First Mission Set Up

[PaulMClem]

We've all seen the game config options, so what will you choose for your first mission to Mars? As someone who is brand new to the base/colony building genre I am going to choose the easiest set-up possible to allow me to learn the absolute basics. Once I have the general idea (and know how the game works) I'll look to up the difficulty and potential problems!

 

[katiekat3000]

i am looking at a EU start with the inventer fofor a reserch bost early on

 

[PaulMClem]

Is there actually a list of the game config options? I'd like to have a look without watching a YT video.

 

[XanTraX]

I think i will do it like Sky Storme says and play it hard. He is maybe right about not to bore me off by playing it way to easy. I can play it easier if i gonna die too soon.
So for me it will be the "Paradox" Mission Sponsor with a hard Commander, without Mysteries and with a harsh landing spot.

For an easier start they recommend the "International Spacemission" with an easy Commander and explored landing spot.

Is there actually a list of the game config options? I'd like to have a look without watching a YT video.

You can choose all the Options at the beginning yourself. As they are:

• Mission Sponsor
• Commander Profile
• Colony Logo (does not affect the difficulty)
• Mysteries
• Landing spot on Mars

Edit: look here for a difficult playthrough of Sky Storm if you want to get spoild a little: youtube.com/watch?v=NB6TQw7qwy8

 

[Fmello]

My starting plan is to set up multiple concrete extractors with 2-3 concrete depots near each one. And instead of placing long stretches of power cables to connect them all, each extractor will have a small length of cable attached to a single large solar panel. One large panel will generate enough electricity to power an extractor throughout the day and it should be just out of range from the dust each extractor produces to minimize damage. Also, if I don't start with that sensor tower upgrade that doesn't need power, I will set up a few of them, each with a small solar panel next to each one. Those generate enough to power individual towers.

 

[PaulMClem]

I get what he says, but as someone brand new to the genre I still think I should go for an easier start. Maybe not the absolute easiest, but easy-ish.

 

[katiekat3000]

i wotch sky i injoy his videos but hes wrong in this case not eaveyone plays a game to have a hard game. and he also is not playingthe hardist spot a streamer named charlie prier found the hardist spot onthe map with a pdx start fucherist and the cords of "44north 112west" you get a 535 start

 

[svenvangent]

I'm also totally new to this genre of game so I will go the easy way for the first couple of times , didn't want to spoil myself with all the play's through you-tube already there .
It will be a long learning curve for me but hey .. gonna take my time with this game and hope it will keeps me going for a while .

 

[The Pastmaster]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for one of the more difficult starts. They Are Billions kind of got me hooked on hardline city building.

 

[Wenatchee Willie]

I get what he says, but as someone brand new to the genre I still think I should go for an easier start. Maybe not the absolute easiest, but easy-ish.

Most everyone will be starting over a few times early on. Just fire up an easy one to enjoy the gameplay, and then adjust accordingly. Having the best technology the quickest sounds like a good plan to Surviving Mars.

 

[PichuTrainer]

I'm going to start off with the Paradox Interactive Sponsor and Futurist mission commander want to play the game from the deep end.

 

[Wenatchee Willie]

EU and Inventor for me, based on the following sage wisdom:

 

[Promethian]

I love starting out harder to make things better later. Most of the sponsor bonuses don't seem to be major benefits once you are established and a lot are just early access to a tech everybody gets. The two that stand out to me are Paradox and the Church.

Paradox gets more breakthrough techs. This I think is the strongest long term bonus in the game. They vary in value but even the weaker ones are effectively a trait equivalent to what most sponsors get. The really good ones straight up break mechanics. Look at the tech thread to see what I mean.

The church's religious trait and faster breeding are also a big deal. The trait is just a simple everybody is better. The faster breeding is better than it seems at first glance. Look through the techs and you see a lot of "martianborn are better at this now." Dem kidz are gonna be a for real master race and the church gets more of them.

So I'll be one of those two.

As for my commander most likely Politician. Start with an extra shot of cash and get more cash for everything. The extra money is important. A lot of the difficulty in starting out from what I've seen is getting the money for those prefabs of those buildings that make you more self sufficient. An early polymer or machine parts factory can save you a lot of trouble and those pre fabs are expensive.

 

[PaulMClem]

Most everyone will be starting over a few times early on. Just fire up an easy one to enjoy the gameplay, and then adjust accordingly. Having the best technology the quickest sounds like a good plan to Surviving Mars.

My thoughts are that I want a challenge, not just a huge, unlimited box of space Lego. However, as my first dip into the genre I still want to make progress and not hit too many brick walls. Will probably therefore go for something between easy and normal difficulty...whatever that means

 

[KDubya]

A hard start sounds better than easy. The Church sounds interesting or maybe Russia.

Futurist looks helpful in being able to easily set up scanning towers without power but maybe just a simple standalone solar panel built next to a tower would do the same thing? Once the RC rover and drones are there to build the tower adding a solar panel would be easy.

Make sure start has water and concrete and you're set. Looks to be plenty of metal lying around to carry you until you set up mines or better get the tech that lets mines run without people.

Two rockets look to be plenty, one would be tough but not too bad I think. Bring a RC rover (two would be great as you could then rescue the rescuer), Explorer and a Transport.

Meteors look like a bad danger as they randomly just break your stuff with nothing (maybe some late game tech) you can do about it.

Dust storms don't look that bad to overcome, just use more wind power and allow for more maintenance.

Cold looks to be challenging but extra power can overcome as can adding those heaters.

Have the first dome just go for research, food and comfort to get kids and then add in mining and factory domes next. Make sure most colonists are sexy to help with the kids.

 

[ManaaniWanderer]

I'll probably do a US or similarly easy-ish start than go for a site with lots of dust storms but few meteors/cold-snaps. No real clue about commander profile as I haven't seen a full list of benefits/draw backs. Though a church start with rocket scientist does sound like it might be fun once I get my martian wings.

 

[PaulMClem]

https://survivingmars.paradoxwikis.com/Mission_Sponsor

The International Mars Mission is as good as God Mode. Incredibly overpowered next to the other easy levels. Europe (Normal) actually looks tempting, but perhaps might stick with easy and go for China...hmmm.

 

[LVRugger]

I think my first play through will be like this:
EU
?Commander - can't decide yet, probably spur of the moment decision
Random Mystery

First rocket and first resupply rocket to set up colony - bring food on resupply rocket to last the founder stage and a bit longer. End up with power and a dome with: diner, grocer, research lab, infirmary, housing, one small park. Probably build a nursery and school during founder stage.
First colonist crew: only youth and adult, no middle aged; 2 medical, 6 scientist, 4 no-specialty for service buildings; try to get as few flaws and as many sexy as possible
Then build more housing, a farm (or 2 hydroponics if no farm tech) and a bar. Plan on placement for second dome.
Second colonist crew: 6 botanist, 3 no-specialty for service buildings, 3 scientists to work night shift. Yes, I plan on focusing on science.

Then have fun

 

[HanAt]

Part of me wants to not crash and burn horribly during my first playthrough, and play on the easiest setting possible, but I reckon I'm gonna force myself to play on the medium to a medium-hard setting. Just so I can be shoved into getting a feel for the game.

 

[mrinku]

Difficulty doesn't bother me. I'm more into the role-playing and the journey. I'll see how I'm feeling when the time comes, but probably tend towards International or SpaceY... if there was an Australian option, I'd go with that, naturally

I expect to try them all eventually.

In regards to the Church... haven't been watching the playthroughs, but isn't their "advantage" potentially a problem? I can see population pressure building up (basic Malthusian growth), especially with their flaw of decreased food production and general lack of advantages. At some point the Space Pope is going to have to tell the masses to stop multiplying for a bit, which may not go down so well.

But of course, they are meant to be a challenge