Questions regarding population

from Stardock Forums
Okay, here is my second problem (on bonuspack 1.03): I have +70% population growth and colonize almost all planets within my reach at the start of the game, from 13 quality and up. The computer seems to catch up and surpass my population relatively quickly, despite the AI being sub-normal! I just can't seem to compete!

Also, should I be defending with Battle Axes early in the game, or with Defenders, because they cost less? Their economies are bigger than mine, too. What is your economy based on - population, planet quality?

Thanks

Rob
2,706 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Okay, here is another question: how do you tell when a colony has reached max population?

Thanks

Rob
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
You may look here http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85148

~SDC~
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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Pop growth is a function of morale:
100 morale - 6% growth per turn
54-99 morale - 3% growth per turn
anything less than 54 - no growth, possibly negative growth.

Also, I think pop growth is capped at 200m per turn per planet.

I seem to remember it being 99-100 and 54-98 at some point, not sure...

so if you've got morale in the 3% pop growth range and +70% pop growth, you'll see 5.1% growth per turn (unless it rounds...), whereas an AI with 100 morale will see at least 6% (more if it has bonuses).

It's also possible you're spreading your population too thin (round-downs) or have it too concentrated (pop growth cap).

It's also possible your computer simply doesn't like you, I've had that happen ;) ... but if you took +70% pop growth, are playing on sub-normal, and got a good share of the planets you should be dominating population-wise.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Corollary:

Pop growth is maxed out when you reach 3333@100 morale, 6666@54 morale.

With Aphrodisiac(+50), it's 2222@100, 4444@54.

With +70% pop growth, it's 2000@100, 4000@54.

With +70% pop growth + Aphrodisiac, it's 1500@100, 3000@54.


For this reason, I shuffle around my population very regularly. Low-PQ planets are my donors: I load them into Transports, leaving enough behind to continue capping out pop growth. My Manufacturing Capital is a receiver. Or planets in highly-developed star systems with lots of production bonuses. This ensures I'm getting the most IU's per capita. With their high productivity they have no problem producing the +morale social improvements necessary.

Of course, you can always just pull from your low-PQ planets and invade....
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Oh, and to answer Gander's question: I defend with Corvettes. Hit first, hit hard, hit often.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
You are right to be concerned. At this difficulty, you should be compentative (or more) with their growth, and if you are taking growth bonuses, you should be leading 'em.

I am concerned with what you say about low PQ planets. I don't bother settling under PQ15, and I really only take PQ 15/16 to deprive the AI of them - they aint much use to me. If you are trying to run an empire with most planets under PQ18, there is your problem. For me, PQ20 and up - after my PQbonus/soil/hab - become the 'good' worlds - build TG/wonders/combat vessels. The rest are crud for making transports occasionally, and lots of constructors.

BTW, I tend to put just 1 pop on PQ 15 planets, and ignore their pop till later. Leave the big numbers on your best few planets, so they can grow - like money in your bank account, large pops grow faster than small pops. Its only those large planets where you should care about growth/morale/etc. (BTW, you will see the AI put small pops on low pq planets at higher ai levels - they often colonise with 40 or so)

HTH

~SDC~