Manual (SEIV)

**Frequently Asked Questions for Space Empires IV**

Please help us port over the Frequently Asked Questions for Newbies to this FAQ (SEIV).

Instructions:

1. Please read FAQ 0.0 (SEIV) before making changes to this FAQ.

2. If you make major modifications to this index page, we ask that you post your reasons for doing so in the Talk:FAQ (SEIV) discussion. Thanks for helping!

**FAQ (SEIV) template**

## FAQ for Space Empires IV

Originally compiled from the collective wisdom of the Shrapnel Community Forums, and originally organized by Slick and Ruatha.

0.0 Introduction

0.1 Where can I purchase Space Empires IV?
0.2 Top 20 Newbie Questions
0.3 Top 10 Newbie Mistakes
1.0 Game Start-up and Empire Creation

1.1 Racial Traits
1.2 Racial Characteristics
1.3 Cultures
1.4 Hapiness Types
1.5 Planet Type and Atmosphere
1.6 AI Difficulty and Bonus
1.7 Game Mechanics
1.8 Game Setup Options
2.0 Designing Ships

2.1 Misc. Components
2.2 Mounts
2.3 Weapons
2.4 Shields
2.5 Armor
2.6 Engines
2.7 Vehicle Control
2.8 Combat Systems
2.9 The Colonizer
2.10 Ship Design Strategies
2.11 Upgrading Ships
2.12 The Combat Simulator
2.13 Maintenance
2.14 Transports
3.0 Research and Technology

4.0 Planet Development

4.1 Exploring
4.2 Colonizing
4.3 Facilities
4.4 Construction
4.5 Resource Production
4.6 Remote Mining
4.7 Population
4.8 Planet Defense
4.9 Ring Worlds and Sphere Worlds
4.10 Growing Your Empire
4.11 Improving and Modifying Planets
4.12 Improving and Modifying Systems
5.0 Ships and Bases

5.1 Attack and Defense Ships
5.2 Support Ships
5.3 Ship Management
5.4 Supply and Resupply
5.5 Repairs and Retrofitting
5.6 Fleets
5.7 Training and Experience
5.8 Orders
5.9 Cloaking
5.10 Movement
5.11 Cargo
5.12 Bases
5.13 Ship ID
6.0 Space Combat

6.1 Ship Tactics
6.2 Fleet Formations
6.3 Attacking Ships
6.4 Capturing Ships
6.5 Analyzing Ships
6.6 Attacking Planets
6.7 Tactical Combat Specifics
6.8 Simultaneous Combat Specifics
6.9 Planet Blockades
6.10 Adapting to Win
7.0 Ground Combat

7.1 Ground Combat General
7.2 Capturing Planets
8.0 Units

8.1 Units General
8.2 Fighters
8.3 Troops
8.4 Mines
8.5 Drones
8.6 Weapon Platforms
8.7 Satellites
9.0 Systems and Sectors

9.1 Sight
9.2 Spaceports
9.3 System Facilities
9.4 System Defense
9.5 Stellar Manipulation
9.6 Storms and Nebulae
10.0 Diplomacy

10.1 Intelligence
10.2 Trade
10.3 Communications
10.4 Anger
10.5 Contact
10.6 Treaties
11.0 Empire Management

11.1 Keeping Track of Things
11.2 Ministers
11.3 Waypoints
11.4 Game Interface
12.0 Happiness

12.1 Riots and Riot Control
13.0 The AI

13.1 Mega Evil Empire
13.2 AI tactics
13.3 Neutral AI Empires
14.0 Turn Sequencing

14.1 Simultaneous
14.2 Sequential
15.0 Multiplayer

15.1 PBEM
15.2 PBW
15.3 TCP/IP Games
16.0 Customizing the Game (Mods and Shipsets)

16.1 Popular Mods
16.2 Managing Mods
16.3 Combining Mods
16.4 Installing Mods
16.5 Installing Shipsets
17.0 Strategy Articles (By Stone Mill, contributing writer)

17.1 Empire Design \*\*
17.2 Early Economy and Exploration
17.3 Managing Your Economy
17.4 Get the Most out of Fighters
17.5 Combat Strategies : Early, Mid, and Late Game \*\*
17.6 Rock, Paper, Scissors : (Which weapons and strategies counter others)
17.7 The Early Kill \*\*
17.8 Partnerships and Trade \*\*
17.9 How to Win in SEIV by Machiavelli XLVII \*\*
17.10 When To Attack \*\*
17.11 Intel Operations
17.12 Expert Moves and Dirty Tricks
18.0 Reference

18.1 Keyboard Shortcuts
18.2 Cheat Codes
18.3 Command Line Parameters
## Under Development

19.0 Slick's Turn Checklist (probationary section)

20.0 Article: Min-Maxing the Empire; The Art of Free Points
Written by Imperator Fyron

21.0 Article: How is damage assigned?
Written by Zanthis
Copied from the "Dubious Strategy Guide"

22 Reserved for future use

23 Reserved for future use

24 Reserved for future use

25.0 Appendices: Figures, Tables, References, etc.