Re: Galaxy-shipping materials

From: bampton@cs.utk.edu (Howard the Energizer)

Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 00:00:00 +0000

In article <647778100wnr@spelbind.demon.co.uk> Steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk writes:

>> On a different note: for those of you who scoff at orbital defenses. You
>> are correct that (except perhaps on a homeworld) orbital defenses will
>> rarely a major invasion; but they can stop raiders and their presence
>> keeps your "allies" out of temptation.

>Won't stop a major invasion? Get 500 Chaff ships in orbit (tiny
>floating guns), one or two light multiple-shot ships (say about 10
>shots at 10 strength) and then a few biggies (say shot strength 50) and
>see anyone knock that over easily.

Small problem here. By the time you have those 500 guns there, the
opposition has probably switched from using drones as cannon fodder to
mass 2-4 shielded drones. These are largely immune to size 1 guns
(~15% kill rate), and building 500 units with size 2, 3, or 4 guns that
will be more effective will take so long that you opponent will have
the time to switch back to drones, or build heavier slugs.

On the other hand, building several hundred mass 1 or 2 driveless
slugs (i.e. 0 0 0 1 0, 0 0 0 1.5 0, or 0 0 0 2 0) a few shotguns with
strength 2-4 guns, plus the larger ships you mentioned, is likely to
be somewhat effective. Mixing the sizes of the slugs also helps- it is
more easy to optimize you attack force if the enemy has a single size
cannon fodder unit. If they have, say, 100 drones, 100 mass 1 slugs,
and 100 mass 2 slugs, you will want two or three types of shotguns,
rathern than a single type.

Howard
--
Howard Bampton                      "The man without love gives no hostages
Internet: bampton@cs.utk.edu        to fortune." -- Black Omne
System Administrator, Stibo Datagraphics

References

Galaxy player: Any new games starting out there?
welostr2@concentric.net
Sat, 21 Sep 1996 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Galaxy-shipping materials
Stig Hemmer <stig@voldsboks.pvv.ntnu.no>
Wed, 09 Oct 1996 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Galaxy-shipping materials
Steve Pritchard <Steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk>
Fri, 11 Oct 1996 00:00:00 +0000