Anyone playing They Are Billions? (Game now out of Early Access!)

Deleted member 1041 · Jan 2, 2018

Fantastapotamus said:
I did really, really well (for a third attempt anyway). Good position, plenty of resources, lots of natural walls....and while I was building something I suddenly notice one freaking Zombie right next to my houses. No idea how that fucker got there. Done. Kept infecting all my houses within seconds. God this game.

I haven't quite figured out how to progress though, what is stone/iron for, is there like an Age of Empires "Progress to New Age" mechanic I'm missing?

Yes, as you build the work shops(wood>stone>foundry>tech lab?) You unlock better and higher levelled upgrades for both troop types and buildings. Sometimes you get lucky and a mayor will give you a future tech for free(I got a lucifer unit once which is a big flamethrower soldier) that you usually only get in the final advancements.

Also those lone zombies that get to a tent that you never notice suuuuuck

Jintor said:
something about the game's aesthetic really makes me want to pick up my command centre and slowly fly it to somewhere else on the map.

i wonder if this was prototyped in a starcraft map editor or something

I wouldnt be surprised if it did start as a starcraft mod lol

timmbp · Jan 2, 2018

Unlocked the third map. Weirdly found the second map easier. Could be I'm getting better or being a more flat map it made setting up a couple towns pretty easy. #Thanatos4life

Shelbyville Milhouse · Jan 2, 2018

Do Zombies spawn from off screen? I have secured a pretty decent piece of land but part of it is "off the map", do I have to guard that as well or is that safe?

BreezyLimbo said:
Yes, as you build the work shops(wood>stone>foundry>tech lab?) You unlock better and higher levelled upgrades for both troop types and buildings. Sometimes you get lucky and a mayor will give you a future tech for free(I got a lucifer unit once which is a big flamethrower soldier) that you usually only get in the final advancements.

I'm not sure how this works. I'm on like day 42 with not much going on. I have at least 25 soldiers and 20 archers so nothing is really a thread but I also can't really do much since I never got any new buildings or units.
I played on medium, so I now just have to sit around and wait until day 150 or whatever it was?

Also, is it possible in theory to kill all the zombies on the map? There's a pretty big area in the north that wouldn't be too difficult to exterminate but I wouldn't build stuff there since, well, I don't really need anything anymore?

timmbp · Jan 2, 2018

Fantastapotamus said:
Do Zombies spawn from off screen? I have secured a pretty decent piece of land but part of it is "off the map", do I have to guard that as well or is that safe?

Also, is it possible in theory to kill all the zombies on the map? There's a pretty big area in the north that wouldn't be too difficult to exterminate but I wouldn't build stuff there since, well, I don't really need anything anymore?

Yes. Zombies spawn off map and run in.

Clearing the map is pretty essential since all zombies left will join the final wave.

Deleted member 1041 · Jan 3, 2018

Fantastapotamus said:
Do Zombies spawn from off screen? I have secured a pretty decent piece of land but part of it is "off the map", do I have to guard that as well or is that safe?

I'm not sure how this works. I'm on like day 42 with not much going on. I have at least 25 soldiers and 20 archers so nothing is really a thread but I also can't really do much since I never got any new buildings or units.
I played on medium, so I now just have to sit around and wait until day 150 or whatever it was?

Also, is it possible in theory to kill all the zombies on the map? There's a pretty big area in the north that wouldn't be too difficult to exterminate but I wouldn't build stuff there since, well, I don't really need anything anymore?

Yeah, they come off screen.

And yeah, there's not much going on unless you decide to make it go on. Constantly add to your defenses, expand, get more resources, get more soldiers.

ALSO

DON'T DESTROY A WORKSHOP ONCE YOU'VE GOTTEN ALL THE UPGRADES

YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO UPGRADE

I thought I was being smart doing that after I learned all the upgrades, I destroyed the stone workshop to make space, NOPE lost access :(

motorised mallard · Jan 3, 2018

This game really gives you the chance to (not) live through the experience of fighting the Nids in WH40k universe.

Do the critters that spawn at the start upgrade over time or are the nastier ones so close to the borders that you just don't run into them early on? I love being a turtle in RTS games but this game is brutal, I mean the fact that a single zombie can end the game early on says it all. I really need to expand much more aggressively in the future and hope for better maps, perhaps.

Deleted member 1041 · Jan 3, 2018

motorised mallard said:
This game really gives you the chance to (not) live through the experience of fighting the Nids in WH40k universe.

Do the critters that spawn at the start upgrade over time or are the nastier ones so close to the borders that you just don't run into them early on? I love being a turtle in RTS games but this game is brutal, I mean the fact that a single zombie can end the game early on says it all. I really need to expand much more aggressively in the future and hope for better maps, perhaps.

They don't upgrade, they stay as they are. But more and more stronger zombies will start showing up, to the point where in between horde waves you get tinier waves of runners.

Gernau Morat Gurgeh · Jan 3, 2018

Murderously hard. Thoroughly enjoying it, except for the amateurish unit barks.

Kayotix · Jan 3, 2018

Bought it last night, 6 hrs later I'm going to bed lol. Game is very very fun. Wish it had a tutorial but oh well, figuring it out is kind of rewarding too.

Phoenix RISING · Jan 3, 2018

timmbp said:
Unlocked the third map. Weirdly found the second map easier. Could be I'm getting better or being a more flat map it made setting up a couple towns pretty easy. #Thanatos4life

30 + hours into the game later, I also found the second map easier than the first. Beat it on the first try at 60% or whatever the requirement was to unlock the third map.

I have lost the third map in two consecutive tries. It's amazing how much I understand about this game yet still get wrecked by a single zombie because I forgot to replace my Ranger on patrol after I sent her off to Chase once she gains veterancy.

I'm still trying to figure out what the wrinkle is supposed to be in a third map, besides having to beat it at 100% to unlock the 4th. I've only played it twice, so not long enough to find out what it's about..

Crow Pudding · Jan 3, 2018

Bought yesterday, had to close before it was too late but it seems pretty fun and hard...

Jintor · Jan 3, 2018

Got to the final wave on map 1... they are not kidding around. Holy shit. My computer actually dropped to like 3-5 fps because of all the god damn zombies on screen just flooding in from every direction. Hooooly shit.

That last wave is insane. I had cleared out like 3/4ths of the map but they just kept coming. Harpies and spit-throwers are the worst, holy shit...

Honestly, that might sate me until the next update cos that was hella nuts.

Shelbyville Milhouse · Jan 3, 2018

They really need to work on the pathfinding, holy shit.
I manually have to guide my units around houses because they will just walk in a completely different direction when I click where I want them to go. Incredibly annoying when a wave is coming.
I had 4 Snipers stroll through a zombie horde because the AI decided it would be much more fun to walk outside my camp, then walk around it through barely explored territory and then walk back in.
Jesus

Other than that the game is great, perfect for somebody like me who enjoys building a base way more than going out to destroy the enemy.

Jintor · Jan 3, 2018

ok so that final wave is just... bugfuck nuts. I'm sitting here thinking about it and I can't think of a good way to get the necessary firepower to take them out. Nevermind the fps drop, it's got to necessitate several sub-bases of just killing fields and expensive-ass base defences and walls.

I feel like no base defence option reaquires targets fast enough? You'd think the executioner would be a wheat-scythe sort of thing but it doesn't really operate that way. Titans are kind of just mobile executioners. Thanatoses are your safest bet for area clearage, perhaps if i spammed them more...?

Jintor · Jan 3, 2018

I feel like they really need to tighten some unit controls if it's going to be so army reliant. Is waypointing in the game right now? Stuff like units shoving each other out of position, not being able to move and fire (maybe a feature not a bug), idiotic pathfinding, friendly fire being kind of like 'only for lucifers!'... very strange.

Darkwing-Buck · Jan 3, 2018

This is one of those games where you're 20 min into a run and thinking, "nah this run ain't good enough", and then you start over and look at the clock and 6 hours have gone by.

zoukka · Jan 3, 2018

Made it to day 100'ish in 55%. I vastly underestimated the wave that got me...

Shelbyville Milhouse · Jan 3, 2018

Jintor said:
I feel like they really need to tighten some unit controls if it's going to be so army reliant. Is waypointing in the game right now? Stuff like units shoving each other out of position, not being able to move and fire (maybe a feature not a bug), idiotic pathfinding, friendly fire being kind of like 'only for lucifers!'... very strange.

Yeah, the pathfinding is really bad. I sent a couple of backup units to a spot where I expected a wave, they didn't arrive and when I finally found them they were just all trying to get trough a tight spot but kept pushing each other away so nobody ever made it through.
I've yet to make it to the final wave but I'm not even sure how to prepare. I feel like I don't want to stretch myself too thin and expand too much but I probably also need those death zones where I can't build anything for them to take over. Curious how it'll go

Darkwing-Buck · Jan 3, 2018

Fantastapotamus said:
Yeah, the pathfinding is really bad. I sent a couple of backup units to a spot where I expected a wave, they didn't arrive and when I finally found them they were just all trying to get trough a tight spot but kept pushing each other away so nobody ever made it through

Yeah that shit is annoying. Hope they fix that soon.

Jintor · Jan 3, 2018

I mean it might also be that I need to design cities with clear roads (I think roads would be a great thing to build... minor maintenance, up movespeed on roads so units path to it and you can actually move your dang titans around... maybe something to remove minerals/land clearings as well so I can fit stuff in...)

Other improvements might be like ability to blueprint out a structure's floorplan/area of effect so you know how much you're fucking up. Maybe something more with the lakes/oceans?

Jintor · Jan 3, 2018

also what this game really feels like to me is attack on titan the rts and it's fucking awesome

Xeteh · Jan 3, 2018

I'm really enjoying this game, I've failed twice at 59 days (playing at 75%) and then a few times when I reinforced the horde attack and they juked me which went poorly. I wish the starting locations weren't so random, I don't mind playing a harder map but when it spawns 2 different zombie town-things on two different sides of me and gives me almost zero room/wood close by I'm just going to restart. Game is addicting though.

I also wish it were easier to build horizontal walls/gates.

Jiro · Jan 4, 2018

Its getting a bit tiring having to restart all the time to get a decent map. Last night I think I had 10 maps in a row with no iron at all nearby.

Tecnniqe · Jan 4, 2018

The game blew up on Twitch and caught my eye. I bought it, it's a cool game.

I just wish I could have a friend with me trying to survive, skirmish like.

Mindlog · Jan 4, 2018

Very happy to see a new RTS making waves. Pretty neat just how much this swings between a Tower Defense and hard-RTS with pause and without.

Deleted member 1041 · Jan 4, 2018

Oh wow it did blow up on twitch

Xeteh · Jan 4, 2018

Got to day 92 on score factor 75% (my highest had been 59) and wow, my PC does not like that final attack. Ouch.

Jintor · Jan 4, 2018

Jiro said:
Its getting a bit tiring having to restart all the time to get a decent map. Last night I think I had 10 maps in a row with no iron at all nearby.

They need some sliders at embark for like 'please spawn a few tree biomes nearby and at least one iron biome etc etc etc'

i think oil and closeness of the Nests should probably remain rando

Ferrio · Jan 4, 2018

BreezyLimbo said:
Oh wow it did blow up on twitch

Ya a couple of my regular streamers I watch (RichardHammer, Bahroo) have blown up in viewership since they got in early.

Klyka · Jan 4, 2018

A couple days ago the game was the second most watched game on twitch with 98k viewers. Ahead of LoL!

Lupic · Jan 4, 2018

I personally dislike watching people on Twitch play it. Not sure why but it just doesn't click as a spectator game.
Maybe playing it is a bit better but watching it has left my mouth a bit sour on it.

Not sure why.

Darkwing-Buck · Jan 4, 2018

atluke said:
I personally dislike watching people on Twitch play it. Not sure why but it just doesn't click as a spectator game.
Maybe playing it is a bit better but watching it has left my mouth a bit sour on it.

Not sure why.

I feel you, I watched a couple when I first got the game to get some tips but other that it's a slow paced game.

Opus Angelorum · Jan 4, 2018

atluke said:
I personally dislike watching people on Twitch play it. Not sure why but it just doesn't click as a spectator game.
Maybe playing it is a bit better but watching it has left my mouth a bit sour on it.

Not sure why.

I enjoy watching it on Twitch.

I think it's the anticipation of the player making one mistake and the shit hitting the fan. To watch someone prepare for so long and fail so quickly is really satisfying to watch (especially if the streamer is cocky).

Wolf of Yharnam · Jan 4, 2018

How's the replay value in this game? It looks cool from what I've seen in streams, but I'm not sure if there's enough there already in EA to be worth a buy. Like there's only a survival mode with a few maps right? I'm undecided between this one and Rimworld atm. Need some new strategy greatness in my life lol

Jiro · Jan 4, 2018

atluke said:
I personally dislike watching people on Twitch play it. Not sure why but it just doesn't click as a spectator game.
Maybe playing it is a bit better but watching it has left my mouth a bit sour on it.

Not sure why.

Fun to see people get slaughtered by final wave.

Deleted member 1041 · Jan 4, 2018

I DID IT I DESTROYED A DOOM TOWN

pushed up against it with tons of ballistas. Snipers were MVP in actually hitting the buildings. A building spawns some infected, but then it goes on 'cooldown' before it can spawn more infected, giving my snipers time to whittle down the town. Tons of resources left behind, with the town center dropping double resources(1000 gold stack instead of 500 for example).

zoukka · Jan 4, 2018

Those doomtowns aren't that bad. Just have a few snipers, few soldiers and a Lucifer and you can decimate them.

Jintor · Jan 4, 2018

Any good layouts for stakes traps and wire fences?

timmbp · Jan 4, 2018

Jintor said:
Any good layouts for stakes traps and wire fences?

Haphazardly when the final wave is coming and I'm throwing everything I got at it.

Xpliskin · Jan 4, 2018

Sounds like a lot of fun.

Acquila · Jan 4, 2018

So how do you properly use Lucifer? Just order them to sit while attacking? I feel uneasy letting zombies get near them.

wapplew · Jan 4, 2018

Acquila said:
So how do you properly use Lucifer? Just order them to sit while attacking? I feel uneasy letting zombies get near them.

You don't use them.
For real tho, Lucifer is not good.

Gyroscope · Jan 4, 2018

I do hope other units get some long game buffs. While I am enjoying watching twitch streams, the alerts are great way to switch over to it while I work, the complete reliance on Snipers and Thanatos is starting to stale.

Maybe some per-unit upgrades that need to be researched could be introduced. Longer range on Soldiers, or Shotgun AoE effect. Multi shot arrows or piercing for Rangers. I have not played too much with Titans or Lucifers yet, but the couple I have been gifted by mayors on a couple plays. Lucifer seems like a good early-mid game out-field unit. With a single Lucifer streaming waves are basically handled with ease. Same as Titans. Defensively late-game they both lose out to Thanatos though because of the range and AoE. Both seemingly need to be a critical mass for end game. But they're expensive and compete timeline wise with Thanatos. Maybe if Lucifer were unlocked by researching at a Stone Workshop and the fire had a spreading effect with a minor decaying DoT component on groups of zombies they'd be fun. Snipers are just too good right now and are easy to get to critical mass early.

Lupic · Jan 4, 2018

Jiro said:
Fun to see people get slaughtered by final wave.

How long does it take to get to the final wave though? I can imagine chat exploding when it finally happens.

Opus Angelorum said:
I enjoy watching it on Twitch.

I think it's the anticipation of the player making one mistake and the shit hitting the fan. To watch someone prepare for so long and fail so quickly is really satisfying to watch (especially if the streamer is cocky).

That makes sense but you could say that about a lot of other games.

Mindlog · Jan 4, 2018

Opus Angelorum said:
I enjoy watching it on Twitch.

I think it's the anticipation of the player making one mistake and the shit hitting the fan. To watch someone prepare for so long and fail so quickly is really satisfying to watch (especially if the streamer is cocky).

Yeah, that seems to be the key. Sort of reminds me of Dark Souls. The streams I keep tabs on get pretty sizable viewer bumps when playing this game.

timmbp said:
Haphazardly when the final wave is coming and I'm throwing everything I got at it.

Saw TheOddOne do this and accidentally upgrade a whole swath of traps from stakes to wire. Very amusing.

raterpillar · Jan 4, 2018

Steampunk and zombies, how do they come up with this stuff?

wapplew · Jan 4, 2018

Gyroscope said:
I do hope other units get some long game buffs. While I am enjoying watching twitch streams, the alerts are great way to switch over to it while I work, the complete reliance on Snipers and Thanatos is starting to stale.

Maybe some per-unit upgrades that need to be researched could be introduced. Longer range on Soldiers, or Shotgun AoE effect. Multi shot arrows or piercing for Rangers. I have not played too much with Titans or Lucifers yet, but the couple I have been gifted by mayors on a couple plays. Lucifer seems like a good early-mid game out-field unit. With a single Lucifer streaming waves are basically handled with ease. Same as Titans. Defensively late-game they both lose out to Thanatos though because of the range and AoE. Both seemingly need to be a critical mass for end game. But they're expensive and compete timeline wise with Thanatos. Maybe if Lucifer were unlocked by researching at a Stone Workshop and the fire had a spreading effect with a minor decaying DoT component on groups of zombies they'd be fun. Snipers are just too good right now and are easy to get to critical mass early.

Agree with this.
They got some serious balancing to do if they want this to last. Right now the game variety come from random map, strategy wise, it's kinda limited.
But it's early access, hope they balance/add more units for more play style.

Phoenix RISING · Jan 5, 2018

Don't let anyone tell you that Titans are a waste.

They were the difference between life and death for me as the horde was bearing down on my base. Their speed and DPS made the difference.

Mindlog · Jan 5, 2018

Pretty clear to see the differences in skill level. Some see walls as the end-game while others use minimal walls to stall for an army gaining veterancy which exists purely to protect the economy.

A very simple tool that would help a lot of players is the pop/time chart.

Phoenix RISING · Jan 5, 2018

Man, the last map at 160% (Challenging) is destroying me.

I can't even get enough food to get a colony going. I feel like I kill 200 zombies just to My see far enough to scout. My first colony, spawned next to a village of doom, lasted 25 days, and I couldn't afford a wood workshop. Every other colony after that, maybe a week?

BRUTAL

Anyone playing They Are Billions? (Game now out of Early Access!)

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