So, you find yourself starting a game of TI3, you stare down at your race sheet and ask yourself "what kind of fleet do I need to protect my game interests"?
Well, there are several different types of ways to build a fleet. Some races lend themselves to a specific build and others lend themselves more freely to what kind of fleet you desire.
In my games of TI3 I have come across 3 basic types of fleets.
Fighter Heavy: This type of fleet is characterized by multiple carriers holding many fighters.
Naalu, Sol, and Saar lend themselves to this type of build. Muuat can also do this to some extent.
The Iceberg: Usually contains multiple dreadnoughts with carrier/cruiser support. This type of fleet is usually big (think 5+ capitol ships) and moves very slowly, hitting pretty hard where it arrives. L1Z1X does this VERY well. Muaat can also do this relatively well.
Light and Speedy: Characterized by multiple cheap ships (Cruisers and Destroyers) used to counter Fighter heavy fleets and be where you need to be. Look for fleets like this to up their blue tech so carriers and Dreadnoughts can keep up. This is done well by Mentak and Yin, who have benefits when using cruisers and destroyers. Can also be done by Saar.
Note that this list is not exhaustive and fleets can have more than one of these qualities.
The rest of the races (Hacan, Yssaril, Letnev, Jol-Nar, Sardakk, Winnu, and Xxcha) aren't really pre-set in their preferences for fleet build and have the freedom to choose any of the above.
If facing a race that has an obvious build, that gives you a bit of an advantage in building a counter-build. You can either make fleet composition proactive (forcing your opponents to react) or reactive (seeing what your opponents build before you commit).
Just some things to keep in mind while you enjoy "the best board game made by man".
-Mike
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Public Objectives, a summary
Winning TI3 is all about claiming objectives. There are 20 Stage I and 18 Stage II Objectives (not counting "Imperium Rex").
These can generally be broken down into 4 types of Objectives.
-Planet Control
-Technology
-Economic
-Warfare
Planet Control: These objectives involve controlling a number of planets, a number of types of planets, or controlling certain planets (i.e. Mecatol rex). These types of objectives account for 12 of 38 (31.58%) objectives.
Technology: These objectives involve obtaining a certain amount of technology or a certain amount of technology in each color. These types of objectives account for 6 of 38 (15.79%) objectives.
Economic: These types of objectives involve spending a certain amount of Resources, Influence, Trade Goods, or Command Counters. These types of objectives account for 12 of 38 (31.58%) objectives.
Warfare: These types of objectives involve winning Space or Invasion combats, conquering home systems, or blockading/destroying Space Docks. These types of objectives account for 8 of 38 (21.05%) objectives.
So, as you can see the most likely objectives to encounter involve Planet Control or Economics. Warfare based objectives are less common, with technology being the least common.
So, it appears an expanding, economic empire would be the way to go.
-Mike
These can generally be broken down into 4 types of Objectives.
-Planet Control
-Technology
-Economic
-Warfare
Planet Control: These objectives involve controlling a number of planets, a number of types of planets, or controlling certain planets (i.e. Mecatol rex). These types of objectives account for 12 of 38 (31.58%) objectives.
Technology: These objectives involve obtaining a certain amount of technology or a certain amount of technology in each color. These types of objectives account for 6 of 38 (15.79%) objectives.
Economic: These types of objectives involve spending a certain amount of Resources, Influence, Trade Goods, or Command Counters. These types of objectives account for 12 of 38 (31.58%) objectives.
Warfare: These types of objectives involve winning Space or Invasion combats, conquering home systems, or blockading/destroying Space Docks. These types of objectives account for 8 of 38 (21.05%) objectives.
So, as you can see the most likely objectives to encounter involve Planet Control or Economics. Warfare based objectives are less common, with technology being the least common.
So, it appears an expanding, economic empire would be the way to go.
-Mike
My top TI3 tips.
Mostly for newer players, but can also apply to veterans as well, I present some of my tips to remember when playing TI3.
1) Avoid war, if at all possible: Sometimes the quickest way to lose in TI3 is to get into a prolonged conflict with another player. War hurts you economically and makes you spend command counters doing dumb stuff. Keep in mind that are perfectly good reasons to attack an opponent, make sure you keep those reasons in mind when attacking someone.
2) An alliance only lasts as long as all parties are receiving a benefit: Alliances are a big part of TI3, but so are betrayals. A game-lasting alliance can be a powerful tool, make sure to keep all parties interested in maintaining your alliance.
3) Avoid being in the lead: The current winner is a target for all other players nasty surprises. The safest place to be is in a tie for the lead, or one point behind him. If you are in the lead, make sure you are leading by a large margin.
4) Never let the person in the lead get his hands on Bureaucracy: Time and time again, I play games to find myself in the lead by one point, holding Bureaucracy. Sometimes I pull "Imperium Rex" and win or I pull something I can accomplish and pull ahead in Victory Points.
5) Don't let feuds span multiple games: So what if you and another player spend a game ruthlessly attacking one another, if you keep it up game after game, people take note, and just get out of your way while they win the game.
6) Get objectives every turn, if possible: If the game seems to consist of easy objectives, everyone will be getting points, every turn. Do not fall behind early because in late game, Bureaucracy is a commodity everyone will want.
7) Learn the objectives: Know when your enemies are about to get a Secret objective, it helps you prevent them from getting two Victory Points.
Keep these few points in mind during your games and you may likely find yourself on a more competitive level on your quest to rule the galactic throne.
-Mike
1) Avoid war, if at all possible: Sometimes the quickest way to lose in TI3 is to get into a prolonged conflict with another player. War hurts you economically and makes you spend command counters doing dumb stuff. Keep in mind that are perfectly good reasons to attack an opponent, make sure you keep those reasons in mind when attacking someone.
2) An alliance only lasts as long as all parties are receiving a benefit: Alliances are a big part of TI3, but so are betrayals. A game-lasting alliance can be a powerful tool, make sure to keep all parties interested in maintaining your alliance.
3) Avoid being in the lead: The current winner is a target for all other players nasty surprises. The safest place to be is in a tie for the lead, or one point behind him. If you are in the lead, make sure you are leading by a large margin.
4) Never let the person in the lead get his hands on Bureaucracy: Time and time again, I play games to find myself in the lead by one point, holding Bureaucracy. Sometimes I pull "Imperium Rex" and win or I pull something I can accomplish and pull ahead in Victory Points.
5) Don't let feuds span multiple games: So what if you and another player spend a game ruthlessly attacking one another, if you keep it up game after game, people take note, and just get out of your way while they win the game.
6) Get objectives every turn, if possible: If the game seems to consist of easy objectives, everyone will be getting points, every turn. Do not fall behind early because in late game, Bureaucracy is a commodity everyone will want.
7) Learn the objectives: Know when your enemies are about to get a Secret objective, it helps you prevent them from getting two Victory Points.
Keep these few points in mind during your games and you may likely find yourself on a more competitive level on your quest to rule the galactic throne.
-Mike
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