"but we should have at least a decent "sanity pass" on combat since the tech tree is getting completely overhauled."...Hear. hear! That would be a start, researching technology that actually makes a difference in a battle, outside of the bigger\more is better.
Wow, obviously someone has given this more thought than me :-) . As Far as the AI if they can program the AI to run a empire, they can program one to use basic strategies. Were not talking complex tactics. IE they could allow us, and the AI to make strategic decisions, then allow both AIs to duke it out, like they do now.
Maybe so, but considering that we now have the 20 forms of government, and commonwealths (why they don't use client\vassal states is beyond me), I personally don't consider talking about potential changes to how the game handles combat petty, but to each his own. Did you join the tread just to dismiss the idea? If so where do you think they should improve game play next?
I'm not sure how difficult it would be to implemented, and I agree you would also need to keep auto resolve, but I would just like to see something that shows more use of the tech tree, and that you also have some sort of strategic (dare I hope tactical) input. I don't see the fun of sitting their passively watching a battle unfold to the death. As far as retreats that could be remedied by making sure you have to "sacrifice" a certain amount of ships in a holding\delaying action. If you
I'm not even worried about boarding\capturing ships, targeting engines (all this has been done in other 4x games), just basic things like: 1. Why bother with engine upgrades. You can't flee\escape. What is this The Last Jedi? Why can't ships flee or avoid combat 2. No basic tactics. You can't override targeting priorities. For example you can't order a fleet to go after the transports\troop carriers. If that is too complicated how about max range, optimal range, close quarters
"The problem is that you get to coerce people without any downside" - You don't need to coerce people too hard when they are under the threat of death by an alien invasion. I guess the penalty could be to revolt and surrender but that was a problem with the old Master of Orion II game. You could be winning the war then a planet would revolt and you would lose or be forced to divert resource to reconquer a planet. At least bring back the manufacturing slide bar on a planetary scale
Well I was shocked to see the wheel gone, but its too early to see if the game is better or worst. What I don't understand is the justification that a free market economy works better than a command economy. During war all economies become command economies. The USA during War World 2 became one. It had no union strike rules (only violated by the coal industry), price controls which forced the rationing of commercial goods, and conscription. It also seems that the developers never heard o