Attacking/Bombing Planets

ckotchey · #1 November 18th, 2002, 05:38 PM

I'm in my first PBW game and am about to attack an enemy planet that has mines (I'm sending in plenty of sweepers), and no bases or satellites, and only one cruiser over it. Population there is pretty low, but I suspect there will be plenty of WPs on the planet.
My question is - when my ships attack the planet itself, will they target population, or would attacks target the WP's (i.e. cargo?)? And what of facilities? Also, is this something I can control? In this case, I'd rather they hit the population, if given a choice.
Also, if the population is targetted, then wiped out - are all the facilities and/or cargo also wiped out as a side-effect?

Ragnarok · #2 November 18th, 2002, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ckotchey:
I'm in my first PBW game and am about to attack an enemy planet that has mines (I'm sending in plenty of sweepers), and no bases or satellites, and only one cruiser over it. Population there is pretty low, but I suspect there will be plenty of WPs on the planet.
My question is - when my ships attack the planet itself, will they target population, or would attacks target the WP's (i.e. cargo?)? And what of facilities? Also, is this something I can control? In this case, I'd rather they hit the population, if given a choice.
Also, if the population is targetted, then wiped out - are all the facilities and/or cargo also wiped out as a side-effect?

If I recall this correctly then your ships will attack the WP's firstly. Then they move on.

But if you take troop transports and drop troops on you can take the population and leave the facilities in tact and be able to use them for yourself.

capnq · #3 November 19th, 2002, 01:00 AM

Weapon platforms and anything else in cargo get hit first, then population. Facilities are destroyed as collateral damage to killing population.

Researching Planetary Weapons 6+ gets you Smart Bombs that target specific facilities.

Atrocities · #4 November 19th, 2002, 01:09 AM

Do not commit your entire fleet. You may end up with a nasty surprise.

Suicide Junkie · #5 November 19th, 2002, 02:28 AM

Yes. Definitely send one escort ahead to draw out the enemy's defenses.

Imagine a stack of cloaked starbases, drones galore hidden on the surface, and Ioncannon/Repulsor beam platforms behind a planetary shield.

ckotchey · #6 November 19th, 2002, 04:45 AM

The problem in this case is that there are lots of mines. Any solo ship gets fried before I get a chance to even look at the system. I suppose I could send in ALL my sweepers and have them steer clear of the planet. Not a bad idea.

ckotchey · #7 November 19th, 2002, 05:36 PM

D'oh!!! Talk about a newbie mistake! Forgot all about fighters. He had a pile of them on the surface of the planet - I should have sent everyone in at once.
Live and learn. That's what I'm learning to love about this game - so many different options & counters.

Gryphin · #8 November 19th, 2002, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ckotchey:
D'oh!!! Talk about a newbie mistake! Forgot all about fighters. He had a pile of them on the surface of the planet - I should have sent everyone in at once.
Live and learn. That's what I'm learning to love about this game - so many different options & counters.

I think of this game as one ongoin Kasserine Pass.

and love it for the same reason. Too much of my life is predictable. SEIV is not.