3D Ship combat

from GalCiv2 Forums
Just wondering, what decides whether you get the combat viewer version of a battle versus the old overhead GC1-like representation of a battle ? I can reliably get the combat viewer version if I'm using a one on one with anything except a mini-freighter (one that is in an established route). However, the only time I'm received the combat viewer when using two or more ships in a fleet was when I attacked a planet's orbiting ships. And that only happened once they built an orbital fleet manager. I also sent a single medium ship up against 3 small hulls and didn't get the combat viewer then either. I was looking forwards to seeing the ships weaving in and out as well :o(

I've a puny graphics card, is that why ?
4,911 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
No. There's a checkbox in the options which specifically says 'Only show fleet combat if BOTH sides are fleets' - you want to toggle this off to see fleet combat when only one side is a fleet.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yes, you have to change the game options to show you more battles in the fleet combat viewer.

However, dont expect to see anything "weaving in and out". In general, all they do is fly around randomly and spew out random attacks.

IMHO, this is the largest let-down in the game. The ships display no co-ordination, or intelligent flight paths, its just random flying. They don't even fly towards the enemy. The attacks hardly ever match up to what is really happening on the play-by-play. Any view other than "Overhead" is basically useless since the ships dont steer towards eachother. And, the ships will often actually fly right through eachother (no clipping). Also, free camera roam is so insensitive to the mouse that its useless.

Its more like a old school tech demo than a star wars style "cinema experience"

Really, after a day or so you'll turn it off completely and just stick with the 2D battles.

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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I watch the battle viewer for the stats. I like to know who is doing what, and what sorts of ships are getting hit first...
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I watch the battle viewer for the stats


About the only thing I need to see in combat in the attack and defence rating of the ships and you can find that out before going into combat.

The rest is pretty much eyecandy. After seeing one or two combats I am pretty much content that there is nothing more to view until tactical combat is a reality (not holding my breath on that one either)
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Watching the battles has helped me on occasion. It makes losses which seem unexplained feel real. (When you realize they've got 30 missles and you've got barely any ECM.) Then you can scramble to churn out a new boat with tons of ECM and kung-fu grip. (And then watch the enemy get decimated and obliterated in combat and feel good about yourself.)

I do wish there was more to it, and some Orion fans I know refuse to move from Orion 2 to Galactic Civ 2 due to the lack of tactical combat. Personally, I don't care so much, but I do understand.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I liked the combat from Imperium Galactica II myself. In MOO2 I usually had the PC autoplay the battles anyway. I haven't really been dissapointed yet, but then again I try to avoid battles with Influence & Diplomacy. I haven't had the time to invest in a strictly military campaign yet. Might be worth a look.