Dark Avatar or Twilight of the Arnor?

You'll need both DA & TA anyway, TA needs DA to run the game.

Having done that, ignore DA, and go straight to TA, its a far better game. In TA each Race gets their own Tech Tree, which in itself changes the way you play if you go the non-Terran route. Its almost like playing a new game as you'll need to devise new tactics and gameplay depending which Race you are. They have done a great job with TA - excellent game. They do bundle deals re DA & TA.

Regards
Zy

Thanks, I was kind of leaning toward TA from what I have read.

I'ts time to dive in and see where it leads me.

If you are going to jump into TA this quickly, I suggest you stick with the Terrans for the first 5 or so games. Some civs like the Thalans, or Yor are designed in such a way that might prove to be unplayable for newbies.

Once done those 5 or so games, move on the Drengin, Torians, and Altarians. They are similiar to the Terrans, but they have significant differences, but not big enough to completely confuse you. After a few more games, move on the Arceans, Yor, and Thalans as they are possibly the most difficult civs to use well.

You should also read my guide to help get you started:

TA 101

Excellent guide ... covers a lot that will help me get started. I would say it should be required reading for all novices.

Any recomendation for type of victory to go for when choosing the size of the map? In previous games, the larger maps required more of a builder mentality. That allowed more time for economic and diplomatic victories. Smaller maps favored a quick rush to grab land. Once in a dominant position, it was usually pretty easy to go for anything.

Well, I prefer not using the Ascension Crystals, or the Tech Victory, and usually not the Influence Victory, just so I can stretch the game out. Here's some ideas of how these victories have translated for me in my games:

Keep in mind that these typically happen on the harder levels, a little above normal, and ofcourse the easy levels are not represtented here.

Ascension Crystals - The AIs will come at you hard and relatively fast in relation to how long it takes to achieve the points needed. Expect a game where at certain points and for long stretches the whole galaxy will seem to be at war with you. If you can win on Masochistic or above with this victory condition, then my hat is off to you!

Tech Victory - On larger maps, I have found that I am almost always behind technologically (though I play with Techtrade and stealing off to enhance the races' uniqueness) Obviously, I do not want the race on the farside of the map from me being able to win the game before I have a chance to tickle them. However, I have not found the AIs to come at me hard when I became close to winning technologically. This condition is obviously yet drastically affected by the research speed you set for everyone at the beginning of the game: Very Slow, Slow, Normal, Fast, Very Fast.

Influence Victory - On smaller maps with certain AI's this can be the quickest way for me to lose. It can also be one of the quickest ways to win if you specialize in influence and diplomacy tactics. On large maps, I did not have a problem with losing fast, but it does preclude you from conquering every one since the game ends when you control 75 percent of the map. (for ten turns I think)

Alliance Victory - I leave this on only as a way out of games I am both dominant in but do not have the patience or motivation to finish off with a conquest. The AI's can not beat you by them using this condition since you simply do not ally yourself with someone who is allied with the rest of the galaxy But it can be an easy way to satisfactorily complete a game so you can begin the next challenge.

I like going for conquest in a long and epic game. Often times the real fun begins for me when most races have the tech trees researched. I avoid those conditions that end the game prematurely for me so I usually play only conquest/alliance conditions.

Stick with DA until they figure out a way to keep TA from crashing. It may just be me though...

Actually, you need to have your influence cover at least 75% of the map and have 10 turns of peace. If you want to prevent the Influence Victory then declare war on someone. An Influence Victory scores far less than a Military Victory.

Pretty much sums it up. GalCiv doesnt really get into full swing until you hit Medium size maps, the cramped restricted nature of smaller maps means your more working on not losing than anything else in the initial game. Medium and above the tendency is to think more about how your going to win, as the wider nature of the map gives you space to build momentum and "get going".

Be clear, I am not "putting down" smaller maps at all, they have their place in the scheme of things. If you want to get into the whole "immensity of space" thing, and get the feeling of moving onto the "Galactic Void" yaddi yadda, medium is the smallest to go for. I love the Immense maps for that reason. I hate the unreality of your neighbouring Races being down your throat almost from the GetGo, might just as well go for a shoot-em-up from my perspective, because it sure as hell is not "Strategy".

But then I am the builder type, I can only get into the "zap the aliens" thing once I have been through some kind of build up phase, else to me, it becomes unreal and silly.

But that's one of the strengths of the Game, its so wide and deep in structure and game play, it will cater for all tastes. Given the usual 5% of people who will get picky about getting picky - about anything frankly - no different from other games in regard to the latter.

Regards
Zy

DA seems the way to go for now. There is a only one tech tree for me to deal with while I learn the game mechanics.

I'm a builder type, and am starting out on a large map. I didn't like the feel of the small map ... personal preference.

Thanks for the feedback!