Arceans colonized a PQ14 planet

at the very least with 1.11. i didn't notice it before.


~SDC~

I've seen this pre-1.11 but I did not detect any distinct pattern of AIs colonizing sub-PQ15 planets.

Sometimes they do, but mostly they leave them alone.

I've seen it (rarely) in 1.10. More often in 1.11. Seems to be something similar to the junk starbase phenomenon, where the AI loses out on a race to some goody, and settles for second prize rather than going home empty-handed.

I played a gigantic abundant last week and there were nearly a dozen total grabs of PQ14's by the AI. I can only assume they built SO MANY colony ships, the surplus altered the math compared to usual when all the best planets were taken.

The AI is clearly not to the point yet, though, of settling PQ14 as a regular routine.


- Sirian

It happens, but I have only seen it once before. If it could happen on a regular basis, it would undermine a favorite come from behind strategy: the back fill. I'll always come back around for some PQ 13 or 14 action near my territory even if I don't take worm kill most of the time. An eventual PQ 15 or 16 after two basic early improvement techs is not that bad. Not great planets, but they get the job done. It would be nice if I had to run for them early rather than being able to routinely wait until the mid game to leisurely drift on over and grab them.

I say it way back on 1.05, deep into my territory. I assumed it was for launching an attack. I see it a lot more recently, but not too early in the game.

Um, I always pick the evil random choices at planetfall, so I can't recall the good choices... But, is there a good random choice that decreases PQ ? That is, could it be that the aliens colonise a PQ15 world and their good morality choice means that the PQ is reduced to PQ14 or PQ13? :notsure:

I have also noticed that on 1.11 they do seem to grab PQ 14 planets in late game.

Killa, I believe that could be the reason.

~SDC~

The Arceans are causing culture flipping problems for me in my current game. During the land grab, they managed to sneak in a planet that I missed in the middle of my territory. It is causing much discontent in the neighboring planets, so I decided to colonize a system with 2 PQ14 planets in a nearby sector in an attempt to boost my influence in the area. I was quite surprised when my colony ship arrived only to discover that the Arceans had already colonized it.

Off to war we go....

Killa, when the AI have done 14's in my games, they were 14's already. But I like the idea of goodies getting bit on PQ... it would offset the fundies and the scoring difference a little...

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Is it worth colonizing planets with PQ14? Is it better later in the game?

They can be used as range extender, or base for trying to flip AI colony. With soil ehancement, the PQ became 15.

They are worth to colonize. But it is a investment, i.e. must not be done when you are short with money. Furthermore you need to make it in a social project building rush because you pay this 5BC extra fee until you reached 15.

Later in the game you might have this terraforming wonder. With this you can colonize even a PQ 12 planet and rush build Soil and Habitat.

These planets boost your influence, population, production, range etc. It's not much but I can make a difference. On the other hand ofter you desparately need the money for other tasks. It's your decision ...

Rule: Do only colonize planets where you can reach PQ 15 in a short time.

Never go sub PQ12 as it is a waste of time unless you are using it as a stepping stone to a bigger planet. If that is the case then delete it (destroy colony) after you colonize the new planet.

You ever notice the AI's colonizing to extend their range? I am sure the Yor did it to me my last game and I had never noticed that before. I won the race to the price planet and they destroyed their colony.

I get my usual 4 planets and park colony ships at any close by 14's or sometimes 13 until my economy is in the black running at 100% spending then take them. I take them when I am just about to start major social spending so they become an asset quickly. I also look for such planets closer to the middle of the map if I'm in a corner to increase the ability and ease of the AI's to trade with me.

Is it not worth to colonize a sub PQ12, if it has many influence points? :notsure:

I think it it the only case for colonizing a such planet and keep it.