Where should I start?

[joeyjungle]

Hi, I'm sorry if this has been asked, but I was wondering where I should start with this game. I've followed it for a while, and own every expansion, but have never actually played because I've been so intimidated by the game. I played through the tutorial once but wasn't able to beat it, which was pretty discouraging. Anyway, I want to try again, and was wondering if I should start with a vanilla version of the game, or with expansions installed? What type of settings should I choose to make the game as easy as possible (besides setting the AI to 1/10, I remember there were lots of settings for map size, etc.). Also, are there any wiki guides or tutorials I should read to help feel more comfortable with game, or should I just dive headfirst into it?

Again, sorry if this has been asked already, but I did a quick look on the boards and didn't see any guides for new players off the bat, and search didn't seem to pick up anything relevant to me, so I decided I should probably make a topic.

Thanks!

Edit: I'm sorry, I did see the tips for new players topic, but I was wondering more specifically if as a new player I should be playing with expansions or not

[Wanderer]

Hi, I'm sorry if this has been asked, but I was wondering where I should start with this game. I've followed it for a while, and own every expansion, but have never actually played because I've been so intimidated by the game. I played through the tutorial once but wasn't able to beat it, which was pretty discouraging.

Neither did I, actually.  Twice.

Anyway, I want to try again, and was wondering if I should start with a vanilla version of the game, or with expansions installed?

Definately with the expansions going.

What type of settings should I choose to make the game as easy as possible (besides setting the AI to 1/10, I remember there were lots of settings for map size, etc.). Also, are there any wiki guides or tutorials I should read to help feel more comfortable with game, or should I just dive headfirst into it?

There should be a script now available in the lobby if you've kept your betas up to date, if not, do so.  When you start the game, and chose to create new game, on the map tab the first choice (above # of planets) is Setup Script.  Choose Beginner Game (or Beginner Game 2).  These were created to specifically help you get a feel for some of the option.

Again, sorry if this has been asked already, but I did a quick look on the boards and didn't see any guides for new players off the bat, and search didn't seem to pick up anything relevant to me, so I decided I should probably make a topic.

Ah, no worries, we're not all that worried about repeat topics here.  The Active community isn't so large that a few repeats is going to 'clutter the boards!'.  Hopefully... someday...

[Diazo]

My advice would be expansions off.

Even with just the base game, there are hundreds of units but most of the more complicated and oddball stuff is in the expansions so disabling them while learning is not a bad thing.

I would recommend only 1, maybe 2 games with the expansions off, a lot of the depth (and therefore fun) of the game it in them.

While learning the game basics though, simpler is better.

D.

[joeyjungle]

Thanks guys, that helps out a lot! I'll probably try a game without the expansions and fool around on one of the beginner generated maps, and then I'll move on to a game with the expansions. Thanks for the help!

[laughingman]

I know it's been covered already, but don't be afraid to ask any questions you have. People are pretty friendly here.

In the beginning, I didn't start to learn very well until I chose Vanilla AIs as opponents for a few games. The AI doesn't get any specific bonuses or penalties, making it as fair as it's going to be. You'll also see most of the basic stuff the AI will throw at you.

Read the description of everything you meet for the first time before you attack it. It will save you a whole lot of trouble later on.

If all else fails, nuke the planet from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

[doctorfrog]

I'm a bit of a weird player, but here's what worked for me:

I played the tutorial only long enough to grasp the basics.

Then, I played a couple dozen games over several months, but only for the first half hour to an hour. I'd cap a planet, or test basic strategies against waves, or focus on scouting as much as I could. Really, this is a perplexing game at first and I was just puzzling out all the game mechanics. This was sort of a game in itself and I realize that I was actually kind of having fun figuring it out... but this would be an insurmountable obstacle for a lot of other players, so I'm a bit odd that way.

(IMO) The manual and the tutorial are (were? it's been a while) particularly bad at giving a concise description of reinforcements, and it's the one thing I'd recommend reading up on in the Wiki, but even there the basics are scattered among a few entries.

So basically, if you're like me, in that you don't sit down to a game with a knife and fork and intend to figure the whole thing out over the course of several consecutive hours, here's what I recommend:

1. Start a new game with all the options you find intriguing, ON. Regardless of how intimidating they may be.
2. Play until it gets confusing, then pause and try to figure out the situation.
3. Quit if it stops being fun, and put it down for a bit, then pick it back up when you get curious again.

Eventually you'll get the flow. The above steps might repeat a bunch of times in an afternoon, a week, or as in my case, over months.

I have this wooden puzzle on my desk. I pick it up now and then. Someday, I'll solve it.

[doctorfrog]

Also:

Here is the "flow" of the game as I have put it together. I'm no expert player, of course. If I'm ever lost, I just try to figure out which step I'm at.

See also my pocket guide at: https://drfrog.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/ai-war-pocket-reference/

= The Great Cycle =
A strategy guide in nine difficult steps

1. Gather Intel
Scout enemy planets continually.
2. Impose Self-Isolation
Limit exposure to Warp Gates.
2. Assess Defenses
Be ready for retaliation.
3. Choose Your Battles
Pick targets based on long-term value.
4. Upgrade The Fleet
Research new tech if necessary.
5. Get Ready
Assemble your strike fleet.
6. Attack the Enemy
Mount your assault. Go, go, go!
7. Capture or Destroy
Redistribute/raze planet or assets.
8. Regroup the Fleet
Reassign ship duties.
9. Reassess Defenses
Reallocate based on new threats.

Monitor:
- AI Progress and Mark level
- Galactic Map for enemy presence
- Alarm indicating Command Center attack
- Field reports in the upper left
- Automatically-generated objectives

[Martyn van Buren]

I couldn't beat the tutorial either and got some excellent advice from the fora about it: http://www.arcengames.com/forums/index.php/topic,7514.0.html .  I also gave some advice but I still don't really know what the hell I'm doing so I'd ignore that.  Anyway for me turning off the expansions and most of the minor factions and things was definitely the way to go at the beginning, but I found finishing the tutorial valuable.

[Philo]

I did a beginner's guide a while back. It's far from finished (and probably won't be for a long while).
It's a bit stuffed up with information, but then it should get you all info about the game mechanics as to what you'll want to do at the start.

http://www.arcengames.com/forums/index.php?topic=9588.0

The first part is just about game settings, if you know how they work just skip to no 2.
--------

AI Wars is hard to begin but quite simple and effective to navigate through once you understand it. Understanding the Build, Science and Docks (hotkeys B, D, S) and how they effect the game is the first thing you want to get.

[mrhanman]

See also my pocket guide at: https://drfrog.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/ai-war-pocket-reference/

I love the pocket guide, doctorfrog!  But, how did you get yours folded so perfectly!? 

[Minotaar]

See also my pocket guide at: https://drfrog.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/ai-war-pocket-reference/

I love the pocket guide, doctorfrog!  But, how did you get yours folded so perfectly!? 

There's a link to the guide on that page. 

[doctorfrog]

See also my pocket guide at: https://drfrog.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/ai-war-pocket-reference/

I love the pocket guide, doctorfrog!  But, how did you get yours folded so perfectly!? 

I'm incredibly anal, that's how.

But also, edge-to-edge printing, or, failing that, an Exacto knife.