Anyone tried The Barbarian Horde strategy?

Jubala · #1 June 6th, 2001, 05:13 PM

In other words, building lots and lots of small cheap ships to overwhelm enemy large expensive ships. It works very well in Stars! if done correctly but is it a viable strategy in Space Empires IV? Anyone tried?

Nitram Draw · #2 June 6th, 2001, 05:48 PM

I've never tried it on a large scale but I have fought very late into game with BC's as my largest ship. If it is equipped right and you have sufficient numerical advantage waves of small ships certainly seem like a viable strategy.

Jubala · #3 June 6th, 2001, 06:38 PM

Yes, but is it cost effective? The Horde ships need to be fast and cheap to build and cheap to maintain. And still be able to dish out and take some punishment. I was thinking Light Cruisers as maximum size to get the Large Mounts. Maybe even use Destroyers. Haven tried it, but it would be cool if ot could be done.

Nitram Draw · #4 June 6th, 2001, 06:49 PM

Yeah, LC is the size I try to get to fast. They can dish it out and don't cost a fortune to maintain.

Urendi Maleldil · #5 June 6th, 2001, 06:57 PM

During a high-tech game, a temporal player can crank out cheap attack frigates at one per turn.

Nitram Draw · #6 June 6th, 2001, 07:12 PM

Swarms of little ships early in the game have given me fits before.
There would probably be a point where you would have to increase the size of your horde ship.
Early in a game I'm sure a swarm of frigates could take out 1/3-1/2 their number of CA"S especially if you opponent doesn't have a very advanced multiplex tracker.
I think once you are facing BB's and larger you definately would need larger ships to begin doing some damage because you would need the large mounts, unless you went with a kamikazi swarm of escorts and frigates! Even against DN's you can do well with BC's, if you outnumber them and you fight tactical.