115 replies to this topic

[SternuS]

A perfect example of this is the Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity , an entire fleet as defense of High Charity.

[Defender0]

I think this is a major exception for what im talking about actually. The fleet protecting high charity was there more to safeguard the prophets and the "holy city" of the covenant. It was more of an escort fleet for a flagship, not a defense fleet for a planet.

[Dhoulmegus]

I'm not getting why these turrets, if existing, would be weak?
It's been stated several times that the UNSC needs 3 - 1 odds to defeat the Covenant, even in light frigate battles. Covenant firepower is so advanced, they would surely apply it to their defenses. Sure, their cruiser's projectors could slice a ship in half, but even their Plasma Cannons would turn a ship into a melted metal globule in one shot. Their lightest ship-based weapons have amazing range (The UNSC would have to evade a first shot just to get into MAC range), and be just as destructive as a MAC (as it would take about two shots from either a ship borne MAC or a Plasma Cannon, as we saw when the Keyes Manuever placed a Covenant frigate in the way of friendly fire.)
It only makes sense that if they were to make a planetary defense, it would be the best it could be. I see it as having a farther range, and similar damage output, but perhaps a lot easier to destroy, for the reasons stated above.

We aren't comparing the damage a Covenant orbital defense turret might have to the damage a MAC has. We are comparing it to the UNSC's orbital defense stations, SMAC platforms. Which are signifigantly more powerful, as they are able to destroy any known Covenant vessel with a single shot, and even then, that shot could still destroy 2 more ships or destroy 1 and severely damage another.

[Zero]

I feel that, if the covenant need defenses in the late game, their fleet is outmatched by the UNSC and they will innevitably lose. Most of their defense will come from either a starbase or a fleet, or both.

Yes this is true as this is how it should be. UNSC were always superior when it came to firepower, they just didn't have the numbers. As I pointed out, though Covenant shouldn't have defensive starbases but rather offensive starbases. I agree with you that their planet defenses shouldn't be all powerful, but they should still have them. There's a model already made for the Covenant turret, which is basically a giant plasma repeater. Should be powerful enough to destroy frigate sized ships and damage larger ships, but the majority of the defense should have no problem if the fleet has obliterated most of the straggling UNSC running for home if they so choose to enter a Covenant player's sphere of influence (or a weakened attacking player).

[Defender0]

Yes this is true as this is how it should be. UNSC were always superior when it came to firepower, they just didn't have the numbers. As I pointed out, though Covenant shouldn't have defensive starbases but rather offensive starbases. I agree with you that their planet defenses shouldn't be all powerful, but they should still have them. There's a model already made for the Covenant turret, which is basically a giant plasma repeater. Should be powerful enough to destroy frigate sized ships and damage larger ships, but the majority of the defense should have no problem if the fleet has obliterated most of the straggling UNSC running for home if they so choose to enter a Covenant player's sphere of influence (or a weakened attacking player).

i have never once stated that the covenant should not have defenses. In fact, i support giving the covenant an orbital defense platform, or platforms, but they should not be something that can defend the planet on its own. This is what im trying to get across. Also, the starbase thing. As i said, most of the covenant defense will come from either a star base, a fleet, or both. If the covenant get an offensive starbase, then obviously my statement about it being used for defense should be ammended to say "most of the covenant defense will come from its fleet".

Aside from these clarifications, i agree with you completely.

[Bornstellaris]

The covenant in my view are a fast rush type player, they shouldn't really need SMAC level defences to defend their worlds. I'd also like to think that playing against the covenant would entail fear from the UNSC player as when they see that a covenant frontier world has a couple of Assualt Carriers and a well sized fleet, they'll think twice about attacking.

[Defender0]

The covenant in my view are a fast rush type player, they shouldn't really need SMAC level defences to defend their worlds. I'd also like to think that playing against the covenant would entail fear from the UNSC player as when they see that a covenant frontier world has a couple of Assualt Carriers and a well sized fleet, they'll think twice about attacking.

this right here is what the dev team is trying to recreate, minus a few assault carriers (those things are expensive as hell lol)

[Bornstellaris]

this right here is what the dev team is trying to recreate, minus a few assault carriers (those things are expensive as hell lol)

Big map maybe? Attacking Fleet maybe?

[Defender0]

Thats a big maybe. Considering their price and role in the covenant fleet, i cant reasonably justfiy having more than 2 or 3 assault carriers, and no more than one per fleet.

[Bornstellaris]

Couple=2, anyways yeah the point I wanted to make is that a sufficient fleet with an Assualt Carrier or 2 and the rest of the pants shitting Covenat Capital ships should make any UNSC player think twice before invading

[Defender0]

The assault carrier on its own would deter a small UNSC battlegroup. Add in a support fleet, and a UNSC fleet is in for a heavyweight fight.

[Bornstellaris]

The assault carrier on its own would deter a small UNSC battlegroup. Add in a support fleet, and a UNSC fleet is in for a heavyweight fight.

That's how I've always envisioned it. For the starbase it should be a mobile fleet support base, able to build and repair ships. A UNSC player should see one of these in an adjacent gravity well and know they are in for a hell of a fight.

[Unikraken]

That's how I've always envisioned it. For the starbase it should be a mobile fleet support base, able to build and repair ships. A UNSC player should see one of these in an adjacent gravity well and know they are in for a hell of a fight.

I'm not a big fan of it being able to build ships, but it should definitely support the fleet.

[Defender0]

I'm not a big fan of it being able to build ships, but it should definitely support the fleet.

From what i understand, the Unyielding heirophant was not at all a fleet BUILDING station, more of a gigantic gas pump for the cruisers and carriers it was supporting. Building ships with a starbase doesnt seem to fit the covenant theme.

[Unikraken]

From what i understand, the Unyielding heirophant was not at all a fleet BUILDING station, more of a gigantic gas pump for the cruisers and carriers it was supporting. Building ships with a starbase doesnt seem to fit the covenant theme.

Precisely.

[Bornstellaris]

Either way it should scare the shit out of UNSC players and provide a huge repair bonus to fleets.

[Defender0]

Either way it should scare the shit out of UNSC players and provide a huge repair bonus to fleets.

Ill be honest, id be more afraid of an assault carrier jumping into my system. At least if i see a covenant starbase with a fleet, i can launch a preemptive first strike.

[TheBigMan27]

Either way it should scare the shit out of UNSC players and provide a huge repair bonus to fleets.

Exactly what I was saying in my original post!

[Bornstellaris]

I mean scary as in knowing that the covies are amassing a fleet

[Defender0]

I mean scary as in knowing that the covies are amassing a fleet

Yes, but with intel, you can prepare. Imagine if that same covenant fleet arrived at your planet, and you didnt even know it was coming.