Frequently Asked Questions for Newbies

[deccan]

A couple of questions:

1) The FAQ mentions that various kinds of abilities (ECM, Combat Sensor etc.) stack in fighter Groups. However, I can't figure out how to make use of this. Aren't all fighter stacks composed of only the same kind of fighter? For example, if I design an electronic warfare fighter (Hawkeye class) and a space-superiority fighter (Hornet class), can I specify that they ought to be launched in Groups of 1 Hawkeye for every 9 Hornets or something?

2) The FAQ should probably mention somewhere that it mainly applies to stock SE4 and maybe TDM. Mods change a lot of things. For example, I find that in Proportions, you'd probably need a much higher ratio of Organics to pay for starliner maintenance. I wonder if anyone would like to do separate strategy articles for the most popular mods.

[Slick]

Originally posted by deccan:
A couple of questions:

1) The FAQ mentions that various kinds of abilities (ECM, Combat Sensor etc.) stack in fighter Groups. However, I can't figure out how to make use of this. Aren't all fighter stacks composed of only the same kind of fighter? For example, if I design an electronic warfare fighter (Hawkeye class) and a space-superiority fighter (Hornet class), can I specify that they ought to be launched in Groups of 1 Hawkeye for every 9 Hornets or something?

2) The FAQ should probably mention somewhere that it mainly applies to stock SE4 and maybe TDM. Mods change a lot of things. For example, I find that in Proportions, you'd probably need a much higher ratio of Organics to pay for starliner maintenance. I wonder if anyone would like to do separate strategy articles for the most popular mods.

1) "Stack" is probably the wrong word here because it refers to having the same ability add together with other bonuses to the same ability. This does not happen with fighters. What does happen is that if any 1 unit in a stack (as in group) has an ECM or Combat Sensors, it applies to the whole stack until that unit is destroyed. You are right about the groupings of fighters but this mostly applies to other units that end up in the same stack (as in group) like Weapon Platforms and Satellites. Note that it is possible to have more than 1 kind of fighter in the same stack, but it is not easily controlled.

2) This is mentioned in section 0.0. Mods are covered separately in section 16. The intent of the FAQ is to refer mainly to the unmodded game. Each Mod usually comes with some kind of information by its author(s) on what it changes.

Slick.

[ June 24, 2003, 03:44: Message edited by: Slick ]

[Scipio]

So do Weapon Platform on a planet stack the same way? Does a scanner/talisman/ECM benefits all others too?
And if I make a weapon platform with only shields, is that of any use because they all count as ,,one" unit or may it be that all other weapon platforms are destroyed before the shield platform is even hit, because they all count as different and are picked by random, or is the first always under fire first ...
Sorry for so many questions.

[Slick]

Yes, a sensor, etc is effective for all WP's until the given WP containing the component is destroyed.

Not sure on what order WP's are destroyed, I have heard it is related to size (kt) or possibly first made = first destroyed. Someone else will know this one.

Slick.

[ June 24, 2003, 21:01: Message edited by: Slick ]

[Asmala]

Weapon platforms are destroyed by weakest first strongest Last. At least in my tests in simulator. Thus if you build "shield platforms" check their total hitpoints are below your "weapon platforms". The size of weapon platform (small, medium, large) doesn't matter.

[Slick]

Hi all,
Stay tuned for another significant update to the FAQ in the next several days.

Expected additions:
- Sect 17.3 from the Strategy Articles thread by Stone Mill
- incorporation of points raised in this thread since Last update
- some goodies I have been collecting (with credit to the authors) from the recent other threads

Slick.

[MutantGene]

Unsure where to ask this question so we'll try here, I've been playing the game for many months and have recently started a multi-player game

I keep thinking I have this simultaneous movement stuff figured out when along comes something even more idiotic...
Picture this if you can, within a system (adjacent to each other)

f (enemy fleet)
* (my planet with large fleet)

I give orders to my ships to seek after the enemy ships (two of mine after each of his, just incase they split up)

my ships move first onto his fleet
his ships move second onto my planet
day 5 - combat starts, hmm.. no enemy for my ships to attack
oh look there's an undefended planet for his fleet, lets blow it up!

sometime later in the month we seem to catch up with him and extract revenge, Gggrrreat!

How are you suposed to get this to work? How can you reliably attack enemy fleets that move the same speed as you? (looks like it only works if you are an even number of spaces apart )