Noob Questions here, need help from non-noobs

from Stardock Forums
Hey I just got the game and I played a few single player games but I'm not making the connection on a few major concepts that I need to be able to fully enjoy the game...

1)  When creating a fleet, how do you appoint a group leader to that fleet?  When I create a fleet its odd bc it always makes some puny frigate the leader when I have a capital ship in there with them.

2) How exactly do you increase the fleet capacity?  I some how just upgrade everything and click on random icons so I am not exactly sure how I do it each game but what am I doing that increases the fleet capacity of my empire.

3) Does everyone elses fingers hurt from using the scroll wheel so much?  Is there anyway to know which freaking planet I am clicking on in my empire tree?  When I have 5 ice planets I can't distinguish between them.  How do you keep your planets straight?

Ok so in #3 I ask more than one question, but if anyone can shed some light on this stuff I would be greatful.
12,021 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
1. Select the cap shift then shift+select the other ships and create the fleet i believe. IT goes by first ship selected IIRC.

2. lol read the techs =] It's at the research screen, one of the 4 tass on the side brings you to a screen for upgraded it.

3. Nope. Must be your mouse. You can rename planets.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

Try using Z,X,C to toggle to make extreme jumps in your zoom, save the mouse for little stuff :)

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
My problem is that it doesn't respond to my HP touch sensitive scroll wheel. Help!
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
My problem is that it doesn't respond to my HP touch sensitive scroll wheel. Help!
End of quote


Probably the fault of the mouse, then. The game works perfectly with any scroll wheel I've used on multiple mice.
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
When you have multiple ships selected, you can use Tab to cycle through which one's abilities appear in the bottom right. That is the one that becomes the Flagship for the fleet when you create the fleet.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
2. Research, Fleet Logistics, Top for Cap S, bottom for Capacity

3. Yes my whole hand does, will try Z,X,C,. thanks Craig (hope it works)
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
I'm at work and can't experiment... what do the Z, X, and C keys do?
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
They are pre-defined zoom levels. Z is up-close and personal, X is planet view, C is solar system view. So left>right is zooming out :P
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
Z,X, C switches between Ship, Grav well, Solar system level views. Also , try using the events popups and space bar/caps lock to jump to event locations quickly. (look through you control config in the options for other helpful keys)
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
Thanks, gents! I will immediately incorporate Z,X, and C into my bag o' tricks.

Yes, the space bar is already a friend of mine.

I find that, even after playing over a dozen games, the hints that display while loading still surprise me with new tips from time to time.
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
Yeah, thanks guys, I answered most of my questions by going through the tutorial more thorougly. I'm gonna try the ZXC keys, thanks Craig.
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
One other thing you can and should do when single-playing big maps: RENAME STUFF.

If you select a planet or capship, then click the wedge just above its picture in the middle bottom of the window, it'll open a window where you can type over that planet's or capital ship's name.

I always call the starting planet "Home", and then use descriptions like "IceNearSun"; "FarLava"; "FirstAsteroid"; "ChokePt1"... that sort of thing. That way, you can read the prompts about hyperspace jumps and know where it's happening without having to spacebar to that location.

-- Retro