Federation Commander

Ive just discovered the joy of the ESG and was wondering whats the best tactic to get the most out of Lyrans- and to avoid falling foul of some rather unlucky Kilgons out for revenge- whats the best couter Lyran tactics????

As a lyran I keep it pretty simple. No one really wants to get to close for fear of the dreaded ESG so get really agressive. chase them and put them on the defensive and make them run.

Basically scare the crap out of them by trying to close at high speed. I find that people are so terrified of the ESGs they will burn power to get away, meanwhile your real agenda is free unreturned shots with the disruptors.

Fighting a Lyran depends on the guy your fighting. However it is generally ok to close to range 6-8 with most and unload and then move off to recharge. ESGs are only range one. Just watch out for the really crazy Lyrans. If they catch you its over.

If a federation was facing you, though, he could put a stop to your ESG chase tactic with his photons. CA on CA, Four succesful photon hits vs. Four succesful Distruptor hits, both overloaded, and two ESG hits=
Federation takes 80 damage
Lyran takes 64 damage
but then the fed has an advantage in phasers...

Also, couldn't drones stop you? either you ESG them, or phaser them, leaving you with less power for distruptors.

The Fed has an advantage in phasers, but the Lyran has both phasers and disruptors; the Fed only has photons. Once you've charged up your ESG they hold for free; so the Lyran has plenty of power for dancing and keeping the range open.

Then how do you put a stop to the ESG madness?

thats the really nasty thing with lyrans as we found out, they charge the ESG in 1st turn when not firing at range and thats them set to do some really nasty damage as my Klingons found out.

ESGs...

...they are gonna be so much fun when/if FRA FFEs and DDEs ever show up in FC!

(That just occurred to me - how are FC ESGs gonna work in Borders of Madness, when used on escort ships?)

Here's my basic anti-Lyran tactic...don't close to range 1. That eliminates the ESG as a threat. Just to be safe don't get any closer than range 3 or 4.

Of course, I don't much like the Lyrans. They have no fear of flying through my drone wall.

but doing so would deplete the ESG. Also do WEB have any affect on ESG's? (or vice versa?)

As a Lyran I dont usually charge a fully loaded Fed. I dance those guys because I have more power and manuverability. That being said, no one should really close with a fully loaded fed

As for anti-Lyran tactics, one poster said it, dont close to range 1. simple as that. Dance them with plasma or whatever you have and keep the distance open to at least 5 hexes.

pinecone wrote:but doing so would deplete the ESG. Also do WEB have any affect on ESG's? (or vice versa?)

depends on how many drones, you dont have to use the full charge of an ESG to use it.
and I am sure I saw something on ESGs but cant find it, think perhaps a ship with ESG cannot use it whilst witihn a web but could be wrong.

pneumonic81 wrote:As for anti-Lyran tactics, one poster said it, dont close to range 1. simple as that. Dance them with plasma or whatever you have and keep the distance open to at least 5 hexes.

Unless you're a Fusion Hydran. Then you just don't have any choice in the matter.

If you are a Fusion Hydran, then figure out whether the capital ship or the fighters are going to overload the ESG, and arrange things so that all of your units reach point blank range at about the same time.

yeah thats the best bet if your a fusion hydran.

I wouldnt want to be a fusion hydran however.

Fusion Hydrans hit pretty decent at range 2. It's better to make a decent shot and not get hit by the ESG, than make a great shot and get hit by the ESG. Remember energy is created every turn, your ship isn't. Better to make multiple poor shots and survive than 1 great shot and die.

but doing so would deplete the ESG

The ESG is designed for the Anti-drone role. Depleting it to serve that function is what you're supposed to do with it.