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Terra Invicta is, without question, dense. Its complexity makes for furious competition and brilliant strategizing, but it can also deter newcomers who find it too difficult. The game’s learning curve is a mountain, but those who learn to scale it have a gaming experience unlike any other. Here are some essential tips to help players just beginning their Terra Invicta journey.
6 Resist First
Terra Invicta has a lot of depth and a high learning curve. These factors make getting into the game difficult for many beginners. That said, there is one simple choice that players can make that will eliminate many unnecessary headaches: play as the Resistance.
Like most great strategy games, Terra Invicta has multiple playable factions. Each comes with its own pros, cons, and preferred playstyles. Experimenting with different factions and their associated strategies is a huge part of the fun in this game, but starting off by playing as the Resistance is an easy recommendation. The Resistance is the only faction that has a built-in tutorial, introducing the player to many of the game’s complex systems. Once the player is more familiar with the basics they can dive into other factions.
5 Absorb The Tech Tree
There’s no getting around it: Terra Invicta has one of the largest, most complicated, and most intimidating tech trees around. When the time comes to research new technology, the player will find themselves staring at this mess of names and lines for a long time. How is one supposed to know the relative importance of Z-Pinch Techniques versus Arrival Security? What do those terms even mean?
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The in-game objectives will help guide the player by telling them what to focus their research on. It’s a good idea to heed these instructions since they will make navigating the tech tree much easier for beginners. Beyond that, the simplest path to take is to simply invest in whatever technologies sound interesting or exciting. There will be plenty of time to figure out which technologies are the best overall, which have useful synergies, and which are fun but impractical. Dive in and don’t think about it too much at first.
4 Early Game
Terra Invicta isn’t fixated on micromanagement the way that RTS games are, but it shares many of the same concerns on a larger scale. Taking and maintaining control of territory is one of the most important. The early game comprises the first year or so, during which most of the player’s attention will be focused on trying to secure and control zones. Those that are friendly to the player and have good Public Opinion are some of the best options.
Unlike some games in which more territory is always better, it’s important not to spread oneself too thin in Terra Invicta.The player has a Control Point Cap, and the more territories the player claims, the closer they get to reaching that cap. Exceeding it comes at a significant cost to Influence, so it’s vital that the player not spread themselves too thin. Instead, focus on areas that can reasonably and cost-effectively be controlled and maintained as well as those that will give the player maximum rewards for their effort.
3 Mid-Game
In the mid-game, Boost becomes a critical resource. Boost represents the player’s ability to propel materials into Low Orbit and space via rockets. It is chiefly generated by nations with space programs. Having a Councilor with the ability to Defend Interests is extremely helpful at this stage, as it allows the player to secure their hard-won Control Points against enemy activities.
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The mid-game is also when the player’s focus begins to shift towards construction in space. Prior to taking that step, however, it’s a good idea to survey one’s competition on earth. After all, the player isn’t alone in trying to seize control of territory and its resources. Checking on what the other factions have been doing and how they have distributed their own resources makes a huge difference. Having good intel on which to act can make the difference between victory and defeat in many cases.
2 End-Game
In a strategy game this hardcore, there’s no guarantee the player will even reach the end-game. If they do, their problems are far from over. By this point, the player finally has access to spaceships, and no good sci-fi story is complete without the possibility of weaponizing these ships. All the player’s hard work has been building up to the moment when they can field a fleet and high-quality space stations with which to finish off the competition.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of fuel at this point. The usefulness of a fleet is determined in part by how far it can travel. If there’s an essential journey that the player must make, only to discover that their ships only have enough fuel for a one-way trip, things are about to get complicated. Pay particular attention to the placement of space stations, as they are vital for refueling and keeping one’s fleet active.
1 Be Willing To Lose
Learning any new game can be a challenge. From the simplest cozy game to the most technical and difficult fighting game, every new world is a chance to struggle as much as a chance to shine. While some players may find this prospect daunting, it’s something that needs to be embraced in Terra Invicta. In a game this complicated, it’s impossible to play optimally from the very beginning. The player will make mistakes, and that’s okay.
Struggling is part of how one learns in Terra Invicta. Whether the issue is resource management, mobilization logistics, or orbital construction, there’s so much going on that it’s easy to be overwhelmed. The best way to develop one’s skills and learn more about the dos and don’ts of strategic thinking is to jump right in and play some games. With time Terra Invicta will open itself up, and the player will see that beautiful victory screen.
Terra Invicta is available now for PC.
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