General Questions and Advice

[Rogue187]

Well, Thank you all that have been so active in teaching me the ins and outs of starshatter. I am getting the hang of the game and look forward to getting some of the stories that you guys have.

I am now a Lt. Cmdr so I can take command of capital ships. How do I best use them? I am not sure how to order around a squadron of DDs, let alone call in additional support. Also, some of my Highland battles have been going very badly. My 60th Destroyer Squadron is down to one DD, my CVBG is ok, but I am running low on fighters (probably down to about 1/2 my fighter wing) I got backup with come CAs with DD support, but one the mission to destroy the Golith, I lost most of my force. My campain is on day 11 or so and I am not sure how much longer my guys can maintain before I loose my entire battle group.

My questions are: How do I use my Battle group effectively? Surprisingly I can see enemy ships at long range, but my senors won't target them (this seems backwards to me. My sensors should be able to dectect ships before I can see them) this means I can't tell other ships what to attack. how do I step up to command?

[Kuokkanen]

ORIGINAL: Rogue187

I am now a Lt. Cmdr so I can take command of capital ships. How do I best use them?

If there is need to make sharp turns, like to intercept frigate, it is often best to slow down a bit, then make turn and throttle up. Large circle on HUD marks firing arc of X-Lasers, so you want keep target inside that circle. X-Lasers, Grasers and plasma cannons mounted on some frigates can target only starbases and other starships, so you can't use them against fighters. PDB is answer against fighters and starship torpedoes, but they don't shoot down fighter mounted missiles (bad, I know [:@])

I am not sure how to order around a squadron of DDs, let alone call in additional support.

There should be preplanned nav routes for each ship on your starship group, so it isn't must to order them around anyway. While betatesting Starshatter (versions 3.8.x), I found through hard way it is best to let starships follow their course instead ordering them to follow player (for some reason they dragged over 100 km behind). If you feel that your group isn't enough, press 'R' key to assign orders for other starships.

Surprisingly I can see enemy ships at long range, but my senors won't target them (this seems backwards to me. My sensors should be able to dectect ships before I can see them)

Agreed. For some reason Mark I Eyeball beats radar, particularly in F3 view (Orbit Cam). I have no good idea why it is so, other than becouse milo says so.

[Moriartie]

There should be preplanned nav routes for each ship on your starship group, so it isn't must to order them around anyway. While betatesting Starshatter (versions 3.8.x), I found through hard way it is best to let starships follow their course instead ordering them to follow player (for some reason they dragged over 100 km behind). If you feel that your group isn't enough, press 'R' key to assign orders for other starships.

In SS:TGS I found that getting my squadmates to "escort" me was quite effective.
F3 view - right click on squadmate, select "escort" then click on your own ship. They'll give you prioritie over nav points and try to stay in formationish type things.

Agreed. For some reason Mark I Eyeball beats radar, particularly in F3 view (Orbit Cam). I have no good idea why it is so, other than becouse milo says so.

That'd be the only the reason (game design). The stars being occultated (hidden) by a ship would allow it to easily be picked up to a range of many hundreds of k via a decent sensor/camera system.

[Toshiro]

I found that seeing the ships before your sensors to be a bit of a cheat.  I don't think it was meant to be like that.  I mean you do have probes to search out the enemy. And there is the different Emcon signatures. Unless you prescribe to a "Gundam" approach, where your ships would normaly have visual scanners as well as radar sensors. Then checking with the MK1 eyeball is part of the deal. Kinda take stealth out of it though.
 
T

[Moriartie]

Well when I tried encom the enemy broadsword still started coming toward me at about 125km and torping me as soon he got within 100km (which meant instant death due to lack of shields). Also I had difficulty turning things on/off when at lower encom ratings. Thus I gave up on it and try the "charge head on with all guns blazing".

[Psycho0124]

Yeah is there any way to make use of lowered ECOM levels? AI always seems to spot me reguarless of my attempts to be stealthy.

Also just a side question, I have gotten into the habit of fireing a probe just beofre launching a volley of torps to give the enemy ships PDS something more to shoot at (in the hopes of letting one of my torps thru). For some reason, the enemy ships batteries fire like mad at probes just as if they were threatening torpedos. It has actually helped on a few occasions. Sometimes the probe will even impact the enemy ships hull. Im curious if anyone knows whether these probes do any damage on impact. Im usually fireing other weapons at the time so its kinda hard to tell..

[Zanthras]

I have successfully use lower EMCOM levels to approach ships...
 
I recently used this in Op Firestorm, day 3, assualt CV Gryphon
 
Stormwind and her entire group flew right by on the enemies left flank and struck before they ever knew what was happening.
 
I typically switch to EMCOM 2 at the start of a mission if my sensors do not pick up and enemy ships.
 
Because your MK1 Eyeball sensors will pick them up first you can use orbit cam to know where they are, use a flanking manuver for the approach. When I am within 200km, (max range of the orbit cam) I switch to EMCOM 1
 
For ranges closer than 150km EMCOM 1 works great, sneak along their flank and right up behind and below them.
 
When we got within what I guessed to be 80km I called for all ships to switch to EMCOM 3.
 
Unless the enemy already knows I am there I do not use probes. If I am spotted by the frigates that typically hang on the point of CVGs I use a probe to see what is beyond the FFs.
 
Probes don't do any signifcant damage...just impact on the surface
 
hope this proves helpful.
 
 

[JT]

ORIGINAL: Psycho0124

[snip]I have gotten into the habit of fireing a probe just beofre launching a volley of torps to give the enemy ships PDS something more to shoot at [snip]
Sometimes the probe will even impact the enemy ships hull.

XO: "Sir, we've been hit by a blunt, roundish object!"
CO: "Details!"
XO: "It... it seems to be a probe, sir!"
CO: "..."
XO: "Yeah, I know."

[Psycho0124]

:::Booom...Kaboooom......Kaboooom.....Blammm!!:::::
CO: Those sure didnt sound like probes..
XO: Maybe we should fire the PDS gunners sir.....
CO: They are all dead now anyway commander..

[Rogue187]

XO: Sir, a probe just crashed into the side of the ship.
CO: Damage?
XO: None, sir
Comms Officer: Sir, there seems to be something very weak coming through...http://ingram.telcom.arizona.edu/~suzanne/starwars/sounds/probe.wav Captain this signal is not used by the Seperatists, it could be an Alliance code.

[JT]

...I have to say that mine was funnier.