Difference between revisions of "Comms console"

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<onlyinclude>
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{{Infobox main|misc
{{infobox main|misc|
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| name = Comms console
|name = Comms console
+
| image = Comms console south.png
|description = Allows radio contact with remote traders as well as other factions for trade and diplomacy.
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| description = Allows radio contact with other factions and [[Trade#Orbital|orbital traders]].
|image = CommsConsole.png|160px{{!}}Comms console
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| type = Building
|info = Allows trading.
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| type2 = Misc
|type = Miscellaneous
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| placeable = true
|type2 = Trade
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| path cost = 50
|placeable = Yes
+
| passability = pass through only
|size = 3 ˣ 2
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| blockswind = true
|hp = 250
+
| cover = 0.5
|efficiency =  
+
| minifiable = false
|power = - 200
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| size = 3 ˣ 2
|flammability = 0.6
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| flammability = 0.6
|work to make = 2200
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| hp = 250
|resource 1 = Steel
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| power = -200
|resource 1 amount = 120  
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| terrain affordance = medium
|resource 2 = Component
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| research = microelectronics
|resource 2 amount = 4
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| skill 1 = Construction
|deconstruct yield = {{icon|steel|90}} + {{icon|component|3}}
+
| skill 1 level = 5
 +
| work to make = 2200
 +
| resource 1 = Steel
 +
| resource 1 amount = 120
 +
| resource 2 = Component
 +
| resource 2 amount = 4
 
}}
 
}}
</onlyinclude>
+
A '''comms console''' is used to [[trade]] with passing [[Trade#Orbital|orbital trader vessels]] and communicate with other [[factions]].  
A '''comms console''' is used to [[trade]] with passing interstellar trader vessels or for communicating with other factions, and is locked behind the microelectronics basics research. You will not receive any notifications about passing trade ships until it is built or if the electric power is cut off due to solar flare. It cannot be reinstalled.
 
  
A comms console not under a roof will cause shorts during rain or snow.  Take care with placement outdoors, despite them being depicted with satellite dishes on top.
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== Acquisition ==
 +
{{Acquisition}}
  
== Usage ==  
+
== Summary ==  
Select a colonist and right-click the comms console.
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Ordering a colonist to use the console via right-clicking it will bring up a menu showing the available factions or [[trade]] ships. Selecting an option will send the pawn to the console. Once the colonist reaches the console, the selected contact will be activated. Pawns that are [[incapable|incapable of Social]] will not be able to call anyone.
  
[[File:Ludeon Securities.png|500px]]
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Despite being depicted with satellite dishes, a comms console can and should be placed under a [[roof]]. Unroofed comms consoles will short-circuit during [[rain]] or snow.
  
==Options==  
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=== Trade ships ===
Ordering a colonist to use the console will bring up a menu showing the available factions or trade ships.
+
Trade ships randomly appear as part of an [[Events#(Trader type)|event]]. You will be automatically notified when a trade ship appears if a comms console is powered (ships can still arrive unannounced during a [[Events#Solarflare|solar flare]], for example). In any case, the ship leaves in 16 hours, or {{Ticks|40000}}, after arrival.
  
When interacting with an allied faction, you can request [[trade|trade caravans]] from them. Doing so will cost 15 goodwill and brings up a menu asking which type of trade caravan is desired. After a caravan has been requested, you can make another petition after 4 days.
+
A powered [[orbital trade beacon]] is required to initate trade, and items must be placed in a beacon's radius to be traded. While it may seem logical that a passing orbital trader could be contacted from any colony with a comms console, the game does not work like that. Any orbital trade notification is tied to a specific colony, and ''only'' that colony has the option to trade with them.
  
In addition, you can request immediate military aid from allied factions. This costs 25 goodwill. Only outlanders will send reinforcements in the form of drop pods, while tribes will politely decline.
+
Trade ships from the [[empire]] {{RoyaltyIcon}} will only appear if a colonist holds the [[title]] of Baron or higher.
  
== Notes ==
+
=== Factions ===
* While it may seem logical that you could contact a passing trader with a comms console from any colony, the game does not work like that. Every orbital trade request is tied to a specific colony.
+
At a comms console, you can call on any human [[faction]] to ask for the following:
* Due to unsafe weather conditions it may be impossible to call on an ally. This includes temperature, making it very difficult for colonies in the extreme desert biome to contact their allies.
+
* Request [[trade|trade caravans]]. Ask a faction to send a trader of your choosing (bulk goods, combat supplier, exotic goods). The faction must be an [[ally]]. This costs 15 [[goodwill]], and has a cooldown of 4 days.
 +
* Request immediate military aid. Friendly "raiders" arrive via [[drop pod]]. Tribal factions will politely decline, and the faction must be an [[ally]]. This costs 25 [[goodwill]], and has a cooldown of 24 hours.
 +
*Request location of a [[persona core]]. Creates an item stash [[quest]] containing the persona core. This can only be done once [[Research#Starflight Basics|Starflight Basics]] has been researched, and requires 40+ [[goodwill]] with the faction. This costs 1500 [[silver]].
  
{{nav|misc|wide}}
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Due to unsafe weather conditions, it may be impossible to call on an ally. This is mainly from [[temperature]], making it more difficult for colonies in extreme hot or cold [[biome]]s to rely upon their allies.
 +
 
 +
[[File:Ludeon Securities.png|400px|thumb|right|Comms console (center) listing an orbital exotic goods trader and local world factions.]]
 +
 
 +
=== Diabolus ===
 +
{{Main|Diabolus}}
 +
A [[mechanitor]]{{BiotechIcon}} can use a powered comms console to summon a [[diabolus]], which will eventually arrive at your colony. This has a cooldown of 2 days and does not consume the building.
 +
 
 +
=== Children ===
 +
{{Main|Children#Learning}}
 +
[[Children]]{{BiotechIcon}} will use the comms console for ''Radio talking'', which fulfills their Learning need. Using the comms console for other purposes disrupts their play.
 +
 
 +
== Analysis ==
 +
Comms consoles are ultimately not vital to a colony's progression, but are very valuable tools when used correctly. Sharing its research with the [[hi-tech research bench]], colonies will naturally unlock the ability to build one. Note that it cannot be uninstalled, only deconstructed, so plan before you place it.
 +
 
 +
Trade ships are uncommon, but they can provide vast amounts of buyable materials, from [[steel]] and [[plasteel]] to [[component]]s to [[neutroamine]], without having to create a [[caravan]]. These types of materials can bottleneck a colony's advancement. The further away neutral/friendly [[faction base]]s are, the more useful trade ships become. Trade ships will often buy and sell items that are impractical with caravans, including large supplies of [[stone blocks]], which can save a tremendous amount of time in constructing a base. Of course, a means of [[Money making guide|making money]] is almost required to actually buy things from trade ships.
 +
 
 +
===Allies===
 +
Most other uses of the comms console all require an [[ally|allied]] faction. Outlanders are preferred allies for trade due to their higher tech level, and thus higher tech items on offer. The [[Empire]] {{RoyaltyIcon}} will only trade with a [[titles|Knight/Dame]] or higher, but is even more advanced. Also, only outlanders and the Empire are at a high enough tech level to send immediate military aid.
 +
 
 +
Caravans might cost goodwill to call, but being able to specify the trader type and call them almost at will means that large volumes of merchandise can be bought and sold without running into the restock timers of [[faction base]]s, or the infrequency of trade ships. It is advisable to gift some portion of what you intend to sell, in order to make up for the net goodwill loss from calling the caravan. Assuming the caravans are being fully exploited for their silver and goods, this is typically only a fraction of the value each call should extract - calling caravans should easily remain profitable.
 +
 
 +
Finally, asking for the [[persona core]] is the most consistent way of actually getting the core.
 +
 
 +
== Gallery ==
 +
<gallery>
 +
Comms console south.png|Facing south
 +
Comms console north.png|Facing north
 +
Comms console east.png|Facing east
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
== Version history ==
 +
* [[Biotech]] Release - Can now be used to summon the [[Diabolus]].
 +
* [[Version/1.4.3530|1.4.3530]] - Fix: Comms console diabolus threat cannot  be called by mechanitors if mech faction is disabled.
 +
* [[Version/1.4.3531|1.4.3531]] - Update the comms console spawned message to give more info on mech bosses.
 +
* [[Version/1.4.3555|1.4.3555]] - Super-mechanoids cannot be called when there is already another super-mechanoid on the way.
 +
<gallery>
 +
Comms console old.png|The old comms console texture
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
{{Nav|misc|wide}}
 
[[Category:Miscellaneous]]
 
[[Category:Miscellaneous]]
[[Category:Buildings]]
 
 
[[Category:Trade]]
 
[[Category:Trade]]

Latest revision as of 21:41, 25 September 2024

Comms console

Comms console

Allows radio contact with other factions and orbital traders.

Base Stats

Type
BuildingMisc
Market Value
365 Silver [Note]
HP
250
Flammability
60%
Path Cost
50 (21%)

Building

Size
3 × 2
Minifiable
False
Placeable
True
Passability
pass through only
Cover Effectiveness
50%
Blocks Wind
True
Terrain Affordance
Medium
Power
-200 W

Creation

Required Research
Microelectronics
Skill Required
Construction 5
Work To Make
2,200 ticks (36.67 secs)
Resources to make
Steel 120 + Component 4
Deconstruct yield
Steel 60 + Component 2
Destroy yield
Steel 30 + Component 1

A comms console is used to trade with passing orbital trader vessels and communicate with other factions.

Acquisition[edit]

Comms consoles can be constructed once the microelectronics research project has been completed. Each requires Steel 120 Steel, Component 4 Components, 2,200 ticks (36.67 secs) of work modified by the construction speed of the builder, and a construction skill of 5.

Once constructed, they cannot be re-installed, they can only be deconstructed.

Summary[edit]

Ordering a colonist to use the console via right-clicking it will bring up a menu showing the available factions or trade ships. Selecting an option will send the pawn to the console. Once the colonist reaches the console, the selected contact will be activated. Pawns that are incapable of Social will not be able to call anyone.

Despite being depicted with satellite dishes, a comms console can and should be placed under a roof. Unroofed comms consoles will short-circuit during rain or snow.

Trade ships[edit]

Trade ships randomly appear as part of an event. You will be automatically notified when a trade ship appears if a comms console is powered (ships can still arrive unannounced during a solar flare, for example). In any case, the ship leaves in 16 hours, or 40,000 ticks (11.11 mins), after arrival.

A powered orbital trade beacon is required to initate trade, and items must be placed in a beacon's radius to be traded. While it may seem logical that a passing orbital trader could be contacted from any colony with a comms console, the game does not work like that. Any orbital trade notification is tied to a specific colony, and only that colony has the option to trade with them.

Trade ships from the empire Content added by the Royalty DLC will only appear if a colonist holds the title of Baron or higher.

Factions[edit]

At a comms console, you can call on any human faction to ask for the following:

  • Request trade caravans. Ask a faction to send a trader of your choosing (bulk goods, combat supplier, exotic goods). The faction must be an ally. This costs 15 goodwill, and has a cooldown of 4 days.
  • Request immediate military aid. Friendly "raiders" arrive via drop pod. Tribal factions will politely decline, and the faction must be an ally. This costs 25 goodwill, and has a cooldown of 24 hours.
  • Request location of a persona core. Creates an item stash quest containing the persona core. This can only be done once Starflight Basics has been researched, and requires 40+ goodwill with the faction. This costs 1500 silver.

Due to unsafe weather conditions, it may be impossible to call on an ally. This is mainly from temperature, making it more difficult for colonies in extreme hot or cold biomes to rely upon their allies.

Comms console (center) listing an orbital exotic goods trader and local world factions.

Diabolus[edit]

A mechanitorContent added by the Biotech DLC can use a powered comms console to summon a diabolus, which will eventually arrive at your colony. This has a cooldown of 2 days and does not consume the building.

Children[edit]

ChildrenContent added by the Biotech DLC will use the comms console for Radio talking, which fulfills their Learning need. Using the comms console for other purposes disrupts their play.

Analysis[edit]

Comms consoles are ultimately not vital to a colony's progression, but are very valuable tools when used correctly. Sharing its research with the hi-tech research bench, colonies will naturally unlock the ability to build one. Note that it cannot be uninstalled, only deconstructed, so plan before you place it.

Trade ships are uncommon, but they can provide vast amounts of buyable materials, from steel and plasteel to components to neutroamine, without having to create a caravan. These types of materials can bottleneck a colony's advancement. The further away neutral/friendly faction bases are, the more useful trade ships become. Trade ships will often buy and sell items that are impractical with caravans, including large supplies of stone blocks, which can save a tremendous amount of time in constructing a base. Of course, a means of making money is almost required to actually buy things from trade ships.

Allies[edit]

Most other uses of the comms console all require an allied faction. Outlanders are preferred allies for trade due to their higher tech level, and thus higher tech items on offer. The Empire Content added by the Royalty DLC will only trade with a Knight/Dame or higher, but is even more advanced. Also, only outlanders and the Empire are at a high enough tech level to send immediate military aid.

Caravans might cost goodwill to call, but being able to specify the trader type and call them almost at will means that large volumes of merchandise can be bought and sold without running into the restock timers of faction bases, or the infrequency of trade ships. It is advisable to gift some portion of what you intend to sell, in order to make up for the net goodwill loss from calling the caravan. Assuming the caravans are being fully exploited for their silver and goods, this is typically only a fraction of the value each call should extract - calling caravans should easily remain profitable.

Finally, asking for the persona core is the most consistent way of actually getting the core.

Gallery[edit]

Version history[edit]

  • Biotech Release - Can now be used to summon the Diabolus.
  • 1.4.3530 - Fix: Comms console diabolus threat cannot be called by mechanitors if mech faction is disabled.
  • 1.4.3531 - Update the comms console spawned message to give more info on mech bosses.
  • 1.4.3555 - Super-mechanoids cannot be called when there is already another super-mechanoid on the way.