Are you tough enough to be the "King of the Hill"? - Page 207

spoon · #**2061** January 4th, 2004, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidG:
A good rule and certain to result in an early death should you start VERY near (as in adjacent) your enemy as proven by most of my losses.

...which is exactly why you need to take Ancient Race, so you don't make that mistake.

geoschmo · #**2062** January 4th, 2004, 03:27 AM

I rarely take Ancient race in Koth games. I agree it is a quite useful trait, but I can easily find many better uses for the 1000 points. It's almost always the Last decision I make when creating my empire, whether or not to take it, but I usually decide not to. In a 3K or 5K game I will almost always take it though. Sometimes with 3 or 5 good planets I will take it in a 2K game as well because I can lower my production a bit more and raise my construction a bit less to get the points.

I find the value of the Ancient race in a 2-man game is in a fairly narrow window. I tend to prepare enough to deal with a very close enemy even without ancient race, and if we are far enough apart I have enough time to build my empire that the ancient race loses much of it's value. Only in a small range of medium distances does it cause me a problem. Where the enemy has time to prepare a heavy frigate and destroyer force that he can send against me with very little warning. Even then though it's a close thing because they have to allow for ships running out of fuel or hitting my mines.

I have beaten many opponents that have taken ancient race. I have lost to a few as well. But I have never lost to someone and felt like the reason I lost was because they took the trait. They still have to do a lot of things right, and an opponent that does that will be dangerous with or without it.

All that being said, I am certainly happy when my opponent doesn't take it, especially since I don't normally. So I am more then happy to agree to no ancient race and will suggest it myself often.

[ January 04, 2004, 01:31: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

spoon · #**2063** January 4th, 2004, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by geoschmo:
But I have never lost to someone and felt like the reason I lost was because they took the trait. They still have to do a lot of things right, and an opponent that does that will be dangerous with or without it.

I've only played two games, but both times it was Ancient Race that gave me the victory. (well, the second game is still on, but I already blew up the enemy homeworld). Both games had close starting positions (6 sectors for the first game, 30 or so for the second) which gives a huge advantage to the Ancient Race empire. I suspect if starting positions are further apart, then Ancient Race will play less of a role. Still, though, I can't imagine playing without it. (well, unless it was Banned, of course...)

geoschmo · #**2064** January 4th, 2004, 06:07 AM

I don't doubt it's served you well Spoon. I've played a bit more then two games though.

My record in games where I start out in close proximity is pretty good. Most recently I started 2 systems away (probably about 25 sectors). He had ancient race and I did not, and I won. It was exciting for a few turns, I don't mind telling you.

Slynky · #**2065** January 4th, 2004, 06:08 PM

Slynky vs Parabolize: 2405.4

Boundaries have been established and the majority of planets have been claimed by me. I have been in 1st place for most of the game BUT:

Though I have nearly 150 ships, I keep seeing all these destroyers and LCs heading toward one system. Around 70-80 total ships should be there by now and he can attack out of that system to either of 2 points...so I have to defend both of them...which splits my ships up. I've been preparing for either place but have less ships than he does...will my first shot even out the combat if he comes through?

Interesting game. Given what I see that he has in the universe, it must be another one of his masterful empire management tools/abilities to maintain that kind of fleet!

I have my own surprises but I wonder if it will be enough.

Asmala · #**2066** January 4th, 2004, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Slynky:
Though I have nearly 150 ships, I keep seeing all these destroyers and LCs heading toward one system. Around 70-80 total ships should be there by now and he can attack out of that system to either of 2 points...so I have to defend both of them...which splits my ships up. I've been preparing for either place but have less ships than he does...will my first shot even out the combat if he comes through?

You should take the initiative and attack through one warp point with your full force. This is a good instance why attack is the best defence.

Slynky · #**2067** January 4th, 2004, 11:44 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, Asmala.

Sometimes, things just happen and you get caught up in it:

Legend

1 2 and 3 - Where defensive/offensive buildup started.
Orange triangles - Places where I managed to get a colony (and could see his ship movements) and have small skirmishes.
Blue Arrow - His constant ship movement toward point #2...50 ships or so...to fleet up in the system marked in blue.
Red arrow - where I made an attack because of the number of ships I saw heading to point #2.
Gray - Worthless systems.

So, it's hard to put 150 ships together when they are so far apart and it seems you have to keep "feeding the fronts" to defend...hoping your first shot will save the day. I finally attacked on the left side hoping he was neglecting that area...I was surprised to find nearly 40 ships

but managed to destroy all of them losing only 10+ of mine (leaving me with 20 warships there).

I've posted the entire map because I don't think I need to worry so much now that I'm invading on the left and I have the other places defended well. I got a better-than-average position to work with and will begin making another type of colony ships in 2 turns. SYs and Mineral extraction have been updated and I can easily support my 140 ships (while building more) now. He has a hard time hitting my ships as it is and hasn't fought my LCs yet with the added armor bonus on them.

Frankly, though, I'm amazed at his economy and how many ships he can support! Though he has less of the system than I do, he has managed it very well. So, one thing I have learned, though, is never to count anyone out...so, I'm still building at points #2 and #3.