#11 - Solo Challenge [July 2023] ENDED

[LeonardQuirm]

LeonardQuirm 188 vs Automa 119 - my first time taking part in one of these challenges, although I've been playing solo Gaia Project for the last few weeks. I had intended this to be a practice run of the two factions before taking the challenge on properly, but realised after the fact that the default seed was the specified one so I guess I've done it in full anyway!

https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=393514876 Ended the game with all structures built except for one mine and all my trading posts, and managed to max out three tech tracks (Terraforming, Navigation, Economy) but no advanced Tech tiles.

[Cazi]

Cazi 183 vs Automachtig 146 – https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=393950109 – Economy/Navigation/Terraforming – founded 4 federations, won both end-game objectives, got lost planet and 18 points from the advanced tech for built mines, not too many points from qic actions (only did once in last turn a copy-one-fed action).

[montybojangles]

Update, slightly better try with same approach [science and gaiaforming]:
kespie 243 vs 116 Automa - https://boardgamearena.com/4/gaiaprojec ... =393751491 - science, nav2, gaia

A great score, you've squeezed out a big increase for gaiaforming.

Core mistake I made throughout the game was building placement and upgrades; I wasn't near the automa enough to benefit from charging like Taklons should (only spent -6VP on passive charging)

Small things can make big differences: building on the lefthand grey planet in R1 blocked the automa building up to an Academy on it.

My first time taking part in one of these challenges ... Managed to max out three tech tracks (Terraforming, Navigation, Economy) but no advanced Tech tiles.

Well done on a good first-time score. Advanced techs can rack up big points: for example, Cazi made 18 from the one at the top of nav.

Score lists updated.

[BlueCrake]

BlueCrake 196 vs Automächtig 146
https://boardgamearena.com/9/gaiaprojec ... =394157490
Found the 2 RL R1 start after many aborted ideas. Then went for the advanced tech bonus for progress on econ and built the game around that and no science/gaia track.

[John Leo]

John Leo 199 vs Automa 116

This is my first time trying the solo challenge, but I'm pretty happy with my score. Completely ignored science and gaiaformers, which I think was a mistake. I did grab two advanced tech tiles and made a comically large, 10-satellite federation on the last turn.

https://boardgamearena.com/10/gaiaproje ... =394151656

[pepealas]

Pepealas 270 vs Automa 116. https://boardgamearena.com/8/gaiaprojec ... =394269056

I did some mistakes on the last 3 turns. 280+ is possible. "Start with eco, get points on every round, 4 feds.
Main mistakes using QIC cubes in "dumb" things at round 5. Also some mistakes recharging energy on last 3 turns.

[pepealas]

Pepealas 275 vs Automa 116. https://boardgamearena.com/1/gaiaprojec ... =394276768

Same strategy still some mistakes. It is hard not to lose charging.

Pepealas 278 vs 116 Automa. https://boardgamearena.com/4/gaiaprojec ... =394299054

Easy 280+. Mistakes doing charge on 6th.

[Gantonaci]

gantonaci 213 vs Automa Normal 166 – https://boardgamearena.com/10/gaiaproje ... =394313636

[montybojangles]

Interesting map! I wonder if 225 might be enough to win this.

Oops

Pepealas 278 vs Automa 116.

Whoa! I need to lie down: that's an amazing score. Well done with your analysis of points-scoring opportunities.

It's nice to see new players doing the solo challenge. Welcome!

I'm pretty happy with my score. Completely ignored science and gaiaformers, which I think was a mistake.

We like happiness on this forum . The arrangement of tiles is offers some good points for science and gaiaforming but not the best scores?

Score lists updated.

[kespie]

@Pepealas Nice approach with the two academies, when I try it I get to 269 (https://boardgamearena.com/8/gaiaprojec ... =394971378), not so easy to squeeze out 280. Main other differences seem to be your relatively early PI, and taking the Lost Planet. I'm not convinced of the early PI (easy enough to get sufficient tokens even if built in R6 for more points) but I did underrate the Lost Planet I think.

Update: here's the first 280 (but 75% of the credits go to Pepealas for the fantastic two academy approach followed by extreme mine spree in R3)

kespie 280 vs 116 Automa - https://boardgamearena.com/8/gaiaprojec ... =395037327 - 2RL+2M opening, then 2 Acs, then mine spree. Eco focus, eco adv tech, then nav (with lost planet), finally terra and AI. Contantly low on power tokens for maximum leverage of brainstone. Finished with 20 coin, could probably squeeze in e.g. one more qic action in R4 or so instead of the last TS?