Beams v Missiles

Caduceus · #1 January 11th, 2005, 01:10 AM

What is the general thought on beams vs missiles. It seems that missiles, before PDC are developed are the way to go. Once that occurs, you have to go to beams. Any comments?

EaX · #2 January 11th, 2005, 01:40 AM

I like beams even early on the game, i do everything i can to get phased polaron beams, or duc & ofcourse i research pdc as soon as possible.

Arkcon · #3 January 11th, 2005, 01:47 AM

Yeah, once you have larger hulls, and the max level of PDC, missiles are kinda weak. Devnull mod has a lot of variety, just to keep it interesting.

I like to use at least one missile on my late game weapon platforms. You end up with lots on your larger planets, and that might saturate the PDC of a smallish fleet, and let some fighter craft get some lucky shots.

EaX · #4 January 11th, 2005, 02:02 AM

yeah, on weapon platforms i generally use missile, but it's rare to see me using them on ships.... but i'm talking about stock game....

kerensky · #5 January 11th, 2005, 09:14 PM

On a side note...

FOr some mod concepts I'm working on, I modded an upgraded Version of the du cannon into devnul. It's called the gauss cannon and does, at highest level, a damage of 80 at a range of seven. And that's before mounts come into play. It doesn't outrange beam cannons, but does pack a huge punch when teh range closes...

TurinTurambar · #6 January 11th, 2005, 09:51 PM

I use Missile Cruisers with 4 Capitol Ship Missiles on each, organized in fleets, with a carefully modified "Max Weapons Range" strategy for glassing planets I won't be conquering. How can you beat 120pts damage per missile at a range of 16? You can't. Combine that with good shielding and some PDC for the flak coming off the planet and I'm out of range of your puny little beam weapons.

I get to Phased PB's as fast as I can for my attack ships. Once the rest reach Phased shielding, I'm well into my HED's.

I'm talking about stock game too.

Bring it, Meat.

Turin

brianeyci · #7 January 11th, 2005, 09:58 PM

Quote:

How can you beat 120pts damage per missile at a range of 16?

One large weapons platform loaded with PDC. Or many small weapons platforms loaded with two large mounted weapons and two PDC each.

Brian

Kamog · #8 January 11th, 2005, 10:53 PM

I usually don't use missiles. There's no mounts for them and you don't get experience from destroying enemy ships with them. I try to get anti-proton beams as soon as possible.

brianeyci · #9 January 11th, 2005, 11:02 PM

APB's kind of take a long time to research before they're as good as DUC's.

DUC's are cheap and inexpensive to research and at 50 damage at 1-5 range they're good for early and even middle game. I try and research heavily into another type of weapon, at least more damage and more range than DUCV before I start deploying them. APBI is useless.

Brian

EaX · #10 January 12th, 2005, 01:19 AM

yeah tell me...., i've researched APB's instead of DUC and my ships suffered the consequences.....