I read all the hype and have always enjoyed games like MOO2 and a less known title called Space Empires (3), so i took the plunge and got GalCiv2. No disappoints here, I'm intrigued by the challenge this games poses, but yeah, I'm still figuring this all out and could use some pointers.
I'm using 1.1 beta3. Playing normal difficulty vs. 3 civs on a large map.
1) I'm playing as the Terrans with the default Civ advantages. I have no problem getting my research nice and jacked. I've been pushing my research allocation up to around 50%, but jeez, I struggle keeping my treasury balanced. I've noticed that trade definitely helps and building economic starbases helps leverage that. Is there a sure fire way to ensure a better balance of economy and spending on a per planet basis? I shoot for a min. 1 research, 1 factory, 1 marketplace per planet and then attempt to specialize from there. I have no problem making planets become production powerhouses, but how to better make the economic powerhouses? I need more cash! (or maybe i'm too obsessed with having a positive cash flow?)
2) I sure try to grow as fast as I can, taking the suggestions of a few other players by upgrades to colony ships and constructors with faster engines so I can grab planets and resource polygons faster. I buy these ships outright as often as I can instead of building them, but it seems i get beat out...alot!....the Altereins (not sure about that name....you know...the other humanoid civ) seem to be able to expand REALLY fast. How do I buy on credit? Is that a strat for growing faster in the beginnning? On Beginner level, I have no problem, on Normal i can barely keep up. What am i doing wrong here? I recognize how important the early game expansion phase is. Perhaps some of it is just luck?
3) I shoot for a single weapons/defense path (beams/shields) but I'm beginning to suspect that the whole shields thing is unnecessary. Most of the other civs use weapons that penetrate shileds anyway (missles, mass drivers) so why not just bulk up my ships with more weapons, more range, more speed? Am I missing something here? Perhaps certain other techs depends on shields research to be unlocked? I'm just a little mystified by finding the most efficient tech tree pathway...any thoughts here would be really appreciated.
I have more questions, but this is getting long. If anyone can point me to a nicely done strategy write up (not the beginner tutorial...useful but i'm beyond that now) that would be great.. Thanks in advance for any tips you can share.
