Mailer's Excellent Game Setups
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Bought Galciv about 2 weeks ago, love it, playing the crap out of it.
What I like about it is the randomness, the way every game plays different. And I like the way you can adjust or randomize the alien empires' alignment and intelligence as well.
So, I've played a number of games and tried a number of setups that were really cool, and thought I would share them with all of you.
SETUP 1
with a little imagination, I came up with the this first set up which worked well in my game. It puts an Very Powerful Good race with a very weak ally in charge of enforcing justice in the galaxy. The setup really give the player the opportunity to tip the balance between good and evil or just conquer it all. Also pretty challenging with plenty of room for diplomacy, etc.
Set up the Yor as a peacekeeping race left behind by the pregenitors to enforce galactic rule by setting them at PURE GOOD -- GENIUS or greater
To assist the yor in their peace keeping duties, they UPLIFTED a presentient species with controlled evolution. To creat this, set the TORIAN CONFED. to SUB-NORMAL -- CHAOTIC GOOD.
The Altarians are a nuetral federation much like the humans. Set them to BRIGHT--NUETRAL
The Drengin are a vile empire bent on enslaving the galaxy and burning through every available resource. Set them to BRIGHT--PURE EVIL
The Arceans are a warlike race bent on galactic intimidation and conquest, set them to BRIGHT--CHAOTIC EVIL
SETUP 2
All races set at BRIGHT and either CHAOTIC GOOD or PURE GOOD.
The idea here is that humanity found its way into a very civilized galaxy bound by complex laws and regulations. Of course, conflict will ensue regardless, because law and order is always open to interpretation.
And thing is, if you go evil, you might find all four of the other races turning on you, so its kind of like they enforce law.
When I played with this setup, a lot of the game revolved more around diplomacy and culture, with the occaisional war against a minor.
Late into the game, all five races were still alive, some were stronger than others, but most important, nearly everyone was allied with everyone else.
I decided to end the game with alliance victory, but couldnt get the last guy to join, so I finally declared war on the guy. I was surprised to see the complex web of alliances split to pieces. Two races joined my side and one joined his.
It was a full out Galactic war between all five races and it was a hell of a way to end a game that mostly involved diplomacy. Dudes, it was like the climax of a movie--all tension, then payoff.
SETUP 3
PURE RANDOM
thats right, randomize not only the alignments but the intelligence level as well. I know you might get a couple of them at max, and some of them really week, but it gets pretty exciting anyway.
Yes you may lose, and when you realize it is hopless, you can just quit,
BUT, keep in mind, that with some diplomatic manuevering, and some smart playing, and of course a few lucky events, you can survive and prosper in a completely random set up.
It really brings a different feel to the game, so dont be afraid.
I would recomend that you reroll the dice if you get a really LOW level of difficulty, but usually you will end up with CHALLENGING or NORMAL, either of which is very satisfying.
SETUP 4
Balanced. One nuetral, Two goods (either chaotic, pure, or both) and two evils (cha, pure, both) and of course yourself to tip the balance. Set all races to bright (genius if your good)
A predictable but fun set up.
SETUP 5
Tyrany. Set ARCEANS to PURE EVIL and GENIUS or higher. Set everyone else to NORMAL and RANDOMIZE their alignments.
The idea is that the ARCEANS (or whoever you prefer) rule the galaxy with an iron fist. Its up to you to decide if you want to unite the weaker races, conquer them all, or join the ARCEANS and co rule the galaxy like a futuristic STALIN. The game can be challenging, but if you persevere, you will succeed.
SETUP 6
Randomize variant. Set all races to Bright, and randomize all alignments. You will get a balanced yet unpredictable game. Nice for some good clean fun.
SETUP 7
Age of Mercantilism.
Randomize all INTELLIGENCE levels, but put everyone on NUETRAL.
Who knows what you will get, and I confess that I haven't tried this one, but I predict that you will get a game that is very challenging, but leaves a lot of room for TRADE, DIPLOMACY, and a healthy dose of COMBAT.
Try at your own risk.
Let me know what you think.
If you think these ideas suck, I don't mind you saying so, but if you like them, then that would be nice as well.
Also, would like to hear some of your ideas.
Thanks,
Mailer
What I like about it is the randomness, the way every game plays different. And I like the way you can adjust or randomize the alien empires' alignment and intelligence as well.
So, I've played a number of games and tried a number of setups that were really cool, and thought I would share them with all of you.
SETUP 1
with a little imagination, I came up with the this first set up which worked well in my game. It puts an Very Powerful Good race with a very weak ally in charge of enforcing justice in the galaxy. The setup really give the player the opportunity to tip the balance between good and evil or just conquer it all. Also pretty challenging with plenty of room for diplomacy, etc.
Set up the Yor as a peacekeeping race left behind by the pregenitors to enforce galactic rule by setting them at PURE GOOD -- GENIUS or greater
To assist the yor in their peace keeping duties, they UPLIFTED a presentient species with controlled evolution. To creat this, set the TORIAN CONFED. to SUB-NORMAL -- CHAOTIC GOOD.
The Altarians are a nuetral federation much like the humans. Set them to BRIGHT--NUETRAL
The Drengin are a vile empire bent on enslaving the galaxy and burning through every available resource. Set them to BRIGHT--PURE EVIL
The Arceans are a warlike race bent on galactic intimidation and conquest, set them to BRIGHT--CHAOTIC EVIL
SETUP 2
All races set at BRIGHT and either CHAOTIC GOOD or PURE GOOD.
The idea here is that humanity found its way into a very civilized galaxy bound by complex laws and regulations. Of course, conflict will ensue regardless, because law and order is always open to interpretation.
And thing is, if you go evil, you might find all four of the other races turning on you, so its kind of like they enforce law.
When I played with this setup, a lot of the game revolved more around diplomacy and culture, with the occaisional war against a minor.
Late into the game, all five races were still alive, some were stronger than others, but most important, nearly everyone was allied with everyone else.
I decided to end the game with alliance victory, but couldnt get the last guy to join, so I finally declared war on the guy. I was surprised to see the complex web of alliances split to pieces. Two races joined my side and one joined his.
It was a full out Galactic war between all five races and it was a hell of a way to end a game that mostly involved diplomacy. Dudes, it was like the climax of a movie--all tension, then payoff.
SETUP 3
PURE RANDOM
thats right, randomize not only the alignments but the intelligence level as well. I know you might get a couple of them at max, and some of them really week, but it gets pretty exciting anyway.
Yes you may lose, and when you realize it is hopless, you can just quit,
BUT, keep in mind, that with some diplomatic manuevering, and some smart playing, and of course a few lucky events, you can survive and prosper in a completely random set up.
It really brings a different feel to the game, so dont be afraid.
I would recomend that you reroll the dice if you get a really LOW level of difficulty, but usually you will end up with CHALLENGING or NORMAL, either of which is very satisfying.
SETUP 4
Balanced. One nuetral, Two goods (either chaotic, pure, or both) and two evils (cha, pure, both) and of course yourself to tip the balance. Set all races to bright (genius if your good)
A predictable but fun set up.
SETUP 5
Tyrany. Set ARCEANS to PURE EVIL and GENIUS or higher. Set everyone else to NORMAL and RANDOMIZE their alignments.
The idea is that the ARCEANS (or whoever you prefer) rule the galaxy with an iron fist. Its up to you to decide if you want to unite the weaker races, conquer them all, or join the ARCEANS and co rule the galaxy like a futuristic STALIN. The game can be challenging, but if you persevere, you will succeed.
SETUP 6
Randomize variant. Set all races to Bright, and randomize all alignments. You will get a balanced yet unpredictable game. Nice for some good clean fun.
SETUP 7
Age of Mercantilism.
Randomize all INTELLIGENCE levels, but put everyone on NUETRAL.
Who knows what you will get, and I confess that I haven't tried this one, but I predict that you will get a game that is very challenging, but leaves a lot of room for TRADE, DIPLOMACY, and a healthy dose of COMBAT.
Try at your own risk.
Let me know what you think.
If you think these ideas suck, I don't mind you saying so, but if you like them, then that would be nice as well.
Also, would like to hear some of your ideas.
Thanks,
Mailer
