Peacetime optimization?

I don't have the game, but I was wondering if the followinf was a good way to design your ships during peacetime, when you're not sure who your next enemy will be.

It seems to me, that the optimal build scheme in the absence of a clear threat and with sufficient tech (which you would need to trade for) isa fleet of three ships, each with a different attack, and 1/1/1 defence (effective 3 against all attacks), or ultimately a 4/4/4 defence (effective 8 vs all attacks) or 9/9/9 (effective 15).

Once war breaks out, you can specialise your ships to block their strengths and exploit their weaknesses.

Early on, you may only have one good attack tech and one good defence tech and small hulls, but by the mid game you should have enough of everything to make a fairly diverse fleet.

I'm wondering if anyong has tried this and if it worked to effectively protect you in the early stages of a war.
7,239 views 3 replies
Reply #1 Top
The pace of the game (especially at higher difficulty ratijngs) make it hard to go with a balanced approach early on. Better to research one attack and one or two defenses.

Randomness is hard to figure sometimes so don't take this as a certainty but in my experience the AI has a thing for beam weapons and defense. I always go for guns and shields and I haven't guessed wrong yet.

However, I have yet to get a precursor Ranger and I see some are getting 3-4 per game so it could just be luck on my part.
Reply #2 Top
I usually push beam and point defence/armour. Beam seems to miniturize better, however it seems that Missiles can do a LOT more damage (especially one you hit the harpoons and higher). Its all what you prefer, but a missle gunboat looks awsome!
Reply #3 Top
it just takes too much time to research all kinds of weapons and defenses. its better to focus on 1-2 of them and instead research more important stuff like ship hulls and miniaturization instead of doing Mass Driver 1-5 when you already have missiles and lasers.