quote:
Originally posted by Gryphin:
Ship Size:
I stay 2 hull sizes behind the AI. Experience has shown me 3 Frigates will out fight 2 AI Light Crusiers in Tactical Combat. When not needed in a fleet, they make good blockade ships and scouts.
I’ll do the cost analysis tonight. There may be diminishing returns depending on your play style.
Versus the AI using tactical combat, an experienced player generally has a steep advantage. In unmodded SEIV, usually two LC warships will have an advantage over three FF's. But human vs. AI in tactical combat is generally a larger advantage. Equipment matters too, of course.
quote:
Cargo Ships:
If the AI focuses on the largest hull, then one strategy may be to create cargo ships with as many containers as possible to draw fire. When available add ECM, Shields, Armor, and Point Defense Cannons should be added.
I have not tried this. It may be necessary to build it on a Non Cargo Ship hull if the AI is programmed to go after transports Last. The other advantage of this would be having the transports available as troop ships, fighter transports, and population mover when not used as a decoy. Still, I would not want to be the crew of that ship. < bemused grin >
[ 04 February 2002: Message edited by: Gryphin ]
Different AI's have different targetting priorities, especially with player-modded AI's. Building a defensive ship to soak up attacks can work unless the AI uses a different strategy (and "Largest" vs. "Most Powerful" will make a difference for the cargo ship versus a ship with fancy defenses). If you've got to this level of play, I'd recommend going to PBW with human opponents, though, and then you'll only be able to fool an observant player briefly with dedicated decoy ships. However a mix of ships with some close-range weapons and a lot of defenses set to attack at Optimal range, with ships with less defenses and more long-range firepower set to Maximum range, can be an effective mix.
PvK