Galaxy Types?

[mcsproot]

Could someone please tell me the differences between the different galaxy types, such as Spiral, Tight Clusters etc?

[axeslay3r]

Spirals are well Spirals (zoom out and you can see the spiral ) , Tight clusters the planets are grouped closer , Loose are well loose , were the planets are spread further apart

[mcsproot]

Originally posted by Axeslay3r:

Spirals are well Spirals (zoom out and you can see the spiral ) , Tight clusters the planets are grouped closer , Loose are well loose , were the planets are spread further apart

Any particular type that suits certain map sizes?

[axeslay3r]

not that I am aware of , think it's more player prefence . (if I am wrong I'm sure someone will be along too correct me lol ) Normally I play on a huge map with either the spiral or tight clusters

[Syrris]

If you're playing on a very small map then the difference between some of them may pretty much disappear - they don't have enough space for there to be separate clusters.

Otherwise, tight clusters tend to leave large spans of empty space between groups of stars, so you're unlikely to meet as many races early on and may need to research ship range tech or build a lot of starbases to make the trip between them, while spiral and loose mean that there's usually some sort of among-stars travel path, though it might end up controlled by another race.

[runifoc]

Spirals are nice for the largest maps. The distance between stars is smaller as you move along the length of a spiral arm and usually smallest in the core of the spiral. Travel between spiral arms will require the building of starbases, especially the further out you are from the core. If you start in the core you will be more likely to meet other races early in the game but can also block other players from expanding into other arms.

Tight clusters will usually have no more than 1 to 3 races in a cluster. Because of the gaps between clusters you can engage in an early war as long as you're not playing on a small map. You may also find areas on the map where 2 or 3 clusters are intermingled.

Loose clusters have greater distances between stars in a cluster and smaller gaps between clusters. Intermingling of clusters is more likely in this pattern.

Scattered means the stars are fairly evenly distributed and you are less likely to see gaps in the pattern.

All these patterns are affected by the frequency you set for stars, planets, and habitable planets during setup.

[mcsproot]

Originally posted by runifoc:

Spirals are nice for the largest maps. The distance between stars is smaller as you move along the length of a spiral arm and usually smallest in the core of the spiral. Travel between spiral arms will require the building of starbases, especially the further out you are from the core. If you start in the core you will be more likely to meet other races early in the game but can also block other players from expanding into other arms.

Tight clusters will usually have no more than 1 to 3 races in a cluster. Because of the gaps between clusters you can engage in an early war as long as you're not playing on a small map. You may also find areas on the map where 2 or 3 clusters are intermingled.

Loose clusters have greater distances between stars in a cluster and smaller gaps between clusters. Intermingling of clusters is more likely in this pattern.

Scattered means the stars are fairly evenly distributed and you are less likely to see gaps in the pattern.

All these patterns are affected by the frequency you set for stars, planets, and habitable planets during setup.

How do you prevent folks from accessing the other arms? Your territory isn't a barrier to them. I've had the AI set up star bases in my territory in order to mine resources that I hadn't gotten to yet.

[Astasia]

Tight clusters on larger maps creates severe balance issues. You will have one AI trapped in a single cluster with no good planets, and another AI free to spread across 3-4 clusters lined up nicely and full of planets. Generally these games are dominated by whoever has the best start, and most AIs flounder and do nothing for the entire game. It's a good map type if you want an easy early game but a serious challenge later (unless you get the lucky start, then it's just a steamroll start to finish).

[PhailRaptor]

Originally posted by mcsproot:

How do you prevent folks from accessing the other arms? Your territory isn't a barrier to them. I've had the AI set up star bases in my territory in order to mine resources that I hadn't gotten to yet.

You have to use your fleets to control the space. Namely, by destroying other fleets. Military starbases will help with this, because of the combat bonuses they give to your ships, and some of the neat utility things you can give them like slowing enemy movespeed.

Unfortunately, if you truly want to block someone, you are more or less forced to go to war with them.

[mcsproot]

Originally posted by PhailRaptor:

Originally posted by mcsproot:

How do you prevent folks from accessing the other arms? Your territory isn't a barrier to them. I've had the AI set up star bases in my territory in order to mine resources that I hadn't gotten to yet.

You have to use your fleets to control the space. Namely, by destroying other fleets. Military starbases will help with this, because of the combat bonuses they give to your ships, and some of the neat utility things you can give them like slowing enemy movespeed.

Unfortunately, if you truly want to block someone, you are more or less forced to go to war with them.

Ahh, so you can attack without declaring war? Or do you mean you have to use war and military might to keep them out?