Combat missions - basic questions

[XenonSurf]

After posting my combat results under "Battleship lasts forever..." where I didn't succeed hunting down a CAP ship, I realize that any answers would be too big of a spoiler, also maybe I started combat in EL in a wrong way. So, I have some really *basic* questions about combat missions that hopefully should get me better started in this tough business..

1) Does a low Tech Level in a system means easier combat ?
I mean, will the same mission type, like patrol a route against 5 fighters be more easy in a 0 tech level compared to a 80 tech level?
So, should I start combat in a low tech level first to get more experience?

2) Is it any good to follow the EM advices for combat in EL (including equipment, tactics)
Especially, will the equipment and weapon advices in EM also apply in EL (if they are the same), or should I think all over?

Thanks,
XenonS

[Sinbad]

1) That would be logical... although I haven't tested that personally. In EM ships in low tech systems were easier for combat. It's probably the same in EL.

2) Yes. Most of the combat tactics from EM still apply in EL. Probably some small differences due to different equipment. Also the AI in EL are definitely smarter so combat isn't so easy as EM, but the general principles are pretty much the same.

[XenonSurf]

Thanks Sinbad

I have made a separate profile-save just to train the different aspects of a combat. So the territory will not skip unexpectetly and I can try again and again.

I'm now experimenting this new permanent Stealth device...wow.. It has some drawback in that you cannot fire (would be to easy) and you are left with no shields when switched off. I think a shield pack will fix this disadvantage.

Ciao,
XenonS

[Marvin]

Evochron Legends (pre-Mercenary) allowed you to create your own universe. One of the specifications for the (IIRC) "universedata" file was tech level of ships ... set for each star system. If Vice is using the same (or similar) set-up then, yes, the level of AI equipment will vary according the the tech level of the star system.

[XenonSurf]

I think I cannot directly test what a friendly AI ship has in equipment and weapons, I can guess it by seeing its results in combat, how fast he is able to destroy an enemy ship etc. I'm of course aware that a Talon is not the same than a Wraith...and I wouldn't be surprised if a powerful ship will use powerful weapons as well.
But I guess with a Target Scanner I may find out about a ship's weapon load, I don't know for sure, but it's worth trying out.

The good thing is that in EM/EL you cannot say a combat mission is going to be 101...It's different every time, a little detail can turn the mission to be very hard, like a sudden appearance of a 4-fighter group etc.
I have now done more missions in Orion, currently 35 Tech Level in my save, I don't have the feel that it is easier than elsewhere, but one difference is that I get GOOD support from friendly AI ships (Single Player). This was not the case in Onyx, where I had NO support at all, not even around the station. So Tech Level is not everything I suppose.

XenonS



[Edited on 5-10-2016 by XenonSurf]

[Marvin]

So Tech Level is not everything I suppose.

No, it's not. Who has control of the the sector (and by how much) also plays a part in mission difficulty and support (friendly or otherwise).

[XenonSurf]

I now found a measure of combat difficulty: It's in the System Information under Local Ship Specs which can be Medium, High (and low I guess).

XenonS

[Marvin]

I never noticed that ... I guess we learn something new every day.

[Sinbad]

I didn't know that either! Good find XenonS