Couple of questions from a satisfied player

yup this is just an excuse to do a positive thread

from Stardock Forums
Hi all. It's my 3rd night of playing Sins and I have just had to take a long break and perhaps call it a night. The previous 2 nights I just mashed my mind up with so much playing.

Okay, so a few questions, if I may.

(1) How long do your games usualy last on small-medium maps? My last one took 4 hours against 3 easy AI on a medium map. God it was a slog at the end. I lost all ability to micro my fleets and just clumped a few together into death balls.

(2) Do you use the pause button a lot? I am relying on a tone to keep track of what-the-heck is going on. Slowly getting to grips with the interface and terminology. Still, I spend ages just sat there looking at stuff trying to figure out what to do next lol.

(3) Is it possible to snipe the pirates early on? I get the impression their defence network is pretty solid right away.

(4) Concerning the natural defenders to systems. The good systems usualy have better ships defending it compared to asteroid fields. So is it better to grab one or two asteroid fields first while building up your fleet (and gaining resources) or is taking out the planet first a better choice financially?

(5) How great is Sins? How long till the expansion? :CONGRAT:
14,512 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
My answers are skewed on this, but for what it's worth:

1) I've been able to finish a Random Large (me vs 7 I think Hard AI) in probably 12-13 hours of playtime. I haven't had the chance to start a Random Huge against 9.

2) I don't, personally, except when I have multiple battles going on at once so I pause and queue up a bunch of orders to make it easier.

3) Nope, they start off with their 19 gauss turrets and some ships :P

4) Grabbing asteroids is definitely easier, and they help you quite a bit with crystal and metal (though not as much credits). I usually don't attack anything defended by more than 1 Kodiak and 2 LRMs (amidst the usual mix of flaks/Krosovs/Cobalts) with just the capital. It takes a while.

5) It's awesome! As for the expansion, I believe Yarlen said if there was one it'd probably be in a year's time frame.
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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
The 'trick' to knocking out a pirate base early is to put 'tactical retreats' to good use. Run in and kill a few ships then slip out and let everyone repair, bring in some replacements, etc. They don't replenish their defenders in the meantime so what they start with is what the have. One capship (carrier preferably) is enough to do it with a total of 10-20 frigates. The reason I prefer carriers is because once you clear out the pirate ships you can just leave your carrier and escorts stationary and let the bombers take out the platforms. If you clear a path first your carrier can bomb the base while the bombers take out the platforms. Even so, unless the pirate base is right next to your core colonies I'd just leave it be.

Doing this with such a small fleet leave the rest of my military available to take care of expanding and defending as needed. Of course the alternative is to rush in with a big fleet and knock it out quickly.
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
1. My medium games tend to average 5 hours, but I play very turtlish.
2. I was not aware there was a pause button lol. I play very macro-ish so I haven't found much need of it yet.
3. Nope...thought it really should be...
4. I normally grab the asteroids quick while building so good frigates (as in not the light ones) to hit the bigger planets
5. Awesome. I hope soon :P