Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">This is not quite true. Most racial tech weapons are pure disadvantages compared to the DUC/PPB/APB line. A couple are useful, but most are not.[/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hmm. I think they are all usefull. If not as a primary weapon then as a support tool. Organic and Psychic weapons are all solid and good weapons. Temporal is VERY usefull if your foe likes shields. Crystal is the only questionable tech IMHO. But still, alternating APB and shard canoons in the ship design can grant the heavy hitter (APB) an almost perfect armour piercing ability ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

The big slow weapons lose out against DUC/PPB/APB most of the time because they have a LOT less firepower overall. The only time they are superior is in quick WP battles. Other than that, they fail, all else being equal.

The telekinetic projector is a good weapon, until APB XII comes around. It is far more powerful than the best TKP.

The only thing that the Organic weapons have going for them is that they cost organics instead of minerals. So in times where building ships more quickly than the enemy matter, they sometimes prevail. But, they are substantially weaker than high level APBs.

Crystalline weapons are just a joke. Shard Cannons are only useful against Organic Races that use the OA, which is far weaker than shielding in large fleet battles.

Temporal weapons are almost all too weak. The only one that can even stand a chance against APBs is the Time Distortion Burst (I think that is what it is called...), but that is not more powerful than APB, just about the same. All you need is 1 or 2 heavy shield depleters (or a few more large ones), and enemy shielding does not matter all that much.

Of course it is possible to win with the racial weapons, but, all else being equal, the APB ships tend to win a lot more than other ships. This is because they have one of the best damage ratios in the game, they are not that expensive to build, AND they have one of the best ranges in the game. Racial weapons are fine for early and mid game, but late game, APBs are dominant. Effeciency is the key. Most racial weapons are highly inneffeicient.

Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

Harumph!!

Weapons matter not. Being able to hit the opponent and not be hit by him is what matters.

Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

Ah, so you like the "take religious, +20 defensiveness, -20 aggressiveness, and BRING 'EM ON!!!" strategy? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">All else being equal, weapons matter a great deal. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

Ahh... but the key here is that only very rarely are all things equal. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">All else being equal, weapons matter a great deal. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, they would be supremely important in "Mediocrity"! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Oh, and the Talisman is for wooses! (this newly invented spelled care of yours truly. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif )

Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, and? I have never once lost to anyone using non-mainstream weapons.

Equal combat bonuses on each side occur very frequently, esp. mid to late game. Combat bonuses and damage/kT/ROF ratio are the two most important factors in combat. When combat bonuses are equal on both sides, they no longer matter. All that is left is the damage ratio. Sure, things like range and speed cane make a difference, but it is nothing compared to the first 2 items.

[ September 16, 2003, 01:09: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, and? I have never once lost to anyone using non-mainstream weapons.

Equal combat bonuses on each side occur very frequently, esp. mid to late game. Combat bonuses and damage/kT/ROF ratio are the two most important factors in combat. When combat bonuses are equal on both sides, they no longer matter. All that is left is the damage ratio. Sure, things like range and speed cane make a difference, but it is nothing compared to the first 2 items.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">But some racial weapons - Temporal Cannon and High Energy Magnifier - have to-hit bonuses !

Re: Energy vs Ballistic weapons...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Corollary: anyone who doesn't research projectile weapons should be dead (by projectily weapons) before he can utilize his advantage.
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