The Complete Interview - Spectre

Monday, September 28, 2015

Here is the complete interview (as seen in the Planets Newsletter), this month we talked to Spectre - Enjoy!


PN: Tell us a little about yourself.

S: West Point, Army (11 yrs), Treasury (2 yrs), Navy (17yrs+).  IT Pgm Mgmt securing Industrial Control Systems. 

PN: When did you first start playing?

S: Early 1990s with Robomaster with a 15yr break until I found Nu.

PN: What's your favorite race and why?

S: Most, but Pirates are surprisingly my best fit.  Yeah, I call them Pirates.  Gravitonic engines!  Cloak, rob, tow capture!  Just need rum and wenches…

PN: What do you build on first three turns with them (or your general opening strategy)?

S: 3 MBRs.  Two to scout left/right to find out my neighbors and the last to head towards the center.    Follow up with LDSF for local exploration. 

PN: How many games do you play at the same time?

S: 5-6.Usually one as replacement and one a slow classic. 

PN: What types of games do you like playing most?

S: Standard classic although the new PBP system is nice. 

PN: What's your most memorable game, and what made it so interesting? (link or id number)

S: Hands down Lottl Sector, my first Nu game: http://play.planets.nu/#/sector/62143

I joined on turn 4 as a newbie – taking over the Robots.   Making allies and teamwork made it interesting.   My team started with the Birds then added the Lizards and Fascists.  I was able to knock out the Empire but ran against the Pirate + Rebel team. By mid-game as I finalized my team, they had added the Crystals and Colonies.   We had a long South vs North war.  I was able to cover the zone with mines to aid our team – lots and lots of mines.   


PN: Name a memorable friend and/or a memorable foe, and what made them stand out.

S: Llewsilverhand- friend – honorable and helpful.  As the Bird in my first game, he helped guide my enjoyment of Nu.
Loner – friend and onetime foe.  Totally trustworthy and excellent player.   Works very well as an ally or a tough opponent. 
Special mention: Entropius!   His Pirate role play in http://play.planets.nu/#/sector/63071 was hilarious. 

PN: Give an example of excellent tactics you've used or seen (w/ details so readers can view it, if possible).

S: Minefields.Once I have an unfriendly neighbor, I will build small (10 mk7 torps) minefields centered on the border planets / main avenues of advance.I like to think they act as a long lasting deterrent. If things turn hot, I can expand as many as I want and create overlapping fields.

PN: What do you think is the most important skill for a Planets player to succeed?

S: Honorable Diplomacy.Those who make friends do much better the solo player.

PN: Describe the process you use to make a turn.

S:

a.  Review combats and significant reports (starbase builds, explosions, distress, and rob/web reports).

b. Starmap to move each active ship (use the double checkmark for inactive ships).  Set autobuild controls on planets as you colonize.

c. Desktop to planets list – sort by colony happiness to keep each 70 or better, then by colonist size to onetime tax any w/500k+ down to 70 happiness, last by native happiness with same procedure.

d. Desktop to starbases.  Sort by Engine level to make sure those are building something useful / or targets to get resources to.

What is your favorite thing about Panets Nu?

S: Excellent web interface that easily allows all the great people who play to come together. 

PN: Is there anything else you would like to add?

S: I do not drop a game.   I would rather be killed off.   If you see me, know I am there to stay and looking for a friend. 


Thank you to Spectre!