n00b: Mid game Advice And some more Qs

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I wish this forum were more like a BBS, with subjects and such.

I'm playing my first semi-successful game, against dumb-ass AI this time :^).


I can trade for "influence". What does this mean?

I have one Star Base, and it was really expensive and cost me a constructor.. it gives me a 5% econ bomus in the sector, that doesn't seem worth it. I can add modules or something, but at $200+100 months it seems a very expensive.

I have several Trade Routes. they are supposed to be more valuable with their length... as in I get 7bc per turn or something.. I have a really long one diagonally across the galaxy bringn in 8bc per turn, but then I got a short one because I needed immediate income increase. the thing takes 3 turns to complete, and it brings in 16bc.

Is this bc/turn ratings?
I don't see my frigates anymore. Are they still trading? I figured they'd be on autopilot or somethign goign back and forth. Do I need to keep buying more frigates or something?

I imagine I should be studying the tech tree or something? I feel like I'm driving blindly into the future. I don't have any real plan other than keeping my civs happy, trying to gradually improve my production so I can get a stronger military. I have no idea what to research in teh tech tree..., I just sort of hop across it, get the next easiest thing. does that sound about right?

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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Each star has a base influence, which increases based on population and prestige. This influence accumulates, so that when the United Planets come to vote, you can use that influence to make the decision go the way that you want it to. Cultural influence is your influence spreading to the other civilizations. If you build up enough of it, alien star systems will decide that they want to be part of your culture.

The starbases are an investment, but they end up being worth it. Particularly the ones on resources.

I'm not sure where you're getting the 16 bc figure from--the little popup when you establish a route? If you click on the mini-freighter it will tell you how much it is worth per month. Once you've established a trade route, the big freighters are replaced with tiny ones that start out at their home star and travel to and from the destination star without your control.

There's some links to fansites in the encyclopedia, such as Javascout's, with very good tech trees that you can print out or view online. This might help you a lot. It's always best to decide what kind of victory that you're going for and try to research techs that will help you achieve that.