Федерация Солby Paul Kondon |
Some debate ensues about any real value in getting two
extra ground forces on the first turn, but that is still 8 credits free
that will take and hold territory. At least as important is that one of
them pops up under the carrier that captured the first planet, giving
it another planet without going home first. That makes up for TIME, and
keeps the Sol player expanding. Sol has two other advantages that ARE clear. First, they
get a bonus influence for each new planet. Add that to the six they start
with (5 on the planet, 1 for the spacedock and Enviro Compensator), Sol
will always be a strong force in politics, and an early mover each turn. Second, they have the largest single resource planet in
the game, and the biggest build rate from the get-go. Keeping 3 ground
forces here at all times negates threats of insurgence checks. Moderate starting cash makes them consider their purchases
carefully, but it could run the gamut from 6 cruisers to a couple more
carriers with ground forces and fighters, to lesser builds and tech. The start of Enviro Compensators and Antimass Deflectors
isn’t a fearsome combination in themselves, but it gives Sol great flexibility
in research. Enviro Compensators is needed to get all green but Cybernetics,
where they have the other pre-req, Antimass Deflectors. So, Sol can pursue
either the red/blue or yellow/green tech avenues equally well. They can
focus on economy and politics (yellow/green), mobility (yellow/green/blue),
or drift into military power (red/blue). They might be a turn or two behind
other races in some respects, but they are completely adaptable to the
situation. Sol needs only one more turn to follow the Baron’s aggressive
military strategy (minus the Dreadnaughts), or can drift into a balance-of-power
game, buying enough red to defend well, enough blue to stay mobile, enough
yellow for a strong economy, and enough green for the bonuses (Stasis
Capsules, +1 fighters, extra cards). The Summary: Sol should be the EASIEST to play overall,
but requires watching the flow of the game. Don’t overreach. Play for
the progression track and watch for opportunities. |