[tbontob]

Rextorres

Good points, but there seems to be a major difference of opinion on #2.

Originally posted by rextorres:
[QB]
2. Also, I put a direct fire weapon on the transport so that the ship doesn't run for the hills if there is a wp on the planet.
QB]

Geoschmo doesn't think it matters if you put a direct fire weapon on it or not as it will run for the hills in both scenarios providing there are attack ships attacking WP's on the planet. Worse the direct fire weapon will never be used as the troopship will only use PDC's.

He further says that even if there are no attack ships, the troop ship will try to capture the planet with or without a direct fire gun.

I have never used troopships and so have no idea who is right except that Geoschmo gives the impression of being very certain of his position.

I have read that some players think that the troopship will not run as far with a direct fire weapon than without. I am wondering if this is the case.

For example, entering a sector of an undefended planet with a attack ship set to not fire on planets will cause the ship to dither more or less around the location it entered the sector. It does not run for the corner.

I wonder if this is the phenomenom players experience whose troopships have a direct fire weapon.

If a troopship with a direct fire weapon does dither around the area in which it entered the sector, then this would explain the conflicting views on what a troopship with a direct fire weapon does.

If so, it could mean that a combat round or two could be saved by putting a direct fire weapon on a troopship as the troopship will be closer to the planet to capture it when the attack ships have disposed of the WP's.

Is there anyone out there who has experience in both ways (with and without a direct fire weapon) and is willing to give us Newbies a definitive answer?