Anti-Structure Frigates

from Sins Forums

I hereby invent a new acronym:  ASF, for Anti-Structure Frigate!

Impressions so far with ASFs:

They have fairly bad behavior when put in a fleet.  For example, if a fleet is bombing an enemy planet and there's nothing left in the gravity well but extractors and logistics structures, the ASFs hang out doing nothing rather than attacking the structures.

Also, ASFs should probably come out of the factory with fleet auto-joining turned on.

They don't do well with auto-targeting during combat, either.  If ASFs are in a fleet attacking a starbase, they may use their attack abilites to nail unarmed orbital structures if those structures are closer to the ASFs than the starbase.

The frigates should learn how to prioritize targets, and also how to stick with them.  The Advent frigate has a long cool down, and if left alone after using its ability, the ship gets bored and automatically returns to its previous position or reforms with the fleet.  Then, 20 seconds later, the cooldown ends and it makes a U-turn to attack the same target - but it takes 20 seconds to move back to attack position.

There's also inconvenient behavior when giving orders to a group of ASFs.  If you select 8 ASFs and right-click on a starbase, the frigate that's selected "on top" will take an order to use its attack ability - but the other 7 are issued a move command.  The only way to make a group of ASFs focus fire is to individually select each one and give the orders separately.

 

But, although currently inconvenient to use and order around, ASFs are quite effective against structures.  A few of them can rapidly wipe out normal structures, and a large group can effectively take down a starbase.  It's worth bringing a few along if your opponent is using the new defensive structures and starbases.

The only thing I've noticed is that ASFs have fairly long build times compared to what I'd expect.  Given that they're inflexible, middle-tech-tier units, the time required feels relatively long.

4,498 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Bombers can destroy structures but they can also destroy ships. I don't see much future for anti-structure frigates that use up fleet supply but can't fight other ships. Unless Starbases get flak guns to wipe out bombers with which they should.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

I disagree- ASF's should be dealt with like siege craft which is what they're doing.  They're extremely powerful and fragile ships that need to be microed a bit, not thrown into a fleet with all your cruisers and frigates.  Just start them off on a building of your choosing and let them do their own thing.

I think they're pretty good right now, they shouldn't be something you can just pump out 20 of and they're powerful enough to take down a starbase with ease if left unchecked.  If anything I think they need to be more fragile; it takes too long to destroy at least the TEK Torpedo ships.

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

See, I'd think "ASF" was a fine name for them, except... well... they aren't frigates. :P

They're cruisers, you know.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

Ok perhaps if Starbases get super long range weapons and abilities to actually be able to defend planets independently, perhaps there is a chance that gimping your fleet with ships like that could be a viable strategy in the future.

But only if Starbases become more active and can't just be ignored like they are now.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

Properly done, starbases should have insane range, and the only thing in the game to out-range them should be the torpedo cruisers.

Then everything would be useful.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Agree with most of this.  My Advent long range cruiser found that a metal mine was smarter to attack than an upgraded starbase.  I do however like the Advents cruiser.  It's hawt.  The TEC is dumb and those missiles should be a bit stronger...? or at least make them smaller in  actual size.  And the Vasari's long range structer cruiser just is lacking in almos all departments....where is it?

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

I don't see why orbital bombing ships weren't repurposed to also attack structures. They're basically massive lightly armored guns, they're best ship for both jobs.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Bobucles, reply 7
I don't see why orbital bombing ships weren't repurposed to also attack structures. They're basically massive lightly armored guns, they're best ship for both jobs.
End of Bobucles's quote

That's a great idea. It would give two reasons to make this frigate.

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Bobucles, reply 7
I don't see why orbital bombing ships weren't repurposed to also attack structures. They're basically massive lightly armored guns, they're best ship for both jobs.
End of Bobucles's quote

This is a great idea, siege frigs could be the anti-building ships for each faction or at least Vasari since they dont have a anti-building cruiser. It would also make Pinpoint Bombardment somewhat useful!