Hello All, a few initial questions.

[Luddite42]

First, I'd just like to thank Arcen Games for AI War, I mean wow, what a breath of fresh air.  I bought this game back in August and played the tutorial and not much else because of school.  Finally though in the last week or so I have had time to dig into my first campaign (a 10 planet Vine arrangement with two level 6 AI, Grav Driller and the type that won't let you go back once you wormhole your way into their system).  I started playing this game at about 8:30 one night, and before I knew it seven and a half hours had gone by, it is quite possible I never even blinked the entire time, this has not happened to me since Homeworld and Medieval Total War 1.  Once I saw the dev team support and community devotion to this game, I felt I should join.  I would buy this game even if I never had time to play it just to support the cause because more games like this need to be made.

Ok, so I have a couple questions.

I had to re-download the game on October 30th (the night I finally could play) from steam, does this include the new 4.0 updates?  If not, how do I acquire them on my own?

How do you deal with astro-trains?

What are some game setups that others have found to be really interesting that a newcomer might be able to handle?

What are some of the most useful or most fun special units to start with? (I like electric shuttles but wish I could have more.  Currently I am using Z-Mirrors, but the AI smartly doesn't fire at them very much if there is anything else to attack, the AI took out my three special z-unit production facilities that I had captured earlier so I'm kinda stuck with just the z-mirrors, and don't have enough energy to activate the two golems chillin in that same system.

[lanstro]

Welcome!

1. Steam has automatically updated to 4.x for you.  If you want to testplay the latest beta versions then use the in-game updater which is available from the main menu.
2. Ignore astro trains, they only do superficial damage at best.
3. Turn on all the AI factions and advanced hybrids to increase the unpredictability of the game.  I personally prefer all CPA waves and 2x waves, but you might want to get used to the game first before trying that.
4. Fun starting ships are teleport battle stations and any of the ones that convert enemy ships.  Note that fun doesn't necessarily mean effective: some of the most effective ship types are quite boring.

[Lancefighter]

astro trains are an annoyance at best - you just let them roll in, shoot stuff up, and leave.

I'm partial to zenith autobombs.. they are.. well.. uh.. amazing.  (suicide AOE unit)
As anyone from a few of my previous games will confirm, they are.. amazing. Especially with the recent cost changes.. But. Dont tell anyone, because they will likely get nerfed.
I want more ships like them..

Uh anyway - I digress.

a 40 planet map is probably the best for a starting player to deal with - gives the grand strategic scale, while still maintaining most of the tactical bits.
A new player should probably also disable astro trains and hybrids (if you have con).

I havent actually won any smaller maps, but thats largely because I dont try very hard >.>

[Luddite42]

Alright thanks.  I guess I was just mad at astro trains for ruining my area mines around wormholes.  I'll have to wait a few days to buy the CoN expansion but i will be sure to do so.  Thanks for the tips, I'm kinda reluctant to turn on more options as this game has a reputation for being really challenging (I like a challenge but I like to win more often than be frustrated or stressed from playing a game), but I think this weekend I'll try out a bigger map with all factions and maybe schizophrenic turned on.

Also, how much experience should I have before trying to play against people?  This game seems like one of those ones to get your arse handed to you in a hurry.

[Lancefighter]

schizo really makes the game feel right.. er. Playing without it makes the AI feel clumsy at best..

I really dislike the devourer though.. sure, it makes things more interesting, but I'm not a big fan of playing cat and mouse with an enemy i cant defeat.


And yeah - thats what the train does best, blow up mines.

[Mánagarmr]

Just to set your straight, Luddite, this game doesn't have competetive multiplayer, only COOP. So you wouldn't get your arse handed to you at all. Other players would do their best to help you instead.

[keith.lamothe]

Luddite42, welcome to the forums, I'm glad you like the game

The easiest way to deal with astro trains if you find them annoying is to disable them in the lobby (they're an AI plot now so you'll find them on that tab).  They can actually be more than annoyance if you have booster and regen trains on your planet in the middle of a big AI attack, etc, but in general they tend to rankle folks who don't like nigh-invicible vandals wandering through their carefully constructed defenses

I'm a bit surprised that you enjoyed a 10-planet game for your first campaign, that's like a cage match with a sabretooth tiger   I'd suggest 50, maybe 40 as a minimum for getting something like the experience that we actually balance for.  And 80 is the "normal".

As for interesting scenarios; well, as lanstro said you can get "interesting" by just enabling all the minor factions and the hybrids.  Don't go in expecting to win that, though

[Luddite42]

Thanks a lot folks, I'm relieved to hear that the multiplayer is co-op, now I just have to recruit some friends at school with steam accounts to pick this up.  Upon playing more, I can see why others have said astro-trains are child's play compared to what the AI can throw at me.  I have hit a stalemate point and am actually starting to lose ground. I only control 4 of the 10 planets and its a bloody, pyrrhic fight with every AI wave now that the progress has just crept over 300.  I think I captured one of the AIs homeworlds too early and relied too much on low-level nukes to soften them up before attacking.  I guess over time that added up.  I just figured 10 planets would be quickest and less messy, but I quickly realized thats only for completely different games like Galactic Civilizations 2. 

[Winter Born]

Welcome to the game and the forums

[Mánagarmr]

Yeah, small maps are extremely brutal. I've actually never won on anything smaller than 40, and I image 10 is just crazy due to the lack of necessary knowledge.

Also, if you want to play multiplayer with friends they don't need Steam. They can download the game straight off the Arcen webpage and activate it. If they do have Steam, these keys work will all versions (Steam, Impulse, D2D, Arcen page) of AIW so you can use whatever fits your bucket.

Also, if you can't find any friends at the moment, join us in #aiwar on irc.rtsnet.org. (Tips on how to setup)