Newbie mine question

LeTharg · #1 May 10th, 2001, 06:12 PM

It is a bit of a long story but an ally has a bunch of mines around one of my planets. Is there any way to get rid of them while keeping the treaty in place? I don't want them there if the ally should declare war. And no, I don't want to ask the ally to get rid of them (how could I verify it anyway?).

Suicide Junkie · #2 May 10th, 2001, 06:26 PM

I'm guessing that your ally launched them in combat, "defending" your planet

.

You could build a minesweeper, and leave it in orbit just incase. You may also be able to mothball it, then unmothball and sweep as soon as you get word that you're not allies anymore. As long as no ships enter the sector, your ships within the sector may be safe.

Sinapus · #3 May 10th, 2001, 07:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by suicide_junkie:
I'm guessing that your ally launched them in combat, "defending" your planet .

You could build a minesweeper, and leave it in orbit just incase. You may also be able to mothball it, then unmothball and sweep as soon as you get word that you're not allies anymore. As long as no ships enter the sector, your ships within the sector may be safe.

Can you manually sweep an ally's mines from a sector using the sweep command? Would be nice if you could.

Suicide Junkie · #4 May 10th, 2001, 07:51 PM

quote:
Can you manually sweep an ally's mines from a sector using the sweep command? Would be nice if you could.

Why, destroying your neighbour's property sure isn't nice

!

Why not try to make use of them, by tempting a mutual enemy into the field, or trade ships with one of your friend's enemies.
When the ship gets traded the mines can blow it up, while you get a new ship with new technology!

Nitram Draw · #5 May 10th, 2001, 07:52 PM

Some ally, I hate to think what the do to their enemy!

LeTharg · #6 May 10th, 2001, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I tried a little experiment and I don't think you can sweep an ally's mines. I'm not sure why not; maybe I wasn't doing it correctly. Anyway, I didn't even know there was a sweep button so I learned something.

As to how it happened, it has to do with planets changing hands. Mines in orbit don't go with a gifted planet. This particular planet has been through several hands.

Nitram Draw · #7 May 10th, 2001, 09:47 PM

Well you've opened a new tactic for me. You could be a real pain in the a** by dropping mines over your allies planets. Launch a new ship and KABOOM. Talk about a reason to stay at peace!
One question, could you see your allies mine?

LeTharg · #8 May 10th, 2001, 10:26 PM

Yes, mining an allies planet can provide a little insurance against an unfaithful ally. It has actually happened twice so far in my first PBEM game.

A little more experimentation. You cannot sweep your ally's mines even when they are on his planets. And no, you can't see them even when they are on your planet. It can be a bit devilish.

Nitram Draw · #9 May 10th, 2001, 10:30 PM

Cool, sneakily mine their shipyard planets and then declare war. What a pain that would be, the first new ship in your warfleet has to be a minesweeper!

LeTharg · #10 May 10th, 2001, 11:04 PM

More attempt at experimentation. I tried to get the sweep button to do something. I could not get it to sweep mines no matter if they were allied mines, enemy mines, neutral mines, no mines or my own mines. It didn't matter if I tried to sweep the sector I was in or another sector. I must be doing something wrong.

Thinking that my empire had to know the mines existed I ran a ship into an enemy field and got it blown up. Then I tried to sweep it but nothing happened.

Has anyone used the sweep button? If so how and why?