[Slick]

Here's my opinion:

There is no "best weapon" in the game. Certainly the WMG is useful in certain instances. It has a huge damage advantage but disadvantages in reload time and cost, etc. Weapon choice is only 1 facet of victory. Sensors, hull size, training, fleet size and makeup, strategy, research, intelligence, planet & system defense are all as important. Making a strong economy is also extremely important as is keeping population happy, reproducing and breathing the right atmospheres. The list goes on and on.

If you are facing a Talisman wielding opponent, you certainly must adjust to exploit his weaknesses while covering yours. Once you do this, the Talisman opponent will probably shift to compensate. It is the overall management of your empire and how you seize the advantages and take action on the disadvantages that wins a game. Choice of a particular weapon is actually one of the less important choices.

If you really want to tweak a Talisman killer, use the simulator to fine tune your ships to take out the other guy's ships. Include realistic fleet vs fleet engagements. Try smaller hulls, larger hulls, all that you have at your disposal. If he is the only guy you are worrying about, don't put on any ECM, as it doesn't help. What weapon is he using to "always hit" ??? Exploit that weapon's weaknesses. Tweak your ship & fleet strategies to attack the enemy more effectively.

Lastly, if your opponent has a Talisman, he spent lots of research to get it. You should be farther ahead in other areas. Find out where you have the advantage and push it as far as you can. Surely a Talisman wielding opponent can be formidable, but it won't make up for all the other facets of the game.

Hope this helps.

[edit: One more thing. The Talisman takes up some space on his ships (50 kt?? or something like that). That means he has less room for other things. That means too that you can add more shields on your ships and still field the same number of weapons. He'll be "always hitting" but you will have more shields to compensate. This game is all about move-counter-counter counter, etc.]

Slick.

[ December 27, 2003, 01:07: Message edited by: Slick ]