Map Whirlwind.. Suggestions?

from Sins Forums

I admit I'm not the best at this game, though it's become my favourite RTS, but I'm usually good enough to beat hard AI.  

...However, I cannot do a thing to stop the computer opponents on this map.  I keep managing to expand as far as third or fourth planet... and then I get attacked by pirates and on two fronts by two different AIs.  I've tried teching up quickly to the Titan, and even starbases, but quite simply, I cannot get enough resources to match either opponent and their massive fleets (they consistently reach fourth and third supply ugrades well before me).  Even with trade posts, I can't seem to even the odds in resources.Does anyone have any experience with this map and some tips for beating hard AIs in a free-for-all scenario on it?

I play play TEC, if it's any help, and my build order is something like:

scout>cap factory>akkan>5 LFs> (I send the fleet to capture the nearest planet at this point)buy 2 levels for Akkan>slowly add more LFs while building a civic and military lab

4,832 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Instead of buying 2 levels for your Akkan and the following I would go with Military Lab -> Corvettes -> build corvettes and after that in no particular order, build corvettes, upgrade your capital planet and research civilian colonization techs when needed or resources aren't needed for something else. Don't wait too long to get some LRF.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

Interesting idea.  I never actually build corvettes because their damage output,health and armour is so low.  Are they really that good?

 

Edit:

Almost forgot; I play on Normal Start, not Quickstart.  I don't know how important the difference is.

ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Enable quick start and disable pirates. Never upgrade capital ships, only if you feel it's absolutely necessary (I never feel this way). This will help you get a much better start as you will be able to do real things right in the first second. Expand like crazy! seriously don't stop expanding, get more planets then your opponent AI really fast. Build long range and swarms of corvettes (40-40 of both can be good). Put starbases on frontline worlds and get a titan after this as soon as possible and build repair platforms to help them. Next task is to build Titan and when it is finished get trade ports everywhere and start building carriers and heavy cruisers, and ships you like and start killing an AI while defending your other front with a strong starbase and a small fleet. Your Titan will level like crazy even if you are only defending, and when it is strong attack back, it can alone kill huge fleets if you use it well, but if it has supporting fleet, even better.

AI is stupid if it's about enemy starbases, if you take out his anti-structure cruisers and manage to lure him into range he is dead as he never focuses on the base, so upgrade weapons hull and trade and you are happily looking to the future.

I would recommend playing teams as FFA always ends up 2AIs VS the player and it is not fun, as both AI can get more resources than you. Don't play with pirates if you can't win on a map, try winning without them first. Quit until you get your AI ally next to you, This is my strategy, maybe it won't work well as not this is my favourite map, I hope I could help.

 

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Flash_SOTU, reply 2

Interesting idea.  I never actually build corvettes because their damage output,health and armour is so low.  Are they really that good?

 

Edit:

Almost forgot; I play on Normal Start, not Quickstart.  I don't know how important the difference is.
End of Flash_SOTU's quote

 

Corvettes are very good in the beginning if you use many of them. They're cheap, fast to build and pack a nice punch in a group. The best way to use them in the beginning is aggressive. Expand fast and if it won't put you in a strategically risky position go pick fights with your capital ship, corvettes and LF. The AI usually have problems with early corvette swarms.

 

If you have the resources consider building another frigate factory for that extra quick push in the beginning.