Mines not actually affected by scouts

from Sins Forums

     I apologize if there is already a post on this topic, but I get zero hits searching in the forum.  I, like many others, have experienced the rage of clearing mines.  In a recent game, I was wondering why my units were not engaging the mines, even though I had numerous scouts present and within range.  Upon zooming in on the mines, I noticed that they were not actually being pulled out of phase by my scouts, they were pulsing back and forth between phase and regular space.  This was further evidenced by my fighters, who would turn to engage, and almost immediately turn back to the hanger.  One can also see this in action as one right clicks on a mine and it issues either a move or attack order and alternates quickly between the two.

Further Info:  I was playing as Vasari, and this particular example was against other Vasari mines, and I cannot remember off-hand seeing this happen against TEC mines and I have never encountered Advent homing mines.

2,391 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

The mines phase in and out (right now).  They do it fast enough that distant ships/squadrons don't have time to "lock on" and attack before they disappear again.  I've found that teh best way to handle them, if you're vasri, is to get a group of sccout together, along with an orkulus.  The starbase can fire fast enough with enough firepower to clear mines out.  And it's tough enough to just get moved into the middle of a minefield to start clearing them.  Oh, and you need to upgrade the offence at least one level to get the missles, they're the best way to clear mines fast.

 

pek

 

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

    Do you know if going in and out, versus being brought in by scouts, is intended to change?

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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

I can't say for sure, but it will probably be a mixture of both.  Depends on which way is most efficient to code and best for ballance, I suppose.

 

pek

 

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

I'm guessing that the mines are intended to stay 'phased in' when detected and 'phased out' when not detected.

 

I have some guesses about why phase of the mines keeps cycling, but mostly I'll just wait to see if it changes in later releases.

 

And yes, the firing from distance = hitting phased in mines is annoying.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

     It does not help with the frustration that, if you watch the AI, they seem to have no problem sweeping mines.  They appear to be doing what I wish my fleet would do, though it never does.  Therein lies a balance issue.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Ya, i also noticed this problem while playing today (first day)... Really quite annoying. The only way I found is to find a squadron, and repeatedly right click on the mine with the squadron selected, and eventually you will have killed the mine... 1 down, an average of about 30 to go...

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

I've had less difficulty clearing mines.  All I'm doing is just advance the fleet towards the mines.  They seem to do pretty well clearing the mines at that point.  Based on how long it took the AI to clear part of one of my minefields, I'm getting about the same speed as the AI is at clearing heavily spammed mines.

I do agree that clicking on the mines is beyond painful and annoying.  I've given up on that and just let the autotargetting take care of shooting at the mines.  I have a feeling the next patch will change the situation somehow.  Here's to waiting until then.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

I had the same problem playing vasari.  However, when I researched the technology that allow scouts to phase in and out of space, the mines no longer toggled in and out of phase space when detecting mines.

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

It's likely due to the activation of abilities. The cloaking property is likely being added every activation cycle, while the decloaking scout ability does the same. When the two aren't in sync, the mines will pop in and out constantly.

Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top

I've had the problem as well - it would seem that it is somehow a memory issue - IE not enough. If you look at mines early in the game they don't have this problem - but once the game has progresses and everyone and their mother and sister poops out mines it starts - if you keep playing especiially on larger maps you will eventually minidump.

And yes startdock is aware of it ;)