Planet Size for Colonization

[ColorsFade]

Since the other thread got locked by some bad behavior, I thought I'd start a new thread to discuss this item that intrigued me. Hopefully this thread can be kept civil.

Anyway, there was a discussion about colonizing planet sizes, and why someone would never colonize a Class 4 unless they could immediately make it a class 12 through terraforming upgrades.

My take: I colonize every world I can, regardless of size, because in the game's current state (which seems very likely to change in the next DLC), real estate is everything.

Someone asked:

Couldn't you use the planet for ideology points?

This is pretty much precisely what I do with such small planets. Put down the ideology buildings, and then grow it into a production planet later (factories + food). The ideology points are so powerful and important to game play. I see a Class 4 planet, and yeah, it's not going to support a shipyard for a long time, but the Intimidation Center, Missionary Center and Prepardness Centers do not care what size a planet is; they earn the same amount of points.

[mrmike_49]

Early game, colony ships are too expensive (in time to produce AND population!) to be wasted on a planet that ONLY gives Ideology points; by the time you have 3 well producing shipyards, THEN start on those 7's and below. 8 is my personal criteria. You also want to have enough cash flow to give each new planet a little boost to start by Rushing a factory

[TheFunMachine.]

Originally posted by mrmike_49:

Early game, colony ships are too expensive (in time to produce) to be wasted on a planet that ONLY gives Ideology points, by the time you have 3 well producing shipyards, THEN start on those 7's and below. 8 is my personal criteria. You also want to have enough cash flow to give each new planet a little boost to start by Rushing a factory

Have you ever been screwed by the galaxy generator? Not long ago I started a game that only gave me class 8 or below planets nearby. And not many of them...

[rog214]

So far, I agree with everybody lol.

Obviously, synthetic races don't care about planet size, so if I'm playing one I'll take it, and if I'm not, I'll grab it when I can just to deny it to someone else. But since the Ai prioritizes on size, I know I have some time before I have to grab it.

The last thing I want is a hostile AI having an outpost near me when I was just too picky to grab it lol. That said, it'll be last on the list if there;s better choices.

Also, it depends on the tiles. If it has a +3 military and 2 adjacent tiles, it can be used as a Shrinker world if need be, depending on what's available elsewhere. I'm sure other niches apply.

I also sometimes grab them to trade them to a minor race. They pay well for those.

[ColorsFade]

Originally posted by mrmike_49:

Early game, colony ships are too expensive (in time to produce) to be wasted on a planet that ONLY gives Ideology points, by the time you have 3 well producing shipyards, THEN start on those 7's and below. 8 is my personal criteria. You also want to have enough cash flow to give each new planet a little boost to start by Rushing a factory

I play with the Wealthy Ability in my custom race, so initial cost is not an issue. I am buying Colonizers every turn at the start of the game. I'm more strapped by population than Colonizer cost.

Pragmatic -> Builder is also the first Ideology I grab on mid/large maps. Three free constructors that can seek out planets and then be upgraded to colonizers. Sweet.

There have been times, without Wealthy Ability, and with a pleathora of other planets available, I'll skill a 4/5/6 size world for a while, and come back to it later. But if it's the only thing around, I'm grabbing it. Real estate is too valuable.

I'm going to miss the colony rush when the changes come out. It's been my favorite part of the game.

[ColorsFade]

Originally posted by rog214:

The last thing I want is a hostile AI having an outpost near me when I was just too picky to grab it lol..

That's where I fall on this. I hate giving hostile factions a foothold into my space. I immediately take a border penalty hit, and I don't like that.

[Tiresias the Blind]

Well, I see it as a prioritization issue.

Obviously, you're going to want to go after higher class colonies first. Howenver, this does have some caveats, especially with the latests patches.

The AI is fairly aggressive about colonizing, so you have a limited window of opportunity in which to secure whatever holdings you can. As you near the end of that window, it is not wise to hold off, since even the smallest of planets will still contribute to your overall resources.

Influence being what it is, it is important to secure a solid control of the areas around your homeworld especially. In the latest patches is much more difficult to culture flip without a concerted effort, which means that any planet within your initial area that falls into enemy hands will likely remain a thorn in your side for quite some time.

I guess you could say that the closer a planet is to your core area, the more valuable it is. At least, that's the way I see it.

[CyPunk]

Tend to agree with all the above: I do try to pick them up a bit sooner rather than later though due to personal space issues and a love of straight lines for borders.
If it is near a shipyard, it becomes a production hub for that extra boost.
If it is further out it becomes a soldier farm (hospital, food etc), which is my favourite use. I hate stripping core planets for invasion forces, so like to have a couple planets I can strip that contribute little to overall power.
If it is really on some hinterland edge, then colonizing event will be determining.

But yes: could all change soon. Though I am confident we will collectively figure out how to still have the Colony Rush, even if there is one or two more hoops to jump through first.

[starrynite120]

Originally posted by Forschungsfüchse:

But yes: could all change soon. Though I am confident we will collectively figure out how to still have the Colony Rush, even if there is one or two more hoops to jump through first.

True. However, a colony rush will likely mean not taking advantage of surveying or grabbing resources. It will likely be more similar to the early decisions of civ 5, worker or settler? Which I am looking forward to, since I thought they did it well.

[neil]

well I'm one of the ones that don't colonise the size 4 planets

I just wait for one of my enemies to colonise it. Then give it 2-3 turns later it's mine for free as it flips
lol

Gotta love influence
:-)

Neil
ddown under land

[ColorsFade]

Originally posted by Ragic:

Also in addition to ideology bldgs there is the potential for a colonization event when you first colonize the planet.

The importance of this cannot be understated, IMO.

[CyPunk]

Originally posted by ColorsFade:

Originally posted by Ragic:

Also in addition to ideology bldgs there is the potential for a colonization event when you first colonize the planet.

The importance of this cannot be understated, IMO.

Especially given the Precursor world DLC for more points and improvements, which I say for the benefit of those who do not have it (worth the few bills it sets you back).

[ColorsFade]

Originally posted by Forschungsfüchse:

Originally posted by ColorsFade:

The importance of this cannot be understated, IMO.

Especially given the Precursor world DLC for more points and improvements, which I say for the benefit of those who do not have it (worth the few bills it sets you back).

Precursor World DLC is probably my favorite. I love finding those planets.

[starrynite120]

Originally posted by ColorsFade:

Originally posted by Forschungsfüchse:

Especially given the Precursor world DLC for more points and improvements, which I say for the benefit of those who do not have it (worth the few bills it sets you back).

Precursor World DLC is probably my favorite. I love finding those planets.

I'll second that, its so exciting finding them. However, what do you mean by more improvements?

[ColorsFade]

Originally posted by starrynite120:

Originally posted by ColorsFade:

Precursor World DLC is probably my favorite. I love finding those planets.

I'll second that, its so exciting finding them. However, what do you mean by more improvements?

Precursor worlds are generally bigger. So more tiles = more improvements. I assume that's what he meant, anyway.

[CyPunk]

Originally posted by ColorsFade:

Originally posted by starrynite120:

I'll second that, its so exciting finding them. However, what do you mean by more improvements?

Precursor worlds are generally bigger. So more tiles = more improvements. I assume that's what he meant, anyway.

My fault, I tend to lump Precursor and Lost Treasures DLCs together as I bought them together. So yes, the precursor worlds are great and worth crossing a galaxy for; so much production and space to build. But the new colonizing events with 25 ideology points and the planet or ship improvements that come with it are more relevant for this conversation, as these can occur even when you colonize a low class planet. Sorry for any confusion, not sure which DLC these come with.