Tip 14 - First Turn & Finance Management

WARNING:

I cannot stress enough, that the starting options in the next few pages are just one of a million ways to build your empire.  Don't get stuck in a rut of always starting your games out this way... all the time!  Some games - leave the bars all at 1/3 , don't fast-build (buy ships), and be more conservative (don't keep your spending rate at 100% until your almost out of money).  You'll then complain all your games are the same... because you've set yourself into a pattern.  You'll have a much different game and then you can judge what works best for you.  But even if you have a "best way for you".  Still try out different tactics.  It's fun!

And please remember.  This is just one example.  Many people like to keep their production spending around 33% each and not do deficit spending.  I have trouble with that as I fall behind the AI.

OK back to the program...

Sometimes it's hard to know just where to start when you get your grand game going.  Most veterans know this, but I'll cover first turn basics for newer players.  However veterans might find new information in these pages pertaining to Dark Avatar since I'm not going to create separate pages for (First Turn and the screens they relate to).

Go to your Domestic Stats screen by clicking this button:

You need to get your production up and running fast, so max out your Production Capacity to 100% and set your tax rate until your Approval Rating is down to 61%.

←  You'll be losing money, but for now it's more important to get your feeble colonies pumping out some production and research.  As long as your approval rating doesn't dip stays above the 50% range you won't be "hurting" your colonies.  I like to keep it at 61% or higher.

It is very important you continually go back to this page and adjust your spending.  Adjust your taxation, production capacity (most of the game I try to keep my production capacity at 100%), and adjust your military, social, and research rates.  The little lock icon to the right means you can lock the slider at that percentage and the other two sliders will only be adjusted until you unlock it.  If you've clicked the thumbnail above, you'll see I set espionage at "1".  As you make more money this will automatically climb.  So if espionage spending becomes too high just back it down on your own.

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