Alright. I wasn't able to devote as much time as I would have liked this weekend to Galciv. You know, real life got in the way. But it has been one helluva ride thus far.

I loaded up my game and I start cranking out my Krynn-killer "Krynnsbane Mk II" ships. I quickly take out the Snathi use their home planet as a jump off to find those blasted Krynn. Judging from the trade routes leading to hidden parts of the map it appears that they are in the southernmost tip of the galaxy.

I got some message that the Dread Lords have appeared. What? The Dread Lords. Really? Seriously? I didn't see them so I didn't think anything of it.

The Krynn and I battle it out in Drath and Arcean space but I still cannot reach his worlds. And when he offered peace I pondered it for a good while before accepting so I could focus my wrath on the Yor and finish them off.

As I do that I get a message that the Terrans have discovered a Precursor device that increases their abilities every turn. Kill them or be enslaved... yeah, yeah. The next turn I turn up a Lucky Ranger. Lucky me! I consider taking out the Terrans before the Yor but I notice that everyone has allied besides the Krynn, Yor, Arceans, and me. Huh, imagine that.

Those stupid Yor declare war on the Terrans and everyone declares war on them. While they go pound on the Altarians I take out all of but one of their planets without suffering too many losses. I fly through Drengin space to finish them off. What a satisfying feeling

After getting slaughtered by the Dread Lords the Torians surrender to the Iconians. The Terrans attack the Drengin (remember those hippies?) and everyone piles on (weren't they allies just a few months ago?). I find another Lucky Ranger. And then... Pirates mega event!!!

I've never had this mega event happen to me but I have to agree that it is pretty powerful stuff. Luckily, I was already cranking out the large-hulled Minotaur and Hydra class ships. And a fleet of those coupled with either of my Lucky Rangers staved off their bit of space from the pirates. But the other civs didn't fair so well.

The Drath surrender to me. The Altarians surrender to me. The Drengin surrender to the Iconians. And, guess what, I discover another Lucky Ranger. Joy.

So that's where I'm at. I have the Terrans next to me who are gaining power every week and must be dealt with soon. I have the Krynn on the opposite end of the galaxy who I want to wipe out so bad. I want to eat their children (teehee)! And I have the Iconians who have just kind of hung out all game. Oh, and let's not forget the Dread Lords who are leading by a long shot in military. And the pirates are still plaguing the space of every other civilization, so I'll have to bush-whack them before I can reach anybody.

I should probably settle in and go for the Tech victory but I must, I *must*, grind out those Krynn!

Nobody has any starbases at the moment (except me). The pirates have pretty much taken care of that. And man-o-man, these pirates are tough. The Minotaur and Hydra class ships couldn't hang. I'm cranking out brand new class "Swashbuckler" pirate-killers to deal with the problem... and finding success. I've cleared out my immediate space and am poised for my next strike.

I'm not sure when it happened but the Terrans are at war with everyone but me. And since they are, and with the pirates handling everyone's fleet but my own, it's time to come at them with super-fast transports and take their two technological capitals and two manufacturing capitals at once. I'm already crippling them with my spies (I'm putting 925 bc/turn into epsionage). I will cut off their head while I cut off their legs all in one fell swoop. Then I will be close enough to deal with those Krynn

This is easily the most eventful and most fun game I've ever played. And it started out as such a crappy, no bonus tiled, "I should save myself the trouble and just restart" kind of game!

I obliterated the Terrans. I took every world that was above PQ 4 (leaving them with three poorly-developed planets) and they eventually surrendered to the Iconians. Their growing threat gone, and with the Krynn territory in range, I can now enact my revenge on those zealous bugs! Bug juice will flood the streets!!!

However (and you *knew* there was going to be a "however"), as I brought my Phasor VIs of my new Vindicator class ships to bear on the Krynn armada and my transports rushed their defenseless worlds (pirates are still thick in this sector) I failed to check the Diplomacy screen before hitting the big, shiny, red "Fire" button.

Those bastard bugs had allied with the only remaining races in the the game besides me, the do-nothing Iconians and my homies, the Areceans. Crap, now everybody is at war with me. But no worries really, since my military rating is a mighty, mighty number and the pirates (not to mention the Dreadlords) are still giving the AI fits. I had hoped to crush the Krynn, snuff the Dreadlords (I'd feel guilty leaving them in the game at game's end), and win a Diplomatic victory with my two buddies. We'll see what happens...

Victory is mine!

I wiped the Krynn from the face of the universe. They surrendered their few pitiful worlds to the Iconians. I made peace with the Iconians and Arceans and gave them some cash and technologies. I ran over the Dreadlords. Then I knocked out the Jessuins that were hiding behind the Dreadlords. And then went for the Diplomatic victory.

What started out as a real lemon of a game turned out to be the Best. Game. Evaaar!!!

Started a new one right up and I'm boxed in by the Korath. Hope this one is as challenging and fun as the last

Not long really. I gave them both Expert Logistics, all of the extreme colonization techs, and 2000 bc apiece. I also churned out fast freighters and filled up my trade lanes with them. Then I brokered economic and research trade treaties with them. Shortly after that, maybe 4 - 6 weeks, they were both close.

The Korath are turning out to be real buggers so far. I've turned off tech trading for this game and that's taking some getting used to. I'm still at it though...

Heh, I love having Heavy fighters with 25 hit points. Usally get one or two a game from trans and spore poping.

The best spore defense is sorta like how the Brits did there night patrols. Ever fight responsible for its box (the width is twice its move in one turn) have about three deep and the Acean transport swamp of Korath spore swamp holds no fear.

Duh

As it turns out in this game I've actually become close with them (but not allied, they are at war with everyone). Like Phaedyme hinted, they came out of the gates very aggressive. And that pissed everybody off. They took out a few civilizations while I tussled with the Terrans. I'm friendly with them and keep them as a buffer between me and the surviving races (currently at war with the Altarians and the Drath, close with the Thalans). The Korath are getting a beating but I keep supplying them with cash and my smaller, obsolete ships. They love me!

Tiny fighters. Fast tiny fighters. Eyes of the Universe and Isolationist you can make the Korath evil monkey squeal like a little girl. Sure send your spore ships. Once I run your econ into the ground from you over producing spore ships and taking my time to build up three anti korath fleets and about25 to 30 troop ships sure.

The Jagged knife suck bad. Try to keep at least one troop transport at every planet. I know its not an option it mid or late game but ir takes the sting out some.

Duh

Great thread folks!!

I've played a few lemons that have turned into really challenging games that give a real buzz when you force the victory, but I'm afraid the details kinda blur after a while. I'll certainly post details next time I get in a real scrape (usually through my own stupidity!!). Apologies for going off-topic but I got to deploy my first terror start today - very satisfying!! I got the "If you attack this star system the Arcean's are going to get very cross and wave their finger at you, are you sure you want to attack?" message... Hmmmm, as this is their only remaining star system, and I've already stomped everyone else, I think I'll chance it... "ATTACK!!!" Way big explosion followed by that lovely 'Victory' screen... That's the way (uh huh, uh huh) I like it!!