Scuttle everything on a planet where pirates will attack.

Hi Cscoles,

Of course, anyones favorite strategy should be respected, and I do, too. But still, it wouldn't work for me.

Why?

First of all, I don't think you get the same resources back if you scuttle everything (haven't checked it yet but usually, in RTS/strategy games, breaking down buildings or structures do not always result in an equal return of resources) as what you payed for. Destruction of capital (money) is not my thing...maybe the losses are minimal, I don't know, but still....
On the other hand, you can USE pirates for your advantage...other posts in this forum already showed this. Especially in mid-game or later, and you've built your fleet carefully (including updates etc.), you can get "free experience points" by sending your fleet to every system the pirates tend to invade and whack their sorry asses with your fleet. You'd be surprised to see how fast the experience level of your cap ships grows!

If you do this a couple of times, you'll have a fleet that can cope with any enemy....

Another thought I have when reading your strategy is, that it takes a lot of effort to scuttle your structures etc. every time the pirates are attacking your system(s). Sure, sending the fleet to every corner of your border-planets (= the planets bordering an enemy, or pirate, planet/asteroid/base) can be a hassle every now and then, yet still, the rewards are much bigger I think.

But hey, if it works for you: fine! Keep up the good job I would say! But again, maybe my rants and raves are food for thought in your -and maybe others'- case....

Many regards,

TheCrow68

Yes, but if the pirates start to attack an undefended planet in the far-reaches of your empire, it is better to scuttle for this reason:

Pillagers stop bombing the planet once you scuttle everything. It is better not to lose the population on that planet and rebuild than it is to lose the population and possibly have to send a missionary vessel and rebuild infrastructure.

One more thing: Pirates are hard to use against a computer. Due to that they get so much more money, outbidding the computer can be difficult. Although, I have made this work on occasion.

Anyone corroborate this?

I think the only thing that stops them from bombing is zero population on a planet.

yes pillagers stop bombing once everything is scuttled. Ive done this many times its actually not to bad as vasari since they have a tech early on that increases value for scuttled buildings.

Um, unless your playing unfair AI the AI doesn't cheat, at all.

In regards to bidding, its totally possible to outbid the AI when you're playing as TEC. You'll know you're at the magic mark because instead of increasing bounty by 250 credits, it'll only go up by 120(or whatever they have left). Toss on another 250 for good measure and you're done.

When your structures get destroyed bounty on your head goes down, which is useful...

This is fine, but I try to avoid cheesy tactics like this as I suspect the developers will make them bad choices to attempt as time goes on.

It's like LRMs... yes I know they're great but I don't spam them and probably waste a lot of resources building mixed arms fleets. Depending on any one tactic is sure to backfire on you eventually though...

I usually have 5 heavy cruisers by the time someone gets 20 or so lrms, and I can keep building. Plus, once I get 20 or so heavy cruisers I start pumping out the fighters. I like to have about 60 squadrens to defend my cruisers from the inevitable bomber mass strategies. Plus, I get the anti-strikecraft cap abilities. Telekinetic push is priceless.

I also like crazy amounts of stuff deffending my ships too...

I usually have 5 kodiaks by the time someone can get 3 star systems and like to back those 5 kodiaks up with 150 squads 30 bomers rest fighters...(sarcasm)

You sir, are dumb on the level of Regicide. Quite impressive. Do you know IronhandX? He is another douchebag who you might like. But Regicide is lame enough to make flash movies specifically to go with his forum posts, the clear winner. Plus, he said I am "like an eel." WTF does that even mean?

Obviously I build more than 5 heavy cruisers.

Why do people think this kind of thing is so clever? I am getting annoyed. Why don't you try building mostly fighters and tell me how it doesn't work for you?