Author Topic: I think I am missing something.  (Read 1949 times)

Offline wooaa

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I think I am missing something.
« on: August 26, 2014, 05:29:44 pm »
So far my main strategy of taking out a system is to just blob my entire fleet at the AI. This is mostly successful, if it does not work, i just do it again and again until their defenses fall (verdun anyone?). I cant help but feel like there is more to this game than I am noticing.

Offline corfe83

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Re: I think I am missing something.
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2014, 07:07:42 pm »
So far my main strategy of taking out a system is to just blob my entire fleet at the AI. This is mostly successful, if it does not work, i just do it again and again until their defenses fall (verdun anyone?). I cant help but feel like there is more to this game than I am noticing.

This is a common strategy and it definitely works in some cases. There are definitely some situations it won't work as well in:
1) Planets with an AI Eye (blobbing starships can sometimes handle this, if you have enough starships unlocked)
2) Planets with an Ion Cannon (raid starships are a good counter to this).

Also, in my opinion, much more of the fun in the game comes from strategizing not how to attack a single planet, but rather which planet(s) to attack on your path. You have to carefully consider the following factors:
1) Goodies (ARS, fabricator, advanced constructor / factory, etc.)
2) Resource income (do I want the planet with 8 metal harvesters, or 2?)
3) Strategically defensible locations (whipping boy / chokepoint)
4) Which AI planets you'll be putting on alert by taking out a planet
5) Current AI progress and/or pending waves (is it too high? Do I need to instead use my fleet defensively to avoid death or significant pain in T-minus 2 minutes?)

Also which planets you don't want to take, but you want to neuter or destroy things in, for some of these reasons:
A) Too many guard posts on an alerted planet is going to end in disaster if left alone for a long time
B) Some planets need neutering to increase the distance your scouts can reach
C) "Negative" goodies (raid engines, alarm posts, ai eyes, ion cannons, hybrid facilities if you're playing with hybrid hives on)
D) Take out a warp gate, leaving command center alone
E) Take out a sizable threat fleet which is bound to end in ruin for you sooner or later

Offline keith.lamothe

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Re: I think I am missing something.
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2014, 07:09:24 pm »
Have you run into any Sentinel/Raid/Nuclear/Plasma Eyes?  The AI's Special Forces?  Fortresses?

Any of those would provoke highly sub-optimal results (read: immense casualties and/or large amounts of extra angry AI ships) from straight blobbing.

For that matter, normal guard posts and guardians on a MkIV planet would inflict high casualties in many cases, though you can still blob through them eventually.


But in general the game is more about strategy than tactics.  Often if you play well your individual planet attacks will be won before they start simply because you bring in overwhelming firepower.  The real challenge is in arranging for that to be true, and in making each engagement matter towards your real objectives.


Ah, it appears I was ninja'd :)
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Offline Kahuna

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Re: I think I am missing something.
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2014, 09:28:13 am »
http://www.arcengames.com/forums/index.php/topic,16191.0.html

If blobbing works you need to increase the difficulty level. Or you can try a defensive AI type like Peacemaker.. if you want to punish yourself.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2014, 09:31:11 am by Kahuna »
set /A diff=10
if %diff%==max (
   set /A me=:)
) else (
   set /A me=SadPanda
)
echo Check out my AI War strategy guide and find your inner Super Cat!
echo 2592 hours of AI War and counting!
echo Kahuna matata!

Offline wooaa

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Re: I think I am missing something.
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2014, 09:35:47 am »
I just found a ship eye last night. I threw 400 ships at a system, and they threw 400 back. Nearly lost the game.

Offline Kahuna

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Re: I think I am missing something.
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2014, 09:42:00 am »
Good to hear.
set /A diff=10
if %diff%==max (
   set /A me=:)
) else (
   set /A me=SadPanda
)
echo Check out my AI War strategy guide and find your inner Super Cat!
echo 2592 hours of AI War and counting!
echo Kahuna matata!