Do we need larger mines than small?

Fyron · #1 January 11th, 2003, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
If they are going to be swept, why not minimize the resources and time spent building them?"

It is, IMO a matter of having enough mines to overwhelm any sweepers they bring AND enough firepower to kill them off. In the unmodded game a single 300 point warhead will probably kill off most smaller ships; larger ones might need two. If the enemy is using armor still, you need more firepower.

In mods where armor is an affective choice, you need lots more firepower.

Phoenix-D

By the time they get big ships, they should have no problem sweeping 100 mines at all. Mines are only useful in the early game, when small ships are used.

geoschmo · #2 January 11th, 2003, 04:08 AM

Ok, how is this for a one sentance rule?

LAW OF MINES:
Use the biggest mines you can afford that will be built by the time you need them.

A mine that is not done when you need it is useless. It's not even a mine, it's a construction queue entry.

And if resources are scare there is probably something better you could spend them on than mines to begin with. But if you have the resources to spare and the time to build them, there is no reason not to build the biggest mine you can and cram it full of warheads. That way if any do get through the sweepers they will do the maximum damage possible.

Geoschmo

[ January 11, 2003, 02:15: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

Fyron · #3 January 11th, 2003, 04:21 AM

But once the game progresses, mines become next to useless because sweeping is cheap and easy.

geoschmo · #4 January 11th, 2003, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
But once the game progresses, mines become next to useless because sweeping is cheap and easy.

If the question asked had been "Do we need mines?" then your statement would be relevant Fyron. But the question asked has to assume that mines are being used. And if mines are being used then you should use the biggest mines you can afford that will be built by the time you need them.

Geoschmo

Fyron · #5 January 11th, 2003, 06:15 AM

Yeah, and all those resources you spent on mines are wasted.

My cheap mines waste less.

atari_eric · #6 January 11th, 2003, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Yeah, and all those resources you spent on mines are wasted. My cheap mines waste less.

One could argue those saved resources do you no good if you are dead.

geoschmo · #7 January 11th, 2003, 07:12 AM

Not to mention that if you don't need mines, any amount spent on them is a waste. While if you need them, not spending enough to do the job right is a bad thing. I am not going to argue that mines are neccesary Fyron. All I am saying is that if you decide they are, don't hedge your bet by doing them halfway. Do them right, or don't do them. UNLESS you need them and the the critcal issue is a lack of time or lack of resources. If that is the case do smaller mines, or somehting else entirely. That's why I say use the biggest mines you can afford that will be built by the time you need them.

Geoschmo