Those 5 Characteristics Explained

[Keston]

One thing prominently featured in the game in the diplomacy window but not explained in the documentation are what the Diplomacy Galactopedia calls the "characteristics of the empire's dominant race, . . ."

Following is from things I found incidental to an unrelated search, cut and paste from old archives. I am pretty sure it is by or quoted from a team member. The nuances are pretty cool, and the list is certainly useful. I have added <bracketed> questions on some things to confirm/clarify, and corrections to make it current would be even more useful.


Characteristics also influence the types of governments that are most suitable for the race.

Aggression
The general level of aggression and willingness to use violence. Highly aggressive races have the following attributes:
· more likely to attack or provoke others through ship attacks or intelligence missions, even against stronger empires
· more tolerant of war hardship, more willing to continue wars
· more likely to implement blockades when have trade sanctions against another empire
<if aggressive, any more likely to seek to use trade sanctions to provoke others?>
· build more large military ships like cruisers and capital ships
· assign more military ships to attack fleets <stacks with same for being more Cautious?>
· include more weapons in their ship designs
· recruit more intelligence agents <stacks with same for Intelligence?><is this built into the race modifiers or a separate modifier?>
· have stronger troops, and recruit more troops <stacks with "recruit more troops" for more Cautious?>
· colony inhabitants defend against invasions more vigorously
· when an independent population, less likely to join an empire when colonized <meaning colonization fails or there is a prompt rebellion?>

Caution
The overall level of carefulness and prudence of the race. Highly cautious races have the following attributes:
· less likely to enter into treaties with other empires, also less likely to go to war
· more likely to attack or provoke others through ship attacks or intelligence missions <!><nice passive aggressive approach - are they also more likely to adopt trade sanctions rather than military action?>
· higher level of concern at encroachments on their system’s territory
· more likely to placate other empires with monetary gifts
· less tolerant of war hardship, less willing to continue wars
· build more smaller military ships like escorts, frigates and destroyers
· assign more military ships to attack fleets
· military ships more likely to flee battles sooner
· include more shields and engines on their ship designs
· less willing to overspend on ship building
· recruit more troops
· show more care and caution when selecting intelligence missions, ensuring greater chance of success
· stock more resources at colonies

Friendliness
The general level of openness and affability of the race. Highly friendly races have the following attributes:
· more likely to form treaties with other empires <more likely to trade maps, or trade generally?>
· when an independent population, more likely to join an empire when colonized
· more likely to placate other empires with monetary gifts
· show more caution when setting colony tax rates, avoiding overburdening their citizens
<stacks with same for Intelligence?>

Intelligence
The overall smartness of the race. Highly intelligent races have the following attributes:
· perform research faster, gaining access to new technology sooner
· have stronger troops
· more likely to placate other empires with monetary gifts
· show more caution when setting colony tax rates, avoiding overburdening their citizens
· include extra components in their ship designs
· recruit more intelligence agents

Loyalty
The general level of reliability and dependability of the race. Highly loyal races have the following attributes:
· more likely to stick to treaties with other empires
· more likely to honor mutual defense pacts
· more tolerant of war hardship
· less susceptible to defection from high cultural influence of nearby colonies of other empires <Obsolete?>

Reproduction Rate
How fast the population of the race grows at their colonies. <also as citizens of other empire?>

As you can see, the main question I have is whether similar effects under different attributes stack or not.

<It would be great to have an update on this, and even more so something extensive on what affects reputation, or is the short "Empire Reputation" list in the Galactopedia still complete?>

[feelotraveller]

That's a great summary. A fair bit of the personality of the races is produced by these traits.

I would suspect that similar effects multiply, that is the default case for the game.

There is at least the omission of the negative effect of attacking/boarding independent freighters from the reputation list in the Galactopedia. From memory the list is pretty accurate but I suspect not comprehensive...

Racial reproduction rates are just that, the base rate of reproduction of that race, regardless of empire. There however can be empire wide growth rate effects such as leaders and governments. (Independents, it seems to me, get a special multiplier as well.)

I would take some of the information in the list with a grain of salt though.

Just a couple of quick examples of what I think may have dated:

Troop strength used to be intelligence x aggression but this got decoupled around Legends. Now each race just has its defined troop strength (which still largely follows this pattern, but not rigourously).

Numbers of ships in fleets is governed by policy settings (I'm pretty sure). Has been for some time...

That intelligent races research faster is not something I have ever seen any evidence of. (Racial research bonuses are not the same as intelligence.) I once again (I've done this about once a year since joining this forum, no takers yet though) challenge anyone to provide any evidence of this. I know it says so in the Galactopedia but that is a very unreliable guide; and the manual is even less reliable...

[Sirian]

ORIGINAL: Keston
· when an independent population, less likely to join an empire when colonized <meaning colonization fails or there is a prompt rebellion?>

Colonization fails and you lose your colony ship.

[feelotraveller]

I read too fast sometimes...

ORIGINAL: Keston

· recruit more intelligence agents <stacks with same for Intelligence?><is this built into the race modifiers or a separate modifier?>

· more likely to form treaties with other empires <more likely to trade maps, or trade generally?>

· less susceptible to defection from high cultural influence of nearby colonies of other empires <Obsolete?>

- 'Recruit more agents' is from earlier versions (pre Legends I seem to remember) where you actively recruited agents, rather than them appearing (semi-)randomly.

- I'm pretty sure friendliness straight up effects all diplomatic offers/attitudes - someone who tech trades a lot might confirm (or otherwise) this. My experience is that it is easier to do all forms of diplomacy with friendly races, and more difficult with unfriendly races. But other factors come into play like bias etc.

- I don't think 'defection' has been obsoleted. Nasty if you lose a major fleet with an admiral defecting, or a key planet (or even worse get a civil war). Bad empire reputation and unhappiness (plus the obvious random element) are factors to trigger, and I try to avoid both of those... I think this perhaps also effects the loss of civilan population through emmigration.

[Bingeling]

ORIGINAL: feelotraveller

- I'm pretty sure friendliness straight up effects all diplomatic offers/attitudes - someone who tech trades a lot might confirm (or otherwise) this. My experience is that it is easier to do all forms of diplomacy with friendly races, and more difficult with unfriendly races. But other factors come into play like bias etc.

Without having looked for it, I have the impression that friendliness decides what relation is required for them to agree on stuff.

So for instance one race may require +25 for a free trade agreement, while a friendlier race may require only +15. Never mind the actual numbers used.

Ever noticed the Atuuk spamming for free trade?

[feelotraveller]

Yep, that's what I had in mind.

The Atuuk are funny (or is that furry) morsels...

What I was wondering is if there is an additional effect where you get tech cheaper from friendlier races?