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Starbases are too strong IMHO, please see this screenshot, a starbase with a firepower over 800 and incredible shields of over 5000. How can you destroy such a thing. I wasted two strong fleets (over 40 ships!).





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Dunno how to upload screenshots. But this page links to the screenshot.

You not being strong enough,more like.Invade with troops.

How far along the techtree are you and your opponent? I've experimented with a hightech starting empire, and could easily make a capital ship equal to this base in firepower and defenses. It's a large space station defending a capital planet, it should be very strong.

What ships are you bringing to the fight? How are they fitted in defense and firepower? Have you tried outranging the base, or using fast, point-blank brawlers?

It seems to me you've got several enemy ships and defense stations adding firepower to the battle. Try killing these first, preferably from a large distance. They're adding a lot of firepower and are probably less shielded than that space station.

Or you could do as Ashbery76 advises, and swarm the planet with ground forces. Though I think with this kind of firepower around, you'll take significant troop losses from destroyed transports before they reach the planet.

The problem, from that picture, seems to be that you're only attacking with a handful of ships. Triple that and try again.

What are the firepower of your ships? I would think a fleet of 400 power cruiser should be enough.

This screenshot was taken after the main assault. I lost my fleets already (with many capital ships). This empire is a bit stronger than mine (they declared war on me first). The AI recommended to attack their home world, which I did with 2 fleets. I agree that it is probably better to attack the bases surrounding the large port first. I'm not such a ship designer, especially since there are still some issues with that if you want to keep automation on. The main point remains that starbases are too strong imho.

@nemo, if I upgrade my ships, then they have also upgraded their bases, so I dont think that this is the solution. It is more a balancing issue I believe.

Those large starbases are also extremely expensive. And they aren't too strong at all, once you lose a few heavily defended worlds to invasions, just because one or two of those transports made it through, you'll feel the pain.

So basically the strategy is to keep those strong starbases occudied while you send the troop transports to the planets and try to get lucky.
BTW do you also notice that the AI is quite predictable in its attacks? It will often try to attack your homeworld with its fleets.

I have to say I've been able to take out such starbases with smaller fleets than 40 ships. Is there a significant tech difference between you and this enemy?

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

I have to say I've been able to take out such starbases with smaller fleets than 40 ships. Is there a significant tech difference between you and this enemy?

I'm inclined to agree with Erik. I've had no trouble destroying large starbases with my warships. You may need to revisit your ship designs if you're losing 40+ ships to a single starbase, or the empire in question may just have better weapons and shields than you do.

In my current game I took out a starbase of roughly the same power with a fleet of 28 ships it took quite a time but it was very satisfying when it finally fell. One problem I have is once all the defenses are neutralised my troop ships don't take the planet. They just sit there looking confused I have tried manual and automated. If I don't take the planet the AI starts rebuilding the base.

Anyone else having this problem?

ORIGINAL: Duckfang

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

I have to say I've been able to take out such starbases with smaller fleets than 40 ships. Is there a significant tech difference between you and this enemy?

I'm inclined to agree with Erik. I've had no trouble destroying large starbases with my warships. You may need to revisit your ship designs if you're losing 40+ ships to a single starbase, or the empire in question may just have better weapons and shields than you do.

His problem is that he let's the AI automate the ship designs.

Ok so I guess I have to (against my own will, I dont like to micro this) take over the ship designing, as the AI is not capable of doing it properly (e.g. it doesnt use any amor on its designs, in all my games so far)

I myself like the 'super powered' starbases in DW. Considering the price and how many you can have on one planet I prefer them to be really good. Looking at Master of Orion 2, they were 'expensive' but utterly worthless in combat...

Dont get me wrong, I like a challenge and I find powerful starbases at home world a good idea. But do they really need to be this powerful? I will try to match my opponent in this game and launch a second attack with a more powerful fleet. I will keep you updated, dont worry . But the issue with ship design remains imho.

ORIGINAL: Gertjan
Ok so I guess I have to (against my own will, I dont like to micro this) take over the ship designing, as the AI is not capable of doing it properly (e.g. it doesnt use any amor on its designs, in all my games so far)

For what it's worth, I've completed entire games and succeeded in taking out large starbases using AI automation on ship design. I still think you must have been at a tech disadvantage to be so roughly handled by the base.

Ok sorry for all the fuzz. Probably I just needed a larger fleet or indeed higher tech.

ORIGINAL: Gertjan
Starbases are too strong IMHO

at first i thought so too, but they are quite easy. three options:
1. get a bigger/better equipped fleet
2. outrange the starbase weaponry
3. just unload ur troops to invade the planet under fire, then reteat ur ships. if u conquer the planet u get all the spaceports and starbases too.

Were you fighting the Zenox and their super powered shields?
They are a tuff nut to crack at the start.

Same with those insects with the top-end torpedo weapon. Don't get to close to those things.

THanks teri, I'm now somewhat more experienced, and usually able to destroy the starbases. HOwever, it is still quite a sacrafice to do so. Outranging the base is not always easy, since the AI starbase could also have torpedos.