Feeding from the pocket

from Sins Forums

So what is the best way to feed the team when you are in a 5v5 and in the pocket? 

Playing TEC, I always went 2 quick civic labs, then started with the metal/crystal upgrades, then

trade ports, etc.  However, I was watching a game and saw the pocket player only research trade ports, set up a 4 planet link, and then filled every slot with trade ports (4-8 on each planet).  Of course his income for credits was insane, however he didnt have much metal/crystal.

 

I was thinking that feeding the team was about all 3 commodities, but generally when people feed me, it's only with credits. 

What's the best way to feed the team then?

 

RM

strategy
3,501 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Hi ReadyMan!

I think we played against each other a few days ago.

In my opinion you are right about feeding only credits. As a 4v4 or a 5v5 litarally can take hours, the effect of well-placed refineries can be much better than setting up trade ports. Alas, they are only worth their money if settled to a grav well with about 8 to 10 mines in its surrounding area.

Yet I am so sorry about the trade ports if you miss out persevering economy. Build about 5-6 trade ports early in the game. Then add 6 more civil labs and keep on researching the trade enhancements first, then get the two levels of PE. You should then concentrate on getting more ports and refineries.

Why so? Because PE becomes stronger the larger the map and the more players present. You get a share of every sale and every trade income, including that of your enemies! At times I had a base income of 30 c/sec, but I could feed my clan mate GTA!!!MTA!!! like 100 c/sec. I just kept pressing the feed-button each second and could do so before I got a negative salary after 5 minutes. And hell, I already gave him all my credits first!

Things might look different in a 3v3. There you might have to build a fleet as well, even if placed in the pocket. Try to get an income of 30-40 c/sec first, though. Then add up fleet positions your allies have neglected so far (that is usually capital ships and light frigates. The latter ones can also be transferred from one hot spot to another rather quickly due to their high speed, if not already Vasari with phase gates).

So far, EEF - Prax

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

It's a matter of time.  Your ally may not have time for you to get your refineries in order before he is overwhelmed by the enemy.

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Plus TEC refineries are garbage unless they are in a really sweet spot. In almost every situation, you're better off just adding another trade port and converting it to resources yourself (if you have black market discounts, which you should!). If you're in the pocket in a 5v5, you probably don't have that many planets (maybe 6-7) so wasting the research on refineries, without getting upgraded cargo etc. is not worth it. Especially, as Astax pointed out, since the feed is most effective at getting the early game advantage.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

QUOTE: Plus TEC refineries are garbage unless they are in a really sweet spot

That is what I wanted to point out! But since you have to research the tech anyway to get to Persevering Economy, why not build a few?

A question on refineries that just came to my mind: Are they indirectly culture dependent?

 

QUOTE: It's a matter of time.  Your ally may not have time for you to get your refineries in order before he is overwhelmed by the enemy.

That's why our clan builds things in a more or less certain order. First some fleet with only a few trade ports. Then scout, scout, scout and attack or feed, feed, feed, and building up more. If one of our attackers leaves his homeworld, we will usually start building more trade ports/refineries or do the research for PE. After 5-10 minutes when our attacker needs feed once more because he will have to pay for conquered worlds, new structures and to replace losses/add new ships, the economy boost kicks in at the right time.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

So if you are going for the trade routes, then population becomes very important doesnt it?  It's so expensive tho (I usually get the planet to pop 2 when I colonize it, so I dont lose $ on it).

So how important is the population to the trade route?

 

The length of the trade route is the first goal, right?  Then populating each planet with as many trade posts as possible, then populating the planets?

 

Huge cargo holds also effect the trade ships, not just the refinery ships, right?

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

I'm not positive, but I think cargo holds affects refineries, and NOT trade ports. Double-check the descriptions, though.

Also, population does not matter for trade port income, only tax income.

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

The description on huge cargo holds says "frigates improved: trade ship, refinery ship".

So that makes it worth going with more civ labs...

 

which brings up a good question:

Which is better, 20+ trade ports, or fewer trade ports and pervasive econ?

or even fill trade ports first, or make a long link and then go for pervasive econ,

then fill planets with trade ports/logistic slots?