#8 - Solo Challenge [April 2023] ENDED

[DenverKris72]

DenverKris72 156 vs Automa2 120
https://boardgamearena.com/7/gaiaprojec ... =363119194
Space, AI, TF techs in that order

[OrionHeart]

Orionheart 184 vs Automachtig
https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=363231952 – focus on nav to secure good spots for both advanced tech on nav and tm + maximizing of round boosters.

[Cazi]

Cazi 194 vs Ultoma 146 – https://boardgamearena.com/9/gaiaprojec ... =363321544 – Navigation + Terraforming + AI (late). Formed 4 federations, snatched both level 5 bonuses and advanced techs on terraforming and navigation. Won most satellites, second for most planets.

[kespie]

kespie 183 vs Ultoma 146 – https://boardgamearena.com/5/gaiaprojec ... =363364360 - focus on sci track first, then nav/terra, and finally AI for some qic points. Can probably be executed a lot better still.

I've tried some different approaches already, really tricky challenge this one! Best try so far is this one, focusing on knowledge. But am not convinced yet it's the best strategy.

[montybojangles]

Good scores everyone - thank you for sharing your games.

Happy with this score ... 207 v Atoma 120

That's a strong score: 44 tech and 6qic action VPs.

bk_marvel - 168; Automächtig - 136 ... Really good fun.

Nice to see a science approach (kespie has also tried that), and starting with a mine in the south. (Is there a south in space? I'm sure you know what I mean, the bottom of the board!)

Cazi and Kespie, it's fascinating to see your contrasting approaches against the Ultoma. Cazi, I wasn't expecting to see you take the central red planet, round 3!

[Jowbo]

https://boardgamearena.com/8/gaiaprojec ... =363576353 , Jowbo 179 - Ultoma 146 focus economy and then early pi for alot of federations. But didnt work out in points, can be better

Did 2 more approaches

https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=363754423 Jowbo 192 - Ultoma 146 Science approach

https://boardgamearena.com/gamereview?table=363745659 Jowbo 191 - Ultoma 146 Economy approach

Both roughly score the same for me. Hard to score more for me, the AI takes all planets so fast and goes qic track up first to get the fed tile and rushing fed tile is no use cause you have no federations if you want to beat the AI there

[kespie]

kespie 206 vs 120 Automa - https://boardgamearena.com/7/gaiaprojec ... =363816296 - nav2, then terra, then top AI for 25 vp adv tech (Ultoma takes it but Automa not! - ah I now see that Orang3p33l had the same observation)

And for fun, something completely different, with the 3vp/gaia
kespie 186 vs 117 Automa - https://boardgamearena.com/1/gaiaprojec ... =363961701 - top nav and top gaia. Too bad there aren't good adv techs up there

[Jowbo]

https://boardgamearena.com/7/gaiaprojec ... =363985042 - Jowbo 213 - Automa 120. Against automa it leaves the advanced tech tile indeed. Can score higher that way . went everything up a little bit, there probably are better ways

[montybojangles]

And for fun, something completely different, with the 3vp/gaia
kespie 186 vs 117 Automa - https://boardgamearena.com/1/gaiaprojec ... =363961701

Fun and something completely different (gaiaforming) are encouraged for the challenge! Nice game.

Against automa it leaves the advanced tech tile indeed. Can score higher that way .

Good game! In this case the GP automa does reflect well a multiplayer game: an experienced Xenos player would not let Ambas get this tech (5VP/fed); a less experienced one might leave it or get their track tempo wrong.

Scores updated.

[kespie]

kespie 214 vs 120 Automa - https://boardgamearena.com/8/gaiaprojec ... =364199401. Very careful approach with nav2, science, terra, ai, and both good adv techs

kespie 216 vs 123 Automa - https://boardgamearena.com/7/gaiaprojec ... =364801123. Nav, sci, terra, AI. More straightforward approach this time . Taking the +7c power action often was crucial. Quite many surplus resources at the end, so probably some improvement possible by taking e.g. another qic action before R6, or passing a bit earlier for better booster. Another fed is not possible though I think. Oh I also see now that one more mine would improve the score a little (now tied for 2nd place)

Finally, perfection...
kespie 231 vs 120 Automa - https://boardgamearena.com/5/gaiaprojec ... =364805759. Nav, sci, AI/terra. I allowed Automa to take the Gaia planet in the centre, so I would have more cheap upgrade spots for TS (and more power income). Later, I used an additional qic to fly past that planet and take those tasty 'southern' planets (green and brown). In round 5 I prioritized AI so I could take one additional QIC action for points. And somehow the new course of events also made for a better booster sequence.
However... it feels like a very artificial achievement (although I love the puzzle). This score in such an Ambas-unfriendly setup is only possible because after a number of tries you know exactly what the Automa will do. In a competitive game, 170-180 would already be quite an achievement here I think.
Maybe it is a good idea for the next challenge to also fix the Automa level? The game is really different with a different Automa level.