RBO5
After opening the save, I immediately send 8 million to Tau Cygni. With two large jungle planets nearby (4 parsecs), this looks to be a really nice start... Shortly thereafter, I commit all research credits to propulsion.
In 2310, I begin building my first colony ship. Fuel cells hit shortly thereafter, and research on inertial stabilizers begins (at a reduced rate though as I decided to open up other fields (DSS, IIT9, Class 2, Terraforming +20 (I didn't bother looking up the racial hinderences of the Silicoids and so didn't realize that they were poor (or terrible) at planetology research. Had I done that, I probably would have taken Terraforming +10 instead), and Hyper-V rockets.
My first colony ship is produced in 2317 and it is sent to Guadras. Woot! we are the first to control 3 star systems. I ship 12 million from Cryslon to Guadras. The next colony ship was sent to Collassa. In 2325, we encounter the Psilions on Yarrow (30). Our scouts report that they've discovered a small inferno planet and a poor arid planet that is apparently a Darlock colony.
Collassa is colonized in 2326 and 4 million are transferred from Cryslon and Tau Cygni (each). A couple of years later, we discover another darlock colony. In 2334, we learn DSS and go fr BC3. The next year, we barely beat the Darlocks and Psilions to Yarrow; it was quite fortunate they didn't send any escorts with their colony ships... We also build a colony on Vega too this year and GNN reports that we already control 6 star systems. This also triggers the first High Council vote. It is the Silicoids versus the Darlocks. The Humans and Psilions abstain (2 votes each), the Darlocks vote for themselves (3 votes), and we abstain (2 votes). The colonization of Yarrow, brings us contact with the Psilions and the Darlocks.
Slow growth sucks!
The humans really got screwed in their expansion as it doesn't even look like they've gotten off of their home planet (2338). In 2342, we encounter the Guardian and colonize an inferno planet, giving us contact with the humans. The humans are apparently Pacifistic militarists (??) Who came up with that combination...
The next High Council vote is between the Psilions and the Darlocks. The Humans vote for the Psilions (2 votes), the Psilions vote for themselves (4 votes), the Darlocks vote for themselves (4 votes), and we abstain (3 votes).
After researching BCIII and ClassII, we begin researching ISS and personal deflector shields. Terraforming +20 comes in in 2358 and we begin researching terraforming +30. The same year Yarrow becomes rich! After Inertial Stabilizers come in, Range 7 is the only option. Around this time, the Darlocks make two attempts on Yarrow, but my 3 Hyper-V missile boats and one missile base were able to handle them easily.
In 2374, ISS comes in and we begin researching RC4. The same year, I also manage to convince the Psilions to declare war on the Darlocks for 150 BC. High Council time. Time to see if my wheeling and dealing has done me any good. Silicoids versus Darlocks (I've been growing much of my population via ecology spending...). The Humans abstain, the Psilions vote for me (4 votes), and the Darlocks vote for themselves (5 votes). Had the humans not abstained, I would have won, but since they abstained, I also abstain.
Shortly thereafter, we learn ion cannon and begin researching scatter packs. Personal Deflector Shields are researched in 2378 and work is begun on Planetary shields. I also trade the humans ISS for NPG and the Psilions ISS for Nuclear Engines. Shortly thereafter, I was framed for stealing a tech from the Psilions. Because I want to curry his favor for the next election, I give them 275 BC as tribute.
After Range 7, begin researching Warp 4. After Terraforming +30, we go for +40. In 2389, we learn RCIV and begin researching advanced space scanner. the next year, a wealthy merchant donates 900 BC to our cause.
Once scatter packs came in, we began researching Fusion beams. Shortly thereafter, we discover a radiated rich planet on the other side of the galaxy. A bit later, we trade the Darlocks Nuclear Engines (I believe they already had Sublight Engines) for Hand Lasers. In 2399, a colony is formed on Galos and it is election time again. It is the Silicoids versus the Darlocks. The humans vote for us (2 votes), as do the Psilions (4 votes). The Darlocks vote for themselves (5 votes), which means that I have just enough to win (6 votes). But instead of taking the win right there, I thought that I could learn something a bit more from the game by continuing to play... Having continued, I now realize that I shouldn't have bothered...
In 2402, we learn Planetary Shields and begin researching Repulsor Beams. A bit later, the Psilions warn us that we are getting too big for our britches and the Darlocks declare war. So, I encourage the Psilions to declare on the Darlocks again.
Right after destroying the bases on Gorra, I actually infiltrate the Darlocks and can choose from every field but weapons. Unfortunately, I hadn't even realized I had a spy planted and had no clue what they had. So, I steal a computer related tech and bet BCII. We take many casualties (especially because we had a much higher gropo bonus than them), but capture Gorra and discover Class III shields.
Surprisingly, we infiltrate the Darlocks again, and steal Jammer II. Somewhere around this time (2415), Guardus becomes poor. In 2419, we infiltrate the Darlocks again (
) and steal duralloy armor. The next year, we colonize the tundra planed. In 2421, we capture Kailis and discover Hyper-X rockets, Deuterium Cells, and Death Spores (from a poor planet with 52 factories...).
Then the Humans foolishly decide to declare war on us. The next election (2425) is the Psilions versus the Silicoids. The humans vote for the Psilion (2), the Darlocks for the Psilion (3), and the Psilions for themselves (4). We abstain (9).
Not many notes from here out... In 2426, I capture Ajax from the Darlocks, but then lose it (and IT8) because of poor planning (I am pretty sure I later captured it back). A computer virus then destroys >22000 BC of propulsion research. Shortly thereafter, I make peace with the Darlocks (while still encouraging the Psilions to attack them).
The 2450 election is the Psilions versus the Silicoids. The Humans vote for the Psilions (1 vote) the Psilions for themselves (4) and the Darlocks for me (3 votes). With my 11 votes, that should win me the game. Since I was tired of the game and hadn't really learned anything from having continued it, I take the win.
It was interesting playing the Silicoids. Their really slow growth rate makes things different and the next time I play them I'll be sure to use the ecology slider to ramp up my growth rate sooner. I am looking forward to reading other people's reports for tips on using the silicoids...
Thanks for the game!
JMB
