trying to list every build item...

@ Cosmic: Crossfire is definitely worth picking up if you can find it, regardless of my griping
RK is certainly right about it producing a fascinating background by providing the alien perspective.

 

[Scowler]

Part 2 of report:

As expected, this largely consisted of shuffling units around and clicking through a seemingly endless succession of city screens. Constitution was finished (we then revolted to Representation) and we began research Corporation (1 turn now left). This will give us a nice bonus as our empire is so large; I would suggest considering Democracy next as it would not take long and we are hurting from Emancipation anger (I had to turn culture to 10% to deal with this and war weariness). NB: The tech order has been queued up, so remember to check it if you want something different.

Catherine begged for mercy, but I told her to naff off...

...and then I captured and razed Yaroslavl' (too close to Moscow and too useless to be worth keeping, even for domination benefits)

We are currently preparing to attack on two fronts: from Moscow up towards St. Petersburg, and from Madrid up towards Tlaxcala. Regarding the latter, it would be quickest if we ferry the large stack of cannons and rifles at Madrid up to the pasture east of the target.

​

Be aware that Tlaxcala contains 3 frigates and 4 galleons: I've brought most of our frigates into the area to blockade the city and provide safety for our units to be transported.

Save​

 

[Meatbuster]

Well I suppose it's my turn again. Time to push to domination limit?

 

[Meatbuster]

Well, what happened next?
1. GS is born, burn him to research Scientific Method
2. The obvious "build more troops".
3. Lose 2 empty galleons and 1 caravel to frigate ambushes
4. To alleviate happiness problem, switch to Hereditary Rule, Nationhood, Free Market
5. Whip Courthouse and Forbidden Palace in Moscow for a whopping 11 population total
6. Capture Tlaxcala, Raze Tlatelcoco, Capture St. Petersburg, Capture Technotitlan... waitaminute... are those Aztec cities? Oh wow.

I pushed to win by 1828 (the end of my turnset) but only managed 57.7% land, so I just press Enter. Since I whipped a Barracks & Theater in Tlaxcala, its borders expand in 1831. It is inevitable.







ENDING:

"It's all over, Lady Deirdre Skye! Planet is yours!"
"Thank you Simon. Dismissed."

And so it is ended. All of the remaining faction leaders have surrendered or capitulated, your former colleagues turned treacherous enemies and now turned servants and prisoners of war. On the planet where ten human factions, ten human ideologies, once struggled for dominance only one now remains. Humanity has at last achieved the Unity of which the U.N. Interstellar Colonization Agency dreamed so long ago.

Not a word has been heard from Earth in all the years since Planetfall, only a deafening silence across all frequencies, so one can only presume that you now rule all that is left of humankind. The mysterious and growing Planetmind remains a significant challenge, but humanity is now prepared to meet this alien presence, friend or foe, as a united species. The human species must survive, and it is your duty, your sworn vow, to see that it does.

"Eternity lies ahead of us, and behind. Have you drunk your fill?"
-Lady Deirdre Skye, Conversations with Planet, Epilogue

The replay, for posterity's sake:

 

[Meatbuster]

Thanks for playing, guys! If you wish to go to the next scenario (well, only Ralph has yet to confirm), here's a link to our next SG, "Alien Crossfire".

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=189767

 

[FuRRie]

Grat Job guys, although i couldn't play the finishing turns, i'm back in the action with Alien Crossfire !!!