Comments And Analysis

In Sky Marshal #2, table 15.06.01b, Bonus PTU Table (page 51), lists the amount of "Bonus" PTU available from any population of Medium size or larger without effecting the growth of the population. This table shows that a Maximum Size Very Large population produces 100 Bonus PTU. At first glance this might seem like all the PTU available from such a population. In fact, almost any population which has reached the maximum size for its world, produces excess PTU which may be used for colonization.

The excess PTU come from the natural growth of the population. Sky Marshal #2, 15.06B, Populations (page 51) points out that the normal growth of a population is available for use as colonists in the turn following its creation, or, in other words, the extra population is available in any turn after the turn in which the population reaches its maximum value.

The following tables list the amount of Surplus PTU which may be removed from a population which has reached its maximum growth, without causing the population to decline. The Surplus Population (Per Turn) table assumes population growth occurs per turn (this is used in the Starfire Assistant program). The Surplus Population (Per Ten Turns) table assumes population growth occurs only on every multiple of ten turns (and so the surplus would only be available on the following turn). Population growth is based on Sky Marshal #2, 15.06B, Populations (page 51).

Surplus Population (Per Turn)

Population Size	Population Limit	Growth PU	Growth PTU	Bonus PTU	Surplus PTU
Outpost	16	0.37	0	0	0
Colony	50	1.15	1	0	1
Settlement	150	6.3	6	0	6
Medium	800	16.8	302	1	303
Very Large	3,200	67.2	0	100	100

Surplus Population (Per Ten Turns)

Population Size	Population Limit	Growth PU	Growth PTU	Bonus PTU	Surplus PTU
Outpost	16	4	4	0	4
Colony	50	12.5	12	0	12
Settlement	150	75	75	0	75
Medium	800	200	3,600	1	3,601
Very Large	3,200	800	0	100	100

Notes:

1. There are no entries for Small or Large populations, because there are no worlds which have these population sizes as upper limits.
2. The growth rates for Outposts and Colonies assume they are on Desolate or Extreme worlds. All others assume Compatible worlds.
3. The odd values for Very Large populations are a result of rule 15.06.01b (SM #2, page 51), para. 3, which terminates normal growth for Very Large populations.

To Play Comments

Updated 8 March 2000.