Heyas all.

Been playing the game a few days now. Have been learning more and more with every game. I have played like 4 games so far. Well actually 2 games and then 2 half games I guess is more accurate.

Anyway....I just finished a game. I played the "Cynosian Rift" scenario. I played this time as the Vasari and played against a easy economic TEC ai. In comparison to my last game this game went faster so I guess im getting better and learning more. This game took 2:02 for me to win. This in comparison to the random small map game I did yesterday that took 3:53 I think it was.

Im pretty much up to speed now on all the planet development and just general economics part of the game in regards to getting population up to cut costs and getting trade ports going etc. I generally get up to 3 capital ships and make 2 "Battlegroups". One with 2 capital ships and lots of support which is my main "raiding" group and then a second battlegroup with one capital ship that sorta floats around main choke points to defend off any surprise attacks etc.

Worked well on this game. I was able to outbid the other ai on the pirate raids for all but one. The one raid actually attacked my home planet but my secondary battlegroup was able to fight them off no pronblem. I was able to progress through taking the other planeets from my enemy without much trouble really. The only trouble I had was early on I was a bit short on cash and crystals for a while but after 20 minutes or so of focusing on getting planets up to speed and trade ports running...I was fine.

Probably my biggest hurdle as a new player right now is just learning the research trees. I really honestly dont know what 2/3 of the stuff is on them. I just sorta start a game and I know I need to research to get some of the Cruiser ships and to get the trade ports and colonize ice planets etc....but most the other stuff I really dont know whats there. Im sure some of that other stuff is very useful I just need to like sit and read all of them I guess lol.

So far though I love the game. I dont have the problem with Pirates many new players have but I usually make it a point to always have the high bid at least early on. Sometimes once I have a good force up and if I have a battlegroup near my home planet Ill lax on one pirate raid to just save a bit of cash. I think the speed of the game is wonderful (I play on normal speed) and it just plays great. Im thinking about trying to move up to a normal ai on my next game and then if that goes well maybe move up to a map with like 2 or 3 other ai's.

A few things I dont like so far or wish would be changed or explained better to me.....


- The planetary defense cannon things seem usless. I mean your limited on them being close to the planet. I mean the one use I would have for them would be to set them near the lane entry points to take out scout ships etc....I just think they are under utilized in the mechanics of the game or something.

- I do wish that at least he frigates moved around a bit more in combat. I could see the capital ships and maybe even cruisers sitting still but if they could make the frigates be a bit more mobile it would spice the battlefield up some.

- They need to add a option on the frigate factorys of "ships built add to ctrl group 1". I typically have like I said 2 battlegroups of various ships. I would love it if I could pick a frigate factory and que up 5 ships and they would automatically join group 1 and then fly to wherever the group is. I have seen discussion on this issue but I would still love to have it.

- Id like to see them spice up the other ai presentation a bit. What I mean is say for instance when the ai pirates or ai enemy message you...have those instead pop up in a little window with a character pic etc. Maybe even have an option for you to then click and send them a threat back or go into pirate bribe or negotiations screen (whicher appropriate). Would be cool too to have the enemies send you a message when you begin assault on thier planets i.e. "You Vasari will pay for attacking a TEC federation planet!!" Just little stuff like that.