#4 - Solo Challenge [December 2022] INACTIVE

[Niall]

Watching others’ replays, I rather like Marcus Aurelius and Akeba’s starting method of getting an academy... Might be worth trying again with that. I feel like with a few other tweaks here and there, 200 should be just about possible.

I’d also like to try out the Gaiaforming strategy again with an academy in round 1, a more careful plan, and a later PI. I’m sure there are more points yet to be juiced out of that one in this setup.

[akeba1]

Akeba 204 vs Ultoma 170 - https://boardgamearena.com/1/gaiaprojec ... =323998269 - Econ, Nav, Terraforming, then AI, taking all 3 QIC actions in the final round. Curious to see if a Gaiaforming/AI strat could compete.

[montybojangles]

montybojangles 172 vs Automa 110 - https://boardgamearena.com/1/gaiaprojec ... =324101374 - nav and terraforming, followed by AI.
I usually try to open Academy as HH, but it was fun trying something different, as in my first attempt (158).

[Marcus Aurelius]

Scores reported.

Niall 194 vs Ultoma 173 - https://boardgamearena.com/3/gaiaprojec ... =323651845 - Economy, Terraforming & Nav

The Paia Groject podcast was really interesting to listen to after having struggled through this a couple times already, with all the challenges of playing the faction fresh in my mind. A key take-home for me was not to rush to upgrade to a PI too early, because its ability might look powerful, but is just a conversion at standard rates, not an income. This time I waited until I had a big pile of credits to convert into other stuff.

Congrats ! I will watch your replay this week. I guessed the same about the PI. No need to rush it.

GG akeba1, the first to reach 200 points. This challenge is a tough one. I have no idea how you managed it. Your replay is the new gold standard.

montybojangles 172 vs Automa 110 - https://boardgamearena.com/1/gaiaprojec ... =324101374 - nav and terraforming, followed by AI.
I usually try to open Academy as HH, but it was fun trying something different, as in my first attempt (158).

Good to see there is an alternative way to score this month.

[Paco224]

paco224 197 vs Ultoma 170 - https://boardgamearena.com/1/gaiaprojec ... =324112184 - Econ, then Gaia uo to 2 Gaiaformers, then both Terraforming and Nav.
Trying to gaiaform transdim planets at first and then terraform with workers other planets. Opening with Academy in first round to speed up Econ.

[inKEd Martin]

SantaSatan 188 vs ultoma 170
https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=324051003
Focus economy first, then teramotf and range

[Arkhus]

Arkhus 148 vs Automa 116
https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=324375769 - Focus on economy & range

[Marcus Aurelius]

Welcome to the new players. Good to have you here. Scores reported.

Love your replay and your pick (mine tech). Your first federation arrived quickly. It was bold, great !

I was surprised that akeba1 and you didn't seek to colonize the green planet in the center. I would have thought it was a necessity.

paco224 197 vs Ultoma 170 - https://boardgamearena.com/1/gaiaprojec ... =324112184 - Econ, then Gaia uo to 2 Gaiaformers, then both Terraforming and Nav.

Your nickname disturbed me. I almost thought it was your result. Great score by the way. edit : and WHAT a good replay ! GG. Most original game so far.

[Heraklejski]

Heraklejski 168 vs Ultoma 182 (its a defeat, but happy getting to 168 https://boardgamearena.com/7/gaiaprojec ... =324481593 economy, transforming, navigation.

[Niall]

Niall 239 vs Alptrauma 223 - https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=324474952 - Economy, Gaiaforming, Navigation & AI.

This time I went for maximising green planet scoring, which is big in this setup. The PI came out only in the final round to access a couple of final QIC actions. Given that I barely used the PI, went full Gaiaforming and my first two federations were for ore (not credits), it didn't feel like a very "Hadsch Hallas" game! A few other factions specialise more in Gaiaforming, so might have done even better in this set up.

I am coming to think that where the Hadsch Hallas actually shine is just in starting off with an extra 5 credits per round to power your economy. If you can grab ore from every source available to balance that income, you can build up fast. You then don't need the PI to offload all the spare credits. Better to build academies for the extra income and tech tiles. Then besides being tied to Economy, you have quite a lot of flexibility to pursue wherever the points are on the board.