Manual (SEIV)

Frequently Asked Questions for Space Empires IV

Please help us port over the Frequently Asked Questions for Newbies to this FAQ (SEIV).

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1. Please read FAQ 0.0 (SEIV) before making changes to this FAQ.

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FAQ (SEIV) template

FAQ for Space Empires IV
Originally compiled from the collective wisdom of the Shrapnel Community Forums, and originally organized by Slick and Ruatha.

0.0 Introduction
 * 0.1 Where can I purchase Space Empires IV?
 * 0.2 Top 20 Newbie Questions
 * 0.3 Top 10 Newbie Mistakes

1.0 Game Start-up and Empire Creation
 * 1.1 Racial Traits
 * 1.2 Racial Characteristics
 * 1.3 Cultures
 * 1.4 Hapiness Types
 * 1.5 Planet Type and Atmosphere
 * 1.6 AI Difficulty and Bonus
 * 1.7 Game Mechanics
 * 1.8 Game Setup Options

2.0 Designing Ships
 * 2.1 Misc. Components
 * 2.2 Mounts
 * 2.3 Weapons
 * 2.4 Shields
 * 2.5 Armor
 * 2.6 Engines
 * 2.7 Vehicle Control
 * 2.8 Combat Systems
 * 2.9 The Colonizer
 * 2.10 Ship Design Strategies
 * 2.11 Upgrading Ships
 * 2.12 The Combat Simulator
 * 2.13 Maintenance
 * 2.14 Transports

3.0 Research and Technology

4.0 Planet Development
 * 4.1 Exploring
 * 4.2 Colonizing
 * 4.3 Facilities
 * 4.4 Construction
 * 4.5 Resource Production
 * 4.6 Remote Mining
 * 4.7 Population
 * 4.8 Planet Defense
 * 4.9 Ring Worlds and Sphere Worlds
 * 4.10 Growing Your Empire
 * 4.11 Improving and Modifying Planets
 * 4.12 Improving and Modifying Systems

5.0 Ships and Bases
 * 5.1 Attack and Defense Ships
 * 5.2 Support Ships
 * 5.3 Ship Management
 * 5.4 Supply and Resupply
 * 5.5 Repairs and Retrofitting
 * 5.6 Fleets
 * 5.7 Training and Experience
 * 5.8 Orders
 * 5.9 Cloaking
 * 5.10 Movement
 * 5.11 Cargo
 * 5.12 Bases
 * 5.13 Ship ID

6.0 Space Combat
 * 6.1 Ship Tactics
 * 6.2 Fleet Formations
 * 6.3 Attacking Ships
 * 6.4 Capturing Ships
 * 6.5 Analyzing Ships
 * 6.6 Attacking Planets
 * 6.7 Tactical Combat Specifics
 * 6.8 Simultaneous Combat Specifics
 * 6.9 Planet Blockades
 * 6.10 Adapting to Win

7.0 Ground Combat
 * 7.1 Ground Combat General
 * 7.2 Capturing Planets

8.0 Units
 * 8.1 Units General
 * 8.2 Fighters
 * 8.3 Troops
 * 8.4 Mines
 * 8.5 Drones
 * 8.6 Weapon Platforms
 * 8.7 Satellites

9.0 Systems and Sectors
 * 9.1 Sight
 * 9.2 Spaceports
 * 9.3 System Facilities
 * 9.4 System Defense
 * 9.5 Stellar Manipulation
 * 9.6 Storms and Nebulae

10.0 Diplomacy
 * 10.1 Intelligence
 * 10.2 Trade
 * 10.3 Communications
 * 10.4 Anger
 * 10.5 Contact
 * 10.6 Treaties

11.0 Empire Management
 * 11.1 Keeping Track of Things
 * 11.2 Ministers
 * 11.3 Waypoints
 * 11.4 Game Interface

12.0 Happiness
 * 12.1 Riots and Riot Control

13.0 The AI
 * 13.1 Mega Evil Empire
 * 13.2 AI tactics
 * 13.3 Neutral AI Empires

14.0 Turn Sequencing
 * 14.1 Simultaneous
 * 14.2 Sequential

15.0 Multiplayer
 * 15.1 PBEM
 * 15.2 PBW
 * 15.3 TCP/IP Games

16.0 Customizing the Game (Mods and Shipsets)
 * 16.1 Popular Mods
 * 16.2 Managing Mods
 * 16.3 Combining Mods
 * 16.4 Installing Mods
 * 16.5 Installing Shipsets

17.0 Strategy Articles (By Stone Mill, contributing writer)
 * 17.1 Empire Design **
 * 17.2 Early Economy and Exploration
 * 17.3 Managing Your Economy
 * 17.4 Get the Most out of Fighters
 * 17.5 Combat Strategies : Early, Mid, and Late Game **
 * 17.6 Rock, Paper, Scissors : (Which weapons and strategies counter others)
 * 17.7 The Early Kill **
 * 17.8 Partnerships and Trade **
 * 17.9 How to Win in SEIV by Machiavelli XLVII **
 * 17.10 When To Attack **
 * 17.11 Intel Operations
 * 17.12 Expert Moves and Dirty Tricks

18.0 Reference
 * 18.1 Keyboard Shortcuts
 * 18.2 Cheat Codes
 * 18.3 Command Line Parameters

Under Development
19.0 Slick's Turn Checklist (probationary section)

20.0 Article: Min-Maxing the Empire; The Art of Free Points Written by Imperator Fyron

21.0 Article: How is damage assigned? Written by Zanthis Copied from the "Dubious Strategy Guide"

22 Reserved for future use

23 Reserved for future use

24 Reserved for future use

25.0 Appendices: Figures, Tables, References, etc.