Vasari vs Hard AI help

from Sins Forums

WARNING SEMI-BIG SCREENSHOT SIZE

Just got the game about 2 weeks ago, this is my fourth map played and I love this game. I started off well but almost 3 hours in and I'm being beat down by 3-4 opponents at a time, this is my second time facing Hard AI, last one I had to surrender to.

Game Details

Random Huge with 10 Random Hard AI's

Myself being Vasari, the second time I've played them.

My income is 21.2 Credits/4.8 Metal/4.0 Crystal per second.

My fleet consists of a

Rank 10 Evavuator

Rank 8 Devastator

14 Enforcers

5 Overseers

39 Assailants

and a Skirmisher in a pear tree.

My secondary fleet (in the making) is 10 Transporters with 10 more on the way and a planned Carrier Capital (forgot the name at the moment), their squadrons will consist of 90% Fighters 10% bombers (to bait the enemy fighters).

 

My Map

http://e.imagehost.org/view/0175/ScreenShot_1

My two current chokepoints are the Ice planet you see all my ships at, and the asteroid with two Orange planet connections to it. These both have Phase Stabalizers and minor defenses (2 repair bays, 10 Turrets and 2 hangars for the ice planet). Early into the game I was able to Ally with Pink, who seems to be a turtling AI, but that clears one side of my chokepoints so I though I could concentrate on Orange. The problem is I'm literally being attack at both of my chokepoints by 4 AI's, they take turns and usually run when I bring my fleet in. Red is definetly an Agressive AI, Orange seems to be more Economic, and then I have Blue/Purple and OCCASIONALLY Teal attacking my ice planet. Without my phase stabilizers I would not be able to hold them off.

I'm still learning the game and this is definetly a map I do not want to lose, if for nothing other than to say I could take on some hard AI's. Any suggestions are welcome and hopefully with help I can win this.

 

PS. My research is pretty much maxed out for weapons and armor on my ships. I also have Dark Armada which I am using constantly to help boost my fleet size.

strategy
6,291 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

It would be great if you take that ice planet above your asteroid (2nd chokepoint). About 10 planet bombers and Devastator it will be enough for planet bombing and the rest of the fleet should be enforsers and assailants, but be sure to have more assils, the enforsers are bate for the AI's fleet and the assils will wipe them out from distance. Keep your Deva near the assils AT ALL COST!!

Once that planet has no fleet to defend it, bring the planet-bombers which you should keep them on some other place, don't bring them with the rest of the fleet, they will be the target.

Also research additional fleet supply for defending the asteroid.

On your ice chokepoint, you're doing great, but build additional media hubs. Keep defending, do not attack at 2 places at the same time.

Hope I helped.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

Use RA at all of your planets (or just flip it to autocast and watch for your supply to get low), and that should get your fleet on it's feet.  also, I'd suggest skipping the Carrier cap (unless they are strikcraft-swarming you) and getting more Devastators for fleet mingling, Desolators for line battles(where the groups of ships stay separate; try to focus on one or the other, as the AI will generally pick one type of attack and stick with it - usually rushing into your fleet) The Desolator+Devastator mix is great when you get explosive Nanites, which, when used in conjunction with Phase Missile Swarm, will devastate fleets.

Research Long-Range Sensors if you haven't already, and follow the fleeing fleet with your own.  just MAKE SURE that you can get back to your chokepoint in time to defend it. 

One last thing: GET THOSE NEUTRAL EXTRACTORS!!!!!  Esp. in the enemy's territory!  they give you sight in that gravity well and the AI leaves those alone.  the AI also likes to stage their attacks from wells with neutrals.

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

With the help posted here I was able to overcome the map with the sheer power of RA. Literally by the time I was almost done with the map I had near 200k credits/50k metal and 20k crystal that I was not able to  spend because I had already upgraded all of my planets and my fleet was at max! Time to try out Advent, I'm going to go for the Frigates only achievement, wish me luck.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

better is the caps only achievement. it is majestic to watch 16 caps obliterate all comers, and destroy a 6000 planet in 30 seconds

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Orodum, reply 2


One last thing: GET THOSE NEUTRAL EXTRACTORS!!!!!  Esp. in the enemy's territory!  they give you sight in that gravity well and the AI leaves those alone.  the AI also likes to stage their attacks from wells with neutrals.
End of Orodum's quote

i noticed it too, take some of your scout and capture them. Almost free ressources and spotters.

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting darkbluesea, reply 4
hehehe gl you will needed it buts its a fun achievment
End of darkbluesea's quote

 

Your not kidding, I'm 3 hours into a 10 man FFA Huge with locked FFA teams. I made two mistakes on this map,

1. I decided to not only do frigates only achievement, but to also do Harmony only research achievement.

2. I also decided to impose upon myself the no tactical buildings achievement, though from the looks of it I might be breaking that soon.

 

6 Planets are under my possession, I had to rush to get those, 2 AI's are dead already and I have two others that are bashing on my outer planets constantly. My 3 fleets of 200 Disciples are doing what they can to hold back the tide, and my Harmony Research is almost fully completed. If the achievement works like it says(I get achievement upon last research in the tree), I will instantly start scuttling my Harmony buildings and going full on Cruiser fleets. After quiting the map I noticed there is only one AI who is keeping up with my resources income and so far I haven't even seen him. Problem is my last save is with two completely seperate planets being attacked by large forces and my poor frigates are falling like flies. I'll post some screenshots later for everyone to point and laugh at me for doing these achievements in the completely wrong way.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

Your not kidding, I'm 3 hours into a 10 man FFA Huge with locked FFA teams. I made two mistakes on this map,

1. I decided to not only do frigates only achievement, but to also do Harmony only research achievement.

2. I also decided to impose upon myself the no tactical buildings achievement, though from the looks of it I might be breaking that soon.



6 Planets are under my possession, I had to rush to get those, 2 AI's are dead already and I have two others that are bashing on my outer planets constantly. My 3 fleets of 200 Disciples are doing what they can to hold back the tide, and my Harmony Research is almost fully completed. If the achievement works like it says(I get achievement upon last research in the tree), I will instantly start scuttling my Harmony buildings and going full on Cruiser fleets. After quiting the map I noticed there is only one AI who is keeping up with my resources income and so far I haven't even seen him. Problem is my last save is with two completely seperate planets being attacked by large forces and my poor frigates are falling like flies. I'll post some screenshots later for everyone to point and laugh at me for doing these achievements in the completely wrong way.
End of quote

Hurry up with the screenshots :grin:

Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top

Well, first of all, if your goal in the game are the achievements, play against normal or eventually easy.

On the screenshots you look f**ked. How the f**k the yellow guy got the desert planet and keeps blocking you? If you destroy it, you are clear to go for the the greens homeworld.

The fleet that is at the plasma clouds, send it to the asteroid above it.

At the ice planet you have outnumbered the AI, but only with frigates? Research Illums, Destra and drone hosts and keep building them. Also let some vessels die for the sake of a Radiance battleship or Rapture.

Your 1st mistake is that you went for the "only Harmony" achievement vs hard. Not to mention huge map, that means laggy and anoying!!

Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting tito_defekt, reply 10
Well, first of all, if your goal in the game are the achievements, play against normal or eventually easy.

On the screenshots you look f**ked. How the f**k the yellow guy got the desert planet and keeps blocking you? If you destroy it, you are clear to go for the the greens homeworld.

The fleet that is at the plasma clouds, send it to the asteroid above it.

At the ice planet you have outnumbered the AI, but only with frigates? Research Illums, Destra and drone hosts and keep building them. Also let some vessels die for the sake of a Radiance battleship or Rapture.

Your 1st mistake is that you went for the "only Harmony" achievement vs hard. Not to mention huge map, that means laggy and anoying!!
End of tito_defekt's quote

 

While I appreciate the advice, I put restrictions on myself to make it a little bit more interesting and harder. If I wanted an easier game you are correct I can put the ai on Normal or Easy, but that is not what I intend with my experience. Those screenshots are about an hour or two old, as of now, two of my planets are nearly gone but I'm slowly researching into the better frigates and cruisers. I am confident that I will win this map and I will post the results in this thread to show anyone who cares how it goes no matter the outcome.

 

PS. The Yellow desert world was the first one he took from me, the issue was there was a larger green fleet attacking my asteroid and I could not split forces.

PPS. Up until AFTER these screenshots I had no way of taking any hostile planets, Harmony only means the only fighting vessels I have are the Scout and the Disciple. Now I have a fleet of 180 Disciples and about 4-5 Purge frigates. Im still losing but soon my Crusader research will finish and then these AI's will learn the hard way... I hope.

Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

1. I decided to not only do frigates only achievement, but to also do Harmony only research achievement.
End of quote

but I'm slowly researching into the better frigates and cruisers.
End of quote

...?

Did you already complete the harmony tree?

Edit: After looking at the screens it appears you were well on your way.

Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top

PPS. Up until AFTER these screenshots I had no way of taking any hostile planets, Harmony only means the only fighting vessels I have are the Scout and the Disciple. Now I have a fleet of 180 Disciples and about 4-5 Purge frigates. Im still losing but soon my Crusader research will finish and then these AI's will learn the hard way... I hope.
End of quote

I'm sure it will pay off if the AI's don't have their elite cruisers.

Good luck.