Hints on the second campaign mission?

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi,

I'm fairly new to the game, and I thought I had the thing beat on "normal" and "challenging" after a few days. Heh. Then I tried the campaign. Then I realized that I didn't understand the economy at all. Now I'm starting to understand it, but not so well that I see a solution to the second campaign mission. The first was doable for me. The second one, I just can't seem to get past. I'm playing it on "challenging," and I get creamed every time. I'm starting to get a little frustrated; would someone offer me some tips?

Here are some of the approaches I've taken to this level, I mean, this is what I've done wrong. First, I quickly grabbed all the unoccupied planets on the map and three or four resources, raced for some research techs, then a few ship construction related techs and logistics techs, then got creamed before I could go further. No money, ha ha.

Next, I tried grabbing only about 2/3 the unoccupied planets, three or four resources again, built several markets on a couple planets, and got a little further in the tech tree (researching planetary invasion related techs after those mentioned above), but sent too little firepower too late out into space. At one point I got three basic troop transports and a couple pea shooters right up to the Drengin planet, having sent a speedy scout to lure its three patroling fleets away from the planet first. When my troops finally came up to the planet, the Drengin just had a good laugh. My pea shooters were taken out with one of their ships, and some colony ship in orbit wouldn't politely move aside to let my transports down.

I partly blamed my team-mates for my defeats, because they didn't seem to do anything or build much. The Dread Lords and the Drengin each did quite a bit. (How did the Drengin get such huge guns on small ships, lots of them, when I was just reaching the point where I could research plasma weapon techs in less than 15 weeks each? Do the Dread Lords give them techs?) So on my latest try at this mission, I sent a colony ship early on to the planet closest to the Dread Lords' planet, rushed a starport and factory on it, and gave it to the Alterians to have and defend, with a not too sporty maxed-out sensor ship parked over it as a bonus. Then I did see some military from them, not spectacular, but enough to slow the Dread Lords down a bit. Well, slow is not quite the word, you nkow. I also built an entertainment improvement on every planet early on, so as to be able to tax more.

Each time, before the level begins, I allocate my bonus points to research, to diplomacy (for selling my techs to my team-mates), to economy, military, and population growth. I do grab the economy resource right away, with one or two mining modules. I don't fiddle around with farming improvements or influence enhancements or the like on this level, because I think there's no time. By the time I get creamed, my planets are still at no more than 1-2.5 billion each. I micromanage the sliders every few turns to get very fast research without (usually) maximum credit loss, keeping my planets' approval levels between 40 and 85 percent at all times. I would go lower, but I want some population growth, it seems the only way to get a sustainable economy on this level, almost every ship and improvement having to be rush-bought.

Thanks for any tips, you guys. Please don't give me a completely detailed solution to this level, just point me in the right direction, ok?

Great game, by the way, my compliments to the developers! Thanks.

Have a great day.
3,739 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
the second campaign mission?
are we thinking about the same second campaign mission? i didnt see any dread lords there..
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Perhaps I've been on this level so long, I merged the first two levels together in my mind. The level I was talking about is called "Siege." It's the first mission in which Dread Lords attack.

Please, guys, a word of advice? Thanks in advance.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
well if i'm not mistaken, i've played 3 missions so far without encountering any dread lords.

sorry but i dont feel like continuing the campaign.. in my opinion, it's a redundant feature, just lesser campaign games with limited options and a half-hearted text story that continues when you conquer planet X.
but i guess it's just me, i already disliked the whole galciv story the very moment i saw this absurd priest with his magic wand during the intro...
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You're missing out, my friend. It's a different kind of game when the Dread Lords are involved. I beat this level finally, last night, on "Challenging." That was one heck of a challenge.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
A few tips

1) Put production (under taxes) to 100%, if your playing like i do u never have to lower it below this.

2) Aim for tax rate of 69%, highest possible the population will bare, only lower if a colony goes morale red 44% or below.

3) During colony rush, have all colonies at 100% morale for spectacular population growth, don't worry about a big minus tax income so long as u have 1000+ in your treasury.

4) Specialise your planets cash, research and manufacturing. Take note of tile bonus research, morale and manufacturing tiles.

5) Tech trade, sell with your team, they will NEVER backstab u.

6) Design ALL your own ships. All core ships are useless compared to what you can come up with.

7) Think carefully about dreadlord weaknesses, they have many. Look carefully at there ships stats and planet stats.

8) Don't give up, it can be a long slog this particular scenario and apocalypse later on.

Good Luck.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The only other general comment I will come up with is:

Come up with a strategy and stick with it. You need to be focused in this mission. Usually you build up a great, strong homeland that is flexible and can react to multiple challenges - depending on how events turn. In this case, you need to grab one planet and either avoid or find a way to beat off the Dread Lords.

If you are going to "turtle" strategy to try to survive and out fight the DLs, then do that and only that. If you are going to make a mad rush for the Drengin planet, then try doing that, and only that. You have a lot of cash to start this mission - buy the right stuff...quickly.