GalCiv2 Manual Versions

from GalCiv2 Forums
I was over in the SINS forum, and there's a small discussion going on regarding manual size, and their cost. One of my biggest pet peeves about GalCiv2 was the lack of a real manual... No, I don't mean there was no manual at all, because there was, but it contains so little actual information and it's always been expected for new players to go online and find all the stuff you need to know to play this game online. Personally, I think this is just plain wrong, to expect people to do all this vast online research and reading to just learn how to play the game.

Regardless, this is not a gripe session, I merely wanted to ask... In the SINS forum, a StarDock representative made the following statement:

"The GalCiv II Gold Edition manual was completely re-written from the GalCiv II version. I'd say it's probably one of the best manuals of the past few years (it certainly cost a load)."

Is this true? Is there in fact a more detailed manual? And if so, would it be possible to get just a newer manual? I already own the main game, and the DA expsnsion, and have pre-ordered the TA expansion. I really don't want to have to buy a Gold Edition to get this new manual, especially if it really isn't any better. Then I'd just be throwing my moeny away for something I already own...

On a side note, if anybody ever wrote a detailed strategy guide (such as the Prima or Bradley Games guides), I'd certainly buy it right now. Especially if it helped me wrap my head around the complexities of this game without sitting in front of my monitoring reading all this online... I hate reading electronic documentation online. Hate it, hate it, hate it. I want hard copies in my hands, to take with me and read at my leisure...

A guide that doesn't necessarily list all the various strategies and ways to play, but certainly more in-depth explanations and descriptions of the tech trees, the ship components, using resources to one's advantage, and a fully fleshed out and easy to understand explanation of the economy.
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Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The pdf version of the Gold manual replaced that of the original one at DA's release, so if you want to give it a look, just hit the Manual button in the launcher. As to getting a paper copy should you want one, you'd need to contact [email protected] about that. It'd probably be easiest to just get the whole box, but I couldn't say if you'd be able to cut a deal on that since you already own the game.

GC2 doesn't readily lend itself to a one-size-fits-all strategy guide ala Prima or Bradley, for a variety of reasons; it's always changing with updates, for one--a strategy for the base game may be obsoleted by the second patch, as happened to super-high population planet strategies.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The pdf version of the Gold manual replaced that of the original one at DA's release, so if you want to give it a look, just hit the Manual button in the launcher. As to getting a paper copy should you want one, you'd need to contact [email protected] about that. It'd probably be easiest to just get the whole box, but I couldn't say if you'd be able to cut a deal on that since you already own the game.
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I'll look for the PDF when I get home, and if it is indeed better (more detailed) and not 500 pages, I'll print it out for myself... Thanx


GC2 doesn't readily lend itself to a one-size-fits-all strategy guide ala Prima or Bradley, for a variety of reasons; it's always changing with updates, for one--a strategy for the base game may be obsoleted by the second patch, as happened to super-high population planet strategies.
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I understand, but I wasn't looking for a "walkthru" type of strategy guide, more of a here's everything that's in the game and how it works kind of guide. Such as tech trees, a much more thorough explanation of the game economy (preferably in simple terms I could understand), ship components, etc... I realize with TA coming out, this would be darn near impossible especially given the new race specific technologies and ships now, but I'd still pay for one.

And even though there's a wide range of strategies possible, it'd still be good to see (hard copy, so I can read it in the "reading room" or have an open copy next to the computer while playing) a series of best practices.

Forgive me for metnitoning the other "Civ" game, but ever see the manual for Civilization III or IV? Now that's what I'm looking for.  :D  Ok, not exactly that, but I hope you know what I mean.
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Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
what do we do with terror stars after they are built
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Blow up star systems.

Along with any fleets that happen to be in them.

You move the TS adjacent to the star of your choice, and then "attack" the star. The TS cannot defend itself, so be sure to have a strong fleet accompany it, or you will never reach your target. The TS moves as slow as can be, only one square per turn. And be sure to have your fleet hightail it out of the star system on the turn of attack, or they will be vaporized along with everything else. The TS, however, will survive the explosion, and may then be moved to another star system for further destruction.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Jpinard wrote a great strat guide for Dark Avatar. You can find it Here
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Stardock does a lot of things right, but providing documentation on how to play (either ingame or in a manual) is not one of them. Sorry, but the current Gold edition manual is terrible, though wittily written. It barely scratches the surface of the game, and much of what is covered is so cursory as to be useless. Similarly, ingame information is lacking, notably in the tech tree, which is terribly designed from a UI point of view (this is a pet peeve of mine, and I understand some of this is being addressed in TA). Information as to just what a new tech does, what new improvements do, what techs are needed for ship designs, and much else is either entirely absent or very hard to find. This stuff really looks bad when you are used to Civ. I realize Firaxis probably has a whole lot more money than Stardock, but they offer superb, comprehensive manuals. And the ingame information in Civ IV (through various menus, rollovers, and the outstanding Civlopedia) is everything you could want--so this stuff is doabale.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Jpinard wrote a great strat guide for Dark Avatar. You can find it Here
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Not exactly a printer friendly format tho, and as I have already stated, I hate reading online documentation. Yeah, I'm old school... I prefer... [shudder] hard copy...