Mode of Fleet Travel and Map Strategies

from Sins Forums
Hi all,

New to the forums. Did a search but could find little information on this topic. I'm wondering about fleet travel. Of course there is faster-than-light travel given the scope of the game. But how is that FTL implemented?

Are there structures which allow FTL (gates, star-lanes, whatever)? Or can ships equiped with drives jump *anywhere* in space?

The reason I ask is that in a 4x game, the map becomes very important. With restricted FTL, you or your opponent can creat bottlenecks, forcing your opponent to fight on your terms. Free FTL to any position in space makes things far more difficult to plan against. Fleets can pop up all over the place.

I suppose one work around would be to use the implementation of gravity that I've read so much about. Would a fleet have to warp in a certain distance from a system, outside of the gravity well?

Game looks great, but I'm just wondering how this little bit of scifi will impact game strategy.

Thanks!
strategy
18,129 views 27 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Well, I believe most ships have their own ability to use FTL travel, except the fighters and other small ones if there is any, they need a mother ship to dock in. I think I read there are gates that let you travel even faster if you set them up?
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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
Most of the ships will use faster than light travle between system, but i tihnk within them they go at speeds that dont warp space.
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
Thanks for the answers thus far. I've also found more information from the ship descriptions. I especially like the Vesari JiTriska Scout with this ability:

Phase Gate: Establishes a temporary phase gate at this ship’s location, allowing friendly capital ships to phase jump there at an accelerated rate and further into a gravitational well.
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
yeah, which means its a good strategy for intergalactic travel, cut down travel time substantially.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
Yes and penetrate orbital defenses farther, hello ambush!!   
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
I'm guessing this here screenshot is showcasing a ship in Phase Space



Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
or just coming out of.
you know one question still hasnt been answered: when you initiate phasespace
1) will your ship need to stop moving?
and 2) when you come out (if your ship was moving when it started) will that momentum be conserved

I know the answer is probably no in both circumstances. but still, an answer would be nice.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, If your in a gravity well, you have to move out of it and tell your ship to start warming ups its phase engine. So ship may sit there for a minute before it shoots off into phase space. I read this somewhere, but they may have changed that now.
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
when you come out (if your ship was moving when it started) will that momentum be conserved



I don't think so, I remember in the trailer a bunch of Vasari ships dropped out of Phase Space and simply stopped almost dead.
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
yes, but that could have been because they were at full stop around their own planet.

and about warming up of engines: this game is (partly) in tune with relativity, as long as the ships are "moving" without other systems off (engine) it wont really matter.
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
this game is (partly) in tune with relativity, as long as the ships are "moving" without other systems off (engine) it wont really matter.


Yeah you're right, I have to hit my self for not seeing that.
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
but all we know so far is that there isnt a speed limit on units, so to speak. this may have to be removed... but lets pray it isnt
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
Hmm, I'm wondering if you're allowed to make a ship travel between systems and galaxy's with out phase space, you know on just regular engines..I think it would just be interesting to launch a ship and see how long it takes.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
systems and galaxy's with out phase space, you know on just regular engines

nah, not possible. the maps aren't joined by wide spaces, they are discrete sections.
although I would appreciate this for inter-planetary travel, its not happening.
Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top
nah, not possible. the maps aren't joined by wide spaces, they are discrete sections.
although I would appreciate this for inter-planetary travel, its not happening.


Too bad, I just wanted to see it lol. Not like its going to stop me from playing the game though. I also would like to drive a ship into a black hole, if those will be in the game.
Reply #17 from Sins Forums Top
That would definetly be interesting. And as for the ships moving when they come out, who knows. Though if they come out into a gravity well then they will have to start moving to the center of the gravity well, unless you do something to stop it.
Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top
can you attack ships while they're in jump?

like when they're just coming out, but not completely stopped.

Will their shields be weaker and easier to hit, or will we have no chance to stop the forward forces of a attack if they foolishly jump right next to my capital ship.
Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top
I would think that they wouldnt be stupid enough to do that. if they would they would be out of AM, and their shields would fall in a matter of seconds anyway.
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
Yes, if you anticipate enemy fleet movements you should have the advantage of striking at them when they are weak. Though the system warns you when there is a phase jump to your systems(i think), it doesnt tell you when they happen so your left to guess work.
Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top
the maps aren't joined by wide spaces, they are discrete sections.


I don't think that is right. I have heard Blair say over and over that the game environment is totally continuous.

Though the system warns you when there is a phase jump to your systems(i think), it doesnt tell you when they happen so your left to guess work.


This is probably influenced by your research/upgrades and their countermeasures to detection. So if you have really good sensors and they have crappy stealth technology then you might get more specific information. Then again if you have really lousy sensors and they have good stealth tech then you might not see them coming until they are already at your doorstep.
Reply #22 from Sins Forums Top
I don't think that is right. I have heard Blair say over and over that the game environment is totally continuous.

the zooming is, but not the map. otherwise STL modes of travel would be possible (and that would require a rediculous amount of programming, could you immagine the coordinates on the things?)
Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top
Yea, i guess well have to wait and find out, too bad i cant get the beta
Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top
Once I get the beta I will tell you daily how awesome it is! It will make you feel better, I promise!
Reply #25 from Sins Forums Top
Im sure it will!! You know what would be even better, me mailing you a... package, yes inside there will be surprise. Hope you like loud, colourful, deadly things!!