Does Energy still matter?

[Tridus]

I'm currently playing a 7/7 game using the current beat (documented here), and something I'm noticing is that I'm not noticing energy. At all.

In the very early game, it mattered. An AI raid that would take out an energy collector was a problem, particularly since I have Broken Golems on Medium and thus they consume massive amounts of power. But for the last 2/3 of the game (if not 3/4), I've been able to totally ignore it. In fact right now I'm pushing 1.7 million available energy, and that's with four golems (including a Botnet, which by itself is something like 200,000). Granted I do have a lot of planets, but I'm also running mk II of six different kinds of turrets, mk I and II Fotresses, mini forts everywhere, and not a single economic command station anywhere.

Is that unusual? Is it intended to just ignore energy in the later game? I like the new mechanic of energy collectors not consuming resources, but it seems like they're just putting out too much power. Once you get a few of them you can forget the whole mechanic exists.

[keith.lamothe]

Once you have a decent number of planets energy is not really a big deal unless you've got some serious energy hogs (forts) and/or lose a lot of planets in quick succession.  The latter is quite possible, I should add   But on lower difficulties with good defensive setups to avoid major AI Multi-Planet Romps you may just be able to stop worrying about energy by mid-game, and I think that's fine

[Winge]

Energy is definitely noticeable at lower AIPs.  I frequently have to run Converters until my 3rd planet or so.  Mid-AIP and high AIP games do not have those problems, but they bring different issues to the table.  Simply put, energy is doing what it intends:  provide the player with a soft cap on what they can build if they are being a minimalist on the number of planets conquered.

[TechSY730]

Even with a high number of planets, energy can still matter very much if you start losing planets. With each planet giving 150k or more of energy, losing it will certainly be to take note of, even with a large energy buffer.

[Wingflier]

Definitely still matters.

[Kahuna]

Yes energy does matter, a lot.
You have so much excess energy because you have so many planets. Holy balls! 21 in the game you linked^^ You're able to have that many planets because you're playing on 7 difficulty level.
On high difficulty level where about 100 AIP before AI home world assault is max it's not possible to hold that many planets. I always try not use even a single Matter Converter because I need all the resources I can get Mark III Harvesters. Unlocking a lot of Starships may require a Zenith Power Generator.. depends. Using forts is possible only if you find a map seed where you can easily capture and defend a Zenith Power Generator.

[Hearteater]

I guess I'm just different.  I rarely notice Energy.  If I do, it's just that brief period before I take my second planet.  I also don't build Matter Converters.

[Kahuna]

I guess I'm just different.  I rarely notice Energy.  If I do, it's just that brief period before I take my second planet.  I also don't build Matter Converters.

Same. I guess the difference here between me and you is how we see things. The situation is the same. It's not like I have problems with Energy but it does matter. If I stick to turrets, fleetships and to a couple of additional starships I have no problem. When I have something like 4 planets I can afford to lose 1 Energy Collector if I haven't unlocked a lot of additional Starships.

When it comes to Energy play style plays a big role. I guess game settings affect it a little bit too.

[doctorfrog]

Just adding to the dogpile, I like that not everything matters, all the time. As in, "Energy, pah!" Then, an hour or so down the line, "Oh crap, energy!"

[Zeyurn]

If you play mid-high AIP, energy does not matter until you are trying to use forts everywhere to defend yourselves on a 10/10 and lose a planet and oh dear lord brownout :splat:

Mid AIP is still doable even at 10/10, especially in multiplayer.  Our homeworld assault began at 240 AIP (that was our floor, with the superterminal used to lower it and all DCs/CPs dead so maybe more like 660 prior to decrements?) and we ended our 10/10 with ~450ish AIP since this was when homeworlds blew up for 100.

But in the situation you're in, a 7/7 with lots of planets, you simply won't care and I don't think that's a problem.

[Zeyi]

Even with lots of planets energy still matters, since if the AI breaks through a choke point it will often go on a rampage through your less defended worlds knocking out your energy sources before coming for the homeworld.

It's actually harder now if anything beacuse you used to be able to just turn on your backup less efficient energy sources, now you have to panic buy matter converters and hope they build in time. Personally I do not feel safe in a game energy wise until a zenith trader has passed through my homeworld allowing me to pickup a ZPG.. unfortunately on 120 planet maps this can take a while.