Reprocessors: Failed science experiment (on my part)
After nuking my homeworld, I still had 350m/c a sec.
anyways, I went into a nearby mark 3 system with a full cap (mk 1 through 3) of zenith reprocessors, and nothing else.
Put 'em in standby, moved towards a group of 7 mark three bombers
M: 5800 * 7 prediction: 40,600 + metal, only 5,600 crystal.
Right before the first shot lands: 655,941 metal, 398,206 crystal. Time: 33:05
They may have unfortunately fired on some other units that came to join the fight, so the numbers are rougher than I hoped.
Anyways, at 33:23 I had 724,430 metal and 413,084 crystal.
If you toss out their special ability, they pretty thoroughly fail compared to even triangle ships, fighters vs bombers, reprocessors vs bombers, and still if you don't go up against a specific counter.
Total cost for marks1-3: 112,000 metal, 112,000 crystal, if I calculate correctly. So I've paid back half my metal investment in twenty seconds. Their counter, the Fighter is so cheap anyways it's not worth the time.
Thoughts:
- I need to try them in a mixed fleet while I'm trying to build either fallen spire, repair broken golem, or purchasing from the zenith trader.
- Reprocessors Mk 1 (136) build to cap quicker than fighters (192 sec mk1), MUCH quicker than Acid Sprayers (288+), AND can literally pay for themselves. For comparison, Spire Stealth Battleships clearly outperform in a battle role, but take 670 second to cap while costing 16000m/6000c versus Reprocessors 2000/2000. This time to cap ratio seems to hold true to the higher levels as well.
- This results in reprocessors being the most expendable low-cap ship, although you can end up at significant loss if they face enough units.
- This will go so much better without tackle drones and a nuked home system.
- I did not test at all in a mixed fleet, while paying attention to higher or lower marks, or supporting a system defense. This will certainly affect the reclamation levels to some extent.
- They definitely work now, although there are still plenty of things they cannot reclaim for resources. If they had immunity to tractors, I'd love them in a sort of Commando Reprocessor-Raider role.
- I might be able to use these to pay for fortresses and starship fleets. I wonder exactly how fast I can push this at the start of the game... I'm tempted to do a rial and AAR. See what my time to fortress is with and without.