Using primarily fighter class ships

[Rabbit]

I recently played a game against two computers set at the 'hard' difficulty. To spice things up, I decided only to build fighter class ships (aside from the obvious capital class productions ships). I realized early on that I would require much more revenue, since small ships build rather quickly and are more expensive for their offensive and defensive ratings. I produced a carrier, which I devoted entirely to the production of mobile refineries. So far, I've yet to use trade ships effectively. Refineries seem to work fairly well, but then again, I had over 70 of them. Against players, this might prove to be less effective.

My early game consisted of a cat and mouse chase with the two computers: me sending bombers to destroy their frigates (which they produced suprisingly early in the game) and then drawing their fighters into range of my mother ship. This tactic worked very well, though I have serious concerns whether it would 'gimp' real players more than once.

Additionally, I experimented with the mine corvettes. Ok, so it's not a fighter, but I figured we should test it out. Those little suckers really pack a punch. On more than one occasion, the computer retreated before reaching my base, simply because I destroyed too much of its forces with the mines.

Late game consisted of building mass quantities of bombers and advanced fighters (from two carriers and the mother ship). The good thing about using fighters as the primary assault ships is their speed. I was able to cut behind the enemy lines and do serious damage to the computer's resources. I also found numerous patrol squads and took them out with ease. Destroyers went down in a single bombing sweep, so the computer began producing flak frigates. At one time the computer sent a force consisting of 5 flaks and 3 destroyers, but 30+ bombers easily demolished the flaks in time to spare all but 6 of my fighters.

I figured that I wouldn't be able to destroy the computer's production ships with bombers alone, so I used juggernauts. For some reason, I was able to hyperspace them directly to the computers motherships. I'm not sure if this was a fluke, but needless to say, the game ended very quickly.

In conclusion, yes, it's quite possible to make fighter based assault tactics, but I would limit this only to the computer, since players seem more apt to make the proper adaptations.

Also, this tactic has yet to prove itself against an expert computer.

[Vable]

I would be interested to see how a dedicated fighter based fleet would fair against another player. It is true that a player may modify their strategy, unlike the computer. However, could it be possible that if the other player has already thrown themselves into building big ships they fail to compensate quickly enough back to anti fighter defense.. So much, that you see that '30bomber vs 5 flak 3 destroyer' scenario you outlined earlier.

Lastly, fighters are able to fill a wide variety of roles as well, so may be equally adaptable with the additional benifit of mobility.
The computer, or player...must in general lines bring enough forces to destroy your super capitol ships to win. Without the protection of the heavy antifighter systems that the Mothership comes equiped with or other slow antifighter systems, all the things they seperate from their mothership may become prey rather than predator. Combine an 'offensive' defense with constant mobility of your own mothership, and you may very well win the game. Especially as the only real defense against that tactic involves the enemy bringing their own mothership to guard their offensive fleet, which gives you the advantage of knowing where their base is at all times for your own offensive stabs.

Anyhow, these are some loose concept/theories, as I have not had the opportunity to try various strategies against the new AI.

[Rabbit]

Something else to remember: 30 bombers requires quite a bit more resources than 5 flaks & 3 destroyers. Still, perhaps we should play a game against one another, where one of us uses fighters as their main force. We should also try this strategy w/ corvettes & frigates.

In addition, smaller ships are a poor substitute when it comes to taking on motherships. For one the mommy has the defense field, which renders bombers useless.

Overall, I've found that fighter class ships have more offensive capabilities than corvettes, but tend to have smaller rear ends. Bombers are amazing in small skirmishes, especially when the opponent leaves missile frigates and destroyers unprotected. However, in a knock-down battle that involves entire fleets, bombers are taken down quite easily. For this reason, corvettes seem to prove themselves the superior class in the larger conflicts. Both classes serve different purposes, though each can fill the roll of the other with moderately acceptible effeciency. To sum up this ramble: in small skirmishes, the sheer offensive thrust of the bombers outmatch anything in the corvette class; and conversely, corvette's defense is much improved over the fighter class in large battles.

[Vable]

Has anyone tried a force of Shirri fighters in bulk? I haven't given them a try to see how well they would work as scrambler/killer ships.

[Rabbit]

This has been on my mind too for a while. I haven't done it either, simply because I usually am building larger ships by the time I have the construction options.

[Vable]

Yeah, same problem here. Though, the Shirii do 'unlock' in the tech tree on the 2nd level.... I just usually forget about them till well after that, then it dosen't matter.