Matrix Games Forums

First off I'm playing in easy mode trying to get an understanding of everything.

So ...

Currently I have 6 ship frigate squadrons defending my colonies. Having them in my colony systems seems to be keeping the pirates away or they fight them off. I'm expanding though and I don't know if I can afford to create more squadrons. In easy mode would it be feasible for me to split the 6 frigate squadrons into 3 frigate squadrons and still be able to use them to defend my colonies from pirate raids?

Thanks

I split them and expand to local and nearby systems.... if the pirates arrive you can then bring them back quickly to provide support.

I always leave warships close to key areas so I can call them back quickly if needed.

I think people have different ways of playing but this is what I do.

What setting do you have the pirates on? Is it "weak"? In that case I think you can get away with squadrons of 4 or more. I would not go below 4 ships. Of course this depends on the firepower of each of your ships.

The next time the pirates attack, pause the game and examine the strength of the fleet they are using. Tally up the total firepower of all ships in the fleet and that should give you a good idea of the strength you need to fight them off. Personally I would aim for a fleet with at least double the pirate's strength.

The pirates are fond of sending lone ships to strike undefended targets, so I advise against having one big fleet that runs around chasing them - it will be too slow to catch them. I recommend several smaller fleets of 4-6 ships stationed in strategic areas to wait for them.

When you get more familiar with the game you can learn about programming fleets to protect areas automatically so you don't need to micromanage them so much.

Here's a video I made explaining all this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs9H2DL ... 1&index=21

One thing I find helpful in the early game is outfitting my bases with a couple rail guns each. They deal immediate damage to ships, and their range is perfect for countering raiders. I don't have a specific video on designs, but if you look through them (link in signature) you will see that I generally prioritize rail gun and missile research at the start. One level of each allows your bases to quite effectively counter the early raids. Then, like everyone said, keep a few ships patrolling each system, then jump a main fleet in whenever necessary.

Park a few ships in the other system. As long as the empire options are set right they'll attack targets in the system.

you can learn about programming fleets to protect areas automatically so you don't need to micromanage them so much.

Posturing doesn't work well with pirates.

I used to do a few things. First, sometimes I would build a Def Base on the planet first and then colonize it. Secondly I would have a few troops on the new colony to handle all raids and pirate bases being built. Yeah sometimes the new colony gets quasi-blockaded by the pirates, but it's a new colony so who cares.