Re: Intel Comms Mimic Question
 

I consider WPs a major asset to win any war. I allows me to mass my ships in attacks on the enemy while my worlds are relatively save from small intruders. In fact WPs did tip the tide for me in one major war.
My enemy, the Guild, had a economic advantage. They already had annihilated three other players fleets (my allies) on the western front. All that stand between the ultimate victory of the Guild was my fleet in the east that prevented him to stage a offensive in the west. However as time went on his fleets grow larger while I could not keep up the pace, neither could I afford any more ships. I retreated from my defence position the month he gave the attack order and my fleet escaped narrowly. The Guild attacked three major worlds, all packed with 25 WPs. In these battles he lost 30 of his 210 ships and every battle took a whole month. Meanwhile the remains of my allies fleets arrived in my space, joined my fleet and surprised the Guild right after they attacked my third world. In this battle the Guild fleet (over 35% XP) was beaten for the first time ever. My WPs did not only destroy 30 ships, they bought me the time I needed to consolidate my forces.
Its interesting how this war can give you an answer to the question what happens without WPs, too. My victories fleet now crossed the first two Guild systems (that had WPs) and massacred every planet in the Guild backyard (undefended by WPs) in Groups of 5 ships with a minesweeper each. Riots broke out on the Guild planets and the galactic war that had Lasted for 6 years ended with a total defeat of the Guild only 12 month after the first shots of my WPs were fired.

Edit: 6 years, i.e. 60 turns, not 56 years war.

[ October 18, 2003, 16:26: Message edited by: Mephisto ]

Re: Intel Comms Mimic Question
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Maybe the reason the Guild was able to take on four other players simultaneously was because he didn't squander his time building WPs http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Intel Comms Mimic Question
 

I try to keep an open mind when im reading anything and this forum has certainly advanced my tactics and strategies by leaps and bounds i also read a terribly interesting story about a 56 year war...but more Importantly
1) WP supporters have made some good points and i think I won't be so quick to write of WPs in the future.
2) at the same time i've always agreed that their an economic waste and call me old school if you'd like but I've never seen a truly effective late game planet defense with a core of WPs (Im allowing room for sats and maybe even some mines)
All in All i think both views are right and just like any other aspect of your empire the choice is yours

Re: Intel Comms Mimic Question
 

It were 6 years of war, my fault. I usually build the WPs with base yards and build ships with the planets. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif