Terraforming
Moderator: thunderchero
For me, it's a matter of proportional returns -- or "bang for your buck", to put it more colloquially. 
I tend to use a mathematical formula that could be roughly expressed as: "If the number of turns to terraform a planet is less than the planet's population divided by 10, then I will terraform the planet in the initial colonization."
To use an example: Say an O-class (oceanic) planet has a maximum population of 100 (million), and can be terraformed in 3 turns. Since 100 divided by 10 equals 10 -- and 10 is obviously greater than 3 -- then it's definitely worthwhile to terraform this planet before I colonize the star system.
To use another example: A G-class (desert) planet has a maximum population of 80 (million), and can be terraformed in 5 turns. Since 80 divided by 10 equals 8 -- and 8 is greater than 5 -- then this planet is also worth terraforming before I colonize the star system.
And yet a third example: A Y-class (volcanic) planet has a maximum population of 70 (million), and can be terraformed in 8 turns. Since 70 divided by 10 equals 7 -- and 7 is less than 8 -- I will not terraform this planet before colonizing the star system.
Using this formula, it usually works out that I end up terraforming all G-class, L-class, O-class, and P-class planets before colonizing a star system. Conversely, I generally do not terraform J-class and Y-class planets until later.
I tend to use a mathematical formula that could be roughly expressed as: "If the number of turns to terraform a planet is less than the planet's population divided by 10, then I will terraform the planet in the initial colonization." To use an example: Say an O-class (oceanic) planet has a maximum population of 100 (million), and can be terraformed in 3 turns. Since 100 divided by 10 equals 10 -- and 10 is obviously greater than 3 -- then it's definitely worthwhile to terraform this planet before I colonize the star system.
To use another example: A G-class (desert) planet has a maximum population of 80 (million), and can be terraformed in 5 turns. Since 80 divided by 10 equals 8 -- and 8 is greater than 5 -- then this planet is also worth terraforming before I colonize the star system.
And yet a third example: A Y-class (volcanic) planet has a maximum population of 70 (million), and can be terraformed in 8 turns. Since 70 divided by 10 equals 7 -- and 7 is less than 8 -- I will not terraform this planet before colonizing the star system.
Using this formula, it usually works out that I end up terraforming all G-class, L-class, O-class, and P-class planets before colonizing a star system. Conversely, I generally do not terraform J-class and Y-class planets until later.
"Evil is easy, and has infinite forms." -- Pascal
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KrazeeXXL
- BORG Trouble Maker
- Posts: 2323
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:00 am
- Location: the 36th Chamber
the whole terraforming topic is very substantial so I have no perfect scheme for it. It depends basically on the situation my empire is (in need for credits - shipbuilding or whatever) and how I want to develop. So it is dependent to a lot of factors.timmy wrote: Do you terraform one planet or the entire system before colony?
I send at least 2 cs to a colony to get the first planet in time. (2nd cs may arrive some turns later). Since we now have almost one class m planet per system - I take this one (which makes terraforming very boring). I don't terraform every planet in the system and then get it. this takes to long while you already could've built something in the new system + pop + moral. depends. If I want to force my moral and am into shipbuilding (less credits to buy stuff in the new colony) then I might consider to terraform anything in it first. but cs' are very vulnerable so I don't use this option very often...
the 2nd cs colonizes whats left in the system asap. I had very very often climate shifts in new systems. I would say this always happend to the single colonized planet in the system and never to an uncolonized one. so I try to colonize them all very fast.
I take those planets first of which I haven't got very much. the quick ones at first. So if I lack of class y "planets" I terraform them earlier then other ones. Just to have an expanded spectrum in my overall planets. Its just logical. If you only got class m planets then only class m planets will get climate shifts and since we have no gaja planets (as yet) they can only degrade.
if I play with random=off (most in mp) then my terraforming "tactics" differ a bit
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marhawkman
- Commander
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:00 am
I tend to terraform all the planets in a system prior to colonization in order to save time and not "waste" the colony ship. There are, of course, exceptions: If I need to establish myself in the system/expand my territory quickly to keep a rival from moving in/drive a treaty power further out of my space/etc then sometimes I will snatch the system more quickly and fix it up when I get the chance.
Just plain, simple, Garak.
My preference is to terraform whichever planet (if any) has a food bonus and then colonise. Another ship will come along later to terraform the rest. I prefer to get the population increasing sooner rather than later.
Later on in the game though,when perhaps you already have 10 or so systems then I will often terraform the lot before colonising.
Regards,
C.
Later on in the game though,when perhaps you already have 10 or so systems then I will often terraform the lot before colonising.
Regards,
C.