[JLS]

Originally posted by crash52:
I have a question about the Cryslonite fighters in combat. I had 5 frigates, each had basic bridge (which is slightly degrading), two Point Defense Cannons II (+25%), Combat Sensors II (+10%), 5 Contra Terrene Engine I, Life Support, Basic Quarters, 2 Solar Collectors III, and two Seeking Parasites II (I created a mini missle mount). In 30 turns of combat with Cryslonite fighters (some small & some med), none of the fighters having any ECM or anything else I could see to degrade my chance to hit, my 5 Frigates got chewed up, and I scored ZERO hits with my point defense! That's 100% miss! In an earlier game the same thing happened, but my frigates had Master Computer I, I assumed that caused it, so I restarted the same game from saved first turn. I don't see how I could have 100% miss, am I over looking something here?

Fighters are tiny, quick and hard to hit targets. The best way to kill an enemy fighter is with your own Fighter Interceptors.
Although a Frigate with all else even, and with level 2 Combat sensor and level 2 Point defense installed; would have fair targeting:
Good maneuverability on frigates increases chance to hit targets +15
Combat Sensors II +10 with Point Defense Cannons II another +25 = Totaling a plus 50% Targeting

Less the poor reaction time from the master computers at -5 targeting and -20 at defensive maneuvers

To calculate the fantastic maneuverability of the enemy fighter, well this gets tricky depending what the fighters payload is - but it is not going to be a good match - considering that Master Computers are best installed for ships relegated to the work tasks of convoy duty and other support roles. Pilot and low level Master Computers have very slow reaction times in combat.

~Also to note that the Basic (Bridge, Crew Quarters, Life etc. Are not designed or equipped to handle any, not in the least - the necessary devices that are required in combat.
They are fine in support ships or support bases... Possably ships or bases that (only) fire guided missiles - though not in any platform with derect fired weapons.

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You will need to counter with Fighters as soon as your adversary shows his technological advanced Fighters.
You may launch them off your Transport Decks: if fitted with fighter bays - until you get a few Carriers at the ready.
You may also equip your ships with higher levels of Combat Sensors and Point Defense Cannons that are great against missile but can land amiss against some fast fighters. In the advance engineering techs for some PD mounts or a little research with Energy Pulse Weapons will lend you a welcomed weapon and this would be the very accurate (Point - Defense Beam weapon) that is a "small mobile energy beam turrets which are used to target and destroy incoming fighters".

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If you are new to AIC, you may want to set the AI Bonus at None for your first few games. This will slow the AI research down allowing you a little more time.

[ May 28, 2004, 04:23: Message edited by: JLS ]