AAR: Why I love GalCiv (long)
from 
Stardock Forums
Stardock Forums
I thought I'd share one my most recent game as it included a lot of excellent memorable moments that GalCiv excels at for me! Also, it drew my attention to a few of the things I have seen discussed here, and I believe shows that even with some of the alledgedly 'broken' things it is just great fun.
Started out in a huge galaxy, all AIs at normal (I'm only a beginner!) somewhat random starting picks (a bit of diplomacy, some research, morale help). Got an ideal starting location about three sectors out from a corner, with Earth at 20 and a size 19 planet in Sol! Immediately split the population across both planets for 2 colony ships / 3 turns.
Colony booming went well, but two sectors out ran into the Yor. A quick check of the military chart showed an alarming gap, so a crash Battleaxe building program was initiated, while paying a bit for peace. It didn't take long before I was suitable up-cannoned to avoid extortion, but was still running a close second. Encountered everyone else at a distance, but they were way behind the Yor.
At this point the Yor demanded a load of tech. "I'm a totilitarian dictator not a doctor dammit." so I went to war. Happily, following the boy scout motto 'Be Prepared' I had just happened to position say fifteen battlecruisers near the border - on their side
. Things did not start well for the Yor, as anything moving in space died in turn one of the war (watch that power graph drop). I started cranking out transports for invasion - do you have any idea how painful it is trying to muster 30 of the things.
Invasions go well, first four planets fall, however I spot that they are building battleships.... which I don't have! A crash research program begins. Once I get battleships online it turns into a rout. At this point I get an event come up telling me that the Arceans have got some sort of precursor thing that will grow over time. I ignore this (bad choice). I finally pop the Yor and then ally with the Drengin (they seemed to like me - must be my approach to diplomacy!).
Woah! The Arceans have skyrocketed. And, looking at their ships they have some serious bonuses going on (battleships with 140+ HP!). Not good. I decide to prep for a big war, and also go and 'requisition' the Altarian worlds (they only have three anyway). At this point I managed three things which worked really well:
1) I traded a lot of money, all my tech and three planets to the Drengin for their two starbases on military resources (build build build!)
2) I colonised a class 10 planet adjacent to the Arceans and held a fleet of around 10 ships and 20 constructors in sector - "just in case".
3) Whistling loudly I send two survey ships deep into Arcean space to "search for anomalies", oh and military starbases
Great plans. However the Drengin kick off a war well before I am ready. Damn. The forward base starbase deploys in the centre of the sector, and I await the onslaught. Frantic construction continues on starbases 'Adamant' and 'Fortitude" - which are a lot closer to the front lines than I would like. The Arceans are beating the crap out of me and the Drengin simultaneously at this point. The forward base fleet is down to five damaged ships - re-enforcements are at least two turns out, and I need to go two to one to beat one of their ships!
The survey ships (running from a _lot_ of ships) find the military starbase. It is only three sectors from my re-enforcements, but there are a lot of things there! Figuring all or nothing I divert all the re-enforcements, and the survey ships turn to fight. In a glorious last stand they account for four dreadnaughts each before being blown into dust. The strike fleet is inbound, but taking a severe beating (down from 12 to 8 ships already). Unbowed they hurry on. With 5 ships left they made it to the starbase and launch an assault. 5...4...3....2... got it! The survivors promptly got pounded, but things were changing.....
However, the sacrifice turned the corner - as my starbases came on stream the balance shifted decisively my way. The rest was mop up!
Sorry, this turned out a lot longer than I expected, but I hope you get some of the enjoyment I had from reading this. Next time I won't ignore random events!
Paul
Started out in a huge galaxy, all AIs at normal (I'm only a beginner!) somewhat random starting picks (a bit of diplomacy, some research, morale help). Got an ideal starting location about three sectors out from a corner, with Earth at 20 and a size 19 planet in Sol! Immediately split the population across both planets for 2 colony ships / 3 turns.
Colony booming went well, but two sectors out ran into the Yor. A quick check of the military chart showed an alarming gap, so a crash Battleaxe building program was initiated, while paying a bit for peace. It didn't take long before I was suitable up-cannoned to avoid extortion, but was still running a close second. Encountered everyone else at a distance, but they were way behind the Yor.
At this point the Yor demanded a load of tech. "I'm a totilitarian dictator not a doctor dammit." so I went to war. Happily, following the boy scout motto 'Be Prepared' I had just happened to position say fifteen battlecruisers near the border - on their side
. Things did not start well for the Yor, as anything moving in space died in turn one of the war (watch that power graph drop). I started cranking out transports for invasion - do you have any idea how painful it is trying to muster 30 of the things. Invasions go well, first four planets fall, however I spot that they are building battleships.... which I don't have! A crash research program begins. Once I get battleships online it turns into a rout. At this point I get an event come up telling me that the Arceans have got some sort of precursor thing that will grow over time. I ignore this (bad choice). I finally pop the Yor and then ally with the Drengin (they seemed to like me - must be my approach to diplomacy!).
Woah! The Arceans have skyrocketed. And, looking at their ships they have some serious bonuses going on (battleships with 140+ HP!). Not good. I decide to prep for a big war, and also go and 'requisition' the Altarian worlds (they only have three anyway). At this point I managed three things which worked really well:
1) I traded a lot of money, all my tech and three planets to the Drengin for their two starbases on military resources (build build build!)
2) I colonised a class 10 planet adjacent to the Arceans and held a fleet of around 10 ships and 20 constructors in sector - "just in case".
3) Whistling loudly I send two survey ships deep into Arcean space to "search for anomalies", oh and military starbases
Great plans. However the Drengin kick off a war well before I am ready. Damn. The forward base starbase deploys in the centre of the sector, and I await the onslaught. Frantic construction continues on starbases 'Adamant' and 'Fortitude" - which are a lot closer to the front lines than I would like. The Arceans are beating the crap out of me and the Drengin simultaneously at this point. The forward base fleet is down to five damaged ships - re-enforcements are at least two turns out, and I need to go two to one to beat one of their ships!
The survey ships (running from a _lot_ of ships) find the military starbase. It is only three sectors from my re-enforcements, but there are a lot of things there! Figuring all or nothing I divert all the re-enforcements, and the survey ships turn to fight. In a glorious last stand they account for four dreadnaughts each before being blown into dust. The strike fleet is inbound, but taking a severe beating (down from 12 to 8 ships already). Unbowed they hurry on. With 5 ships left they made it to the starbase and launch an assault. 5...4...3....2... got it! The survivors promptly got pounded, but things were changing.....
However, the sacrifice turned the corner - as my starbases came on stream the balance shifted decisively my way. The rest was mop up!
Sorry, this turned out a lot longer than I expected, but I hope you get some of the enjoyment I had from reading this. Next time I won't ignore random events!
Paul