Confusion about a UP vote

UP voting is a little more sophisticated than just vote for yourself or an ally.

Here are the constants:

0 = Randomly vote
1 = Vote high if winning
2 = Vote high if losing
3 = Vote high if of Evil alignment
4 = Vote high if of Good alignment
5 = Vote for an enemy, or random civ
6 = Vote for a friend, or self
7 = Vote self if losing, otherwise friend

I believe the UP Issue you are talking about is UP Headquarters, it grants 50% Influence bonus to a planet. It is set to 7, Vote self if losing, otherwise friend.

The Drengin aren't losing, and they must consider you to be a friend, or maybe the least hated of the races they know. You said relations are at Cool, perhaps the relations the Drengin have with everyone else is even worse? If they are the same, it's probably randomized.

~SDC~

So yah, it does look like they are trying to butter you up, as long as they don't feel they need the bene themselves.

~SDC~

Do enemy races ever retaliate for voting against them in a UP session?

For example suppose the "tax Drengin 3%" resolution comes up, because the Drengin are leading. Will the Drengin get pissed off at you for voting for that resolution?

I'm not sure. I've never seen it mentioned that UP votes affect relations, though in retrospect since the AI is inclined to 'butter up' a friend (and potential ally) when not in dire straits itself, perhaps they do.

The human is not beholden to remember the buttering up, but I can easily see where in AI to AI relations such a favor could be remembered and factored into future relations.

It would be cool if this is implemented. Does anyone know?

~SDC~

I just know right now I'm locked in an arms race with the Drengins, a culture race with the Torians, and I'm pretty Saintly... so that instantly makes me unpopular with the Drengins. I pumped up the Yors to incredible I believe (these guys are just horrible...I've never seen them win...so I wanted to give them a chance)

Someone cut the Yor a break

SeanB

But if they win, you loose!! Are you ready to make that sacrifice?

G-Force

Speaking of destabilization. Is there anything you can do about it short of turning the offender's empire into so much space dust?

-Drake

~SDC~

I don't think there is any way to counter destabilization. It does create some apprehension for me not to have any counter-espionage capabilities at my disposal as well. Oh well....

~SDC~

Simple. Destab them. Make them divert resources into propping up their own morale. This drains their economy and might reduce your destab. The problem is that if your economy is lagging behind the guy who is doing it, then you will probably lose more than is gained by this method.

#7

Destabilization is, effectively, an attack on your popularity. Planets check against their individual morale ("popularity") every turn, and those that fail are marked with a dissatisfaction icon.

Failing twice in a row results in the planet defcting and joining either the I-League or the most culturally dominant race in the sector (other than the original owning Empire).

Destabilization is adjusted by the relative size (in population) of the two Empires and the amount of money expended. It's cost effectiveness deteriorates over time (i.e., one must spend more to achieve the same results as time passes since the start of the effort).

There are 2 or 3 acticles in the Encyclopedia section which (when taken together) explain all this. It is not consolidated in any one place I know of.

To counter destabilization:

a) build morale-bonus and/or resistance improvements (resistance apparently forces an increased expenditure of that % to achieve the same effects on a given planet)

lower taxes (increases popularity/morale)

c) spend for propaganda (planetary "details" screen)

d) build culture-bonus improvements and SB modules. [A higher culture in a sector may cause a defecting planet to switch back if it joins an opposing Empire. If it joins the I-League, however, it is apparently immune to further defections. This is why the I-League can be so difficult to handle if it starts in your sector(s) and grows too large.]

Hope this helps.


~SDC~

Wouldnt propaganda be the opposiste of destabilization?

That would be correct since Propeganda boosts your approval rating while destabilization is the antithesis of that.

I personally prefer a different solution when dealing with the Drengins, a solution that someone else came up with (forgive me for forgetting the name). Just roll up a newspaper and whack them across the nose real hard. (oh wait...they're not moving anymore...maybe I shouldn't have whacked them so hard)