defense

[Dante]

I usually try to close access to critical warppoints while creating a "net" for fast fleet transfers. Works pretty well unless your opponents also developed stellar manipulation.

If I ever feel the need to secure a warppoint, a base with added production ability is my way to go; nothing says "keep out" like a self-replenshing field of satellites/swarm of fighters.

Then again, most of the time I just keep a fleet handy to go after whatever the wormhole dragged in.

I'll experiment with drones a bit next time.

[gravey101]

I usually ignore plaentary defences altogether, other than a few mines in the early game. Defend the warp points, where you always get first shot. If the enemy gets in your systems you are in trouble. I have never seen planetary defences able to stop a decent fleet. For warp point static defences I will use some mines again, and maybe medium sized satellites. Generally though I figure that I would prefer to invest my resouces into mobile, upgradeable weapons. I.e. Ships. The zero-maintenance of units of nice of course, but as a general strategy I find offence to be the best form of defence. Get in the other guys systems first. If you sit there and wait for him to come to you, you will likely be in trouble when he does.

[Wardad]

Originally posted by gravey101:
I usually ignore plaentary defences altogether...

Really? Bwahahahahaha!!!!

Seriously, if this the Gravey I play against, he also greatly reduces maintenance costs with his racial setup. That choice is essential for a fleet only strategy.

Units are no maintainance, but their performance is terrible. They do not get the cultural, racial, or training, bonus to offense and defense.

Shields and armor are little better than an athletic supporter with a cup. The ability to hit and not get hit in return rules the battle field.

[Zarix]

Originally posted by gravey101:
I have never seen planetary defences able to stop a decent fleet. For warp point static defences I will use some mines again, and maybe medium sized satellites.

I have stopped quite large fleets with weapon platform traps. I usually leave most of my planets protected with only few mines. Then I fill a large or huge breathable planet with WPs. The WPs have to be large to be efficient but it is quite cheap to reseach WPs. Large WPs have a big range and chance-to-hit bonus.

For warp points some drones and few mines is enough to cripple a very large attacking fleet. The defending drones start combat very close to enemy and they ram on the first combat turn. A very large amount of point defence is needed if you want to go through the warp point.

[Mephisto]

WPs may not stop the enemy fleet but they will at least buy you time to organize a new fleet. If I attack an undefended system, I can wipe out several planets in one turn. If you have WPs I have to be much more careful as you might weaken my fleet on the first planet such that I will loose the rest on the second planet.

[Katchoo]

I've fallen in love using Sats for wormhole defense. Medium Sats with Large-mount Phased weapons work great at holding enemy fleets back.

And heck, nothing beats the feeling of getting the first shot in and wiping a whole fleet out without them ever getting a shot off

[HEMAN]

How i defend my Planets is, with fighters only.I wont allow any enemy ships get even near weapons range of my planets.

For wormholes too?, i use fighters, but later in the game i use mines.Gives me that time to prepare for stratige & early warning system.

Ferengi Rules of Acquisition #48 The bigger the smile ,the sharper the knife.