Newbie question: Advanced technological devices?

[Golo]

Vaguely recalling enjoying the first installment of SE back in the days, constructing my own fleet and everything, I decided to give SEIV a go.

At first, I was a little confused when the tutorial stopped so abruptly, as if leaving me mid-air with no parachute. Already on the first turn after tutorial ending, I had a number of issues that I had to consult the wiki for. Anyway, good thing it's there, but even that doesn't seem to cover everything.

For example, I found a planet with the text "Sensors indicate some kind of advanced technological devices left on this planet.", so I eagerly colonized it as quickly as I could. But what does it do? How do I make use of it?

Also, whereas I repeatedly find myself very close to running out of minerals, I haven't yet found anything to use organics or radioactives for (other than the small amounts consumed by ship upkeep). Am I missing something?

And lastly (for now): How would I do if I wanted to take over another (AI) player's planet? Do I need a certain ship type, or a certain component? Or can I just attack it with whatever ship(s) I've got with whatever weapons, and then colonize it when the population is wiped?

Any help on these matters would be much appreciated.

Edit: I found out the last one myself: Yes, you can take an undefended planet by bombarding it with whatever weapon(s) until all population and structures are gone, then colonize it like normal.

[Golo]

Noone knows what the advanced technological devices do???

[book_dude01]

Just started my self, I think the advanced tech may just appear in your ship yard, or other place as per what ever it was, or it may show up on your research thing. As for enemy planets, nukem till they glow then bomben in the dark.

[book_dude01]

The turn after you land on the planet, they show up on the Turn summary report. You can take over an enemies planet using a ship filled with storage or other compartments, loading with troops form one of your planets, moving to the selected planet and unloading.

[CerealGuns]

Organics and Radioactives will almost always be needed in smaller quantities than Minerals unless you're using certain special components (such as Organic weapons and armour).

Capturing an enemy plant with troops is often preferable to bombing them into oblivion, particularly if the planet's atmosphere is different than your preferred type. You can then start using the alien population to colonize additional planets with that atmosphere type and thus exploit those planets much more effectively.

[TrueMalak]

Advanced Technological Devices are special techs that you can discover when colonizing those planets. Massive Shield Depleting Weapons would be a good example (seemingly the most common).

[ProgrammerDan]

Originally posted by TrueMalak:

Advanced Technological Devices are special techs that you can discover when colonizing those planets. Massive Shield Depleting Weapons would be a good example (seemingly the most common).

Bump -- just as a pro-tip, it's always worth the investment in grabbing Advanced Technology worlds as often and as early as possible. They can provide an interesting strategic edge in the early game, if you leverage what you find effectively.

As another responder correctly indicated, Organics and Radioactives are important for certain special tech trees moreso than the "general" technology branches. Don't forget about them, however, as too little available Organics or Radioactives will slow your ability to construct new assets or maintain your fleets as quickly as too few Minerals. I think I usually ballpark a 10 or 12 to 1/1 build ratio of Mineral to Org/Rad facilities in my early expansion period, when playing a race with no special need for Org or Rad. As my technology evolves into middle game, I'll readjust my facilities appropriately, as there are a few technologies that use more Organics and Radioactives in their components.

As for taking over AI planets (or other players -- get into PBW or PBE) try building a Transport ship with lots of cargo space, some shields or armor, and fill it with Ground Troops. Troop transports start being viable at around Medium Transport size, and truly worthwhile at Large Transport, although building the troops to fill it will take much longer than it took to build the Transport. Use the planets surrounding your shipyard to build Troops, using lighter population transports to shuttle the troops as they are complete to the waiting Troop Transport, or figure out where your Troop Transport is headed, and have all your colonies along the way build Troops, so that your Troop Transport when complete can pick them up on the way. I'd recommend at least 2 transports in a battle group, Be sure to set their strategy appropriately -- nothing more devastating than a transport on Strategic Mode swooping in too early and getting blown away by the planet's defenses. Use the Simulator extensively until you figure out what strategy works best. Basically, they should hang back until the planet's defenses are gone. Balance the size of your attacking force carefully, as too many powerful bombardment ships will decimate the planet before your transports can arrive when in Strategic Mode. Or just use Tactical, and it's a moot point. However, if you plan to do any PBW or PBE (Play By Web or Email), you'll have to figure out the Strategic play modes.

Anyway, long answer to a short question. Hope you're still playing and enjoying the game. I figure by now these answers are for whoever is facing your similar question -- take care and enjoy!