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Author Topic: Playing pig to catch a tiger  (Read 2310 times)

rtiger

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Playing pig to catch a tiger
« on: July 29, 2017, 05:20:37 AM »

Generally, when you order for a retreat, you end up in a terrible position, with all ships deployed and enemy ships just a little behind. In most cases, it is better to simply engage normally, holding back to the border before retreating. However, what if you actually want the terrible position?

So I am out bounty hunting. I have a pair of wolves, a sunder, hammerhead, condor, and heron, with a handful of transport ships as support. I know the target has a falcon so I know this isn't going to be a complete cakewalk, but I figured two support carriers, two assault destroyers, and two emp frigates would have been enough against the targets small fleet.

I wasn't expecting him to have two eagles backing him up, plus an enforcer, buffalo mk2, two kites, and two wolves of his own. This is a 9v6 and not in my favor in any way.

So, I decide to retreat and turn it into an absolute trap, and fortunately I get what I want. My six main combat ships engaging his three cruisers and the rest of his ships pursuing my cargo ships. Unfortunately I have a buffalo and it isn't fast enough to escape in one piece, but the rest of my secondary ships manage to escape while I do a full blitz. The falcon goes down very quickly under a hail of bombers as, if nothing else, the distance in a retreat engagement is relatively close compared to a normal fight, making it easier to flank in this 6v3 combat. I swing back while piloting the sunder and in the end, both eagles also go down with me taking minor damage. With the cruisers down, the rest of the fight is a joke. Sadly, I can't salvage the falcon or eagles. Only two of his ships escape and I only ended up with a damaged buffalo.

Anyone else get such good luck while retreating in combat?
« Last Edit: July 29, 2017, 05:27:20 AM by rtiger »
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Megas

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Re: Playing pig to catch a tiger
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2017, 10:08:21 AM »

It is occasionally useful early in the game, due to convenient placement of ships, but you do not get a follow-up round to auto-resolve and kill survivors that retreat.  Eventually, late in the game, that option gets closed because either I have squishy civilians or my fleet is too big.  (The game does not let your fleet disengage if your fleet is too big and the enemy wants to fight.)
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StarSchulz

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Re: Playing pig to catch a tiger
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2017, 10:14:04 PM »

Depending on what freighters you have chosen, it can be a great choice when outnumbered. if you can bring it to em fast before the ships they deploy to the sides can come to their aid, it's great. Just gotta be careful not to let your weaker freighters still attempt to retreat, or go without escort as they might get caught by those ships deployed to the sides.

Inventor Raccoon

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Re: Playing pig to catch a tiger
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2017, 11:29:36 PM »

If your entire fleet is made up of combat ships that you want to deploy anyway, yeah, deploying in a retreat can be a good idea. Easier to go ahead and pick off the flanking frigates, or just turn around and focus down the heavier ships while their escorts are occupied.
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Squish Cat

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Re: Playing pig to catch a tiger
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2017, 10:42:12 AM »

I had never considered doing that before.  I'm gonna have to try this.  Totally legit strategy.   ;D
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