Not knowing and learning how to play is more than half the fun of this game. I was in the same position you are only in modding.

Play on a really big map(2 or more stars with lots of planets)with only one other AI set on easy. That's how I learned.

Okay, to tackle questions, one at a time. Pause, I can't comment about. I don't use it myself, so I don't know where it is defined. However, I can help with the rest of your listed issues.

First, go to the upgrades/research screen. The third button down should say something like "Fleet Logistics". Click this. This screen allows you to increase your capital ship commanders (top half) and the available fleet supply (bottom half). You need one research structure per level (the totals combine, 2 war labs and 2 cultural labs makes four total labs here). At a cost of supplies right away and an upkeep cost (the upkeep cost is constant on all your resources from planets and trade), you can increase either/both of these. Just don't go overboard, since upkeep for extra fleet space gets expensive after a while.

The no-pirate button is in the 1.04 patch. Before you begin a match, there shoul be a button at the bottom that says something like "Game Options". Click this. There should be a button that talks about pirates. Click this until it says something to the effect of "Pirates Inactive". Pirates should then not attack you like your previous games.

As for the 2-4 makes 9...for some reason the game appears to have an absolute minimum of seven planets per star system (go to the random map generator and set all mins and maxes for planets per system to "0", and you can see what I mean). However, you can use Galaxy Forge to build a map that has random numbers of planets...or any number of planets you want. Or star systems, for that matter. Read the tutorial, and mess with that. You will need to open the map in Notepad after you finsih, though, and change versionnumber's value from 0 to 1. And add a browseName "...(Name of galaxy)..." line after the browsePictureName line. Then, put it in your Galaxy folder of SOSE and play it like any other map.

I hope this has helped a bit.

Watching replays from the multiplayer games will do the trick.

Actually, for the record, you can make a map that has less than 7 planets per star. I've made several with 5 planets per star. I think it's possible to limit it to 3 planets per star if you don't add any "planet groups." The map builder is not the most obvious program I ever saw in my life, but it shows clearly what it's doing, and you can figure it out pretty fast if you just poke around.

But if the tutorials are better you may attract more new players, and not have as many negative views on the forum. If you wish to target new players to the game type you need good tutorials, if you just want to cater to existing players, no need for tutorials.


Bit of a catch 22 there, developers should not rely on forums as a lot of customers never go to forums. Good tutorials help build future customer support as well.

Cheers MarkL

I was playing SotS before this, and this game made me have to completely back up and refamiliarize myself with the control scheme. I've played many RTS's in the past and for me it's taking quite a bit of getting used to so far. Love the promise of the depth to the game so far, but 30 min after starting the game, I was lost and absolutely besieged by pirates.

I agree that the tutorial could have been given a little more meat. I like feeling challenged, just not incompetent. At the very least, add a infocard at the beginning of the game to say that there is a pause function, and what key it resides upon.

In reality, I am glad that I have to "dumb it down" as far as the game options. Another hint to getting started would probably be to knock down the speed on all the options. More time by knocking how fast a swarm is pumped out.

My two cents worth, I'm sure I'll be handed change back...

Play short games on easy (or medium, if you don't mind losing at first) until you get a handle on it. Once you can beat the game against an easy or normal opponent, move up an AI level and play another short level. Repeat with Hard AI and Unfair AI.

I was pretty well versed in the game mechanics by doing this, although you can start playing long games against Hard AI after you've beaten them in a short game.

Also, I posted a replay on wincustomize for version 1.04 that should show you the ropes.

One thing to remember is that you have to build constantly. Whenever you can afford units, make them and don't question why, just keep building units while upgrading planets every so often.

Use Kronacs Cross initially. It wont help you be a better player but It will take some of the stress off. Its a pretty predictable map, giving you a better idea of how the game will go. If your confused about what ships to build Capitals are your friend. You can better militarily later. Just focus on the interface for now. Remember that the pirates will go for the closest system if you have no trade ports. NEVER put up bounty, just maneuver a capital there and wait for a raid, instant XP. Post here, if you are polite the people will help .

One of the biggest things for me to get to grips with is the tech trees and planetary developments. Now I am getting the hang of them the games are getting much smoother and I am starting to know what to do and hence what is going on.

From my experience of never playing a game with tech trees before this was and still is a hurdle. I won't be happy till I have mastered them. I think one of the best things stardock could do for the beginner is to provide a encyclopedia listing all the ships and structures etc and hat is needed to get them. to be able to get this info ingame would be a great help to beginners. this way you you look at someones build list you will know what to do to be able to get he item.

This could easily be added in the 1.1 patch coming up.

Cheers MarkL