Date sent: Tue, 12 May 1998 23:28:17 -0400 From: Steven W Rushing Subject: [B5W]: RE: Primus Tactics To: "INTERNET:babylon5-wars@CSUA.Berkeley.EDU" Send reply to: babylon5-wars@CSUA.Berkeley.EDU Message text written by INTERNET:babylon5-wars@CSUA.Berkeley.EDU ">Well, assuming that we never do get to change the Primus, I would at least like to get some discussion about how to best use the current Primus most effectively. Mainly against EA, for that is who seems to fight me most often and win (and it isn't simply that he has some great special strategy, his ships can just take a lot more punishment)." Big advantage for the Primus is maneuverability and BATTLE LASERS. 2/3 maneuvers and more available thrust and better rear thrusters should mean you can move faster and turn more often. Bat laser has higher fire control, faster recharge time, almost the same damage, etc. Centauri has better EW but thats offset by the energy web to some degree. Sample Battle pass... Speed 6ish, turn 1 move to keep him just to the right of your forward centerline. Allocate half offensive/half defensive EW. turn ALL TWINS off producing enough power to buy +1 EW and some thrust. Fire TWO battle lasers (he probably fires ONE heavy laser) and watch as the 30+ range works to your favor. Consider piercing if his EW is mostly offensive. (why? Later) Turn 2 turn left move 6 hexes and turn right. Yes you can turn twice. FIRE other two lasers. Twins still off for extra EW etc. Turn 3: Turn away immediately (using extra thrust to shorten turn mode (you have yet to even risk one overthrusting roll. keep range open a little. PIERCING vs RAKING is a big question. RAKING has a better chance of collapsing a side, which except for rear is not lethal to the omega plus you need all four lasers to rake to kill one side. PIECING is neat because while he keeps turning new sides to you, you just keep doing half damage to the inside primary systems. THIS ADDS UP! By turn 4-5 volleys, his insides are THIN while his enterior sides are wounded but fine. CONSTANT firing of piercing weapons adds up and by the fifth or sixth volley, insides get chewy. "I also wanted to ask two questions along the same lines as these may be part of my problem: How long do most of your games last if you have, say 4000-6000 all around (split up between all sides). Ours take only three to five turns so I was wondering if most people are able to maneuver away and keep the Omegas at bay. And secondly: Is there any way whatsoever to attack an Omega with Sentris? :)"< Our 5K battles (tourney) have lasted 6-9 turns. Easily enough to get 3 volleys from most weapons. This is not SFB. We consider acceptable ranges for battle lasers to be 30-50 hexes. Engaging at that range means turning twins off for extra ew and thrust. Sentris are godsends at stopping Starfuries. If he has them, swarm them using initiative edge to slice and dice. ENGAGE THE FURIES as far from your ship as possible. Dont wait until the last minute. Dont get within range of his ships but force him to make as many dropout rolls and as many turns fighting your fghters as possible. If the Furies are dead/gone go after his ships. Maneuver to REAR and fire every turn. Each sentry should average 2 INTERNALS after armour (gross average vs 5 armour) and these will add up just like the crits will. Plant yourself at range 2 or 3 and JINK some. Take your loses and just keep shooting. Weakening those rear thrusters or killing that rear means he cannot turn and your ship can stay at range. Hope this helps Steve Rushing swrushing@compuserve.com http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/swrushing icq uin 5168803