On reflection, I think that spire cruiser I saw was from a nasty MK III counter attack post. I haven't seen any normal waves use spire ships yet, thankfully.
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![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/Chemical53/6511/AIWar2011-06-0621-07-49-05.jpg)
So I find myself needing to get to Burnme to capture a shard. With multiple intersections any gate raids will be costly. I need to reduce these fronts unless I will leave a fluid line between core planets and the shard, I will still try to gun and run for one more shard before sealing up my back door.I need to push toward it.
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![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/Chemical53/6511/AIWar2011-06-0621-16-01-94.jpg)
This AI response is stiff. A MK IV is simply a tough nut to crack. I sent full caps into this wormhole initially. It resulted in me being repulsed with only a quarter cap of frigates and bombers.
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![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/Chemical53/6511/AIWar2011-06-0621-29-51-67.jpg)
Rather then waste 30 minutes building 3 waves and risking building up my fronts I decide a short cut is in order. A MK III EMP will nullfiy all but the hybrids allowing a decimating alpha strike,
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![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/Chemical53/6511/AIWar2011-06-0621-33-01-43.jpg)
The alpha strike was a great success. With minimal total casualties I already scout ahead on to my other fronts as I scout forward worlds.
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![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/Chemical53/6511/AIWar2011-06-0621-40-12-60.jpg)
The AI reinforcement response is insane. In one minute a border world went from 100 to 200 units. If I can keep the AI pumping out cheaper MK units I'll gladly continue this with some border aggression suppression operations.
The main path is blocked by an eye. I may just pump another EMP missile followed by a guard annihilation group of starship vessels.