SUggestions for a Challenging but FUN game in 1.2??

from GalCiv2 Forums
Lately I have been trying to change starting conditions to make the game more challenging but still fun.

Many people have advocated rare everything as the hardest, but I am not sure with one 1.2. Also habitabl planets are so rare the game takes ages.

I have started playing like this: Uncommon Habitable planets, Rare Planets, Rare Stars. Gigantic Map (It gives the best feeling of deep space imo).
Also. Random star spacing. No Minors. Unknown AI start positions. Play against 2 AI on Genius, no other AI.
My relations with both set to Unknown.
Slow research and plenty anomolies (makes the game a bit easier but keeps it fun for me in early game).
Trading Disabled. Additional AI algorithms = ON.

When Starting the game I control+N. IF:

I am start in a corner somewhere I dont like.

I get a precursor sqaure on my home planet (too big a starting advantage).

I get no bonus sqaures at all (too boring).

The goal here is to be able to have 2 AI who get a fair share of the Galaxy each.
However 1 AI often tends to be much stronger anyway....


So far, I went for economic power with ECO + 30 and PQ + 1 starting bonus.
Any suggestions from those who have tried similar setups especially in 1.2?
EG. It may be a good Idea to enable tech trading if Allied AI trade with each other more often, but I doubt it!
3 Allied or teamed AI and some more planets might be harder. etc. But I cannot see how to configure this from the UI menus??
Not tried: Starting game already at WAR. Doesnt sound like fun with trading disabled but....?

What have you tried? The more suggestions the better!!
9,252 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think setting everything at random, with blind exploration is good fun - you have no idea what the galaxy will be like! It forces you to make interesting choices and adjust your strategy as you explore.

for example, you start up the game and see loads of stars on the map! so you research impule drive, buy some factories and start churning out colony ships, thinking there will be plenty of colonisable planets.

then, you visit star after star - and there are very few habitable planets! but another race is nearby. suddenly, you must rethink your strategy, maybe research more range, upgrade your colony ships to snatch the few that can be found. Or maybe throw your efforts into weapons and planetary invasion, forget trying to colonise any planets and try to take over the other race with a quick strike!

things like this can never happen in a game where you know the settings - you know right from the start how many colonisable planets there are likely to be, so you know exactly what you need to do early game. The fact that you have this artificial advantage also makes it easier too - not knowing makes it much harder.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
i think random provides for a great game, watch out with blind tho, the AI is reputed to know where the habitables are, thats unfair.

SD
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Normal everything except common anomolies, Huge map, All AI' s or Large map with 7 or less AI's
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Random everything sounds worth a go except AI level (Genius).
I wish you could setup teams of AI opponents eg Drengin+Yor teamed, Torian+Altarian teamed, against me!!
This doesn't look possible via the UI, but maybe in some config files??? Would make a nice enhancement imo
Or ALL races teamed against me - If I declare war against 1 then I need to go against all....