Advanced help request: masochistic huge galaxy.

from Stardock Forums
Hey all. I have been playing for a long time now and I am pretty good at the game. I have been playing large galaxies with all the computers set to bright (difficulty crippling) for a long time now, and I am able to win pretty consistently.

I need help with two things. First, I would like to move up to huge and gigantic galaxies. I tried a gigantic galaxy once with the computers set to either bright or intelligent (I forget) and found that it requires some new thinking. How in the world do you keep track of what is going on everywhere? Even at one or two levels of zoom, resources barely appear on the map and your blue star systems are impossible to see against the black background. I find it is just really really hard to see what is going on throughout my empire. Also, I want to know how people do the initial expansion phase. When I play on large galaxies, I set 100 military and just crank out colony ships until either I am out of funds or have taken everything I can (usually the latter). Any planets with a pop above 100 build colony ships, others build constructors (which turn into freighters once I get trade). The extra constructors left over once all yellow stars have been taken go back and fill in extra planets. But I tried that on a gigantic map and it ended up really screwing me up. What is a better method?

Second, masochistic difficulty. OMFG is it hard. How in the world does anybody beat the game at this level? Given how hard it is, I figure it must have to do with nasty exploits. I recall reading somewhere about an exploit where you dump starbases on the computer to drag down his economy or something, but that doesn't seem like it would work here... anyway. Exploit or strategy, whatever you have, I know that some people have beaten the game on masochistic and I would like to know how to do it.

Thanks for any help.

-Drake

~SDC~
491 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
WRT to the Maso difficulty, head over to the Strat forum, some of us Maso players are contributing strategies to a thread there.

Dumping SBs/lousy planets cheese doesn't work, Richard, the AI knows to disband them.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I havn't played many huge and gigantic galaxies (old comp is really slow on those sizes), but when I have (crippling level), I tend to crank 50-50 military/tech for a while and seems to work for me qutie well. It does get quite difficult to keep track of things so I tend to use some scrap paper to keep track of items. I don't do constructors early until my planets have fusion power plants on them, then I switch on some.

As for maso, I'm still working on my strategy on that since the AI will NOT buy techs for cash which I do quite a bit on all the other levels.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
For me, the main thing on maso is to abuse trading. You can turn one unique tech into ten fairly easily with clever trading--you just have to let go of the idea that you're researching tech because you want it--instead, you're researching the tech that has the best trade value (this takes a bit of experience).

For myself, I try very hard to keep the AIs constantly at war with each other. I also give gifts to improve relations since I can't keep up militarily. This is a very different play style than most maso players though.

The only other exploit that I occasionally use is parking ships by AI starbases and gifting them to another AI at war with the starbase owner. I try not to do that too often though.
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Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Masochistic strategies often involve two extremes:

Lighting war and stay out of war. In essence you want to be in the state of peace or declared ceasefire as long as possible. When you do get into war, make sure you have the first strike.

vincle has some creative tactics to use against the AIs. Tech trading, however, is essential and cannot be overlooked. Basically trade at every opportunity.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Heh, this is turning into a Fellowship thread.

Do consider joining the Fellowship, Richard, if you enjoy strategy discussions with like-minded individuals.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
I recall reading somewhere about an exploit where you dump starbases on the computer to drag down his economy or something
End of quote


Do not do that. At masochistic, the AI might have an influence bonus, or the AI might just have an overwhelming influence due to its PQ advantage. Regardless of the cause, the AI has too good of an economy and too powerful of an influence to give it any starbases.
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
So, how about it Richard Heaton. Join the Fellowship?
Good luck on your masochistic play.
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
Nice! Welcome to the Fellowship, Richard Heaton.

Come by and post something on the Fellowship thread whenever it crosses your mind. We'd love to hear your progress and maybe even share your experience and expertise.
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Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
That's kinda a hallmark of the Fellowship and even something we like to spread. Some members are quieter than others, but all seem to like to help others.

As a side note: this doesn't mean that other groups don't have contributors, quite the contrary. Just that we of the ring make a point of helping out as best we can, regardless of ranking or skill level. :)