Is it all about the money?

Or: do full coffers really, really matter?

Hi,

I play the Corx as Evil against the Torians, the Drath and the Arceans.
Level is Beginner, large galaxy (TA latest beta), trade tech enabled
(i like that now actually). I have over 60% influence and heading
peacefully towards a Cultural Victory. None of the other races seem to bother
about my Cultural Conquest Centers shamelessly sitting across their
empires and turning their planets and resources with no resistance
whatsoever.

I completed the Diplomacy tech tree, the influence, the industrial and
economic one, have 10 trading routes racking in a total of 1200 BC. the
tax rate is below 20%, full employment and over 85% popularity. My
population is growing steadily. I upgraded everything I could. The
Espionage spending is at its max because, well, I can afford it. I have so
much money I don't know what to do with it! with a bit of time, I could go
for any kind of victories as it is.

To spice things up, I upgraded some Defenders with plasma rays, have
transports and Lucky Rangers and positioned them at my borders ready to
invade the other civs.

What's the point in having so much money anyway? I earn more than I can
dream of spending. How important is the balance? Do that have an
impact on popularity, morale or influence?

What kind of victory would the Korx go for usually? With their ability
to make so much money in so little time, i would say Cultural? But for
me, that implies building Influence Starbases and upgrading them all
the way. Isn't that what the Krynn are known for? Am I doing something
wrong here?

Should I start a new game with a higher difficulty? Thing is, I'm so
crap that victory is too easy below Normal and in Normal difficulty I'm
getting trounced in a year...

Any suggestions are welcome, thanks!
7,245 views 7 replies
Reply #1 Top
Playing on beginner is a) apparently too easy for you and b) reinforces bad habits, so that you're helpless on even normal. Increase difficulty and force yourself to learn and adapt, and the game'll become more enjoyable. The too much money problem won't be as evident either.
Reply #2 Top
Upon the release of the new victory condition, I'd say the Korx are in the best setting for that victory condition. Their extra levels of mining resources should help speed up their path to victory there.
Reply #3 Top
i'll try a new game in Normal next. As Terrans, against "peaceful" civs, and learn, because that's true, I think I'm picking up bad habits.

Still, it's crzay what I've learnt since playing TA. Things are more intuitive.

Thanks!
Reply #4 Top
One piece of advice: build a deterrent fleet at some early point. Not one you mean to use, but some stopgap motley of ships not meant to leave orbit to increase your military score. Once you do, the AI won't be as eager to attack you thinking that you'll be easy pickings.
Reply #5 Top
they're slaves to that score too. I've been at war with the thalans for quite a while and even though i'm the one taking planets, their military score beats mine by 100 so they will refuse a peace treaty (disclamer: they're at war with 2 other races...but they're my neighbors and i'm the only one causing them trouble. Diff: challenging)
Reply #6 Top
You're ready for the next level. Don't be too aggressive in your spending or your expansion. Build a small fleet that says "back off" to the other civs. Don't get trounced.
Reply #7 Top
Thanks for the advice folks. The orbital fleet completely makes sense now! ;) 

I'll get back to let you know how I get on... :) 

So long