capturing planets in PBW games

[tbontob]

Rextorres

Good points, but there seems to be a major difference of opinion on #2.

Originally posted by rextorres:
[QB]
2. Also, I put a direct fire weapon on the transport so that the ship doesn't run for the hills if there is a wp on the planet.
QB]

Geoschmo doesn't think it matters if you put a direct fire weapon on it or not as it will run for the hills in both scenarios providing there are attack ships attacking WP's on the planet. Worse the direct fire weapon will never be used as the troopship will only use PDC's.

He further says that even if there are no attack ships, the troop ship will try to capture the planet with or without a direct fire gun.

I have never used troopships and so have no idea who is right except that Geoschmo gives the impression of being very certain of his position.

I have read that some players think that the troopship will not run as far with a direct fire weapon than without. I am wondering if this is the case.

For example, entering a sector of an undefended planet with a attack ship set to not fire on planets will cause the ship to dither more or less around the location it entered the sector. It does not run for the corner.

I wonder if this is the phenomenom players experience whose troopships have a direct fire weapon.

If a troopship with a direct fire weapon does dither around the area in which it entered the sector, then this would explain the conflicting views on what a troopship with a direct fire weapon does.

If so, it could mean that a combat round or two could be saved by putting a direct fire weapon on a troopship as the troopship will be closer to the planet to capture it when the attack ships have disposed of the WP's.

Is there anyone out there who has experience in both ways (with and without a direct fire weapon) and is willing to give us Newbies a definitive answer?

[geoschmo]

I have been certain about things before and still turned out to be wrong.

[tbontob]

Originally posted by geoschmo:
I have been certain about things before and still turned out to be wrong.

Me too.

More often than I really care to admit.

But we don't know yet. The jury is still out.

[Grandpa Kim]

My troop ships always get a weapon, and they always head to the corners till the WP's are gone.

A bit OT, but I have noticed when you change strategies for ships/fleets (ie from max range to point blank) the change doesn't take effect immediately. Takes at least 2 turns before the new strategy takes hold. The one exception is changing fleet strategy from whatever to "capture planet". This does work. I haven't experienced changing the ship strategy the same way so it may or may not be the same.

[tbontob]

Originally posted by Grandpa Kim:
My troop ships always get a weapon, and they always head to the corners till the WP's are gone.

A bit OT, but I have noticed when you change strategies for ships/fleets (ie from max range to point blank) the change doesn't take effect immediately. Takes at least 2 turns before the new strategy takes hold. The one exception is changing fleet strategy from whatever to "capture planet". This does work. I haven't experienced changing the ship strategy the same way so it may or may not be the same.

GK, are you saying that in your experience, it may take 2 game turns before a change in strategy takes effect rather than immediately?

[rextorres]

Is the ship strategy set to capture? Also if your using a transport the default strategy might be "don't get hurt". I rarely use a transport for transporting just because they allow one less engine.

I'll have to check it out.

[tbontob]

Originally posted by geoschmo:
1. Make sure the troop transport has a ship strategy of capture planet.

2. Make sure the fleet has a strategy of capture planet.

3. Make sure the troop transport has troops onboard.

As long as you do these three things then your fleet will attempt to capture the enemy planet. If the enemy has weapons platforms the attack ships will engage it till the weapons plats are gone or your ships are. The troop transport will run for the corner while this happens. Once the platforms are gone the troop transport will make for the planet. Your attack ships will then concentrate on taking out any ships/bases/fighter/sats/drones left. The troops will drop if your transport can get there before the combat round is over.

If your troops are defeated your fleet will then turn back and attempt to glass the planet.

If your troops are sucesful and the enemy has any bases or sats left they will open fire on the planet.

Sometimes, not too often in the unmodded game, the combat round will end with your troops and the enemy at a stalemate. If this happens combat will resume during your opponents next turn. If it Lasts long enough to get back to your turn you can even try dropping reinforcments on the planet. In the unmodded game though this rarely happens.

Geoschmo

To a newbie who has never captured a planet, this is a pretty concise explanation on how "Capture Planet" works.

But a question. Or two. Or Three.

In Strategies/Capture Planet/Damage, we are presented with a number of choices.

One is "Damage Percent Per planet" which has been set at 100%.

We also have "Damage Target Till All Weapons Gone." which is not ticked.

If a planet has weapon platforms and population. I understand that the order of destruction is weapon platforms, then cargo and then population and facilities.

Question 1. Assume I set the Damage Percent Per planet to 50%. What determines the damage to a planet before it stops? Is it based on tonnage?

Question 2. If "Damage Target Till All Weapons Gone." is ticked, does it stop at Weapon platforms or does it continue until troops in cargo are killed.

Question 3 Which one takes precedence? Damage Percent Per Planet or Damage Targe Till All Weapons Gone?