Len SaiMauni
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Posted - 2003.08.04 16:41:00 -
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Any of you guys (gals, whatever) "Starfire" players? There are similarities in this problem to warp point assults in that game. The main difference is that here you're dealing with low-down, dirty, skulking, thieving, no-good pirates who scurry away like the*****roaches they are when you flip on the kitchen light.  That's as opposed to military forces who are conducting a point defense on a warp point, who won't run, but will fight to hold their space, which is the norm in "Starfire." There are still similarities though, such as the problem of breaching the point when your ships are suffering massive sensor and systems impacts from transit disorientation. It leaves you vulnerable for several turns to counter-attack from the defenders, and is simply a part of the process you have to deal with when assaulting a warp point, which is why the task is not undertaken lightly. In warp point assaults, you are going to lose a significant portion of your assulting forces, even if you accomplish the goal. That's simply a given. As I stated, however, since the tactical goals are different in this case, (for now; somebody start a multi-empire war, please), some of the tactics don't apply.
However, there is one thing that comes to mind from my experiences with"Starfire" warp point assaults that might be workable in this case: warp-capable SBM-HAWK's, or Strategic Bombardment Missile, Homing All the Way Killer drones. The basic idea is that a drone is loaded up with independently targetable missile payloads, then sent through the warp-point (or stargate, in this case)to attack anything that falls within the parameters of its Rules of Engagement. Similarly, there's a tactic where carriers warp in, launch all fighters, and warp back out, only returning after a set time period to recover/re-arm.
I'm aware none of this is possible within the game as it exists, I'm just throwing out ideas so that the problem could be addressed within the realm of combat gameplay, rather than through an arbitrary nerf. I don't like nerfs in general, but in a PvP-oriented game they can be devastating to playability. Personally, I'd like to see massive drone carriers, or even PF tenders (basically carriers for frigates) in the game. I think the best way to solve a combat-oriented problem is to give the opposing parties more toys to work with, rather than limiting their abilities arbitrarily. It's the way the real world works, after all: Side A develops SuperDuperKillerWeapon X, and it forces Side B to develop Anti-SDKW X countermeasures, or better yet, build SDKW XI. 
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