[LGM]

The Talisman is very effective in a low ship limit game ( less than 500), because you can build high powered ships that cannot be easily swarmed.

In a 300 ship limit game, I build Dreadnaught ships with Null Space III and Repulser III (12 hex flinging with Heavy mounts). 1-4 repluser beams are nice to have while the Null Space are reloading to fling your enemeies away. Repulsers do not work as well with a Max Range strategy or a run while reloading strategy (Max Range/Don't Get Hurt)

Just Null Space works nice on Battleships as you can use Max Range/Don't Get hurt to run away while reloading your Null Space. You can do a similar thing with Torpedos. APBs do more damage per round than Torpedoes and Null Space, but they keep you within striking distance, whereas ROF 2+ can make your ship move well away while reloading.

As mentioned, the Talisman begs you to go high on defense and to reduce your offensive modifier, but low offense can cripple you to use ramming, boarding, and seekers until you get the Talisman. I would not recommend that you go below 100% on offense as a 120% Defense/Beserker would be very hard to hit.

Do not use Base Ships as they are too easy for non Talisman races to hit. Only when fighting another Relgious player consider using Base ships. About 3 Massive Mount Null Space Weapons will gut most any ship they hit!

[ February 24, 2003, 18:59: Message edited by: LGM ]