[spoon]

(oops messed up the quotes, sorry about that...)

Originally posted by Puke:
this is just sillyness. everything can be countered by something else, there is no fixed way to win. there are some things that are not so usefull, but there are no things that are always best to use.

Well, that is the point I'm trying to make. There are "gamey" things you can do to give you an edge. I guess I have to repeat this in every post, but I never claimed that there was a way to guarantee a win. That's silly.

Originally posted by spoon:
- Using PPBs in the midgame is better than using anything else.

unless someone has APBs in the midgame, or unless someone has phased shields in the midgame, or unless on person was slowed down researching mines when the other was not, or unless null space weapons are used to effect, or unless missile swarms catch someone without PD off guard. the "PPBs are the best" statement is old, tired, and just plain silly.
[/qb][/quote]
If you have either APBs or Phased shields in the mid-game, you have pretty much used ALL of your research to get there. Those two components don't usually appear until the late game. Null Space weapons are less effective midgame, since Light Cruisers are the dominant ship, and don't have enough room for significant armor and shields (the latter being skipped by PPBs anyway). And using PPBs doesn't preclude using your own missile swarms as a surprise maneuvre.
PPBs are the best, but not overwhelmingly so. Other weapon choices will still work, but just not as well.

Originally posted by spoon:
Having 125% defense + bezerker will make you unbeatable against people unaware of how combat works.

ANYTHING is unbeatable against people unaware of how combat works. high defensive bonuses can be countered with the talisman, training, weapons with to hit bonuses, seekers, ramming (okay, maybe ramming isnt so good), or any number of other things.
[/qb][/quote]

Bezerkers aren't prevented from researching those things either. In the end, unless you purchased some Aggressiveness, you will be at -65% to hit (or whatever the amount is). PDCs defeat seekers and fighters, which are your next best option, and ramming, well, good luck!

Originally posted by spoon:
- Having 110% Maint Reduction is a huge advantage over people who don't realize how broken Maint Reduction is.

god, its so broken. it gives you an advantage in huge games, is worthless in small games, and is somewhat valueable to drop some points on in midsized games. I HATE those attributes that are worth spending points on, i wish spending points on maintenance reduction either did the same thing in any sized quadrant (or limited ship number, or short/long fixed-length game) or just didnt give you any benefit at all! DARN.

i appologize for my inflamitory remarks. i am a very small person. please moderate me down.[/QB][/quote]

hehe. I disagree with your conclusion that Maint Reduction is worthless in small games and only ok in medium games. It lets me support 5 ships to your 3. Unless I take Merchant. Then I get 5 ships to every 2 of yours. Tough to overcome those odds.

I think a game with balanced choices is better than a game with lopsided choices.

-spoon

[ December 22, 2002, 04:56: Message edited by: spoon ]