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The first step in fleet construction starts with workers, processors, and the maps resources. Effective resource management certainly pays dividends in the single-player game and will likely place you above the competition in a multiplayer game. This chapter covers some important resource collection strategies to keep in mind during single- and multiplayer games.
In Homeworld: Cataclysm's single-player game, your fleet and resources carry over to each new mission. If you run dry in resources at the end of mission two, you'll be dry as you enter mission three. Then again, if you have managed resources well and end a mission with resources in the bank, those same resources will carry over to the next mission. Thus, to keep your fleet stocked with the best possible ships (and replace a ship as soon as you desire), it's important to collect as many resources as possible.
If you're given an objective, such as investigate a certain point on the map, considering holding off on completing that objective until you have harvested the resources around your start location. You may need those extra resources if completing the objective triggers a battle or a subsequent, immediate objective.
Furthermore, it goes without saying that before you end a mission, make sure to clear the map of resources. Cataclysm includes a time-compression command, which speeds up the game by eight times. This is perfect for tedious resource collection. Turn on time compression and guide your workers around the map clearing all space of its precious resources. It'll take you extra time, but will pay off in the end - in fact, you could have literally tens of thousands of resource units in the bank and never have to worry about resource units in the latter missions.
Eventually, you will learn how to salvage crystal asteroids, special asteroids rich in resource units. Don't leave a map without clearing these precious commodities. Also, realize that the asteroids can be force attacked and destroyed; the resulting explosion is large and can obliterate nearby units and cause a chain reaction if other crystals are present.
Upon starting a multiplayer game, whether it be a free-for-all, a one-on-one fight, or a team game, make a quick note of the location of resources around the map, at least within view. Send recons out to uncover additional resources and make a note of important patches, especially large patches that will likely be in contention throughout the game. Consider moving your command ship near a new patch to better gain control of the valuable resource.
If crystal asteroids are uncovered, consider rushing quickly to crystal processing research and salvaging the crystals before an opponent can locate them. Scouting is obviously important here, not only to uncover resources but to maintain an eye on what your opponent may be planning.
Keep a recon near an opponent and monitor the strength of his resource group. If your opponent has produced five workers to gather resources, consider producing more to gain more resource units and produce more units faster. Keeping an eye on an enemy resource group will also let you gauge its defenses. Does he have any ships guarding the workers? Perhaps you could send over some leeches or MCVs to destroy the resource group and cripple the opponent's economy.
Get mimics or MCVs and hide in resource patches that your opponent has yet to harvest. When the workers arrive, crash into them and cause big problems for your opponent. If your opponent is planning to swipe crystal asteroids for processing, consider blowing them up rather than letting them fall into his hands - and his bank account. If the map has a large patch of asteroids, try to lure an enemy fleet inside and destroy an asteroid in an attempt to destroy the enemy ships.
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