Big Red Button

from Sins Forums

I was in a huge 5v5 game that lasted hours yesterday.  At two different points we

used the self destruct on a TEC sb to try and destroy the opponent's fleet.  However,

the explosion wasnt very big, and it didnt really do anything to the ships/strike craft

around it. 

 

This got me to wondering:  was it because we waited till the sb was low in hp and then

hit the button, or is the area of effect just the immediate vicinity of the sb itself.

 

Does anyone know how damage is calculated withe the self destruct?  As it appears now, this is a

waste of research money and time, and a sb for that matter....and I cant imagine why anyone

would self destruct a sb when it in effect does nothing (especially at later stages of the game

when ships have really good armor/shields).

 

RM

strategy
5,214 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

a TEC Starbase that has fully upgraded self destruct does 8000 dmg to all ships in the area. that will destroy every single ship in a fleet except for caps.

It is the single most powerful ability in the game. it even makes MB look like throwing rocks against the ships.

In late game it can make an automatic win cause your enemy wont be able to build his fleet back up fast enough. before you cream him.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

When you hover your mouse over the button, you will see the area of effect.  Anything, minus caps, in that area will be destroyed.  Strikecraft, as far as I know, are not destroyed by it though.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

As others have already said, the enemy ships where probably out of the blast radius.  And, everything gets blasted when it goes off, everything, strike craft included.

IMO, TEC is the strongest race.  They can just overpower anything else out there.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

hrm....are there additional stages to the self destruct?  I only researched one, so perhaps that's the reason....

 

also, this damage is to EVERYTHING in the radious, right?  So labs, friendly ships, trade ships etc, all get destroyed?

 

Does it matter when you push the button (like just before the sb gets destroyed and is at low hp), or should it be when it has high hp?

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

I believe it has an activiation time, so in theory if you waited to long, the SB could blow up before the ability activates. Of course I could be wrong...

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

It's best to activate in manually.  Yes, it has an activation time, but the amount of damage it deals is the same, whether at 100% health or 1% health.  Ideally, if you know you're going to blow it, I would push the button when his fleet is closest and not worry whether the SB is still at 100%, because after that, the guy is screwed.

And yes, it damages friendly structures and ships, so be careful.

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

I've had similar problems where an advent attacker has had his illums/hc survive the button even though they were in the blast radius (they had pretty low health afterward). My best guess is that if they have fully upgraded shields/armor, they can withstand even self destruct.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

level 1 does 4000 damage. level 2 does 8000. im guessing he had some guardians with him?

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

Shield Mitigation applies too, so if they've been in a heavy firefight, a lot of the damage can be shrugged off.

Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top

the only way for any ship to survive (other than cap ships) is to have the ability only at lvl 1. at lvl 2 no ship fully upgraded or not, will survive.(caps will survive)

Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

OK, that's the issue then...I had it only upgraded one time.

I wont make that mistake again  :)

Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

Just remember though that you are taking an extra slot away that you may wish to use - e.g. aux govt or strike craft or more armor etc...

Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top

Tried this yesterday:  double upgrade on the button, waited for my two opponents (I was doubled) to get into range and then blew the sb.  It destroyed their fleets, but not the caps, and all my support structure.  Yeah....pretty good, especially for games where people drop and the teams are lopsided.  Thanks for all the input!