Campaign: Can't build Crystal Foundry

from Elemental Forums

I just bought the game last night and made sure to update it to the latest patch on Impulse before playing.

I just got to Capitar, defeated the ogre, and founded an outpost. I'm at the part where I need to build a crystal foundry to collect 25 crystal...but...it won't let me build the foundry! The button to build it is grayed out, telling me I don't have the appropriate technology. I have Relias stationed in the city...and still nothing.

I'm also unable to make iron mines--despite Tarth suggesting I make a city near some mines.

Am I missing something?

5,506 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

The technology for crystal is under the magic section of the tech tree. I don't recall the exact progression at the moment. It is, however, relatively easy to research. It should not take you long.

As for the iron mines--just to clarify--do you have one in sight that you can build your city next to? Iron is a resource that has to be harvested.

You are playing the beta, correct?

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

I had read that for the campaign, the tech tree is disabled--when I try to go to the research screen, it tells me I have no scholars.

Yes, there were multiple iron mines in sight as well--two directly adjacent to my outpost in that area. (Similarly, I sited my crystal outpost right next to the crystal slag.)

I just checked, and...yes, it's the beta, 1.09n. I just bought the game (retail) last night and downloaded the patch Impulse said was available.

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

I had read that for the campaign,
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Hmmm....I bought the game 8-24---I have yet to even try the campaign.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top
Bummer. I'd say try it in 1.09e, which is the latest standard version. Recently Kyro suggested you could change versions without doing a re-install by unchecking beta updates from preferences in Impulse, then shift-right click Elemental in Impulse, and select "Verify" to restore the 1.09e files. I haven't tried it yet myself, but it might save you some time. Anyway the crystal issue has been an ongoing problem so I'm surprised they haven't fixed it better because the campaign is what most people are going to play first.
Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Interesting suggestion. I've been playing sandbox in the interim--I'll just wait until they fix the campaign.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

For most games, I usually start with the campaign.
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The SB is the best really---it was my understanding that the campaign was an extensive tutorial whereas the SB gives you all the facets of elemental. of course, I might be mistaken. Anybody else care to weigh in?

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Phylast57, reply 9

The SB is the best really---it was my understanding that the campaign was an extensive tutorial whereas the SB gives you all the facets of elemental. of course, I might be mistaken. Anybody else care to weigh in?
End of Phylast57's quote

Sounds about right--which is why I usually start with the campaign. Gives me a feel for the units, tech, etc, piecemeal, so it's not all thrown at me at once. It's a lot easier to figure out what everything is in the game, if I do it in small clusters.

There's also the whole story thing, which is also one of the reasons I play games.