Beams v Missiles

Caduceus · #1 January 11th, 2005, 01:10 AM

What is the general thought on beams vs missiles. It seems that missiles, before PDC are developed are the way to go. Once that occurs, you have to go to beams. Any comments?

EaX · #2 January 11th, 2005, 01:40 AM

I like beams even early on the game, i do everything i can to get phased polaron beams, or duc & ofcourse i research pdc as soon as possible.

Arkcon · #3 January 11th, 2005, 01:47 AM

Yeah, once you have larger hulls, and the max level of PDC, missiles are kinda weak. Devnull mod has a lot of variety, just to keep it interesting.

I like to use at least one missile on my late game weapon platforms. You end up with lots on your larger planets, and that might saturate the PDC of a smallish fleet, and let some fighter craft get some lucky shots.

EaX · #4 January 11th, 2005, 02:02 AM

yeah, on weapon platforms i generally use missile, but it's rare to see me using them on ships.... but i'm talking about stock game....

kerensky · #5 January 11th, 2005, 09:14 PM

On a side note...

FOr some mod concepts I'm working on, I modded an upgraded Version of the du cannon into devnul. It's called the gauss cannon and does, at highest level, a damage of 80 at a range of seven. And that's before mounts come into play. It doesn't outrange beam cannons, but does pack a huge punch when teh range closes...

TurinTurambar · #6 January 11th, 2005, 09:51 PM

I use Missile Cruisers with 4 Capitol Ship Missiles on each, organized in fleets, with a carefully modified "Max Weapons Range" strategy for glassing planets I won't be conquering. How can you beat 120pts damage per missile at a range of 16? You can't. Combine that with good shielding and some PDC for the flak coming off the planet and I'm out of range of your puny little beam weapons.

I get to Phased PB's as fast as I can for my attack ships. Once the rest reach Phased shielding, I'm well into my HED's.

I'm talking about stock game too.

Bring it, Meat.

Turin

brianeyci · #7 January 11th, 2005, 09:58 PM

Quote:

How can you beat 120pts damage per missile at a range of 16?

One large weapons platform loaded with PDC. Or many small weapons platforms loaded with two large mounted weapons and two PDC each.

Brian

Strategia_In_Ultima · #8 February 2nd, 2005, 07:16 AM

Is this post still alive?

geoschmo · #9 February 2nd, 2005, 09:18 AM

Quote:

StrategiaInUltima said:
Is this post still alive?

You might also check out this thread, Beams v Missles We ended up with two threads with the same name, and there are some possibly helpful comments in the other one.

Gozra · #10 February 2nd, 2005, 01:50 PM

I still think Missles are useful throughout the entire game. The reason is that A combined arms approach allwos you a chance to defeat the talisman or the crystal defence. And if you achieve industral superiority then missles become even more effective. If you saturate a defender with missles then after the point defense has fired the defending ships start using beam weapons to take out missles then your beam ships have a better chance to approach and fire. Combined arms missles drones fighters and plenty of Fleet ships can win against any specialty weapon. But the logistics and micromanaging nightmare is a factor.