Space Voyager Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/Liir.jpg The shame. Shame and disgust. My own and that of others, blinding emotions running through my sanity. Whether I would endure or break was uncertain. But the pain was even worse. I felt every wound and heard every scream of my kind, battling across the expanses of the galaxy, leaving frozen water of Muur scattered among the debris of machines of war. War. My mind was filled with shame of my brothers, sowing death upon living creatures, risking their own reason in the cries. But finally I had to admit their actions are patches sewn over the Song, preventing it from falling silent. Still I kept my ears shut to the growing disharmony for as long as I could. Then the murmur of life upset started to invade my song, too. I couldn't bear it any more, listening and doing nothing to heal the chords. Elder at my age, others expected me to teach the young, sing and await my own end in meditation. Disharmony and silence take my age! So I cloaked myself in shame of my people and took the exile. Swimming in the black sea, the machines I once loathed carry me around. I give the orders to take lives and bear the weight of consequences. I take as much responsibility for pain we cause as I can to make life of my fellow Black Swimmers a fraction easier. They care for me, too. Our song takes us through murky waters, each battle won adds to the harmony of life. We will win and be reborn or die trying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Are you excited as me Veki ? Go SV... if you manage to win on difficult I will bow before you. I see that you made a start much more like in Sots2 with 3 systems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 Well, I will try, anyway. I'm still unsure what dirty things to allow myself as hard is pretty unforgiving. I'm not going to deceive the AI by changing course, the rest may not be out of the question. Bio-war is even lore based with Liir, driver fleets to pulverize infrastructure (like dealing with AI rebellion in Antiquarians scenario AAR), perhaps even turret sniping. Though this last one is last on the menu as the AI is unable to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorondor Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 The song beckons and I drift no more. I am in thy wake. Brother, I trust the strength of your melody. We will follow and flow towards ultimate deliverance. Our hymns, I know, will echo even in our descendant's waters. :: Command then these machines if you must. They will make your wise tune heard today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 What dark sorcery is this Edit: BTW SV, if you are recording with Fraps - can you enable cursor in future movies so I can see what are you "thinking" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veki Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Are you excited as me Veki ? You bet! I'm still unsure what dirty things to allow myself as hard is pretty unforgiving.All of them! (you'll need them ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Edit: BTW SV, if you are recording with Fraps - can you enable cursor in future movies so I can see what are you "thinking" ? I am recording with X-Fire and I can enable the cursor, though I intentionally removed it to make battles more cinematic. But I guess it can be distracting when things just pop-up from nowhere. Ok, I'll put it back in, no problemo. BTW, I'm having same flickering problems in video capture that I mentioned in last AAR. Funny, I go to CCC and force frames to either 60Hz or "desktop" setting and the flickering stops. Then I turn the comp on the next time and it is back. Going nuts here. Where can I find AA settings in CCC? I looked everywhere but can't find it. Could texture filtering (trilinear) have an influence on this, too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I wish I could help but I don't know how to solve your problem other than switching to Nvidia . You could try the old way with new drivers, new CCC etc. Texture filtering shouldn't have influence. And that forcing v-synch. You don't have to save the options somewhere, to profile maybe? That is why I keep away from Radeons. They maybe good, but you don't have that many problems with GeForces. You may try switching to Fraps or Hypercam for recording and check if this problem occurs there. Both are free so there is no problem witch checking. A quick google suggest that Xfire is the culprit here. Based on other example try this: "Open Xfire, go to tools>options>games and find StarCraft (for you SotS). Disable Xfire in game" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 As you were already able to see in the setup vid, there are all factions present,but Zuul have three empires. That is to possibly allow "superzuul" forming, as theytend not to fight too much. Instead the weaker one submits so they can becomemuch meaner together.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0001-86.jpgOur local neighbourhood, the cluster we're in.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0002-75.jpgLiir main strength is research and our main weakness is reproduction - our populationsgrow slowly. Starting on a large map actually gives us some much needed time in whichwe will try to outperform other empires enough to somewhat negate a 50% bonus it getsin both research and income. The only way to get this is taking enough time for biotechsand a quick move to trade, both very difficult in a small map where you need combatapplications researched ASAP.Let's start, mainly towards a baby-boom.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0003-72.jpgFirst ships are built and exploration wave is on the way, led by "Tok" (Current) class destroyers.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0004-66.jpgClosest systems are explored. We find some nice future colonies, this one beingthe best available.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0016-27.jpgWe need colonies even cheaper, so we continue with bio research.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0011-38.jpgJust when I started to wonder if I changed the randoms settings at startup, we find some.First we stumble upon an independent colony. Tarka.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0023-29.jpgAs usually independents don't wish to fight and I don't want to destroy them just yet.Or at all. I'll see about investing into Xenotechs to include them into our empire withouta fight. Their CH is a problem though. It is at the extremes compared to our own,so their populations would grow very, very slowly. That reminds me... Overpopulation!!!I need to remember to crank up the population numbers at colonies that will not presentthe backbone of our production efforts.Next comes an Asteroid monitor. Our scout is destroyed at the very edge of asteroid shadow.I actually forgot to look at the planet. What it looks like tells a lot about itshabitability. I'll send another scout, hoping it will survive.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0021-24.jpgAnd last, the Swarm. No survivors, naturally.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0028-13.jpghttps://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0029-12.jpgOur "Voda" (Water) class colonization ships are already being built but we press onsome more to make the shock of supporting new colonies as small and short as possible.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0034-7.jpgLets see where it is all happening.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0035-7.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 If you go for fast UV lasers you could destroy that swarm and I know that After Environmental Tailoring the last one research (not nanites) is expensive. How are other planets? My luck always gives me 300+. And please do tell witch colony will be overpopulated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Planets with CH 300-400 are not a huge problem with all the biotechs. Soour range of affordable colonies is quite big.As far as lasers go I was thinking much the same as you, but it turned outdifferent. Better.At Laertes we find a nice surprise.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0003-71.jpgOur scout disagrees while it burns in the fire or an antimatter torpedo, but theplanet behind it is well worth looking at. All water, just what need.And strippingthe artifact brings a nice research bonus, too. We'll have to get back to it.As you were able to see in the last picture of the previous update, another of ourscouts visited the system with Asteroid monitor to check on the habitability.Contrary to what you may have thought, we have not started researching a specialproject as soon as it became available. We can't afford to throw money out thewindow. If this turned out to be a waste(land), it can wait. Well, it isn't.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0005-62.jpgOur new research focuses on lowering the price of ships. And something better toequip them with. Something that helps against the Swarm and helps strip derelicts.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0006-49.jpgExploration of the nearby star cloud is under way.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0009-45.jpgThe Swarm is on the move. Course... our colony. Even if we had ships to matchthe menace, we could not get them there in time. Colony has no production ofits own to speak of. We will leave it be until the last turn for the waterforming.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0014-38.jpgIn a stroke of luck we get green beamers. As it presents an incredibly accuratelaser beam, we go for it before we start a major military buildup. Next, moreindustry is always good. Twenty percent is a lot!https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0011-39.jpgFirst time in my SotS history do I see these available:https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0015-28.jpgWe will not go for the research at the moment, we have more pressing matters.Green will have to do.Finally we get a military ship design. Meet a defensively oriented ship,a "Morska vetrnica" (Menemony) class destroyer. It is armed purely with greenbeamers so that it is most efficient against VN and spectres should any ofthese pay us a visit. It is time we defend the colonies properly.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0016-26.jpgNeedless to say, the accuracy of our weaponry should do short work of swarmersand enemy turrets alike. We start production of four destroyers at all worlds.Offensive fleet is being built at starting worlds.Would the game really be hard if there was no stick to beat us? But does it reallyneed to hurt this bad?https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0020-20.jpgJust to show that I'm really trying to cut the cost in all corners; most of ournew colonization fleets are using "Jezero" (Lake) class tankers, reused from formermissions. They are travelling from baby colonies and are intercepting tanker-lessfleets. Catching on the fly is possible with point to point FTL propulsions only.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0021-23.jpgA sad moment.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0023-30.jpgWe need numbers in the field. First those, then we sprint towards trading!https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0025-16.jpgThat seems quite fast! A great new colony awaits!https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0032-7.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Green beamers aren't that superb and If I am right while playing with humans and morrigi against swarm my best defence was UV lasers and if you can have X-Ray lasers then even better. Can you show us your profit and balance? How many turns for research do you have? By turn 100 you should be swimming in fusion tech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 I'm afraid that would be far too late. We'll need that speed sooner.You can judge green beamers just a few pics later, in a vid. Also in most researchpics you can see the time needed for it. Like 5 turns for Battle Computers in lastresearch update. I'll take a budget pic in a later update, no problem.Fusion is definitely on a soon-to-be list, but having an early trade will gain usmuch more in every way. That is what money does...https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0029-13.jpgImmediately we start production on trade ships.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0036-8.jpgOur planets now show their trade capacity. It will be much bigger a bit later on,with overpopulation cranked up.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0037-7.jpgClean-up fleet has arrived, closely followed by colonizers.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0033-8.jpg https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0040-4.jpgThe Swarm has been removed without a single loss. And first trade ships start makingmoney!We have everything we need for new homes. What we lack completely are eyes.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0046-1.jpgFirst colony in another cluster!https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0048-2.jpgAnd extreme exploration of the third.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0053-1.jpgAfter resettling Beezarro II, most of the fleet heads to the derelict.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0054-2.jpgEyes, now speed and higher energies!https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0056-2.jpgWe find another derelict, just waiting to be stripped of its weapons.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0058.jpgWhen our new eyes kick in, we see more. Much more. We've got company. First Zuul,first target. There will be no talking, no use. https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0060-1.jpgThe grand plan.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0064.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Hmm maybe you are better or maybe with Liir beamers are better all the way. Keep it going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorondor Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Nice light show, SV. :: Zap them dissonant beings out of our song space! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 I'll do what you both are saying. Though I'm toying with a thought of having them as pets once again, he he he! I want to at least try if they lower a colony's income or even shut trade routes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Short answer - no. But they will attack dozen of turns later so have some defences there. And disable planetary missiles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 Meeting Zuul is always something special. Makes for a nice firework, sadly of ourown fuel.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0003-73.jpgDerelict is stripped! It went like a hot knife through butter. Literally, I had tobe very careful not to destroy it. I should have used less ships, it would be easierto coordinate.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0004-67.jpghttps://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0007-52.jpgThree ships lost were tankers that I forgot to get to asteroid shadow on time. AMtorpedo got to the first one, that one blew... Fleet is temporarily stranded butcolonizers with tankers are incoming.Second Asteroid Monitor is found.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0009-46.jpgI can only guess that Zuul got to it first but I'm going to risk the research. Ifwe get it, Zuul advance would be somewhat more difficult. Not that we should counton that.Cluster with Zuul has more derelicts. I hope to get to them first.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0010-40.jpgThe Swarm is on the move again!https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0011-40.jpgOur fleet at the derelict will be a turn late but the colony can take care of itselfnow. At least against the Swarm. Finally we'll get the numbers and see if we canharvest the honey.A view of trade sectors in the original cluster.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0012-39.jpgYes, why would we want to be on time - or early - on techs that really matter?!Ha, this is a nice surprise! There was a Liir independent world in the Zuul cluster!https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0013-31.jpgWe get a colony for free! This could help a lot.A test of biome colonizers;https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0014-39.jpgDamn, climate hazard went from almost 400 to 300 with three cruisers only! Six infraand 14.000 Liir on the planet per ship! We're only building these from now on.And now, ladies and gents, The Test. I've been waiting for this for the last threeAARs and this is the first time I get to do it. Bugs are knocking.Let's welcome them in.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0017-23.jpgFirst we test what happens if we destroy the Swarm. So, colony development as usual.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0018-25.jpgThen we let it live. Bring us honey, bee!https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0019-25.jpgNoooooo no no no... This is not honey... I admit it, I'm really disappointed. I'd lovethe idea of harnessing these beautiful bees and letting them live. Even if they didnot bring any improvement. But this... Industrial output down to half, income lowered.Sorry bees, I'm afraid I have no technology to keep you around without riskingthe existence of the Song.As the original intention was to try it out, I'm continuing from that version. We'llneed clean-up. Meaning moving fleet from and to the planet until the event is triggered.Ahhhhhh, wellllll. Too bad, really. Song continues, if a bit blue.We're adding more colonizers to Laertes. Only showing this for the ticker art.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0016-28.jpgDid I mention that Zuul have cruisers? No sign of cruiser CnC ship yet.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0022-17.jpgFi na lly fusion.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0024-20.jpgWe can create non-combat designs and start building them, meanwhile we'll add somemore toys to make combatants last longer.Second exploration wave in the empty neighbouring cluster. Quite some peachy colonieshere, we were waiting for fusion to build colony ships.A view at the budget.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0025-17.jpgAnd space around us as we know it. We'll go deeper, further with fusion, worry not.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0028-12.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 And that is why he is the master here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 No masters around here. I'll be lucky if we turn out as survivors, he he he!Lets make sure our fleet can be repaired, then we go for some weapons to add the punch.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0001-85.jpgHa, I've been fearing a colony trap for a long time but it seemed missing. We found one,luckily with sufficient technology to fight it off. Even better, we have an asteroidmonitor to help us!https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0004-68.jpg Beezaro II, ill-fated honey-maker, and Azar, our local bee source, are cleaned. I stillmourn the fate of the Swarm.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0006-50.jpgŽarek upanja (Ray of hope) class cruiser is under construction at our homeworld. All ourship designs are updated with UV beamers.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0010-41.jpgAdding numbers to the battlefield, then for some more empire development. Also, thisresearch can lead to better armour, Magnoceramic lattices.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0011-41.jpgThe turn with missing research was not there on purpose, I forgot to designate a new one.Money will be well spent though.Ha, this is a nice surprise! Not only did we win another Asteroid Monitor, it is a very,VERY nice colony to boot! Size 9, almost zero waterforming needed. Zuul made a mistake.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0013-32.jpgBack in turn 71 we noticed a Swarm in the second cluster. I didn't pay it much notice aswe can clean it up quite easily with beamers.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0027-19.jpgBut the Swarm Queen came in Force. I can consider myself lucky that the colony survived.Seriously, the number of swarmers was so high that they destroyed all defenders, a forceI considered excessive. An expensive lesson.https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0014-40.jpgWe started building a clean-up force immediately. Cruisers, we'll need a strong presencein the cluster anyway.Getting Data Synergy allows us to build a cruiser-sized CnC. We call our new cruise classZbor (Chorus).https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/SotS%20TAR/screen0016-29.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Shouldn't you go for Projectors/Heavy Cannon instead of Particle beam ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 Why "should" I go there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 They are far better than Particle beam ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 But particle beam does not stop at particle beam. Also the beam accuracy gives them unique turret stripping ability... Though I admit I went for beams because I rarely do and wanted to have a lightshow. I'll have to go for techs that add new ship sections next. Liir are just awesome with anything that needs direction, they turn like nobody's business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 But particle beam does not stop at particle beam. Also the beam accuracy gives them unique turret stripping ability... 1. You have to have time in real battle to turret stripping. I prefer destroying.2. Before you get to a good beam it is end game. Unless there are hidden values that I don't know of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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