simple Q: how to start a spaceship

[SpacemanSpiff]

??? Can anyone help me get past this question: "The space race has not yet begun!" ???

BACKGROUND:

As you can see, this is my first post, but I'm a long time Civ2 player. But usually, after spending some time in the Industrial age, I'll lose interest OR stay away too long to return OR just start another game (for some reason, I just really like the exploring & city placement/creation aspects at the beginning).

Therefore, I've never actually completed a game (except that one time I destroyed the last remaining civ at Chieftain level). I've probably got 5-10 saved games I'll never return to.

Anyway, now I finally endeavor to complete a game by the spaceship route, just to see what its like, gain experience, etc. But I have a problem: I DON'T KNOW HOW TO START !!!!

I'm in great position now: small world, 3 civs, chieftain level, and me (American) vs. worshipful and woefully behind Sioux (who have destroyed all others). I've discovered everything but Fanaticism, and have 10 cities building incidentals but I can't seem to figure out how to build the spaceship! And now I refuse to take (waste) another turn until I find out.

It's an embarrassing question, esp. for a (pretend) Spaceman like me, but I've tried everything I can find (can't find my original manual yet - moved last year). None of my cities give any space parts as a building option. The Spaceship menu just gives the error I listed at the beginning. No online help is of any help.

Would any of you kind souls across the world please give me this probably oh-so-simple piece of knowledge which I cannot seem to discover myself, no matter how many beakers I generate?

Thank You!
Spiff

[This message has been edited by SpacemanSpiff (edited December 30, 2000).]

 

[Smash]

heheh..ok I'll have a lash.

First off you need to research Space Flight.This allows spaceship structurals(more on that later) and the Apollo Wonder.You or another civ must build Apollo before you can begin construction of your spaceship.

After you finish Apollo(which reveals the entire map btw)you will see a new item in the build menu.Spaceship structurals.You'll need to build at least 15 of these.

Next you want to get Plastics.This allows Spaceship Components.These are the "engines" and "fuel".The more of these the faster the spaceship will travel.Also if you build more than 3 of each(6 total) you will need more structurals.In effect,a bigger ship for more fuel and engine room.

Next tech goal is Superconductor.This allows Spaceship Modules.There are 3 different types.You need 1 of each for a "set".More sets=more colonists=more points.Also = more structurals and longer flight time.

The minimum spaceship is 15 structurals,2(1 of each) components and 3(1 of each) modules

You can launch now if you wish.However researching Fusion Power will add another 25% thrust to the Spaceship.

A 15-1-1-1-1-1 ship with Fusion Power has a flight time of 36 years.This size ship is only practical if turns are still at 10 year intervals or more.

A 15-3-3-1-1-1 with Fusion will take 15 years to arrive

The maxs are
39structurals
16(8 of each)components
12(4of each)modules

Sorry I cannot tell you all the different configuration's flight times.

You have a little end game movie sequence to look forward to should you be successful.

The % of success on the spaceship screen is somewhat misleading.It refers to % of colonists that will survive the journey.Not the chance of reaching AC without crashing.

If you selected Bloodlust option at the beginning then a spaceship is not possible




[This message has been edited by Smash (edited December 30, 2000).]

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

EUREKA!!! THAT'S IT!!! THANKS, SMASH!!!

I haven't tried it yet, but I know no one's built Apollo yet, and I didn't look carefully under help for that one (just under the obvious spaceship advances). I just didn't think I needed it, so I left it alone and built other stuff. Well, that shows me! Thanks for the quick turnaround, too. I never imagined I'd get an answer in less than an hour!!

And thanks for all that extra info! You really gave me a lot more than you had to and I appreciate it greatly!

OFF TOPIC:
Hope all is well in Canada. Your elections apparently went better than ours. And I love the "I AM CANADIAN" Molson ads you have (found 'em on adcritic.com).

I'll let you know how it goes, if I can.
Take care!
Spiff

[This message has been edited by SpacemanSpiff (edited December 30, 2000).]

 

[Smash]

Your election was quite entertaining.Lots of back and forth.Justice.Injustice.Great stuff.

Our election,from start to finish,took 37 days.Quite boring and uneventful.

No recounts.We use pencil and paper.Works like a charm and costs little.

 

[Michael FierceWolf]

I would like to add a few extra tips to Smash's excellent message on the spaceship building process

Obviously, the more components, the faster you will reach your goal, just don't overweight it with unnecessary structure or modules. Having lots of money at this time helps to buy them to beat an opponent. Needless to say, when any player discovers spaceflight, all the players can build the ship if they have reached that technological point. If an opponent builds and launches one before you do, you can bring it down by knocking out their capitol city and taking it over. Just a few more helpful hints to improve your fun. happy civing!

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"I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh to the Father except through me" John 14:6

 

[Thunderfall]

I should add Smash's post to the War Academy to help new players.

 

[VanillaCube]

most all your citys need a lot of production to win the spacerace!

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The people in my cool book
1.travin
2.Thunderfall
3.Stellar
4.SunTzu
5.Håkan
6.scorch
7.vladmir_illych_lenin

 

[VanillaCube]

the best thing to do to quickly win the space race is have many cities build the Apollo Wonder at once so when the first city builds the apollo wonder you get a jump start on the spaceship building just change all the prodution from apollo to space parts once the apollo is built!
Doing that I got my spaceship built in 4 turns!

------------------
The people in my cool book
1.Travin
2.Thunderfall
3.Stellar
4.SunTzu
5.Håkan
6.scorch
7.vladmir_illych_lenin
8.vanilla_converter

[This message has been edited by vanillacube (edited January 12, 2001).]

 

[vladmir_illych_lenin]

Isn't there a 50% penalty by switching?

 

[VanillaCube]

not if its from one wonder to another wonder or unit to another unit that 50% penalty only applies to swiching to diff types of production like unit to wonder!
spaceship improvments are considerd a wonder so there is no penalty

------------------
The people in my cool book
1.Travin
2.Thunderfall
3.Stellar
4.SunTzu
5.Håkan
6.scorch
7.vladmir_illych_lenin
8.vanilla_converter