Mid Game Help - Defending against Dreadnoughts. .

from Stardock Forums
Ok, still don't really know what I am doing! Playing on Normal AI/Large Universe.
I have played a few games on this setting and get to a point where I have colonised about 1/5 to 1/4 of the universe. All sectors that I have systems in have starbases that have about +20% production bonuses, good defense and some ship defense/attack/speed bonuses.
Getting +ve income from trade/taxes. Have built a few wonders and have a couple of battleships (plus lesser ships) at all systems.
At this point one of the races usually declares war and comes at me with dreadnoughts and that is pretty much the end.
(I am playing Pacifist and have social production, research and planet bonus)
I am always number one with culture/influence , populations, and income - but am obviously falling behind in miltary research.
Any hints? Is there a way to defend against dreadnought if I don't have dreadnought technology? I am not looking to attack that race.. just be able to withstand that first assualt.
thanks for any help.
237 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Best defense is a good offense. ;)

Multiple BattleHammers might be able to hold off a fleet of BattleShips, but not Dreadnoughts. To hold off Dreadnoughts you should have them too, methinks.

If this same situation is repeating itself in all your scenarios, perhaps you could engage in a pre-emptive strike a la Operation Iraqi Freedom? Yeah, that's right... liberate the Drengini people! *roll*

If you're not #1 in research... try to remedy that, and prioritize research instead. So you end up as the first with Dreadnought Tech.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
You HAVE to build up your military. When you do that, you don't have to use them, but the AI won't declare war on you so easily. The AI players look at easy prey before the declare war. If you have nice, healthy planets but no military, the AI will pick you.

You don't have to be military power number 1, but you need to own enough military to scare the AI from declaring war on you.
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I never build my military up until someone declares war on me. But my games never lasted long enough to have full scale dreadnaughts war (I ususally win with figates), so I cant really advise on how to combat dreadnaughts since you will need to employ a totally different startegy to my 'sabotage trade routes and destroying AI finances' one ;)
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Let them have their Dreadnoughts. Take a couple smaller ships, fly around his front, and start harassing his trade, supply lines, weakly defended planets, startbases...

They usually sue for peace pretty quickly as a result.

But LordTheRon is right - build at least some ships, so you're not the weakest, military-wise.