Do we need larger mines than small?

Ruatha · #1 January 11th, 2003, 01:45 AM

A small mine seems to kill a ship as good as a large mine.
Isn't two small mines better tha one medium or large.
I mean if you don't sweep they'll both hit. If you sweep, the more mines the more chance one won't be swept and therefore hit.

So, is there any use for medium and large mines?

Suicide Junkie · #2 January 11th, 2003, 01:49 AM

Medium and large pack more punch in the same unit limit.

Small mines are cheaper for when you expect them to be swept.

Dralasite · #3 January 11th, 2003, 01:50 AM

Sure, 100 large mines are better than 100 small mines.

Fyron · #4 January 11th, 2003, 01:50 AM

But, they are just as easily swept away. And, the 100 large mines cost a lot more than 100 small mines.

geoschmo · #5 January 11th, 2003, 02:07 AM

The only time a small mine is better than a big one, is if the enemy can't sweep 100 mines, but they can sweep some mines and you don't have time to get enough large mines built to get past his sweeping capability. So unless the enemy is bearing down on your planet two turns away and you need something, anything, up right now, go with bigger mines. Any time you are building defenses in preparation for an assault that is not in the actual act of happening right now, go with big mines if you are going to use mines at all.

Fyron · #6 January 11th, 2003, 02:12 AM

I think small, 1 warhead mines are better. Either the enemy sweeps 100 mines, or not. Only very rarely have I seen non-newbie fleets capable of sweeping mines able to sweep fewer than 100 mines (except when their sweepers all get destroyed, but that is another issue). If they are going to be swept, why not minimize the resources and time spent building them?

Phoenix-D · #7 January 11th, 2003, 02:23 AM

If they are going to be swept, why not minimize the resources and time spent building them?"

It is, IMO a matter of having enough mines to overwhelm any sweepers they bring AND enough firepower to kill them off. In the unmodded game a single 300 point warhead will probably kill off most smaller ships; larger ones might need two. If the enemy is using armor still, you need more firepower.

In mods where armor is an affective choice, you need lots more firepower.

Phoenix-D

Dralasite · #8 January 11th, 2003, 02:44 AM

Quote:

But, they are just as easily swept away. And, the 100 large mines cost a lot more than 100 small mines

I know, I never research or build more than small mines, but I was just pointing out that there are situations where a bigger mine could be better.

Slick · #9 January 11th, 2003, 02:46 AM

In general I agree, but I like throwing in a few turn's worth of small-1-warhead mines followed by a turn of "Big Berthas", then repeat. This way, if (for whatever reason) not all the mines are swept, the "Big Berthas" thrown in here and there will do significant damage.

BTW, if you are just interested in overloading the minesweepers, you can build really cheap small mines with NO warheads, then sprinkle in some with warheads occasionally. You really can build a lot of zero-warhead mines in 1 turn. Of course they can't knock out a half-dead mosquito if they hit...

Slick.

Fyron · #10 January 11th, 2003, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
If they are going to be swept, why not minimize the resources and time spent building them?"

It is, IMO a matter of having enough mines to overwhelm any sweepers they bring AND enough firepower to kill them off. In the unmodded game a single 300 point warhead will probably kill off most smaller ships; larger ones might need two. If the enemy is using armor still, you need more firepower.

In mods where armor is an affective choice, you need lots more firepower.

Phoenix-D

By the time they get big ships, they should have no problem sweeping 100 mines at all. Mines are only useful in the early game, when small ships are used.