User manual GAMES PC MASTER OF ORION

[. . . ] MASTER OF ORION MicroProse Software The Ridge, Chipping Sodbury, Avon BS17 6AY Tel: 0454 329510 All rights reserved Copyright ©1993 by MicroProse Software, Inc. Ma r ste OF This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without permission, with the exception of quoting brief passages for the purpose of review. Printing: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Printed in the UK Master of Orion is a trademark of MicroProse Software, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. Tandy is a registered trademark of Tandy Corporation Master of Orion CONTENTS Credits Introduction . [. . . ] At the end of the year, if you do nothing to change relations, the diplomatic scale will move back toward the neutral setting for both races. Negative Diplomatic Actions: · espionage · sabotage · excessive military buildup along borders · attacking a fleet · killing off planetary populations · using biological weapons against ANY race · possessing too many planets · previously broken treaties Positive Diplomatic Actions: · tribute · trading · non-aggression pacts and alliances · attacking a mutual enemy An accidental encounter over an uncontrolled star system will damage relations, but attacking an enemy colony almost certainly leads to war. Furthermore using biological weapons will make all races distrust you. Enemy emperors will remember your actions. Every time war is declared or a treaty is broken, a permanent diplomacy penalty is assigned to any future dealings. Therefore, if you consistently break treaties and attack an opponent, he will be very unwilling to form new treaties and will only accept trades which benefit him more than you. Non-aggression pacts and alliances do not immediately effect your diplomatic relations, but instead improve the relations as long as the treaty is enforced. Trade also improves relations, but not as much as a non-aggression pact or alliance. KLACKON workers are incredibly productive. BLACK WIDOW 39 DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS (CONT. ) DESTROYER Finally, there will come a time when one empire recognizes its superior position and will attempt to eliminate all weaker competitors to win the game. At this time no amount of tribute will prevent the enemy from attacking. Declarations of War: Once war has been declared, the enemy withdraws their ambassadors and existing treaties and trade agreements are broken. Until relations stabilize, the ambassadors will not return to even talk over peace agreements. You can increase your opponent's willingness to sue for peace by successfully attacking ships and destroying his colonies. On the other hand, if they are succeeding, they will not be eager to discuss peace. If neither side attacks for a while, relations will eventually stabilize, ambassadors will return and be willing to negotiate for peace. Starting Diplomatic Relations: When play begins, each race starts with a diplomacy rating that reflects their suspicions and prejudices concerning the other races in the game. Then, as the game goes and the diplomacy ratings change, relations will always gravitate back toward the starting diplomacy setting. Therefore, if you wish to remain allied with another race, you must continually perform positive diplomatic actions. The table below shows the starting diplomatic relations for each race. Note that the Humans in general are the most favoured, while everyone hates the Darloks. Races Alkari Mrrshan Humans Klackons Meklars Psilons Darloks Sakkra Silicoids Bulrathi Alkari ------ Restless Relaxed Unease Neutral Neutral Unease Unease Neutral Neutral Mrrshan Restless ------ Relaxed Unease Neutral Neutral Unease Wary Neutral Unease Humans Klackons Meklars Relaxed Relaxed ------ Relaxed Relaxed Relaxed Relaxed Relaxed Relaxed Relaxed Unease Unease Relaxed ------ Neutral Neutral Unease Unease Relaxed Neutral Neutral Neutral Relaxed Neutral ------ Neutral Unease Unease Relaxed Neutral Psilons Neutral Neutral Relaxed Neutral Neutral ------ Unease Neutral Neutral Neutral Darloks Unease Unease Relaxed Unease Unease Unease ------ Unease Unease Unease Sakkra Unease Wary Relaxed Unease Unease Neutral Unease ------ Neutral Neutral Silicoids Neutral Neutral Relaxed Unease Relaxed Neutral Unease Neutral ------ Neutral Bulrathi Neutral Unease Relaxed Neutral Neutral Neutral Unease Neutral Neutral ------ 40 TRADE AND TRIBUTE Trade: By exchanging trade goods with your opponents, you are actually receiving needed resources that will increase your total income while improving your relations with the race that you are trading with. As long as you are not actively engaged in a war with a race, you will be able to trade with them. By signing a trade treaty, you agree to exchange a specified amount each year, up to 25% of the lesser player's production total. Both players then receive a percentage return based on the number of years the treaty has been established. [. . . ] The computer rating is added to the launching starship's battle computer mark for calculating the effective attack level of the missile. Ships equipped with missiles have a limited supply of drones, chosen when the ship is designed. Missile supplies are replenished after combat. Torpedoes, on the other hand, can fire endlessly, but the launchers only fire every other turn. [. . . ]