Congrats GmOOnii!  

So I have found a new issue with trying to maximize points in the ZYW...So far my idea has been to build as many labs as possible-1 every turn, rush to tech cap, keep placing... This strategy serves fine but I am left with 1-2 turns of not being able to build a lab in order to keep funds above -500 before March 1st rolls around. Anyone found a way to get by this (other than a few lucky anomolies)? I just recently read the super diplo can enter into negotiations earlier than March 1st? Does this still hold for TA? I know I should just test it out...but super diplo means no spore and I'm not looking forward to one of those again...

-Scanian8

(Here's to hoping my Solar Military ranks holds a little longer! )

Actually, I like the idea of using Super-Diplomat (you'll be surprised ). Not only could you fund a greater early research (to do so might require to change to another techtree - look out which race has the most powerful labs initially and ASAP) by contacting them 4 weeks sooner, you also get more money out of trade, and be even able to re-contact them on 1st March, 1st April usw...

On the other hand, you be sacrificing Spore for that, and you'll have to use Planetary Invasion (PI) instead - which, in a Gigantic-map, might mean you'll facing some problems ending the game in time; but in the Tiny class it's entirely doable.

As a matter of fact, personally I tend to believe that Spore in the Tiny Galaxy is not so easy to use as in a Gigantic one, because range scales too much down in a Tiny Galaxy; ie you be facing the 168 days Ship-upgrade time very often, although the system is actually very near. Then, given the right research & preparation, a mass-upgrade of a handfull of Troop Transports (necessarily only bare Cargo Hulls all to the same design) to max range & speed on 1st April should yield a victory on 8th April.

Another thing is that in a Tiny class ican be lucrative to get as much Fast Surveyors out ASAP, using planetary jumping you can actually collect alot of anomalies - so if you give them a weapon standardly they can, in the end, clear all planets from guardian ships; so your Troop Transport can focus on Troop Modules , engines & life support instead.

It has all pro and contra, that's the greatness with this game, there are many trade-off; here you sacrifice something but get a bonus somewhere else instead. Important is that you focus on a main-strategy and support this by all means. Play it out to the very last.

 It has finally been done...42350!!!!!  One of those times I really wish I understood posting my scores.  

Looks like a new race is on...let's make 3rd competitive again! My apologies, very excited...the score was not expected. I was a week off from finishing on April 8, I used Altarians and knew the Super Ability would be worthless, but I had gobs of money vs 2 AI...

This round is on me 

Awesome game Scanian!    Leader board has been updated...and it's the first time I havent been on it (tiny at least) in 2 years.  Well-done!

Sentient species taste better...

My turn

Just making things a little more difficult...43400 is the newest posting from me.

"A Storm is approaching.... a Storm of fire, flesh & blood"...

.... but no screenie so far. I first need a new avatar. BTW KP if you are about to update the OP you may want to take this

also into consideration.

(huddles back to websearch...)

"I have harnessed the shadows that stride from world to world to sow death and madness...":

I had to check your profile to make sure my eyes werent deceiving me, nor was this a joke.  Simply mind-boggling!

Sentient species taste better...

I am glad I could help you!

A million on ZYW that is just AWESOME,  dude.

My latest effort.

Sentient species taste better...

The last two stars of our game, CL and Maiden have been driven away.  The first by SD's outright incompetence and the second by player jealously.  Both were helpful to all, especially to new players...the life blood.  They openly shared their thoughts and findings.

Let's face it.  The early players can't hold a candle.  Rather than encourage them for what we ourselves could not do, we disparage.  Unilateral decisions by individuals with standing and no balls is what is wrong.  Marginal players, like me, are a dime a dozen, gifted players are rare.

New personal best, breaking the 200k mark!

It is a great loss that these two awesome players departed.  Along with other greats, we owe them an immense debt of gratitude.

Sentient species taste better...

My latest:

Had a great setup with this game, plus I refined a few things.

A hint for anyone that is interested...try different super-abilities.

Sentient species taste better...

Another moderate increase:

Not a great setup initially, but other random factors during the game really helped. And nope, I dont mean anomalies.

Sentient species taste better...

And another...

Sentient species taste better...

WOW.

Some panties got tied up..and noses out of joint and some score records shattered....

I'm not going to read through all that, but, what is the record for a ZYW ending on April 8th, as i still see that as what i meant when i coined the phrase ZYW.

An April 8th victory to me is what a ZYW is all about, so if anyone knows whats the record for that?

These longer games, though obviously wins in year zero are not indicitive of the original concept, though damn impressive that they are the quick fire ZYW is, to me at least, more interesting.

It seems slightly odd to me that anyone would say this now, as it is almost exactly what I said when Motti first approached 200k, and at the time everyone and their brother was quick to say that all ZYWs are the same.

Perhaps now we've finally gotten over that and can create a new category for them-although we'll have to go on faith and trust alone, it is fairly obvious to most of us approximately where the limits are.  For instance, while Maiden's contributions (assuming they're still recognized, even unofficially) stand head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd, it's literally impossible for at least the primary two to have been done in 13 weeks.

It's good to see you again, though. 

That would be difficult to do, considering that these latest games of mine only last at most 6 turns past April 8th.  I finish anywhere from April 22nd to May 22nd, depending on certain factors.  If we did as you suggest Neilo, we'd need a different category for every turn-ending date to display true parity in comparisons, which would be very cumbersome.

As for my best score on April 8th, I'm not sure, but maybe about 145-150k?  I'm curious to end a couple new ones on that date and see what the best is.

Sentient species taste better...

Broke 240k finally!

I was quite lucky with some beneficial things happening in the course of the game.

Sentient species taste better...

Since someone asked, I think this is probably my best score for ending on April 8th:

Sentient species taste better...

And now over 250k!

Sentient species taste better...

Well done KP.  Good to see that this game still has some life in it.

and +1 karma for the effort.    

Nice, KP

I'll have to roll up a game specifically for ZYW purposes one of these days. I'm running a Large DA game at present that came in at 203.7k on 12-22-26, though I would have played it out differently had I intended to finish then.

Sorry, but I have to ask: You're not using Dread Lords or 'Negative Balance' are you? I'm not going to try to compete with BS tactics like those.

@ Motti,

Good to see you again. Have a cold one on me.

As far as Negative Balance I suppose that could be discussed but I personally don't see it as a big deal one way or the other. I don't use it as a strategy myself but I also don't see it as a major unbalancing factor since there are ways to accomplish the same things without it. In other words neither using or not using a Negative Balance strategy gives one an insurmountable advantage over the other.

BTW I noticed you ploping in a couple of 1.4M and 1.5M TA and DA games vaulting you to the #1 MV position. Congratulations. That also makes you, along with Jacklv, as only the 2nd person to complete the 1M trifecta (I think it's only been two but I might be mistaken). 

Congrats again.