PDC Ships head for corners

[Greybeard]

I built several PDC ships to accompany a troop transport to a planet with multiple missle platforms. I also sent a DUC ship. I had set the empire fleet orders to break formation. The fleet orders were capture planet. The PDC and DUC ships were set to optimum range. The troop ship's orders were capture planet.

In the replay, the DUC ship approached the planet and was eliminated. The PDC ships headed for the corners and didn't move. After the DUC ship was eliminated, the troop ship approached the planet and was lost with all aboard %^(

I had no other weapons on the PDC ships (but did have shields). Would they have gone to the planet with the troop ship had I placed another weapon on them, or would the troop ship have waited until all of the weapons platforms were destroyed before dropping troops.

This is in only the second simultaneous game I've played, so I haven't had much time to experiment. Can anyone give me some advice?

Thanks...Greybeard

[tesco samoa]

pdc must have a small weapon to advance.

If they do not they will retreat. Always make sure you place a small 1 repeat weapon on a pdc ship.

[dumbluck]

Yes, PD ships need a weapon in order to draw them into the fight.

As to the planet capture, do a forum search. There has been lots of descussion about this in strategic combat. I just can't remember any of it right now!

[Ed Kolis]

Guess that's what those DU-Autocannons are for in P&N

[Grandpa Kim]

The reason they head for the corners, is that they have nothing to shoot at. Remember, those missiles are still in the weapon platform missile bays. By putting some sort of direct fire weapon on the PDC ships, they now have something to shoot at-- a whole planet!

Kim

[PaladinOfEarth]

Based on what is said here:
1) Put a Direct Fire weapon, (here after refered to as: DFW) on the Aegis ship
1A) Make sure the range of the DFW does not exceed the range of the Point Defence Cannons
or that the strategy will bring the ship close enough to fire the PDC to reach the planet surface.
1B) Keep in mind that the planet may have other weapons. You may want to put shields on the transports.
2) Make sure the DFW has a fire rate of "1" so the Aegis ships do not withdraw when they can't fire
3) Make sure the strategy is not set to "Do Not Fire On Planets"
4) Make sure the strategy is set to "Damage The Target Untill All Weapons are Gone"
5) Make sure the shield / Armor can withstand 3 hits by Capital Ship Missles, (CSM)

Queston:
If the DFW is knocked out, will the Aegis ship run for the cornors?

Opinion:
Never Glass a Planet
When fighitng against AI,
It is too easy.

[Grandpa Kim]

If the DFW is knocked out, will the Aegis ship run for the cornors?

Yep, you bet... unless there are missiles available as targets.

Opinion:
Never Glass a Planet
When fighitng against AI,
It is too easy.

Amen!

[Gryphin]

< making notes >
This all explains a lot.
Thanks folks

[Rollo]

Originally posted by PaladinOfEarth:
...
3) Make sure the strategy is not set to "Do Not Fire On Planets"
...

Why would you do that? The PD ship might as well help taking the Weapon platforms down. Note that all warships will stop firing at the planet, once the WPs are down and the Troop Transport closes in.

A good weapon for the PD ship is planet napalm, IMHO. Makes sure it gets close to intercept the missiles and has a good punch at the WPs.

and don't forget:

6) Make sure your fleet has the Capture planet strategy.

Rollo

[Gryphin]

Rollo,
You are correct. I was thinking along the lines of not accidentaly glassing a planet but a WP will take more than a low level weapon can dishout.