Fleet Composition Questions

Or, what counters what?

from Sins Forums

Greetings, all.

The metagame appears to have settled somewhat, so I find myself wondering what to build when.

Here are my assumptions (please feel free to correct them):

  • Light frigates are your bread-and-butter: cheap, cost-efficient, and available right away
  • Corvettes are an alternative to light frigates: they come out early, they hard-counter long-range frigates (with the exception of Illuminators), and their maneuverability allows them to focus-fire with ease and confuse slower units
  • Long-range frigates are quite good at focus-firing targets, and they do bonus damage to light frigates; they can also counter Illuminators
  • Fighters can be used to soften up corvettes, long-range frigates, and bombers
  • Flak frigates counter fighters and can be used in concert with fighters to counter corvettes

    I don't wish to start a flame war, but I would be remiss if I did not mention that there is some evidence suggesting that properly microed flak frigates hard-counter light frigates on a per-supply basis by exploiting the 360-degree-fire-on-the-move qualities of flak frigates in concert with a flaw in the light frigate AI (sometimes called the "confused sperm" phenomenon). That said:
    1. It remains to be seen whether or not this is worth the trade off in versatility -- regardless of whether or not flak frigates counter light frigates, flak frigates do not counter other units as well as light frigates do
    2. Other units can exploit the "confused sperm" phenomenon without sacrificing versatility
    3. Flak frigates require research and are built much more slowly than light frigates, necessitating both military labs and additional factories for comparable output

In addition to the above assumptions, I have questions:

  • I've heard that Ravastra Skirmishers are significantly less efficient than other light frigates (Disciples and Cobalts); if so, how does this effect Vasari fleet composition?
  • I have also heard that Vasari corvettes do not compare well to Advent and TEC corvettes; if so, how does this effect Vasari fleet composition?
  • Are there any situations in which long-range frigates should be used?
  • Are there any situations in which heavy cruisers should be used?
  • Are bombers still used (believe it or not, there was a time when bomber spam was a thing)?

Thanks in advance!

9,473 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

I've heard that Ravastra Skirmishers are significantly less efficient than other light frigates (Disciples and Cobalts); if so, how does this effect Vasari fleet composition?
End of quote

 

I've heard they are not that bad as many say, and Vasari LF spam is a viable option. Though I am not a Vasari player and I have usually seen sb+vette spam.

 

I have also heard that Vasari corvettes do not compare well to Advent and TEC corvettes; if so, how does this effect Vasari fleet composition?
End of quote

It may be true, but they are the cheapest units and can support a constructed starbase well, once you have it built it does not matter what you have lol if you have some serevuns.

 

Are there any situations in which long-range frigates should be used?
End of quote

 

Long ago I liked to use long range frigates, they can even get rid of dangerous titans without mass losses like the Vorastra, though nowadays I hear they are rarely used. You should only build them as a surprise, and hide them until you have many to cause massive losses by surprise BEFORE your opponent can counter it with corvettes.

 

As I am not a player who is still active online, I do not know the answer to the last questions, and my previous ones MAY be outdated as well, though they are rooting in recent information from these forums.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

I'm hardly an expert on the current metagame, but...

Light frigates are your bread-and-butter: cheap, cost-efficient, and available right away
Corvettes are an alternative to light frigates: they come out early, they hard-counter long-range frigates (with the exception of Illuminators), and their maneuverability allows them to focus-fire with ease and confuse slower units
End of quote

You kind of need corvettes, or at least the ability to build them in a hurry, if you go with LF, because LRF still defeats pure light frigate spam.

I've heard that Ravastra Skirmishers are significantly less efficient than other light frigates (Disciples and Cobalts); if so, how does this effect Vasari fleet composition?
I have also heard that Vasari corvettes do not compare well to Advent and TEC corvettes; if so, how does this effect Vasari fleet composition?
End of quote

I have no idea if this is the accepted answer, but in general find myself leaning towards LRF/Flak with Vasari more than LF/Corvette which is what I usually do with Advent and TEC because of this. Not only do the vasari get LRFs easier than corvettes, but both of these units have phase missiles.

I doubt its used much in multiplayer, but I will say sometimes that repair ability on the Ravastra can come in handy. The heavy cruiser gets a better version though and with that massive wave bonus the Vasari loyalist get I think I'd build them over Ravastras still if you desire an unusual fleet composition.

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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

inb4 ragnorav is underpowered