[Wardad]

I use them as general purpose trucks. I build them real cheap in the early game when build turns and resources are very valuable. So I could have more cheaper models and send them in different directions. I figure I can refit them later.
SAT launcher 1 only cost 100 minerals, takes up 30kt of space and stores 80kt cargo. Cargo pods cost 200, take up 20kt, and stores 150kt. A small transport needs 150kt of componant space dedicated for storage. So 5 SAT launchers are much cheaper then 8 cargo pods.

other:

Originally posted by Pax:
I use transports for larger colony ships. If I'm playing a Max-Tech start game (solo ofc), I tend to go the expensive but low-brainpower route, and use a Large Transport hull to mount all THREE colony module types. Saves counting up how many gas, ice, or rock colonisers you need, etc, etc.

This won't save me brain power when my empire has several different races breathing different atmospheres.

Originally posted by Pax:
And even a Medium Transport can haul slightly more population (just over 100M, say), with many more supply bays, for a much longer net range.

True.
But, I do like the efficency of the one engine design. Fuel consupmtion is sectors moved multiplied by the number of engines.
A far reaching colony ship can be built with one good engine (with movement bonuses), plus solar collector, plus solar sail (movement bonus), and cargo 3.

Originally posted by Undertkar:
No matter what anyone says, two things win this game, expansion and minerals. If you can do both better than the rest of the people in the game, you have a huge advantage.

A ships armor or shield defences offer no more protection than an athletic supporter with a cup. So being able to hit and not getting hit in return is critical.

CAN YOU SAY OUCH!!! Read the story of THE RACE THAT COULD NOT SHOOT STRAIT.
My PBW race had Negative attack and Negative defense racial bonuses. I did not design the race, I was just the replacement player. I took it from 10th place to 1st place, but then War happened.
At one warp point the enemy jump in with a large fleet. They were at point blank range for my large and fully trained fleet. My ships open fired and missed some 80% of the shots. His ships returned fire and decimated my fleet.
You see, he was fully trained, had better ECM armor, better ECM, better combat sensors and better racial attack and defense Ratings. I would have needed a fleet at least 5 times larger to win the battle.
The enemy had quite a lead in research in this high research cost game. He could also afford large fleets because he had reduce maintenance costs.

[ September 30, 2002, 23:57: Message edited by: Wardad ]