What is the weapon of your choice, and Why?

[Alneyan]

The big problem of the Meson BLasters is that they are outgunned compared to the latest APBs, while being slightly more expensive. So you either go directly for the APB (APB VII isn't so much behind MB VI if memory serves, and costs less in research), or have to do additional research to get the Meson BLasters before heading for your regular APBs.

If they had one or two more levels bringing them above the APB, I would certainly consider them to be a viable option for range-6 fighting. As it stands, they lack a bit of a punch, and have a narrow window where you can use them at your advantage.

[Atrocities]

I would be interesting is the APB's were crap for short range and the MB filled the void.

[spoon]

Alneyan said:
The big problem of the Meson BLasters is that they are outgunned compared to the latest APBs, while being slightly more expensive. So you either go directly for the APB (APB VII isn't so much behind MB VI if memory serves, and costs less in research), or have to do additional research to get the Meson BLasters before heading for your regular APBs.

In effectiveness, the Meson BLaster VI is about even with the APB X. I think the choice is between what to use in the mid-game -- PPB or MB or APB. Late game is all APB, since it is cheapest and strongest. The research savings you get by going for APBs instead of MB or PPB is a valid concern, but by late-game standards, not too much. Which is to say you'd probably get to APB XII around the same time, regardless if you research MBs/PPBs first. MBs leave you stronger in the mid game. APBs give you a slight head start in the end game. PPBs probably beat out MBs as a mid-game weapon, unless you don't have the rads for it.

[Alneyan]

It is true enough that there is little difference between the three weapons; so long as you do something useful with them, they will all get the job done. Going straight for APB gives a lead of a few turns (three perhaps?), which is unlikely to matter much. After all, a MB/PBB user should research the first few levels of APB in the meantime, given how cheap these are.

The strength of the APBs I have forgotten to mention is their added range compared to PPB/MB (from APB VII or VIII; I don't recall which). If you have half-decent chances to hit at range 7, mainly for lack of Stealth/Scattering Armour s, then having a better range can help. It isn't a game-breaking factor however; but then, few weapons choices can be argued to alter the course of a game.

To answer the original query: I go to DUC IV and then APB VII/VIII (the one with range 7) as soon as possible, unless I believe shields will be widely used early on. If nothing out of the ordinary happens, APB XII/Shield Depleters are standard afterwards, with eventually the Wave Motion Gun. If the Crystalline Armour and/or the Talisman are detected, the emergency plan is set into motion to try to save my hide, and all of the above is scrapped. Somehow, these Torpedoes sure look attractive when under attack by a Crystalline Empire.

[brianeyci]

Alneyan said:Somehow, these Torpedoes sure look attractive when under attack by a Crystalline Empire.

Dunno if the above was a joke but... why use torpedoes when fighting a crystalline empire? Isn't the main advantage of using crystalline armor is that they can regenerate shields? So why not use PPB's, which go through shields, and nullify the shield/crystalline armor advantage?

Or how about shield depletion?

Brian

[PvK]

If you see a huge crystalline ship, neither shield depleters nor PPB's are going to answer the problem particularly well.

The shields will be phased, and the PPB's will just lower the shields. Then when you hit with a damaging weapon, the shields will go back up.

So, you want to hit it as hard as you can, so not all of your damage will turn into enemy shields.

PvK

[brianeyci]

PvK said:So, you want to hit it as hard as you can, so not all of your damage will turn into enemy shields.

(Starts to panic, how do I deal with asmala's crystalline battlecruisers?)

Hrm... why not use PPB's anyway? Don't they have the highest damage/kiloton ratio, or do torpedos have an advantage over that?

Brian

[Renegade 13]

Torpedo's do the most raw damage per hit you score. Therefore, against Crystalline races, a greater percentage of the total damage done goes against the hull and components, rather than reinforcing the shields. Wave Motion Guns would also be good for something like this.

[Fyron]

PvK said:
If you see a huge crystalline ship, neither shield depleters nor PPB's are going to answer the problem particularly well.

The shields will be phased, and the PPB's will just lower the shields. Then when you hit with a damaging weapon, the shields will go back up.

So, you want to hit it as hard as you can, so not all of your damage will turn into enemy shields.

PvK

Unless, of course, you alternate shield depleters with other weapons in the design. SD, APB, SD, APB, etc. Works decently. Better yet, get some Shield Disruptors. No need for any other types of weapons just because you face a crystalline enemy...

brianeyci said:
Don't they [PPBs] have the highest damage/kiloton ratio, or do torpedos have an advantage over that?

Brian

No. Don't forget that damage/kiloton/rate is a far more useful statistic than just damage/kiloton in most situations. Ripper Beam IIIs have the highest. The next if I recall correctly is the Telekinetic Projector VI (?). At least, at some range increments. APB XII comes next, except at one or two particular range increments, where PPB V is stronger. You can use this program by Suicide Junkie to get all sorts of stats on the weapons:

Weapon Stats

[Alneyan]

I think the PPB comes second (at range 6), just before the Meson BLaster/Telekinetic Projector (something like 2.1/2.0 respectively). At range 1, the APB should be second.

The problem with using Shield Depleters is that you need decent chances to hit for it to work. If you are fighting at range 7 or 8, you will seldom hit, making this strategy not too reliable. If you have good odds of hitting, the APB/SD/APB/SD design is perfectly good however. Shield Disruptors are nice enough, if you can get the research done, as they come later than the first Crystalline ships (with the regular 10 Crystalline Armour).

Contrary to what I thought, high-level of APBs work as well, so long as you get at close range (but Ripper Beams are better in this case). I think the heavy-mounted APB XII is above 150 damage per hit from range 5 or so, which will be enough to actually damage the Crystalline vessel. If you cannot get them in time, then Torpedoes or Baseships (be careful if the enemy is fighting at maximum range) should work out nicely for direct fighting. But I would prefer to avoid fighting altogether in this case, being a most courageous player.