More powerfull defense ships

from Stardock Forums
I am new to the game and maybe this topic has been discussed before, but why not to use more powerfull defense ships? As far as I know the Battle Axe is best "pure" defense ship in the game (If I am not right, please tell me). Other ships have better attack/defense ratings, but the Battle Axe is the biggest thing with more defense than attack. I find the protection offered by Battle Axes insuficient later in the game, even with planetary defenses.
Thanks!! LOL
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Battlehammers might be more suitable as a defensive craft...

~SDC~
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
It might be to keep the game fluid during late-game play. This way, offensive war is possible -- but both sides may lose numerous ships due to attacks and counterattacks. To assist your counterattacks, build starbases (each can get you +12 attack, +1 def, +2 speed, -1 enemy speed -- although it wouldn't surprise me if -1 enemy speed didn't stack, or was limited in doing so).
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Try out my Photon Mines at CDG (http://www.cdgroup.org/forums/tbs/gc/viewforum.php?f=8), or wait a few days & they (might/will) be in the library.

~SDC~
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
I feel the same way about the need for a pure defensive ship for use against the avatars and overlords. In my experience I usually start with Axes and then upgrade to dreadnaughts for defense. I have come to realize though that for defense of colonies, a good defense is not the only thing you want, due to how the combat system works in GalCiv. You also need a good attack rating to have an efficient defense becaue after the first round of attack, where your defensive value is versus the attack value of the offensive ship, the roles are then reversed in the second round, where your defending ship is now the attacker...thus a good attack value is integral in your defensive ship in order to efficiently counterattack.

Also, its not well stated anywhere but planetary defenses, start system defenses and omega defense system only affect your troop ratings in resisting invasion and have no effect on orbitting defensive ships. However, orbitting defensive ships do have a 100% bonus added to their attack value which is also not mentioned anywhere except in these forums. This does help substantially in defensive counterattacking.

And to chime in about the starbase issue, it is a good idea to build a military enhanced starbase in your border colony sectors. The offensive upgrades again help to boost the counterattack abilities of your defensive ships.

Finally, I do still think that there is a need for a later stage defense enhanced ship that is cheaper than avatars and overlords but can effectively defend against them. The whole counterattack issue is null and void if you can't make it past the first round of attack. Otherwise, its hard to win the game purely as a trade czar or a cultural icon and some military action is always required.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Build the battleaxes, yes, but realize that they are a last ditch defense once everyone gets frigates and better. Get good, current intelligence of the space surrounding your planets with spy ships and Eyes of the Universe, then go on the offensive. If the alien gets too close, hit them with a force that is offensive in nature rather than only a defensive garrison. If the space around that planet is too dangerous to hold, pull out all the ships from the planet and wage a hit-and-run war on any transports that come too close until you get enough offensive ships to retake that space effectively. Don't be afraid to give ground if there are no transports coming. And be sure no transports are coming by having good surveillance capabilities. In short, you can't win a defensive war in Galciv. Just sitting back and taking it doesn't make it past the early game. You got to have teeth. Hit them where you can, when you can.