Does the game round UP or DOWN?

from Stardock Forums
Ever since choosing the PQ +5% trait I've been wondering if I've wasted the points. I haven't been keeping track, which is my regret, so I'm wondering if ya'll know. In almost all of the games I've been playing most of the planets that I've found to colonize are in the 16 to 19 range. Every now and then I'll find a 20+ planet, but that seems to be rare, and this is whether I am playing rare or abundant maps. If the game rounds down than anything below a PQ 20 planet would not get any benefit from the +5% since even at PQ 19 the 5% increase would only bring it up to PQ 19.95. Looking for some verification so I can reallocate my points if needed.
2,115 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Rounds down I'm afraid. To get an instant bonus out of the 5% pick it's got to be a PQ 20 planet, at least.

~SDC~
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
On most worlds you'd expect to build Soil Enhancement and Habitat Improvement fairly early, so that's really the situation you should consider.
For example, with those two improvements on a quality 12 world and no racial bonus, you'd get a PQ of 12 * 1.2 = PQ 14.4, rounded down to 14. With the +5% bonus, this would be increased to PQ 15.

PQ___PQ + 20%__PQ + 25%
12______14_______15
13______15_______16
14______16_______17
15______18_______18
16______19_______20

So if my calculations are correct, the +5% is useful for a good proportion of habitable worlds.




~SDC~
[Message Edited]
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Matthew Downie summed it up well. I consider the +5% PQ bonus to be a very solid pick.

If you do similar calculations for the +7% PQ pick, though, you will find it's hardly any better than the +5% pick--certainly not worth the extra points.
[Message Edited]
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
The 7% pick does have one advantage : it gives you a +1 PQ the moment you colonize, on all 15+ worlds. This can help on the initial rush (more money, better moral, more pop growth), before you start building Soil Enhancement and Habital Improvement. And that initial rush is often the deciding factor in a game...

Still, the 5% pick allows you to get other bonuses, while the 7% pick gobbles nearly all your picks. I agree it is too expensive, but I might still consider it in some circumstances (if I want a really strong initial rush)