Haven't played the game for quite some time and noticed all my customs were no longer valid. Seems points are pretty much changed up too...



so looking for some suggestions for two types of play.... research heavy and combat crazy.... not a big fan of trade wars but will try one of those too...





other than automatons, last thing I tried, any of the old races still favs? (That automaton trait was just too good)

I feel like all of the affinity's are good if you know what you are supposed to be doing and pick up the right supporting traits.

Igncom1 wrote:
I feel like all of the affinity's are good if you know what you are supposed to be doing and pick up the right supporting traits.

Well that is what I am asking, what are some good combos

Going Automatons usually allows you take all three ranks of "Price of Beauty" and "Unskilled Builders" without suffering much, particularly on Normal/Slow game speeds, which gives you plenty of points to play around with.



As a rule of thumb taking Dust Impaired, Sloppy Sawbones and Micromanagers is another cheap and easy way to cut down on your point cost.



Terraformed Planet is outrageously good, all of the Anomaly traits are however. Even the negative ones usually don't present a significant obstacle, although I'd recommend you wait until you have you strategy down to a precise art before you start messing around with the negative ones.



Taking one rank in Cloning for only 5 points will mean that, in the end game, Adaptive Industries will generate more Industry from a Methane with Hyper-Scale Farms than would be generated from that Methane using 3D-Replication Plants. It also makes colonising the tougher planets more feasible! Easily a great universal trait.



That said, your best bet is to experiment, extensively, and decide what works for you.

UE affinity goes really really well with any dust and approval traits.

If you're willing to play a game without alliances, consider the following:



Amoeba affinity

Blockade Breakers 1/1 (15)

Merchant 1/2 (8)

Eternal War 1/1 (-10)



Blockade Breakers allows you to establish trade routes even during cold war (not war). Amoeba allows you to see the entire map from the beginning. Immediately send out scouts to grab the exploration freebies and establish contact with the other races. Early trade routes don't do much, but by mid-game you'll bring in some serious amounts of dust and science. Best of all, unless another faction also has Blockade Breakers, they can't establish trade routes with you, so they get nothing in return.



Another combo I use sometimes:

Optimal Structure 2/2 (20)

Strong Alloys 2/2 (20)

Price of Beauty 3/3 (-12)



Quality over quantity. Your ships will be the best, but also the most expensive. Keep a bit of a tech lead and your ships will beat all opposition, usually with no losses.

Optimistic 2/2 is a must.



Militarists at least 2/3.