Compiling one-line GalCiv pearls of wisdom
from 
Stardock Forums
Stardock Forums
Hi,
I've been playing this game obsessively since I got it, but till now, I was having a very hard time not even winning, just trying to avoid becoming a stagnant civilization ripe for conquest. Like a lot of newbies, for all I know. So I've been searching for clues, tips, ideas, reading, talking, etc... and I still have a lot to learn. But it occurred to me that it would be good for everybody if we start collecting our knowledge of the game.
I've been also reading this article about game design metodology and found something about a project to collect game design rules in a format... so this made me think... lets try that with GalCiv strategies. Only very informal.
I'm going to post some one-line "strategic" ideas that I'm either thinking about, trying, seeing them in posts or discussed in chats, and explaining them. Some are going to be wrong. Some are going to be tied to a particular style of play, but the idea is that with colaboration, you can also add to the list and we end with more ideas about how to beat the game.
Ok, lets start, and you discuss them, throw them, add to them, etc... This is my initial list:
1) Galciv is a stick-gear, not an automatic.
You see the sliders in the economy section of your civ management screen? The ones about military/social/research? They aren't meant to be a general, long time view of your position on civilization development. They are to be treated like the stick of a stick-gear car. Think what do you need NOW, maximize spending in that, switch when you get what you need and need something else. Or in clearer terms, you get Dreadnoughts sooner if you maximize research then production than waiting for it at some fixed level, no matter how many improvements you build or how many planets you colonize.
2) Your neighbourgh is your enemy.
(this I think applies to "tight clusters" maps)
Those guys that you found first? Yes, the ones that are expanding right in the middle of your path, blocking you from the rest of the galaxy? Those are your first enemy. I know, I also tried the good neighbourgh routine, getting borders fixed, developing my civ, thinking about cultural anexation in a distant future, etc... forget it. Those guys, whoever they are, you have to plan to get rid of them fast. You can stall your advance and become diplomatic when the other civs are out of practical reach. Not doing this is exactly like not rushing to colonize everything you can in the beggining.
3) Trade is your momentum. Increase it. Secure it.
So far, I dont see any way of making a growing, prospering civ by increasing internal economy. Trade is vital in this game. Think about it a lot. Think about who are you trading with (¿are you sure they aren't going to go to war with you, leaving you pennyless?), think about getting more trade (research the tech at regular intervals, dont forget it for the ships or the research), think routes and where to put the starbases to get more money about it, think about spreading the Trade Techs to other civs so they end up trading more with you... Again, there seems there is NO WAY TO WIN without a good merchant fleet going on.
4) Visit the technology market often for fun & profit
(applies if you have diplomatic bonuses)
Hoarding your tech is not a profitable course of action. Of course, giving the Dreadnought tech to the Drengin is foolish, but you can get a lot of money & a lot of tech by selling to minor races, selling old tech when you have one better, etc. Walk the races often... you may find that you can give all your old tech to a minor race for a couple of new ones (and good cash), then sell the old & the ones you got to another race for more tech & cash... Just be more careful with what you trade to the majors, but trade with them too. Apart, everything you get this way is something you dont have to wait.
5) Peace has a price. Be sure you are selling it well.
You are in a war. You are devoting a lot of resources to it. The result is somewhat less than what you expected, they are resisting a lot, but you keep at it... they come asking peace. SEE HOW MUCH THEY WANT IT. Never, ever give peace for free. If they are asking, they are, somehow, losing, even if you dont see it. If they dont want to pay, put more pressure and wait for the second time. If they CANT pay, forget it and conquer them. When last time the Arceans where so desperate to save their hides they where willing to give me all their tech, INCLUDING Dreadnought, AND 80 credits/month for 50 months, thats when they were talking peace. Not the first time when it was for free. The only time free peace is worth it is if you have more than one war; then you can accept a free peace from one and devote yourself to getting benefits from the other (of course, pact with the stronger side)
5) Be sure your ally is your lackey, not the other way around.
Alien civs tend to see alliances as an opportunity to start kicking everyone because now they have a friend to back them up. That usually means that to keep you alliance going you accept to fight the whole galaxy, then they go for peace with them, but strangely, the other parties DONT want peace with you. So be sure you either need them, or you are safe from their stupid little wars (like being out of range, so you say "Yes, I'm fighting the Yor, dont worry")
Ok, thats all for now. Feel free to discard, make opposite rules, add, comment, whatever. Eventually I hope to get this to the point where hanging it on a website and pointing to it will make begginers life easier.
Thanks in advance and good luck!
Jesús Couto F.
~SDC~
I've been playing this game obsessively since I got it, but till now, I was having a very hard time not even winning, just trying to avoid becoming a stagnant civilization ripe for conquest. Like a lot of newbies, for all I know. So I've been searching for clues, tips, ideas, reading, talking, etc... and I still have a lot to learn. But it occurred to me that it would be good for everybody if we start collecting our knowledge of the game.
I've been also reading this article about game design metodology and found something about a project to collect game design rules in a format... so this made me think... lets try that with GalCiv strategies. Only very informal.
I'm going to post some one-line "strategic" ideas that I'm either thinking about, trying, seeing them in posts or discussed in chats, and explaining them. Some are going to be wrong. Some are going to be tied to a particular style of play, but the idea is that with colaboration, you can also add to the list and we end with more ideas about how to beat the game.
Ok, lets start, and you discuss them, throw them, add to them, etc... This is my initial list:
1) Galciv is a stick-gear, not an automatic.
You see the sliders in the economy section of your civ management screen? The ones about military/social/research? They aren't meant to be a general, long time view of your position on civilization development. They are to be treated like the stick of a stick-gear car. Think what do you need NOW, maximize spending in that, switch when you get what you need and need something else. Or in clearer terms, you get Dreadnoughts sooner if you maximize research then production than waiting for it at some fixed level, no matter how many improvements you build or how many planets you colonize.
2) Your neighbourgh is your enemy.
(this I think applies to "tight clusters" maps)
Those guys that you found first? Yes, the ones that are expanding right in the middle of your path, blocking you from the rest of the galaxy? Those are your first enemy. I know, I also tried the good neighbourgh routine, getting borders fixed, developing my civ, thinking about cultural anexation in a distant future, etc... forget it. Those guys, whoever they are, you have to plan to get rid of them fast. You can stall your advance and become diplomatic when the other civs are out of practical reach. Not doing this is exactly like not rushing to colonize everything you can in the beggining.
3) Trade is your momentum. Increase it. Secure it.
So far, I dont see any way of making a growing, prospering civ by increasing internal economy. Trade is vital in this game. Think about it a lot. Think about who are you trading with (¿are you sure they aren't going to go to war with you, leaving you pennyless?), think about getting more trade (research the tech at regular intervals, dont forget it for the ships or the research), think routes and where to put the starbases to get more money about it, think about spreading the Trade Techs to other civs so they end up trading more with you... Again, there seems there is NO WAY TO WIN without a good merchant fleet going on.
4) Visit the technology market often for fun & profit
(applies if you have diplomatic bonuses)
Hoarding your tech is not a profitable course of action. Of course, giving the Dreadnought tech to the Drengin is foolish, but you can get a lot of money & a lot of tech by selling to minor races, selling old tech when you have one better, etc. Walk the races often... you may find that you can give all your old tech to a minor race for a couple of new ones (and good cash), then sell the old & the ones you got to another race for more tech & cash... Just be more careful with what you trade to the majors, but trade with them too. Apart, everything you get this way is something you dont have to wait.
5) Peace has a price. Be sure you are selling it well.
You are in a war. You are devoting a lot of resources to it. The result is somewhat less than what you expected, they are resisting a lot, but you keep at it... they come asking peace. SEE HOW MUCH THEY WANT IT. Never, ever give peace for free. If they are asking, they are, somehow, losing, even if you dont see it. If they dont want to pay, put more pressure and wait for the second time. If they CANT pay, forget it and conquer them. When last time the Arceans where so desperate to save their hides they where willing to give me all their tech, INCLUDING Dreadnought, AND 80 credits/month for 50 months, thats when they were talking peace. Not the first time when it was for free. The only time free peace is worth it is if you have more than one war; then you can accept a free peace from one and devote yourself to getting benefits from the other (of course, pact with the stronger side)
5) Be sure your ally is your lackey, not the other way around.
Alien civs tend to see alliances as an opportunity to start kicking everyone because now they have a friend to back them up. That usually means that to keep you alliance going you accept to fight the whole galaxy, then they go for peace with them, but strangely, the other parties DONT want peace with you. So be sure you either need them, or you are safe from their stupid little wars (like being out of range, so you say "Yes, I'm fighting the Yor, dont worry")
Ok, thats all for now. Feel free to discard, make opposite rules, add, comment, whatever. Eventually I hope to get this to the point where hanging it on a website and pointing to it will make begginers life easier.
Thanks in advance and good luck!
Jesús Couto F.
~SDC~
GalCiv is a strategy game and requires a lot of thought and planning; as opposed to fast reflexes ala FPS type games. FPS = First Person Shooter. Take the time to plan what you want to do and be patience and you'll get there. This is quite evidence when playing the gigantic galaxy. Again, be patience and plan your move. Just don't react but act.
