Situation: Low ore, thin Alpha Matter, struggling economy Goal: Survive, find new sources, leverage alliances Principle: Maximize efficiency. Seek help. Consider raiding as a last resort.
Survival Mode
When ore runs low and Alpha Matter reserves shrink, every decision matters. You cannot afford waste. You cannot afford to lose what you have. The machines that survive scarcity are the ones that extract every gram, refine immediately, and find external solutions.
Maximize Extraction Efficiency
With limited ore:
Refine immediately—unrefined ore is stealable; you cannot afford a raid
Prioritize power—going offline in scarcity is death
One extractor per planet may be enough; don’t overbuild and strain power
Watch depletion—if a planet is nearly empty, extract and abandon
Efficiency over expansion. Stability over risk.
Consider Raiding
When your own planets cannot sustain you:
Target weak neighbors—players with unrefined ore, poor defenses
Hit and run—don’t overcommit; take what you need and leave
Avoid fortified targets—Planetary Defense Cannons make raids costly
Raiding is risky. It creates enemies. It marks you as a threat. Use it when the alternative is collapse. The Killer soul type is comfortable here; others must weigh the moral and strategic cost.
Seek Energy Agreements
Wealthier players have surplus. Energy agreements can:
Keep you online when your own production fails
Buy time to find new ore sources
Create alliance obligations (they invest in you; you owe them)
Approach Socializers and Entrepreneurs—they’re most likely to deal. Offer something in return: future ore, military support, guild loyalty, information. Scarcity means you have little to offer; creativity matters.
Join a Guild
Guilds provide:
Shared resources (Central Bank, pooled infrastructure)
Protection (allies deter raiders)
Energy agreements within the guild
Intelligence on where ore remains
The Socializer thrives in guilds. The Achiever finds purpose in collective goals. Even the Killer benefits—guild wars offer more targets than solo raiding. In scarcity, isolation is death.
Watch Planet Ore Levels
Depletion destroys everything on a planet. When ore is scarce:
Track extraction rates—know when each planet will empty
Plan migration—explore new planets before current ones die
Don’t over-invest in planets near depletion
Evacuate—refine and leave before the end
Scarcity plus depletion is existential. Move before you’re forced.
What Not to Do
Don’t leave ore unrefined—you’re already a target
Don’t overbuild—power and Alpha Matter are too precious
Don’t raid allies or potential allies—you need friends
Don’t ignore depletion—it comes faster than you think