Matrix Games Forums

A heavy dotted red line appears on the map linking one of my colonies with an adjacent colony controlled by an unfriendly neighbor. Although we don't like each other, there's never been a war, and the diplomacy screen doesn't indicate that there's anything untoward going on between us. Has anyone seen anything like this before? Is it a blockade symbol of some kind? An indication my colony is being targeted for an attack? Something else? Insights appreciated!

[/img]

Attack vector.

Thanks for responding. Presumably that is his attack vector? I'm not planning anything myself (unless there's rebel admirals in my fleet operating independently). It's also been there for quite a while. My race goals include (starting fewest wars) which basically means "zero", and this particular neighbor is quite annoying. Maybe I just need to evacuate my defense fleets from the area so the AI thinks it's "Safe" to come get me?

Yeah, some enemy unit is about to pay you a visit... and unlike Data here on the forums, I do not think he is only after a few bottles of Corellian/Romulan ale and a few diapers...
I would get ready for battle!

It is coming from the fleet of either 4 or 13 ships, depending on which one is him and which is you. I think it is your long-range sensors that pick these up, but not 100% sure... I'm bad at war [:D]

Correct Woodman. Also, if you happen to have a Resupply Ship with a Long Range Scanner
in its design parked in a gas cloud somewhere near, you can pick up fleets that way as well. [:)]

ORIGINAL: ehsumrell1
If you happen to have a Resupply Ship with a Long Range Scanner in its design parked in a gas cloud somewhere near, you can pick up fleets that way as well. [:)]

I never ever thought of that... good idea...

Resupply Ships with Long Range Scanner is a good thing. But I would reccomend to equipt with this technological piece of art every exploration ship. If You will have them around 10 then it is easy to spy entire enemy empires military and civilian movments. I always do it - even if this means paying more it is worth the effort.

This is true also Modest! But if you can strategically place a Resupplyship around the edges
of your Empire between you and most of your adversaries Homeworlds, you create a pretty
solid Early Warning System of sorts! [:)]

ORIGINAL: ehsumrell1

This is true also Modest! But if you can strategically place a Resupplyship around the edges
of your Empire between you and most of your adversaries Homeworlds, you create a pretty
solid Early Warning System of sorts! [:)]

Sneaky............. I shall be working on some scout/picket ships[:-]

Yes, if it is possible to deploy resupply ships with L.R.S. than it is propably the best early warming system You can have at this game - afther all they not only spy for You but also let You reffuel Your war machine, and also usually they have more firepower than explolers (not in my case - I do not use weapons on ressuply ships) so may also be used as normal warships if it is needed. The problem is that is not always possible to deploy them so all of them will have proper source of gas and cover all Your borders. Another thing is that if You want them change location for some reason, than You mast wait for 30 seconds so they will undeploy. But Yes, it is still great to have such system... And if You will give them stelth generator? It will be even better

Another way to always know what your potential/existing competitors are up to is to build cheap monitoring stations in deep space. They rarely get attacked, affordable to maintain and one can build lots of those (not that the maintenance factor is such an important issue late game in DW) all around the galaxy. Resupply ships require a certain 'source of resource' in order make/keep those operational and placement of such ships aleays needs to be properly evaluated. I use both ships and stations. Depends on the distance of enemy empires and my fleet deployment tactics.

Two words: monitor fuel stations.

Three actually [:D]

Resupply Ships with Long Range Scanner is a good thing

Personally, i hate resupply ships. They are hard to use. I prefer fuel cells and energy collectors. Resupply ships are just another annoying distraction. I never attack a system if i dont intend to invade or bombard immediately.

ORIGINAL: Modest

And if You will give them stelth generator? It will be even better

I have tried that with Resupply ships but for monitoring and exploring I prefer spy ships - explorers with LRS, stealth, decent defense and and lots of fuel. Of course, it depends on what level of tech you start the game.

So does I I like at some point of the game to turn my explorers into something which could be compared to Ghosts from Starcraft (kind of elite spy ops). And as for the starting tech - personally I like to start form zero (even if other AI empires have higher starting level).

[Deleted by Admins]