Starting Positions flawed?

from GalCiv2 Forums
I haven't had enough experience to know for sure, but I have seen people saying there is no thought put into each Race's starting placement when beginning a game.

Do you find this to be the case? I would hate to play on a Large or Huge galaxy only to find I wasted my time and got no challenge because I was placed in a position by luck that significantly gave me an advantadge.

If this is true, and even if it isn't, would it be smart to have starting locations (while still random) be selectable from preset rules, such as say, equally spaced far apart, placed only on the outside (causing a fight for control of the middle), placed closed together on the inside (allows for a whole different type of game), etc.

Just curious to see what some people's thoughts/experiences with this are. Thanks!
7,544 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ctrl-N allows you to reset the game at the beginning if you aren't happy with how things are laid out. You do not have to have cheats enabled to use it either BTW.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Also, something I missed until I'd already played a few games--you can turn on the spheres of influence in the minimap to see where everyone is right from the start.

For those of you who already knew better, please don't laugh. Or, at least not too hard.
Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You do get alot of control on what your map will look like just not your starting position in it. I have not a had a to easy game yet. When I do I'll just increase the difficulty level.

With the influence togle on the mini map turned on you get a pretty good idea how things are going to shape up without waisting time on maps you don't want. This is a big improvement from the Gal Civ 1 when it took 20 minutes to find out you had no chance.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
FYI If you haven't figured it out already, you can find out the starting locations of all the races by selecting influence overlay on the minimap. If you dont like the starting locations of the races just "reroll" the map with Ctrl+N
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have had a lucky start where I was free to expand for several years unimpeded, picking up 3 or 4 really good planets along the way (19-23!), but whenever that happens there is always another empire doing the exact same thing on the other side of the map. It makes ramping up a fleet easier, but it's still a fight once the colony phase ends. And the AI is faster at expanding anyway.

I have had a few frustrating starts, where I play for 20 minutes or so before realizing I'm totally hemmed in on all sides with 3 planets and nowhere to expand to. Continuing with that is a coin toss. That CTRL+N thing sounds handy.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have had a few frustrating starts, where I play for 20 minutes or so before realizing I'm totally hemmed in on all sides with 3 planets and nowhere to expand to. Continuing with that is a coin toss. That CTRL+N thing sounds handy.


This happens to in almost all my games. But I also play an 11 race game.(All the base races, plus my custom)
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Okay, I had this problem until I realized that it was my own fault. Turn OFF "Tight Clusters." If you keep the stars in tight clusters on large galaxies, the stars are REALLY tightly clustered and you get islands of stars that are very easy to be blocked into.