Ship Roles : Escort vs Frigate vs Destroyer

[TokenResistance]

Hello,

I just bought Shadows, never played before, and am trying to work my way up the learning curve.

Could someone explain what the practical difference is, if any, between Destroyers, Escorts and Frigates? I haven't checked super carefully, but it seems so far that I can make designs for all three ships with exactly the same components. If I do this are the these ships effectively identical, or are they different in some way besides name? (e.g., bonuses to certain modules, cost, etc).

-Thanks
-Mark

[Brainsucker]

The answer is "Up to your imagination / Strategy". You can make them all identical, you can make them differently, or you can ignore two of them and just use one. Everything is up to you, and your strategy.

[Arcatus]

The ships will have the exact same stats, but the AI (if you put the ship on automate) will treat different classes differently.

For example; Escorts will be used to escort freighters and destroyers will be assigned into fleets and used for attacks (if you allow that automation).

[TokenResistance]

Ok, thanks for the info!

[invaderzim]

For example; Escorts will be used to escort freighters and destroyers will be assigned into fleets and used for attacks (if you allow that automation).

What about frigates and the rest? I'm assuming cruisers and capital ships are also used for attacks or something.

It would be nice if we could fine tune how the AI treats different classes. Being able to switch destroyers to escort-duty and use cruisers for attacks would be useful in late-game.

[Larsenex]

What do un-fleeted Destroyers do? For example I have four strike fleets early in game made up of Destroyers and carriers. Later, a bit further in I replace the destroyers with cruisers that are larger. I will typically 'free-up' the destroyers and automate them and leave them OUT of my fleets.

What is the role that Destroyers that are unassigned do? What had the AI coded for them to do?

I was thinking of assigning all of them into small groups of 4 but don't know if this will change their behavior.

I understand the role of Escorts and to some extent Frigates but really want to know what a dozen solo Destroyers do or are 'supposed' to do.

[woodtick1168]

I have seen the AI use my destroyers for escort duty if I have not assigned them a mission and then automated them. Being able to keep your fleet positioned where you want it when you want it means the AI needs take a "hands off" approach.
I have found the key to keeping ships in critical locations, available for any new mission, is to assign them a patrol mission at a gas mine and then automate them after you assign them the patrol mission. Now you can use that fleet to fill any mission that comes up because the AI will not over ride the automated mission you have assigned and they won't run out of fuel and head off to refuel.
I build multiple designs of Frigates and desroyers. Fast attack frigates with 2 shields and a 50% flee order with just rail guns. Militia Frigates for home base and gas mine defense. Gun ship destroyers (guns only) and Missle destroyers (80%missles) and heavy shielded destroyers with a mix of guns and missles that will stay in the fight longer.
Take the time to watch ship to ship combat in detail and you may see some tactics that may drive you towards designing your own "Mission Focused Ship Design". That's one of the things I love about this game.

[woodtick1168]

Larsenex
I have found the way to control ship behavior is to assign a mission and then automate. The ship or fleets will stay on that mission. Any unassigned ship the AI may use for escort duty. So far that is what I have seen.

I do mix different ships into my fleets. I will include all ships except escorts. I want some fast attack frigates to handle the enemy's rail gun frigates. I have read the concern about the different speed of ships being an issue but its not a problem if you assign a rally point for all attcking fleets just outside the system you want to attack. Once they are all together then start the attack

[Erik Rutins]

You can design each class however you want - if you play without automation, how you define them is up to you. The class guidelines are used by the AI to help it assign ships to certain mission types and to fleets though, so Escorts will not tend to be assigned to fleets and will in general be assigned to protect less valuable targets, frigates and destroyers will protect more valuable targets and can function as fleet ships, etc.

Regards,

- Erik

[invaderzim]

What percentage of frigates, destroyers and cruisers are assigned to fleets by the AI? Is it something like 0% of escorts, 50% of frigates, 60% of destroyers and 70% of cruisers are fleet ships?

[TokenResistance]

Thanks again for all the helpful replies. Another followup question.

Are the other military ship types (e.g. Cruisers and Capital Ships) the same in that they only differ in how the AI handles them?

[FerretStyle]

Technically all ships and bases are the same except for how the AI handles them. Like if you put engines, warp drive and construction yards on a base you can fly it around and build stuff. You can tell any ship to explore, etc.

[invaderzim]

How would you put engines on a base? The construction rules normally prohibit that.

[FerretStyle]

Well, you used to be able to...

[invaderzim]

Engines and a hyperdrive on a base could be pretty fun. Imagine never having to send your ships back to home to repair or retrofit...