Setting up custom games

[keller]

It has come to my attention that no one has mentioned this, but it is totally possible to set up custom games in which you are automatically at friendly, or even allied status with races. Also, a lot of you have been having problems with the tantik so this is for you.

Step 1
When you start a new game, on the right side there is a list of all races in the game. Clicking on the icon of any of these races will bring up another screen. (screenshot below) Lets start with the tantik and click on their icon:

Step 2
Now lets make it so that when we meet them they will be friendly. To do so , click on the arrow button to the right of where it says relations.


Repeat steps 1 and 2 with each race until you are satisfied.

Well that is all there is to it. Enjoy !

[Bansheedragon]

The reason it has not been mentioned is probably because most people already know about it, and/or have not thought about it.
However the changes you talk about here are only possible in a classic mode game.

For those who play in normal mode with missions you cannot make these changes.
You can only choose how many and which AI races you want in the game, with the exception of the Kor'Thaz and Varians which are required as part of the story in that mode.

Personally i only play Normal Mode with missions, as I find it far more interesting with the missions and story that follows them, than the classic mode.

[keller]

The reason it has not been mentioned is probably because most people already know about it, and/or have not thought about it.

Yes, it is usually one of the two so it is posted for the latter

Personally i only play Normal Mode with missions, as I find it far more interesting with the missions and story that follows them, than the classic mode

I guess I'm a die hard classic player. I tried the normal mode and it was ok but I wanted a game with a more even footing.

[reefs_of_space]

Thanks for posting this. After I finish my game on normal mode I'm going to give classic a try.

I like the way normal mode feels like a living galaxy but I've spent a lot of turns defending my small empire and kissing the asses of the stronger races. I'd like to try a more even footing next time.

[keller]

You are most welcome.
In my current game, I am playing as the Gargal and have set the tantik to be friendly so they are just like any other race. This of course allowed me to sign an alliance pact with them.

[Xyquas]

Thanks for posting this. After I finish my game on normal mode I'm going to give classic a try.

I like the way normal mode feels like a living galaxy but I've spent a lot of turns defending my small empire and kissing the asses of the stronger races. I'd like to try a more even footing next time.

The experience of normal mode differs related to the chose race. I found Barbeck quite hard to play because they start near the Tantik while Barsig seemed to be pretty easy. Gargal and Lezgoon also were nice to be played.
Maybe you give normal mode another try with a different race?

And you can support your chosen race with the kind of planets you chose. If your race's home planet is terran, set the habitable worlds count to many. This also makes the game harder for the Tantik as they use vulcanic planets which are uninhabitable.

Habitable planet types are terran, ocean and desert while uninhabitable types are vulcanic, metallic, arctic, barren and toxic.

[keller]

You can actually take the same race and in one game you might not do well, but in a second or third you might massively thrive. Each game will be different, have different planets, events , and so forth.

[reefs_of_space]

I thought I just got lucky that the Tantik were on the other side of known space. Are the home planets of all the races in the same galactic location every game or is that randomly determined at launch?

The Tantik are a huge threat in my current game but their homeworld is in sector 6. They currently control all of sectors 6, most of 5, and some of 3 but they have to go through the Kazmak (sp?) and Barbecks to get to me (of course those guys also hate me but the Harkan are between the Kazmaks and Barbecks and me) (of course the Harkan also hate me).

[keller]

Are the home planets of all the races in the same galactic location every game or is that randomly determined at launch?

It is random with each game. The name of each races homeworld is the same but can be set.

When using the games default for their race , the tantik can be a formable enemy, but... they do have a several weaknesses.

Just a reminder, you must know your enemy sometimes before you can defeat them, so playing a game or two as the tantik (or any other race) can help you figure out their stong and weak points.