What is the weapon of your choice, and Why?

[Alneyan]

The big problem of the Meson BLasters is that they are outgunned compared to the latest APBs, while being slightly more expensive. So you either go directly for the APB (APB VII isn't so much behind MB VI if memory serves, and costs less in research), or have to do additional research to get the Meson BLasters before heading for your regular APBs.

If they had one or two more levels bringing them above the APB, I would certainly consider them to be a viable option for range-6 fighting. As it stands, they lack a bit of a punch, and have a narrow window where you can use them at your advantage.

[Atrocities]

I would be interesting is the APB's were crap for short range and the MB filled the void.

[mottlee]

Atrocities said:
What good are Mason BLasters any ways? I mean I have NEVER used them because they are sooooooo weak and clearly serve no purpose.

And for stopping power, I prefer my Taurus 357.
Great stopping power, no shell ejection for CSI to find, great accuracy, 8 shots so stupid criminals stand up after 6 shots and act all bad *** "Your out of ammo dude!" BOOOOM! "I think not ." And it is far more intimidating than a puny 9mm.

NUKE! you only need to be close!

[narf poit chez BOOM]

There was a computerized pistol displayed in the newspaper a few years back that could fire 700 rounds a >second<.

[Atrocities]

mottlee said:

NUKE! you only need to be close!

Yes but the all out will kill ya if the bLast wave doesn't.

[spoon]

Alneyan said:
The big problem of the Meson BLasters is that they are outgunned compared to the latest APBs, while being slightly more expensive. So you either go directly for the APB (APB VII isn't so much behind MB VI if memory serves, and costs less in research), or have to do additional research to get the Meson BLasters before heading for your regular APBs.

In effectiveness, the Meson BLaster VI is about even with the APB X. I think the choice is between what to use in the mid-game -- PPB or MB or APB. Late game is all APB, since it is cheapest and strongest. The research savings you get by going for APBs instead of MB or PPB is a valid concern, but by late-game standards, not too much. Which is to say you'd probably get to APB XII around the same time, regardless if you research MBs/PPBs first. MBs leave you stronger in the mid game. APBs give you a slight head start in the end game. PPBs probably beat out MBs as a mid-game weapon, unless you don't have the rads for it.

[Alneyan]

It is true enough that there is little difference between the three weapons; so long as you do something useful with them, they will all get the job done. Going straight for APB gives a lead of a few turns (three perhaps?), which is unlikely to matter much. After all, a MB/PBB user should research the first few levels of APB in the meantime, given how cheap these are.

The strength of the APBs I have forgotten to mention is their added range compared to PPB/MB (from APB VII or VIII; I don't recall which). If you have half-decent chances to hit at range 7, mainly for lack of Stealth/Scattering Armour s, then having a better range can help. It isn't a game-breaking factor however; but then, few weapons choices can be argued to alter the course of a game.

To answer the original query: I go to DUC IV and then APB VII/VIII (the one with range 7) as soon as possible, unless I believe shields will be widely used early on. If nothing out of the ordinary happens, APB XII/Shield Depleters are standard afterwards, with eventually the Wave Motion Gun. If the Crystalline Armour and/or the Talisman are detected, the emergency plan is set into motion to try to save my hide, and all of the above is scrapped. Somehow, these Torpedoes sure look attractive when under attack by a Crystalline Empire.

[brianeyci]

Alneyan said:Somehow, these Torpedoes sure look attractive when under attack by a Crystalline Empire.

Dunno if the above was a joke but... why use torpedoes when fighting a crystalline empire? Isn't the main advantage of using crystalline armor is that they can regenerate shields? So why not use PPB's, which go through shields, and nullify the shield/crystalline armor advantage?

Or how about shield depletion?

Brian

[PvK]

If you see a huge crystalline ship, neither shield depleters nor PPB's are going to answer the problem particularly well.

The shields will be phased, and the PPB's will just lower the shields. Then when you hit with a damaging weapon, the shields will go back up.

So, you want to hit it as hard as you can, so not all of your damage will turn into enemy shields.

PvK

[brianeyci]

PvK said:So, you want to hit it as hard as you can, so not all of your damage will turn into enemy shields.

(Starts to panic, how do I deal with asmala's crystalline battlecruisers?)

Hrm... why not use PPB's anyway? Don't they have the highest damage/kiloton ratio, or do torpedos have an advantage over that?

Brian