Tip: Build your own custom freighters

from GalCiv2 Forums
Something that I have noticed that I thought I would share, is that if you build your own freighters you can do two things.

1) You can easily extend the range, making the trade route more profitable.

2) Putting sensors on the traders means that the miniture versions of them will have sensors, creating your own spy network along your trade route.

Any thoughts?
21,040 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah. Later on in the game, phase your trade routes out then recreate them with armed/defended freighters. Sure you'll pay maintenence costs, but they'll start the route faster, but carry defenses and weapons over.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
or just build the privateer, whenever it's fixed....
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Spys are good! I like the idea of arming them later in the game as well. "Go ahead, make my day!"
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Arming them? I don't know. If you build them with the cargo hull, they only have one hitpoint. Use a combat hull, and you are essentially paying all the upkeep for a combat ship that is crippled because it has to devote space to the trade module. The upkeep would really cut in to the trade route profit per turn, and it would take you that much longer to recoup your investment, since the initial ship costs that much more.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
and it will still be destroyed by most fleets ?
forget arming yourr freighters but make them faster, extend their reach and i really like that sensor idea i will surely do that
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Nice idea about the sensors, I never considered that. I guess I didn't notice the minifreighters had vision bubbles.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Since I focus on research a lot I love custom Freighters. Their defense is high enough that they can usually take the first volley and fire back. Upping speed is kinda pointless though, since it still takes them the same amount of time to make a round-trip. And yes, sensors are awesome, combined with Eyes of the Universe, there is little you can not see.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Assuming you build the eyes of the galaxy marvel / super project, you really do notice the effect of having your trade vessels see things.

I only bother putting lots of engines on my commerce vessels. It has the effect of evening out the shifts in income from the vessels coming and going, and since the AI does not put enough emphasis on engines in the current non beta versions of the game, its hard for them to do any commerce raiding.

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Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah. Later on in the game, phase your trade routes out then recreate them with armed/defended freighters. Sure you'll pay maintenence costs, but they'll start the route faster, but carry defenses and weapons over.


Um. Do you mean you pay upkeep on the minifreighters, or just the frieghters themselves, before the route is set?
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Not found it necessary to arm or armour them yet..but sticking a few engines on them ensuring they can out run any enemy ship has definitely proved useful, nothing funnier than watching the AI have thier ships chase a freighter for sever turns all the while losing ground on it as it burns away.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You pay for the freighter and the mini both. And while they're easily destroyed, they often get 1 shot in and so kick weaker ships in the teeth.

*attacks freighter*
"AAGh! My fighter!"



While it might not be that effective, it'll boost your military score, don't forget. And early on if you can afford the costs, go for it, since the AI will be easily extorted.