User Guide

WELCOME TO ALPHA CENTAURI
CHAPTER 2
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aggression. (Keep such defensive forces small—no more than two units per
base in the years immediately after Planetfall. Otherwise they’ll become expen-
sive to maintain, and rapidly become obsolete.)
If you prefer the conqueror’s role, you can put your whole faction on a military
footing, building multiple units per base for a massive invasion force. Obviously,
you probably shouldn’t invest too much time and resources into an operation
until you’ve encountered the enemy and know where they’re located.
THE TURN
Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri is a turn-based game. Each turn corresponds to
one Chiron year. Mission Year 2100, Planetfall, is the first Chiron year.
Each turn follows the same pattern.
1. Planet & Enemy Faction move. All native and enemy units make their
moves (including attacks). You see any such movements that fall within the
limits of your sensors. The leaders of the other factions may contact you.
2. Faction Update. You are advised of any completed enhancements, research
or units. (You can customize your preferences for updates; see Warning
Preferences, p.199.) You may set a new goal for each base when a project
is completed, or you may use the defaults. As time progresses, you are
offered opportunities to upgrade units, and may receive updates of your
progress at unraveling the secrets of this new world.
3. Player Move. You (and all other player-controlled factions, in multiplayer games)
may move units at this time. You are taken, in turn, to each unit that is:
• not “holding” in a defensive position, or “asleep” within a transport unit.
• not already engaged in a multi-turn action.
During this time, you may also freely change your preferences, or change
orders to bases or any units (whether or not they’re already engaged in orders),
contact other faction leaders, inspect visible portions of the map, and review
all available data.