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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
Little experience in [[Planetarion]]? You've come to the right place.
Little experience in [[Planetarion]]? You've come to the right place.


Browse around before the beginning of the round to gain an advantage about the inner workings of the game.
Browse around before the beginning of the round to gain an advantage about the inner workings of the game.


== A Relaxing Browser Game For The Whole Family ==
=== A Relaxing Browser Game For The Whole Family ===
 
In [[Planetarion]] you compete with thousands of other players over a 2 month period of non-stop gaming. Activity, skill, endurance and a solid [[alliance]] are the building blocks of a winner in this game.
 
At the beginning you construct [[structures]] and initiate [[asteroids]] that orbit your planet to gain resources. With these [[resource|resources]] you are able to construct 6 different [[Ship_Class|classes of ship]]. Two classes are capable of [[Pods|stealing asteroids]] from enemy planets while another is capable of bombarding enemy planets ruthlessly destroying their [[structure]]s.
There are 4 [[race]]s to choose from each equipped with 12 unique ships.
 
Planets are ranked by their [[score]]. The planet with the highest score wins.
 
== Basic Gameplay ==
Each planet including yours is grouped into [[galaxy|galaxies]]. Planetarion is a turn-based game playable with a web browser. Each turn is called a [[tick]] (a 1 hour period). In speed rounds ticks vary between 1-5 minutes.
 
Rounds are announced 2-3 weeks before tick start. Around this time signups are opened on the main server allowing everyone creation of their very own planet. In the beginning everyone is placed in [[Protection|protection mode]] and temporarily grouped into galaxies. At tick 36, planets are shuffled and placed into their true initial galaxy using a highly intelligent AI. If your planet is unpaid you are placed randomly otherwise you can form [[buddy pack]]s with friends.
 
== The First 72 Hours: Under Protection ==
 
During the first 72 ticks of the game your planet is under protection. During this time, get used to the game, and as often as possible visit the mining page to initiate asteroids, the research page to start new researches and the construction page to start new constructions.


However, it's advisable to have some ships built by [[tick]] 82, as that's when the first attacks will be able to reach your planet. In the beginning of the game it is nearly impossible to stop any attacks, so it is prefereble to build [[pod]]s only and send them out to attack others.
In [[Planetarion]] you compete with thousands of other players over a 2 month period of non-stop gaming. Activity, skill, endurance and a solid [[alliance]] are the building blocks of a winner in this game. Use of [[IRC]], while not required to play the game, is extremely important to communicate between other players and to succeed in the game.


== Engineering ==
At the beginning you construct [[structures]] and initiate [[asteroids]]. You will gain resources by mining these asteroids. With these [[resource|resources]] you are able to construct 6 different [[Ship_Class|classes of ship]]. Two classes are capable of [[Pods|stealing asteroids]] from enemy planets while another is capable of bombarding enemy planets ruthlessly destroying their [[structure]]s.  
There are 5 [[race]]s to choose from, and each is equipped with unique ships.  
A good starting setup is [[Research]] (1st), [[Mining]] (2nd) and [[Construction]] (3rd). Make sure you set your Engineering Priorities '''before''' starting a Research or Construction.


== Research ==
Planets are ranked by their [[score]]. The planet with the highest score wins the game.
   
   
The almost undisputed first choice is [[Improved Resource Handling]], so please click the ''initate'' button next to this research.
Each planet (including your own!) is grouped into [[galaxy|galaxies]]. Planetarion is a turn-based game with turns being called a [[tick]]. In standard rounds, there is one hour between ticks.


This technology branch allows you to mine more of the [[asteroids]] than you have collected around your planet. All of the more experienced players spend the first 60 or so [[tick]]s initiating asteroids in the Mining screen, but shortly after protection ends it is far more cost-effective to attack other players to gain roids (this also gets you [[XP]] - see [[combat]] for more information).
Rounds are generally announced 2-3 weeks before the ticks (turns) start. Around a week before a round starts, signups are opened allowing everyone to register their very own planet. When the game starts,  everyone is placed in [[Protection|protection mode]] and temporarily grouped into large galaxies. At tick 12, planets are "[[shuffle|shuffled]]" and placed into their true starting galaxy using a highly intelligent AI. You can form [[buddy pack]]s with friends, which can contain up to 3 people, which will allow you to play in the same galaxy throughout the round.


'''Starting Research'''
=== The First 72 Hours: Under Protection ===
# Improved Resource Handling - 16 Ticks to complete
# Heavy Cargo Transfers II - 24
# Fighter Class Hulls - 24
# Jumpgate - 16
# ''**End of Protection**''
# Infrastructure Upgrade - 16
# Heavy Cargo Transfers III - 24
# Warpgate - 32
# Advanced Core Extraction - 24
# Heavy Cargo Transfers IV - 48
Then, about this time you'll need to try and get as much Scan technology as you can whilst keeping up with your roids (at least untill Unit scans)


The things to research least (?), especially for a free account, are probably the [[Surface Analysis]] (waves that allow you to see information on other planets) and the [[Underground Network Charting]] ([[Covert_Ops]]: causing damage without attacking with ships). There are heavy research limitations on unpaid planets.
During the first 72 [[tick]]s of the game your planet is under [[protection]]. During this time, get used to the game, and as often as possible visit the mining page to initiate asteroids, the research page to start new researches and the construction page to start new constructions.


== Construction ==
It is recommended to have some ships built by [[tick]] 82, as that is when the first attacks will be able to reach your planet. In the beginning of the game it is nearly impossible to stop attacks on your planet. As such, it is preferable to build mainly [[Pods#Astropod|pods]] and send them out to attack others.
The most beneficial construction is the [[Research lab]]. This increases your research speed by up to 20% when 1/5 of your constructions are [[research lab]]s. To build ships you need a light factory.


'''Starting Constructions'''
== Alliance: 1st line of support ==
# Research Lab - 12 ticks
# Refinery - 12 (the number of which Refinery depends on your race. If you are Terran, focus on Metal Refineries as your ships cost alot of Metal. Cathaar = Crystal and Zikonian = Eonium. Eonium is no longer fuel, but is as important as Metal and Crystal - so keep it in mind ).
# Refinery - 12
# Refinery - 12
# Light Factory - 12
# Research Lab - 12
# ''**End of Protection**''
# Refinery - 12
# Refinery - 12
# Amplifier - 12
# Refinery - 12
# Research Lab - 12
# Medium Factory - 12


== Mining ==
Beside galaxies, your main line of defence is [[alliance|alliances]]. Alliances are groups of players that agree to defend and perform coordinated attacks together.  
Mining is one of the important screens (together with research and construction) at the beginning of the round.


When you first sign up, you have 5000 of each resource. This is enough to buy 3 of each type of asteroid in the "Mining" screen. Paid accounts have 10000 of each resource, and so can afford 6 of each roid type.
Super excited to see more of this kind of stuff onilne.


To initiate asteroids, put the numbers in the corresponding boxes beside the three different resource types and click ''initiate''.
=== How Do I Get An Alliance? ===
 
'''Note:''' You want to be the biggest planet you can be. You initiate asteroids at the beginning of the game as that's the most cost effective way of gaining asteroids, and you need asteroids to give you more resources. However, after 150-200 initiated asteroids the most cost effective way to gain more is by building ships that can steal asteroids and attacking other planets (you also gain [[XP]] for doing this, which adds to your planets [[score]]). Therefore, while you use this page a lot in the first 5-10 days, afterwards you won't need it much unless exchanging resources with others.
 
== Troubleshooting ==
 
=== Can't Login? ===
 
* Check that computer time is set correctly
* Clear cookies, cache
 
=== Exceptions ===
If you play from the same place as someone else in your family, it is strongly recommended you apply for an [[exception]].


Most alliances require [[IRC|IRC]] activity. The established alliances require vouches (people already in the alliance knowing you and saying you're a good player), but many just interview and require a minimum activity time.  New players should look in the [http://pirate.planetarion.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37 Alliance Recruitment Forum] in particular the Alliance Overview at the top.


== Combat ==


=== Galaxies ===
This is a space war game in which [[combat]] is an important part.


A [[galaxy]] allows its own planets to launch ships to defend each other with a low [[ETA]]. In the galaxy status you can see details on friendly and hostile fleet movement (only paid accounts see outgoing fleets).  
Thohugt it wouldn't to give it a shot. I was right.


More on galaxies [[New_Player_Manual:Galaxy|here]].
=== Inititative ===


=== Alliances ===
[[Initiative]] defines the order that ships fire in battle. Generally, [[Race|Cathaar]] EMP ships fire first, then [[Race|Xandathrii]] ships, then [[Race|Terran]] and [[Race|Zikonian]] kill ships and [[Race|Cathaar]] kill ships, and then the astropods, and then steal ships, and then structure killers.


Along with galaxies, your other main line of defence is [[alliance|alliances]] (supersized clans). Alliances are groups of players that agree to defend and perform coordinated attacks together.
=== Arm/Cost and Dam/Cost explained ===


More information is available [[New Player Manual:Alliance|here]].
In the [http://game.planetarion.com/stats.pl?page=33 ship statistics] these are, in some ways, more important than the armour, damage and cost columns themselves. They summarize these columns by saying, per cost, how much armour or damage the ship does. This means you can quickly compare ships no matter their different costs. looking at Terran, you can see their "Arm/Cost" column is much bigger than the other races. [[Race|Cathaar]] and [[Race|Xandathrii]] have bigger "Dam/Cost" columns, but keep in mind that 6 of the [[Race|Cathaar]] ships only stun their opponents (the ships that are listed as EMP).  


=== Combat ===
==== Attacking ====


This is a space war game in which [[combat]] is an important part. The combat section is located [[New Player Manual:Combat|here]].
Look around for targets you can handle, unit scan, produce a [[battle calculation]] and attack. Remember to send enough [[pods]] to capture 25% of the targets [[asteroid|roid]]s, which have an armour of 50. Get a News scan at [[ETA]] 1 or a Jump Gate Probe scan between [[ETA]]1-4 to be aware of any defence the planet might have obtained. It is advisable to watch your targets resource spending during the attack not to be caught unaware of ships coming out of production. The [http://pirate.planetarion.com/showthread.php?t=185199 How to Attack] thread on the [Strategy] Forum outlines a procedure for attacking, however it does include some more advanced [[:Category:Terminology|Terminology]] so it may be initially confusing, however it is still a good viable guide. Furthermore, a description of the various [[Fleet Strategy]] is also available - it outlines common names for the various tactics involved, provides an example, and identifies counter-strategy too. Again, it uses complex [[:Category:Terminology|Terminology]] and so it is something to work towards :).

Latest revision as of 10:04, 1 January 2013

Introduction

Little experience in Planetarion? You've come to the right place.

Browse around before the beginning of the round to gain an advantage about the inner workings of the game.

A Relaxing Browser Game For The Whole Family

In Planetarion you compete with thousands of other players over a 2 month period of non-stop gaming. Activity, skill, endurance and a solid alliance are the building blocks of a winner in this game. Use of IRC, while not required to play the game, is extremely important to communicate between other players and to succeed in the game.

At the beginning you construct structures and initiate asteroids. You will gain resources by mining these asteroids. With these resources you are able to construct 6 different classes of ship. Two classes are capable of stealing asteroids from enemy planets while another is capable of bombarding enemy planets ruthlessly destroying their structures. There are 5 races to choose from, and each is equipped with unique ships.

Planets are ranked by their score. The planet with the highest score wins the game.

Each planet (including your own!) is grouped into galaxies. Planetarion is a turn-based game with turns being called a tick. In standard rounds, there is one hour between ticks.

Rounds are generally announced 2-3 weeks before the ticks (turns) start. Around a week before a round starts, signups are opened allowing everyone to register their very own planet. When the game starts, everyone is placed in protection mode and temporarily grouped into large galaxies. At tick 12, planets are "shuffled" and placed into their true starting galaxy using a highly intelligent AI. You can form buddy packs with friends, which can contain up to 3 people, which will allow you to play in the same galaxy throughout the round.

The First 72 Hours: Under Protection

During the first 72 ticks of the game your planet is under protection. During this time, get used to the game, and as often as possible visit the mining page to initiate asteroids, the research page to start new researches and the construction page to start new constructions.

It is recommended to have some ships built by tick 82, as that is when the first attacks will be able to reach your planet. In the beginning of the game it is nearly impossible to stop attacks on your planet. As such, it is preferable to build mainly pods and send them out to attack others.

Alliance: 1st line of support

Beside galaxies, your main line of defence is alliances. Alliances are groups of players that agree to defend and perform coordinated attacks together.

Super excited to see more of this kind of stuff onilne.

How Do I Get An Alliance?

Most alliances require IRC activity. The established alliances require vouches (people already in the alliance knowing you and saying you're a good player), but many just interview and require a minimum activity time. New players should look in the Alliance Recruitment Forum in particular the Alliance Overview at the top.

Combat

This is a space war game in which combat is an important part.

Thohugt it wouldn't to give it a shot. I was right.

Inititative

Initiative defines the order that ships fire in battle. Generally, Cathaar EMP ships fire first, then Xandathrii ships, then Terran and Zikonian kill ships and Cathaar kill ships, and then the astropods, and then steal ships, and then structure killers.

Arm/Cost and Dam/Cost explained

In the ship statistics these are, in some ways, more important than the armour, damage and cost columns themselves. They summarize these columns by saying, per cost, how much armour or damage the ship does. This means you can quickly compare ships no matter their different costs. looking at Terran, you can see their "Arm/Cost" column is much bigger than the other races. Cathaar and Xandathrii have bigger "Dam/Cost" columns, but keep in mind that 6 of the Cathaar ships only stun their opponents (the ships that are listed as EMP).

Attacking

Look around for targets you can handle, unit scan, produce a battle calculation and attack. Remember to send enough pods to capture 25% of the targets roids, which have an armour of 50. Get a News scan at ETA 1 or a Jump Gate Probe scan between ETA1-4 to be aware of any defence the planet might have obtained. It is advisable to watch your targets resource spending during the attack not to be caught unaware of ships coming out of production. The How to Attack thread on the [Strategy] Forum outlines a procedure for attacking, however it does include some more advanced Terminology so it may be initially confusing, however it is still a good viable guide. Furthermore, a description of the various Fleet Strategy is also available - it outlines common names for the various tactics involved, provides an example, and identifies counter-strategy too. Again, it uses complex Terminology and so it is something to work towards :).