Untested Theory

[Phyrrus]

I just thought of an idea for a trans dimensional race:

Unification (6)
Trans Dimensional (5) (+4 combat speed, +2 parsec)
Subterranean (6) (To ease pollution problems)
Industry +1 (3)

Repulsive (-6)
-20% ship (-2)
-20% attack (-2)

Combined with augmented engines, drive tech, and inertial stablizers, this race can theoretically do "drive-by"s on the enemy, both in tactical combat and on the galaxy map

for example:
-a pure missle ship that moves up point-blank range, launches high payload missles (no need for heavy armor or fast), then turn around and run away, all in the SAME turn
-same thing with assault shuttles, move in to cripple/steal a ship then run away
-same thing with tractor beam + troop pod combo
-stay in the enemy's blind spots if they use forward/rear mounts
-outrun slow missles
-kill a a few ships then run away before they can hit you
-assassinate enemy ship captains
-kill enemy starbases then run away, lowering their command points
-use unarmed extended fuel tanks frigates to blockade enemy worlds
-fast fleets can get to the right place at the right time

I was tempted to add telepathic or stealth ships to the race, but i think that would cripple the industry too much. I think this race can survive if UniTol is banned. Trans dimensional costs 5 precious points, but imho its worth it if the player utilizes the speed advantage

*waits for the experts to comment*

[Matthew]

The -20 attack is not a good choice in mp. With ship initiative on, this means you always loose the chance to go first in combat. It also makes it very difficult to hit anything with beam weapons.

The most common negative picks are repuslive, -20 Ship Defense and -10 Ground Combat. One alternative is Low-G, -20 SD and -10 Spying.

TransD is usually best used by blitzing races but they aren't too popular.

[marhawkman]

The -20 attack is not a good choice in mp. With ship initiative on, this means you always loose the chance to go first in combat. It also makes it very difficult to hit anything with beam weapons.

The most common negative picks are repuslive, -20 Ship Defense and -10 Ground Combat. One alternative is Low-G, -20 SD and -10 Spying.

TransD is usually best used by blitzing races but they aren't too popular.

I used it in one of my uncreative/feudal races to help them swarm the galaxy. The early game speed boost was a big help since I, quite literally, had no technology at my disposal.

[Matthew]

TransD is usually best used by blitzing races but they aren't too popular.

I used it in one of my uncreative/feudal races to help them swarm the galaxy. The early game speed boost was a big help since I, quite literally, had no technology at my disposal.

Right. TransD works in blitizing races but they don't always work out in multiplayer. In most online game setups, there are no wormholes and the players are evenly spread out on a large map. Blitzing sometimes works ok in xways because you tend to meet the other players sooner.

Common Blizting traits:

TransD -For speed
Warlord -More command points and better crews.
Telepathic -Mind Control. No need for transports and no rebellions.
Omni -To make finding and getting to other players easier.

The downside to using these traits is that you will have virtually no economy. If you don't eliminate at least one rival early in the game you will lose. It can also make you unpopular to play against.

Alternatives:
Artifacts -Tech up to MV Nukes and Iridum fast then rush.
Rich Hw -Build your fleet that much faster.
+2 Production -Stronger economy and faster build times.
Unification -Best economy and faster builds.
Lithovore -Eliminates the need for farmers, faster tech and builds.
Tolerant -No need to deal with pollution, faster builds.

[siron]

TransD has potential and several races were tried in online games. Especially by Saxes and Zirkahn (who is just back from his shopping trip today).

Instead of sub I would prefer to try aqua large hw. You need with that race an early tech lead and you need to strike quite early. Sub requires soil enrichment...and sub pays off late in the game....too late for a race that invested 5 picks to attack.

[Phyrrus]

I used the races that you guys recommended: UniTolProd+1LGHW

and... i see what you mean, my newbie races wouldn't stand a chance..

i can't believe some good players can compete with a research race

[marhawkman]

Hehe. I found that AIs get intimidated into being friends if you have 20 planets to their 4.

Hey phyrrus try a race with:

Feudal, Lithovore, and TransD just for fun.

[Matthew]

I used the races that you guys recommended: UniTolProd+1LGHW

and... i see what you mean, my newbie races wouldn't stand a chance..

i can't believe some good players can compete with a research race

Tech races can compete when played by someone who really understands how to play them. You can't play it the same way as a production race and expect to win. It requires a different strategy.

There have been a few games lost where I was playing Unitol and my opponent was playing Demolith. They won by attacking before I got too advanced.

[marhawkman]

Yeah tech races win by having the best technology. If your ships can take out enemy ships 10 1 then it's largely irrelevent that they build them three times as fast.

[Phyrrus]

err... 10 to 1?

have you seen what low tech missle fleets can do?

anyways someone with 10 frigates can badly cripple someone who has 1 doomstar, just by blockading all his planets

[marhawkman]

Um, yes. the discussion is about the benefits of having high-tech ships. It's rather easy to add anti-missle stuff if you have the tech.

At any rate, if somebody tries blockading your planets blow them to kingdom come. Any race that can build Doomstars can build frigates fast enough to counter a blockade strategy.