Galaxy #122 has started

To all new home worlds ...

The masters have abandoned you in galaxy #122 and you're on your own now. Stars are fairly few and far between, but they're ready for your exploitation.

Conquer and enjoy!!

I'll add general game comments here and keep the other thread for my logs.

I did a quick read of the rules this past week and a slower read as I was getting ready for this game to start. And then, all of a sudden, it was almost the last day of the turn. It was nice that the system sent me a reminder!

The on-line guides have been helpful, especially the "Galac-Tac Quick-Start Guide."

I found the Galac-Tac Assistant to be confusing because I didn't notice that the menu changed when I started to edit actions. I think it is hard to read - is there an option to increase the font size?

I am confused on spending. There's a dialog that shows points spent that seems to change in real time, but I didn't see a way to list where the points were being spent.

Last thing, is there something that shows all the ships and where they are? I found out that I could click a system to get a list of the ships in that system, but didn't see an "empire-level" overview.

[quote="ronin" pid="138150" dateline="1609124849"]
I found the Galac-Tac Assistant to be confusing because I didn't notice that the menu changed when I started to edit actions. I think it is hard to read - is there an option to increase the font size?
[/quote]

I'm sorry about that, but a changing menu is the only way I could think of to handle multiple screens of the same type. All menus are fixed except the one for the screen that is currently highlighted. That menu then applies only to that screen. For instance, if you had three different maps open at once, how could you have just one menu for them all - to which map would commands apply?

As for the font size, I don't have an option to change that (though it is possible to create one if necessary). But I thought I had it set to use whatever font size your computer is set for in general - is that not what you're seeing happen on your system?

[quote="ronin" pid="138150" dateline="1609124849"]
I am confused on spending. There's a dialog that shows points spent that seems to change in real time, but I didn't see a way to list where the points were being spent.
[/quote]

Yes, the Cash Flow Report is very handy at telling you as you type how much PI you have left to spend. But there is no mechanism to tell you on what command it's happening. Most players don't seem overly concerned at that - perhaps you can help me understand how it would help you?

There are very few commands that commonly consume PI (cash) -- most of the time they're either BUILD or LOAD or COLONIZE, and those are pretty easy to spot in your turn. Other screens can help you see how much your ship designs, and therefore your builds, cost.

The PV map displays with a much bigger font than the other maps. I'll send you a screenshot of that. That's what made me think that I could "zoom" in and out on the maps.

[quote="ronin" pid="138150" dateline="1609124849"]
Last thing, is there something that shows all the ships and where they are? I found out that I could click a system to get a list of the ships in that system, but didn't see an "empire-level" overview.
[/quote]

Double-clicking on a star on any map will bring up a screen full of details about that star, one portion is the list of ships there and another is a list of ships nearby, for instance. But to see where everything is your best bet is to define your map to show you that information graphically.

All GTac maps are customizable, including the predefined ones. You can tell a map what you want shown and how and the new data will appear directly on the map. For instance, you could say to put a little red ship symbol next to any star that has your ships there. Then you can save that definition and next turn the symbols will show up again but this time in their then-current locations.

If you want something more complicated, pick a red symbol on the right for cargo ships and a blue symbol on left for scout ships and a yellow symbol above the star for warships. Many ways of showing information are possible, you may select your methods and combinations depending on what you want to see. Or, you might create multiple saved maps -- one showing only scouts and another showing only cargo ships, etc.

The map can also show you the routes that ships are going to take (from the commands you've typed in so far), such as ships you're about to send out Charting or Scouting. The «Scouts» map has an example of that if you'd like to check it out.

Custom map-based displays are the primary way that GTac shows you information, and the easiest way for you to understand your empire.

Does that help?

[quote="ronin" pid="138154" dateline="1609127109"]
The PV map displays with a much bigger font than the other maps. I'll send you a screenshot of that. That's what made me think that I could "zoom" in and out on the maps.
[/quote]

Aha! You're talking about maps rather than text displays. Actually, the PV map is drawn graphically and has two sizes. But if you want to see a map closer in, go to the menu Map >> General Settings >> Magnification and I think you'll find what you're looking for.

I don't think that it needs changed; it made sense as soon as I noticed it. It just took a while for me to notice it :)

[quote="Davin" pid="138153" dateline="1609126234"]
[quote="ronin" pid="138150" dateline="1609124849"]
I am confused on spending. There's a dialog that shows points spent that seems to change in real time, but I didn't see a way to list where the points were being spent.
[/quote]

Yes, the Cash Flow Report is very handy at telling you as you type how much PI you have left to spend. But there is no mechanism to tell you on what command it's happening. Most players don't seem overly concerned at that - perhaps you can help me understand how it would help you?
[/quote]

[color=#333333][size=small]At this point in the game, it would be just for curiosity[/size][size=small]. For example, [/size][/color][size=small]I initially looked for it to see how things were being spent when I did the "suggested actions." I wanted to be lazy and not have to count the number of ships and do the summing myself.[/size]

[quote="ronin" pid="138150" dateline="1609124849"]
I did a quick read of the rules this past week and a slower read as I was getting ready for this game to start. And then, all of a sudden, it was almost the last day of the turn. It was nice that the system sent me a reminder!
[/quote]

Oh, other players might wish to note that on their Talisman Games profile page there's a check-box to ask the system to send you such reminders. If you haven't checked that item then you won't get notifications of this and other types. I recommend that everyone ask for gaming-related emails.

[quote="ronin" pid="138158" dateline="1609127832"]
[quote="Davin" pid="138153" dateline="1609126234"]
[quote="ronin" pid="138150" dateline="1609124849"]
I am confused on spending. There's a dialog that shows points spent that seems to change in real time, but I didn't see a way to list where the points were being spent.
[/quote]

Yes, the Cash Flow Report is very handy at telling you as you type how much PI you have left to spend. But there is no mechanism to tell you on what command it's happening. Most players don't seem overly concerned at that - perhaps you can help me understand how it would help you?
[/quote]

[color=#333333][size=small]At this point in the game, it would be just for curiosity[/size][size=small]. For example, [/size][/color][size=small]I initially looked for it to see how things were being spent when I did the "suggested actions." I wanted to be lazy and not have to count the number of ships and do the summing myself.[/size]
[/quote]

Yes, not having to count things up yourself is important. But even more so is unintentionally overspending by counting wrong. The dynamic report tells you when you do that, as does the Action screen's Check Orders for Errors menu choice, and those are important to use throughout the game.

Gee, it sure is quiet out here this turn and tonight's the deadline. I'm anxiously awaiting any new diary entries from the emperors - I love hearing about what's been happening in their realms.

Surprised to encounter "others" so quickly. Initial reaction is to go Tholian!

I was rather surprised, too.  I know that the opponents will be further apart when there are few of them, but the stars themselves are also sparser forcing empires to travel further afield in search of resources. I guess the latter factor overcame the former, or else everyone is jumping far out in order to see who's out there.

There are plenty of response paths to choose from, including retreat and isolation up through aggressively enforcing your territorial claims. Keep in mind that a Cease Fire is not a military incursion - it's just a "bumping of elbows when passing by". But attacking with warships IS military and may provoke a definite response from your opponents, one way or another, and such responses (positive or negative) need to be considered, as well as your own resources, when deciding upon your own course of action.

Aren't you glad you don't have any decisions to make?

Hah!

I was hoping to have more time to figure out customizing the game map and ships. But it helps to be pushed along sometimes :)

BTW, I am enjoying the posts from the other players. It seems to be a more considered interaction than at a tabletop game.

Note: I figured out the spending. There's a slight delay after entering the build information before that dialog updates. Once I noticed that, I was able to track costs.

I'm enjoying the storylines immensely! I hope everyone continues to contribute. Tabletop gaming is great, but you usually can't take a week there to decide on what you want to do and to discuss things back-and-forth with your opponents. (Don't forget that you can send opponents a private message on the web site once you've run into them.)

You can always ask questions about customization hereabouts and everyone can listen and contribute their 2 PI worth. The GTac maps are particularly fun to work with, once you figure out what you want to see. As for ship designs you can always start up a solo game and spend several days trying out different designs to see what works best for you. The biggest trick to ship design is trying to decide what it will be used for, and then design to those needs. (Hint: All-purpose ships seldom work out very well.)

New players in Galac-Tac tend to want to just sit back and grow quietly and not spend too much effort on confrontation, so sometimes you do need to be pushed into it.  :P  Remember that this is a game of conquest, and it doesn't last a long as it sometimes feels like it should, and that in the end There Can Be Only One.

The GTac Cash Flow screen has a brief embedded delay so it doesn't try to update too quickly, but that shouldn't pose any difficulties to most people once they realize that. Your original problem, though, was that you were using suggested orders. Those orders appeared all at once and so you couldn't see the amounts changing while typing.

Gee, things have been awfully quiet this turn! I wonder if the unexpected encounters have dampened enthusiasm for exploration?

Annnnddd...  it's still pretty quiet. Are there still non-mechanical races still out there?

[quote="Davin" pid="138210" dateline="1613095249"]
Annnnddd...  it's still pretty quiet. Are there still non-mechanical races still out there?
[/quote]

Hey!  I resemble that remark...

R.U.R.

Things got crazy at work. I still have another week of travel, but should be able to get back into the swing of things soon. The suggested actions let me stay active in the game, so thanks for that feature.

Trying to understand how to change a colony to a production center. Do I load 30PV on to ships, send them to the colony, unload the PV and then issue a DEVELOP order? Or does the develop order take care of any of that?

Wonderful!  I'm glad you're back to being able to post occasionally.

The suggested actions really concentrate on building defenses and setting up shuttle runs, so they might keep the empire alive but extended use doesn't leave you in a terribly good position to interact with your neighbors. I'm glad you're getting some time again for some personal decision-making, as well as any sabre-rattling that might be necessary.

(That robotic empire might need help trimming up some of his loose wiring, too, don't you think?)   :D

[quote="ronin" pid="138359" dateline="1619548192"]
Trying to understand how to change a colony to a production center. Do I load 30PV on to ships, send them to the colony, unload the PV and then issue a DEVELOP order? Or does the develop order take care of any of that?
[/quote]

All you need to do is have a fleet with at least 30 space in cargo. Give them a DEVELOP order and they will fly there and do the development on their own. Just like COLONIZE works.

[quote="ronin" pid="138359" dateline="1619548192"]
Trying to understand how to change a colony to a production center. Do I load 30PV on to ships, send them to the colony, unload the PV and then issue a DEVELOP order? Or does the develop order take care of any of that?
[/quote]

I'm sorry - I missed seeing that question.

Yes, RktSci is right. But, like Colonize, you have to be at a production center when you issue the Develop/Colonize so it has someplace to load the PI from (and enough available). If not, you already have to have the 30 PI on-board when you issue it.

Important note: PI, not PV, is required.

The freighter(?) has to start in a production center. If the freighter doesn't have the cargo space for 30 PI, will it automagically make multiple trips to the production center? Or do I need to assign multiple freighters to convoy it over?

If the freighters have been JOINed, I can give the order to the lead freigher?

Yes, the freighter has to start in a PC or else it has to start with 30 PI on-board. It must be capable of holding 30 PI all at once, but that total may be in a joined fleet. If you Join three 10-bay freighters together, for instance, you can issue the Develop to the flagship and the whole group of them will do what you want (load 10 PI on each ship, move the group to the destination system, and drop 15 PI/turn for two turns). Just don't break up the Join while it's busy doing that.

Sound good?

Thanks. I'll give it a go this turn.