Lazy non-newbie questions..

[rextorres]

Originally posted by Loser:

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Originally posted by Arkcon:

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The only weapon that is far and away the best (wave motion gun) takes millions and millions of research. Its worth it if you have the time, but if not, DUAC can do the job...

Exactly right...the DUC is better, until the other weapons go up in level. Then they're better. The challenge is, researching fast enough and switching over your fleet at just the right time.

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The simplified progression goes like this.

DUC for early game.
PPB for midgame (it is beeter than DUC, and penetrates unphased shields).
SD + APB for late game.

Throw in some CSM and WMG for variety.

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I've been testing just sticking with the DUC throughout the whole game and I have been having some success.

For every 4 PPB armed ships I am generally able to build 5 DUC armed ships. I rarely have been able to use PPB against normal shields so PPB's shield advantage doesn't come into play. The high cost of rads for the PPB makes it too expensive IMO.

I used to be really big on APB but I am finding that the hit to miss ratio is lower because these ships fire at the longer distances. So an APB armed fleet fighting against PPB armed fleet usually gets beat. Even taking into consideration the lower build cost of the APBs.

Anyway it's just a theory - I could get blown out of the water in one of my next games.

If you have the Talisman then APBs are the best.

[Loser]

A very interesting idea, Rex. I'm hoping we'll find out how it works out for you.

However, doesn't the Optimal Range movement system work the same regardless of the total range of the weapon?

I thought it worked off the to-hit percentages, which would be the same for both the DUC and the long-range-of-questionable-use APB.

[geoschmo]

I think you are onto a good idea there Rex. While the PPB and APB are better on paper, battles aren't usually fought on paper. By sticking to DUC V's and concentrating on other areas, sensors, training, building a whole lot of ships and putting them where your enemy ain't , etc., you can probably do as well or better then the other guy. If nothing else you eliminate the hassle of upgrading all your ships. That always seems to bite me in the butt. The war always seems to start about 3 turns before I planned and I don't have all my ships retrofitted and ready for battle.

[oleg]

I still think meson bLasters can be usefull. Research cost is low, they are rather cheep and at highest level are better than DUCs.

[Fyron]

The problem with that analysis is that APBs do not fire at those long ranges unless you use Max Range strategy. Even Optimal Range has them firing at closer ranges most of the time. Use Point Blank and you will not have a problem with to hit ratios. In fact, with fleet stacking (in larger battles), you will see even more hits from the APB ships because more ships in the back can fire their weapons due to the long range, so you get more ships able to fire in a round than you would with short ranged weapons. Those long range shots will have low to hit ratios, but 10% (which is drastically lower than real values) is still a lot better than 0%.