Ship building, from game to game

[Reignking]

One thing that annoyed me in MOO2 and SMAC was ship and unit customization. While I loved the versatility, it slowed the game down, and became cumbersome -- I hated having 50 units to choose from, when all were very similar (SMAC).

The same thing went for MOO2 -- although I loved being able to customize, I hated having to do it every time for every game. Is it more efficient in GC2? Can you save ship ideas and use them from game to game? The customization usually becomes a chore and really detracts from the game for me.

 

[Ranbir]

When you make a ship with certain designs, it saves it forever. Until you delete the design.

 

[Stormbringer]

Yes, all of your ship designs are saved, and you can quickly upgrade them with new weapons, etc. when they become available. It is fun, and you only have to do it when you feel like it, then save the design, and it always stays with the game.

 

[bonscott]

Yes, when you play the next game all your custom designs are still there and actually show up in the tech tree as well. You must be playing the same race/hull type however. Once you research all the techs needed to build it then the ship becomes available automatically in the starport just as the "core" ships do.

 

[doronron]

A good piece of advice: Just make some hulls you like, completely empty of weapons, armor, engines, etc.

As each game evolves, take the hull and "upgrade" it with equipment and a new name to match your situation. This will save you from having to remake ships or wait for all the techs to be developed to get that hull you liked from a previous game.

 

[GeorgeOP]

Using doronron's meathod also gives all your ships a similar style and feel, which looks cool.

 

[woodelf]

Great tip doronron. Thanks man!

 

[Fragment]

I will take the tip about ship design w/o equipment to heart, thanks

Regarding upgrades, the first things you need to design are apparently fast colony ships, fast constructors and fast freighters, as soon as new drive techs become available which can actually speed these ships up. I believe you can keep these designs forever, though.

Hmm, BTW I think I need to look at beelining towards speed 2 drives/half size drives for faster expansion ...

For military ships, upgrades appear to be only neccessary for times when you're planning to go to war/relations deteriorate so much that war becomes unavoidable.

I've only played 2 beginner games so far, though, so I don't have any clue whatsoever.

Regards.