Energy vs Ballistic weapons...

[Tamello de Fformello Tussock]

I am really at a loss here. I'm just learning how to play se4g. I'm researching energy weapons now, stream and otherwise, but they seem to be much much weaker than the ballistic weapons, depleted uranium cannons. Anyone know what the benefit of using these weapons is? They don't seem to use less supply, cost less, or weigh less at all, so what would be the point when you have much better weapons.

[Phoenix-D]

Keep researching. Any energy weapon will eventually make DUCs look pretty pathetic.

[Ed Kolis]

Projectile weapons are sort of a technological dead end - sure, they're powerful and cheap, but you can only research them so far. A Depleted Uranium Cannon V does 40 damage at range 5; compare that with more advanced weapons like Antiproton Beams (50-60 damage at range 8) and Phased Polaron Beams (50-60 shield skipping damage at range 6). Sure, it takes a long time to get to the highest levels of those other weapons, but the fact is they're there and they're reachable, so anyone who doesn't research projectile weapons is probably that much ahead of you toward the other ones!

[narf poit chez BOOM]

hi, welcome to the forums. do you want some cheese? how about toast?

[dogscoff]

Also, at the lower end of the techtree, meson bLasters give a much higher damage/weight/reload ratio than DUCs, torps or just about anything. (they're only 20kt remember.)

And thanks for the offer Narf. Any chance of some cheese on toast?

[ September 15, 2003, 10:16: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

[Atrocities]

Phased Poloron Beams are AI killers. DUC's combined with mounts, oh yes - must use mounts, and other components are quite useful against human players in most PBW games.

Mounts will increase the range or power of a weapon. Be sure to check them out.

[SpaceBadger]

As others have told you, the DUC guns are good at low levels, but the best is level 5 and then you can't research them any higher than that. The energy guns start out weaker than DUCs, but can be researched lots higher to be much more powerful.

To me, that doesn't mean that DUCs should necessarily be ignored so as to concentrate on boosting those energy gun levels. I want something to give me an edge against the first aliens I meet, and researching a few levels of DUC guns does that - while they may have level 3 anti-proton beams, they are way outgunned by my level 3 DUCs. After I've taken care of my initial survival and set up some defenses, and probably researched a level or two of missiles as well, then I'll get to work on researching the energy guns.

Caveat: I am a newbie at this game, too, so there may be some flaw in my plan that the more experienced players will point out. I'm just throwing it out for consideration because this is what I do and nobody else explicitly suggested it.

SpaceBadger

[Cyrien]

In the early game I normally go for a few levels in DUC(Depleted Uranium Cannon) and max out PDC (Point Defense Cannon). Early game this gives you the best projectile weapon with defense against missile opponents. An alternative is to instead go for fighters and carriers, very strong early game.

Mid game you should either go for the PPB(Phased Polaron Beam) or your racial tech weapons, and late game racial tech weapons or APB(Anti-Protoon Beam) + SD(Shield Depleters).

As a general rule if you have racial tech weapons you should use them. All of them have advanatages over the more standard weapons in various areas.

I think that that is the strategy used most effectively by many. However other weapons can still be used effectively. I myself prefer the Meson Cannon over the APB and also enjoy the WMG(Wave Motion Gun) or Ripper Beam with Tractor beams.

[Fyron]

If you ignore DUCs, you will be slaughtered in any early game wars versus Human opponents.

As a general rule if you have racial tech weapons you should use them. All of them have advanatages over the more standard weapons in various areas.

This is not quite true. Most racial tech weapons are pure disadvantages compared to the DUC/PPB/APB line. A couple are useful, but most are not.

[ September 15, 2003, 18:54: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[narf poit chez BOOM]

And thanks for the offer Narf. Any chance of some cheese on toast?

i was welcoming him to the forums, not you.

oh, ok, here's some cheese on toast.

*hands Dogscoff some cheese on toast*