Newbie - Where to start

[Don2712]

I have only just downloaded this game plus all DLC's and intend to check out the Wiki and do the tutorials before playing however,  I have looked here and couldn't find an answer to my main question which is, for my first attempts to ease the learning curve should I not use the DLC's at all?
Although I'm very eager to try this game it is not the type of game I usually play or am very good at when I do so, I need to keep basic learning curve as simple as possible at first even if it is a slow  process.

[Captain Jack]

Ah, the eternal question.  For me it was a matter of getting back into the game, but when I started playing last November I just let it all in; you actually trigger the advanced components (AI types and minor factions) individually, and all the game balance tweaks in the expansions are integrated into the base game. TBy not playing with the expansions you lose out on extra music and options, so you might as well leave it.

Hope that helps. 

[Nymous]

You're looking for this.

http://www.arcengames.com/forums/index.php/topic,13369.0.html

[Don2712]

Thank you both for the helpful advice and the very useful link I feel I now have enough to be getting on with

[Pumpkin]

Welcome and good luck ! (you'll need it )

My advice : activate all DLCs but tweak the options.

Map :
- 80 planets
- simple
- conquest

Ships :
- simple
- deactivate the 3 at the botom : swallowers, fast drones and dire guardians lair.

Game Options :
combat style : epic (slower) or normal, up to you
unit cap scale : normal
performance profile : whatever
visibility : full fog of war (default) if you are comfortable with RTS, partial if you're not, but avoid complete visibility : it kinda ruin the fun of exploration
let checked show unexplored planets

AI Options (the fun part) :

Minor Factions (the very fun part)
Human Resistance Fighter
Zenith Dyson Sphere
Broken Golem Easy (the fun without the pain)
Botnet Golem Easy (maybe not, but maybe...)
Spirecraft easy (maybe not : golems are easy to use, spirecrafts are more specials and less straightforward)

AI Modifiers :
Schizophrenic is no true pain, can be ok
Lazy AI if you are uncomfortable with RTS
Reveal Random AI Types if you dislike surprises
the rest is either pain or unfun

Auto AI progress :
1 every 30 minutes is the default.
However, I recomend 0 every X minutes as you will need to take all your time for a first game.

The AIs :
5 or 6 depending of what you think of your skills. I was tempted to play 7/7 on my first games, but I was forced to reduce it and learn before being able to up it (and nowadays I wonder if i'm ready to up it again toward 8. You'll see, skill come with time. That's part of why this game is awesome.)

Random Easyer for every one, or read and chose.


Once again : welcome and good luck.