best starter map?

for singleplayer

Just recently got the game, and I'm wondering what you folks would suggest as the best map to start out on having freshly completed the tutorials. I was more looking along the lines of a 3 way FFA so I can see all the races in action at a time. I'm hoping someone can suggest a good map that has easily defensible planets (perhaps them all being more or less daisy chained so there are minimal phase lanes), or has very good bottlenecks that are frequently available.

One thing I see the game is sorely lacking, is a preview window for when you're picking maps! I really hope I don't have to load up the map editor, or keep going in and quitting games to try and find a map I like to try out first.

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I can't name any maps off the top of my head, but I do suggest that you play a 2v2 with one AI ally and locked teams. Having a partner to watch your back is nice when you're still learning the ropes, and it can be instructive to watch how the AI plays.

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I personally really like the "Balance of Power" map (one of the small ones).

It's a quick map with 3 players and no pirates. 4-5 planets per person. Allows for easy missions and a good chance at a peace treaty with one AI if you choose.

I'd give that one a whirl for your first attempt

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I took a look at that one, and it appears very annoying to defend my worlds to say the least. I was hoping to have a fairly secure back end of my empire without having to send my fleet chasing around little incursions, or having to burn a bunch of resources on back world defenses. I definitely don't mind investing an afternoon into a longer game, as I would like to see what it's like to have all techs researched. I was hoping to have something along the lines of a core of around 5-6ish worlds, that are easily defended (one PJ point entering a single planet, that then connects to a ring through a single PJ point), with my opponents having a similar setup, with maybe an expansion tree or 2 if needed. Perhaps I have to create my vision in the map editor, hopefully I wont be able to muck it up too bad.

You may consider what I'm looking for to be an ultimate turtle map, but I see it as one that would be exceedingly good to use for my initial induction into the game, and to learn on. Keep those dang siege ship raids I've heard so much about away from my backfield!

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You might look at some of the user uploaded maps that you can download from the website.. maybe something like https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?skinid=45&libid=70

Honestly though you're best bet is to pick a standard map and learn as you play. Don't expect to win you're first few games or even more as long as you are learning new strategies.

If you put the AI on easy you'll have plenty of breathing room to start off. If you're not getting at least some pressure you'll probably develop some bad habits.

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That map is more or less exactly what I'm looking for

I might take it into the editor and add a pirate planet (don't want it TOO easy you know)

Apart from that though, looks like a great map!

I'll definitely keep in mind the bit about not forming bad habits. I just like winning my first play through from a morale point of view, and sometimes I like an easy map just for the sake of being able to play a nice relaxing game with no worries.

I'll probably sink my teeth into a tougher map once I've learned the ropes, and wont get curb stomped on my first voyage.

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Yeah, setting the AI on easy is always the best way of getting a feel for the game. I did my first game doing a 1v1 random race in a single small star system (randomly generated), and even though it took me a little over 13 hours to beat it, I did beat it, although admittedly, I spent more of my time wasting it, smoothing out edges, teching, and building a full fleet to take the pirate base (which, by this time, had over 900 ships, about 700 of them being Corsairs and Cutthroats. Killed them all, with the loss of only a couple dozen frigates and 5 carrier cruisers).

It's just a matter of how easy or hard you make the map.

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