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| Thread: Age of Wonders: Planetfall |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 · «PREV / NEXT» |
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Stevie
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted May 19, 2020 09:38 PM |
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I actually think the game's pretty great right now. Scratch the tutorial, that wasn't a good starting point. The first mission for the Vanguard campaign make it look a bit better, but honestly, nothing comes close to generating a map with my own parameters and the leader that I wanted.
Right now I'm kinda struggling with time due to work, but I managed to get a map going with an Amazon chick that likes Xenoplague. Going to try close combat nuttiness, which might fail horribly but who cares as longs as it's in complete style. I need a quick tip on the strategy though, currently I understand that the best approach to a sector is to have two main specializations? I'm trying to map out my surroundings and see how I can expand, so I really need to know. Seems like my starting one just has to be food and then I have a choice to either go for production or research.
Also, no idea if I can place anything like a defensive settlement around my borders, something not connected to the sector, just a defensive fort or something.
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Guide to a Great Heroes Game
The Young Traveler
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blob2
Undefeatable Hero
Blob-Ohmos the Second
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posted May 19, 2020 10:45 PM |
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Edited by blob2 at 00:17, 20 May 2020.
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Stevie said:
Going to try close combat nuttiness, which might fail horribly but who cares as longs as it's in complete style.
Actually Xenoplague has one of the most irritating melee T1 units in the game. It's still good now, but boy was it nerfed hard from what it was before  Melee is completly fine: In one campaign I had a living tank Dvar hero who jetpacked near enemies and smacked them with huge-ass hammer. The game has multitude of mods, skills and even high tier artifacts that make your heroes walking fortresses, yet is still balanced enough that you cannot just send a unit into the fray and hope they won't kill it. Not to mention my human-eating flesh reaping Kir'ko Xeno commander that poisons everyone or Vanguard Psynumbra commander that teleports in a cloud of smoke, makes his opponents loose morale and impales them with a dark lance And the more he kills the stronger he gets (Mark of the Dark Sun mod)? Orrr that you can put heroes in vechicles? Like the huge ass Phoenix Walker which is a towering robot that has two flamethrowers?
Stevie said:
I need a quick tip on the strategy though, currently I understand that the best approach to a sector is to have two main specializations? I'm trying to map out my surroundings and see how I can expand, so I really need to know. Seems like my starting one just has to be food and then I have a choice to either go for production or research.
You generally take what you either lack or need at the moment. Go to sector production tab, hover over the sectors (look at their names as a point of reference) and see which type of "exploitation" will profit you the most (as in, which has the highest level available from 1 to 5 from the get go, you should pick those first), or like I said before go for something you are severly lacking (like slow research so need moar Science etc). I sometimes go for specific sectors around me just to boost something I'm currently lacking.
I always start a game with building the "Production core" in my initial colony and then proceed to go for Food to raise population asap. It's nice if you have the "Arcadian" sectors around as those are Food oriented. If your lucky there will be an agriculture landmark. Those aren't usually too heavly guarded so you can snatch them and boost your Food nicely, just annex the sector afterwards. If I reach around 6-8 pop, I start to diversify my workers in resources I want to boost. You're usually looking to expand as quick as possible, so by turn 10 you can already start to create more colonies (produce the "Colonist" unit). After that you adapt to your surroundings/needs for example you see that unit "upkeep" is eating away your income, so maybe it's time to focus on Energy production? ALWAYS look for crates that can give you one time resource boosts for your economy, early game that means you can sometimes even complete a structure instantly (scout units are perfect for it, you can even set them in auto-explore mode). Remember you can additionally "upgrade a sector" - if you unlock a specific tech, you can "level up" a sector for more benefits, you build it in queue as any other structure. Each sector can then be specialized further with one of two choices of structures, for example in case of Science one boosts Military reasearch and the second Society. You can never have more then two sector specializations of one type per colony so you can eventually build both structures. Note: if you need sth else you can always "dismantle" a sector specialization and change it's focus - for example, outside of boosting the growth of newer colonies, Food is generally useless late game, so you can dismantle it and focus on Energy for example. My general take is always sustainable development, but I assume there are some rushing tactics etc, but for advice you need to look to multiplayer etc (I belive Planetfall has a discord channel also). Alas I eventually always reach a point in my games when I literally s*it money and build units in one turn  . Also, notice that water sectors can give you some solid benefits, but first you need to unlock the tech.
Imo the game is cool in a way that you always have control over how you want to expand. You see a nice sector? Plan your expansion accordingly. Need some specific resource? Research specific tech. Or maybe a doctrine will help you lower that unit upkeep for more Energy income? There are also some specific racial doctrines that focus on some of the racial traits like Kir'ko -> fast growth so access to an early doctrine that gives you Food production etc. Or Amazon which profit from buidling near forests etc.
Stevie said:
Also, no idea if I can place anything like a defensive settlement around my borders, something not connected to the sector, just a defensive fort or something.
No, there are no "fort" structures in this game. But there are forward bases. Those cost influence. I rarely use them so I cannot tell you much, but they do seem to have some garrisons. The mechanic is about "claiming" a sector beforehand, so you can built something in it later on. If opponent decides to pacify it (or built something near it) you will recieve "Cassius Belli" points which are used in diplomacy to start wars without penalties.
Generally if you build "Military infrastructure" (levels I-III) in colony each of your sectors belonging to that colony will have its garisson army upgraded. It should be enough to hold off most roaming neutral armies. There are also strategic operations (spells) that can further boost those forces with drones etc.
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Stevie
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted May 24, 2020 07:04 PM |
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blob2
Undefeatable Hero
Blob-Ohmos the Second
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posted May 24, 2020 07:22 PM |
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Edited by blob2 at 19:23, 24 May 2020.
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Stevie said:
Game's a ****ing 4X masterpiece. I'm enjoying every second of it.
Leave it to Triumph man, another great success. I just can't wait for the new content.
Didn't I tell you? Glad you like it
Only two days left until Lizard overlords start to crush the warm-bloods! Eggxciting!
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blob2
Undefeatable Hero
Blob-Ohmos the Second
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posted June 11, 2020 12:17 PM |
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Edited by blob2 at 12:17, 11 Jun 2020.
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@Stevie
So how is it going with the game? Enjoying it? How are the Shakarn for you? I can't f*cking find the time to play it lately
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JollyJoker
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
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posted June 11, 2020 01:38 PM |
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Strangely enough, when I started the game initially last August, I found it rather boring. Didn't change after the Heritor expansion - but now I find myself pretty hooked.
Shakarn are intereesting.
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Stevie
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted June 11, 2020 04:11 PM |
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I started a new game with the Shakarn included after the expansion hit, I'm still went for the Amazon Xenoplague though. It's progressing slowly, barely 35 days in, mostly due to work, but I think it's great overall. Micro managing colonies is becoming a bit of a problem, I do a colony overview rotation before ending the day to keep maximum efficiency, but it's so time consuming. I also found out that colonies can't be placed on water, the hard way, bit of a bummer.
A lot more to say, but not enough time to write it all down. Game's great and I'm enjoying it, playing it daily in my spare time.
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Guide to a Great Heroes Game
The Young Traveler
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blob2
Undefeatable Hero
Blob-Ohmos the Second
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posted June 11, 2020 04:49 PM |
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Edited by blob2 at 16:51, 11 Jun 2020.
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Btw a new hotfix hit the servers today. A couple of bugfixes, but most important for me:
- they nerfed Firebrand. Shame, one of my favs.
- they made Shepherd from Tier II into Tier III. A no brainer, the unit was ridiculously strong for a Tier II, I'm keeping it in my Infiltrators "save slot" You might not have encountered the unit yet, it's DLC-only.
- you can now use Therians icons for templates, yay!
- they fixed a bug with Rift Generators not doing damage with their Dimensional Rift ability, which kinda sucked
Btw I also enjoy Therians npc faction. Such a well-rounded faction, versatile and mobile, especially useful with their support abilities.
I'm yet to encounter my first Voidbringer invasion.
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Stevie
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted July 04, 2020 02:30 PM |
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I managed to defeat my first opponent after getting war declared upon me for the second time. I figured there was no way to make Tik my vassal or have him stop warring on me, so I just captured his capital and then destroyed his commander in combat. He probably was compelled by code to follow through with declining relations, but you'd imagine they'd field some tougher armies. I didn't even have my main hero and defeated him with just Xenoplague units. Like, not even close. Well, I guess they call it "insane AI" for a reason. 
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Guide to a Great Heroes Game
The Young Traveler
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blob2
Undefeatable Hero
Blob-Ohmos the Second
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posted July 07, 2020 10:45 AM |
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That's quite a swarm you have there
I recently realized Voidtech is probably the most useful Secret Tech. Yes, every Secret Tech has its merits, but this one not only has strong support units (fast, teleport, heal, meat shields and displacement of enemy formations), it also has very useful operations: for you colonies those can slow's incoming stacks, or add aditional units. Tactical operations are even better: clone or resurrect units, what more could you want?
That said I recently can't find the time to play Planetfall. At least I completed all three endings for Shakarn campaign
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Galaad
Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
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posted July 09, 2020 11:07 AM |
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I bought it during the sales. Any rookie advice?
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blob2
Undefeatable Hero
Blob-Ohmos the Second
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posted July 09, 2020 11:52 AM |
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Galaad said:
I bought it during the sales. Any rookie advice?
You can check my previous posts.
This here guy has a lot of nice videos about the game: WinSlayaGaming Youtube channel
Search for videos starting with "Beginner's guide..." ex. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZN6nLMzpEo
Keep in mind though that some mechanics were streamlined with various patches so his videos might have some outdated info.
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Galaad
Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
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posted July 09, 2020 11:57 AM |
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blob2 said:
Keep in mind though that some mechanics were streamlined with various patches so his videos might have some outdated info.
I got the premium bundle with all new expansions. I'm not sure I have the time to go through campaigns so wanted to know if there were a few useful hints to get from start.
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blob2
Undefeatable Hero
Blob-Ohmos the Second
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posted July 10, 2020 01:21 PM |
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Edited by blob2 at 13:30, 10 Jul 2020.
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I don't know what is your knowledge of the game base mechanics like annexing sector or modding. But pro tips:
- Build more colonies as fast as you can, you can even start to build a new settler unit as fast as turn 10. You should aim to have at least 3-4 colonies before it starts to be tight on the map, ofc depending on the size, but interactions with AI may start very early).
- Look around for nests of wild monsters and crush them fast as they spawn hostile stacks. They start to spam roaming armies as fast as turn 7. They are good for exp and usually not that problematic, but they might attack your sectors. Build Military structures (Tier I) as it will add a garrison army to each sector belonging to a colony it's built in.
- Open strategic map and check icons of sectors around you and go for resources you need most/are lacking. It's important to plan where you will expand to beforehand. The higher the number the higher the class of a sector. Annexing it will instantly boost your income. Usually it's food for fast growth in the initial stages of the game. Fast growth = fast access to more sectors as you get a new sector per 4 colonists. Food produces colonists that you can then assign to various production slots. You can unselect "auto" and put all your population in Food at first stages. As a first structure build a Core first. I tend to pick a production Core in my HQ because it will always be usable, in other colonies you can go with whatever. I tend to pick Energy cores in colonies other then my HQ, but a colony might be severely lacking a resource in its surroundings so it might be worthwhile to pick sth else. You can specialize sectors to produce a resource you need (max 2 per colony for a single type of resource). Look for small structures with resource icons, removing the stack that occupies it and annexing the sector on which those are located will instantly add bonus resources per turn (+10 or so). You can share food to boost budding colonies (it can be set up in the tab with slots)
- Look for bronze Landmarks. They are not that heavily guarded and might provide rewards and resources production, plus some unique structures to build in your colony. Remember that such structures only enable to build unique structures in the colony those are annexed to
- You have dlc so look for Anomalies, they can provide serious boosts to economy. You loose a few turns but the profit is worthwile.
- Do NPC quest for rewards
- Use scouts to grab undefended resource stashes instead of adding them to your armies (there's an auto-scout option). Those can really boost your economy in the early stages.
- Mod units! Even Tier I units can be very strong with mods
- You can use diplomacy however you want (the game leans more towards conflict but alliances are possible). I use diplomacy mostly to trade resources (AI likes to buy off Cosmite for Energy)
- in tactical battles use cover us much as possible and do not use a "rush forward" tactic, even for Heroes (although those resurrect if you win a battle so you can sacrifice them when needed). Positioning and careful planning is crucial in this game. Focus on destroying "for good" or otherwise disabling enemy units, as they don't loose attack damage with health. Be mindful of "stagger" effects (look for descriptions of unit attacks and their resistances cus stagger can be resisted), they reduce action points for units and can hinder them or completely shut them off. You can even save some of your units simply by reducing the number of action points an enemy unit has. Try not to loose many units as they gain exp. You can use "summonable" units as meat shields.
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Stevie
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted July 10, 2020 09:38 PM |
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I got the tectonic shift event where some tiles get terraformed to mountainous. I even got one sector with 3 features as a result! Pretty cool concept. One AI neighbor got more though, lucker. I'm not sure they're that useful, they don't seem to add any resource income, but it's great for options to plan the region. I might switch to an energy sector at some point. Also a bit harder to navigate for ground armies.
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Guide to a Great Heroes Game
The Young Traveler
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Galaad
Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
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posted July 10, 2020 11:38 PM |
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@blob2: Thanks!
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blob2
Undefeatable Hero
Blob-Ohmos the Second
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posted July 12, 2020 11:15 PM |
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Stevie said:
I got the tectonic shift event where some tiles get terraformed to mountainous..
Why I didn't see every events in the game there are some that have a rather small effect on the game but some are pretty interesting. Like the one that spawns Promethean landmarks all over the map.
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Stevie
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted July 26, 2020 10:01 PM |
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Does anything look weird here?
I get attacked and win by a landslide. I also got his city the next turn. Insane AI strikes again!
On another note, I'm close to a Doomsday victory, currently priming the weapon. If all goes well, I'll finish the game by turn 100 exactly. Hopefully I'll also find some time to lay my thoughts on the experience of this title in a more lengthy post soon after.
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Guide to a Great Heroes Game
The Young Traveler
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blob2
Undefeatable Hero
Blob-Ohmos the Second
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posted July 27, 2020 12:32 AM |
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Stevie said:
Does anything look weird here?
Hmm, I don't know... Plague Lords ar Tier III and you have a lot of them. Plus they have Reanimation Spores so that makes your almost immortal. And Phase Manipulators are support units: having so many of them could not have ended well for the AI
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Stevie
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted August 04, 2020 02:07 PM |
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Edited by Stevie at 14:11, 04 Aug 2020.
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I achieved a Xenoplague victory on turn 100.
I'll not write anything lengthy, I'll just go with the good points and bad points of the game as I have experienced them in this ~160 hours session.
Good:
- atmosphere is amazing, beautiful OST and impressive visuals from first launch
- game runs smoothly and AI turns are fast
- strategical depth exists on many levels
- 4X masterpiece, especially on the eXterminate side of things
- combat is a treat and feels satisfying, battlefields are gorgeous
- research is straightforward and easy to navigate
- dwellings and diplomacy feel relevant
- progression is very well balanced, I had fears the land grab and resource generation would snowball out of control, but it never happened
- units and mods are a big highlight, customization allows for extended usefulness of units, they don't go obsolete right away
- strategic, tactical and doctrine operations always felt useful
- random events spice things up
- anomalies were good for the mini-rpg stories and rewards, but I'll never do them again with my commander
- map generation is a great plus for all the things you can adjust and create the perfect map
- autocombat was so efficient that I used it predominantly, useful feature that saved me some time
- stays true to the Age of Wonders name, wouldn't have said I was playing anything else at any point
Bad:
- it didn't give me the one more turn feel, probably the biggest issue
- burden of knowledge at first made me spend a lot of time reading and learning the game, which is generally frustrating
- town management was tedious and a huge sink of playtime, the reason why I didn't leave the auto on was to play as optimally as possible and I felt punished
- insane AI was generally okay, but it had important moments where it dropped the ball and never recovered, mid to late game especially
- war declarations were happening although the AI was inferior and losing them, probably because I had aggressive AI on, but it still didn't make sense
- vassalage was never an option the enemy was willing to consider, also aggressive AI? Why have it then?
- dwellings felt too powerful against the enemy, locking them down and preventing progression
- Xenoplague allowed me to achieve victory without recruiting units, it felt too rewarding of a strategy, it maybe shouldn't happen
I don't feel like I want to play the game again anytime soon, reason why I uninstalled it first thing after exiting, just how I do things.
Well, guess that's it from me on Age of Wonders: Planetfall. It'll take a while to muster any desire to have a go at it again. But who knows, maybe sooner than I expect.
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Guide to a Great Heroes Game
The Young Traveler
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