I apologize for asking a noob question, but...

I just got the game, and when I connect to ironclad online I don't see any players or games.  Where and how are people connecting to play online?

Kuebs

Sadly, the game does have low player counts, but you can still find a couple 4v4 and 5v5 games every day on the Diplomacy expansion.  (It's pretty dead for regular Vanilla Sins and Entrenchment.)  It also helps if you join at the right time, which is during the European and North American evenings.

(After reading this thread, do you still want to play with the likes of Captain Siddy?  No worries, mate.  Not everyone is a heavy duty pro and most people are pretty friendly if you let them know you're new.)

Ok... There are two sides to the newb story (doesn't have much to do with Siddy, lol)

Firstly, I played in enough games to know noobies aren't automatically targeted. It may feel that way, but the reality is the weakest link is targeted first. This could be the pro who ends up sandwiched between two (sometimes three) players or the newer player that can't defend a basic rush at their home world (trust me I've been there both ways).

If I were to break down the major (BASIC) issues newer players have with feeling like they are overrun or not wanted it's the following.

1. Not valuing early fleet.
2. Not listening to teammates. Watched the replay in this game and while the pro tried to whisper help during the game. He was very patient until it was obvious the light blue wanted to do his own thing whatever that was.
3. Not assisting teammates (see below). In addition to the whispers from the pro... I tried to ask for help too but was told he was not in a good military position to build ships
4. Researching unnecessary technologies (see below).
5. Not understanding basic early counters.
6. Not understanding basic early expansion.
7. Not being aggressive (i.e. camping)

I personally find the online experience to extremely fun and don't see as much flaming against new players (unless or until they become asses too), especially compared to when I first started. I also don't see people kicked from games often unless they are afk.Most seem to be given a reasonable chance to play and improve.

* Note on screenshots: player name removed because it's not relevant to the discussion.

Screenshot 1: Player is researching upgrades when current ships built is ZERO.

Screenshot 2: Player researched full eco upgrades when only controlling a few planets. The desert was also odd as he had ZERO desert planets. I'm not sure what he thought karmic retribution would do either...

Deliverance engine had zero effect on the game or culture impacts to anyone.

Screenshot 3: Player is question is lower right (blue). He let his teammate dark blue get overrun without building a single frigate (note game clock is 1:09 at this point).

This game ended up as a fun space warefare game, but was pretty much a decided game after it went 5v3 as a result of the pro being double teemed and the newish player working on SIN CITY...

No doubt. I actually wasn't aware the pro player was trying to coach the teammate until I watched the replay in this game. He was discretely whispering a lot of good help which was all ignored for whatever reason.

I've seen what you are talking about though, but it's fairly obvious to me when that is happening and is usually public for everyone to supposedly laugh over.

i have yet to play Diplomacy, so you prolly ran in to someone smurffing me.

Eh, playing 1v1 against a Cruel AI at least gets you value early game military strength. 

Getting your ass kicked hard multiple times is best way to learn. Of course, there are 2 kinds of people:

Ones who will take the lesson and in a month kick asses themselves and ones who will go to the forum and WHIIIIIINE. Nerf vasari, ban pro players, blame Canada etc. I bet those people have same attitude in RL. Pity, pity.

It will help people learn the basics.  I think people should know how to colonize and upgrade planets, how to build structures, what the different structures do, and have good familiarity with the tech trees and ships before coming online to play other people.  You have to crawl before you can walk.  Once people know the basics they can focus on learning the PvP game.

At least i still troll the forums

I'm BACKKK!