Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

I'm using meson/missiles/fighters in a PBW game right now; I'll let you know how it turns out. Right now though I'm not actually attacking, just being an isolationist SOB http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Phoenix-D

Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

Close Quarter Combat. You need to reduce his advantage of scoring more hits per time then you. Remember, you can save your ECM against a religious race and you can leave scattering and cloaking armor at home. Nothing of this will help you in the way of the to-hit-chance. This free tonnage could and should go into shields or simple armor so you can take the beating while closing the distance and then GRILL HIM! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

In the stock game fighters and missles are of limeted use agaisnt tailsman. PDC are too easy to build and too powerful against them. And the PDC also gets the guaranteed hit of the tailsman. Not too mention the standard weapons can now be used with great effectiveness against your fighters cause they don't miss anymore.

Your only chance really is as Mephisto says, get in close and pound him to dust. Phased shielding, and your strongest per shot weapons. Throw out the rules about not using the big guns cause they take too long to reload. When you ship only gets one shot before going poof you want it to be the biggest shot you can make it. So this is a case where Null space can be superior to Phased polaron beams.

Also have lots of ships and plan on losing a bunch. If your enemy has tailsman AND can outproduce you are pretty much dead. Learn your lesson and next time take them out sooner.

Geo

Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, I can beat him EVERY time if his production is not too far ahead. Just give me talisman, computer virus and allegiance subverter! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Seriously though, what has your friend got? Can't really give you much advice without the background info.

[ August 22, 2002, 15:53: Message edited by: CW ]

Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

This might be a case where relatively small but fast kamikaze ships could be useful. And anti-ship drones, if he has not too many PDC's in his ship designs.
Seek help from other empires. Nothing more dangerous than to be at war with different empires and face the enemies on all sides.

But I agree that the situation is not good for your friend.

Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

If you can set up a heavy warp-point defense with appropriate equipment, or always run to the far side of warp points and get him to chase you, the point-blank combats with you getting the first round can tip the scales against the talisman.

If you have some peacetime to build up, consider lots and lots of drones, fighters with shields, and mothballed kamikaze ships.

If you don't have other opponents, and his designs mostly use talismans, remember not to waste resources on ECM.

Outmaneuver his fleets strategically with planet-busters, raiders, troop transports, minelayers, and hit planets and cause riots, getting him to split up his fleets.

Start a nova somewhere appropriate.

Most effective though, is probably to use diplomacy - get everyone else convinced they must be ganged up against in an organized and ruthless fashion.

PvK

Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">...love that line of thinking.... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

How about Ship Capture? Use his own Talismans against him.

Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

Especially with Allegience Subverters. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: The unbeatable combination is it out there?
 

OK Gentle Beings I use the term loosley. When you start a game you don't know what kind of race someone is until you meet them. Usally I play with only the score revealed. If some one gets rapidly ahead then they become the Evil Empire. My point is you need to be an experienced player to recognize DANGER. I really think that Talisman coupled with high productivity is a diffcult combination to beat. I am curious to know if this constitutes a level playing field or not. Any Comments?