[TEAM THREAD] Fenn & Bob are Advanced Warriors

[Bobchillingworth]

I'm considering using one of my first two produced Infantry to make a beeline for the factory at the end of my island (the other would capture the factory closest to my starting two, and obv. the starting unit is going for the airport). Thoughts? Normally I'd just build an APC to shuttle one over on turn 3, but I need the cash for the T-Copter.

[Fenn]

So Brick/Ipecac went for the Hawke/Eagle combo. We've got to watch out for the one-two punch of Black Wave + Lightning Strike; hopefully we can charge our SCOPs first and prevent them from getting full value out of their powers, or try to play for an early advantage (ie the Sami rush).

Edit: @your post above, I'd say go for it - unless an APC built after the T-Copter could get you to the base two turns faster than your first Infs could walk there.

Calculating it out, it looks like you'll have enough money to buy both an APC and T-Copter on Day 4 if you produce Infantry on the first three days and try to maximise property captures. It takes 5 days for an Infantry to walk to the base, but only 3 days if you use an APC. So, if you walk there from the start you'll still reach the base earlier than if you wait for an APC, but waiting for the APC will let you focus on capturing nearby properties sooner. It's your call.

[Bobchillingworth]

Cool. Looks like either way I can capture it before Red can realistically get a T-Copter of his own over there, so I think I'll focus on maximizing captures and go the APC route.

[Fenn]

While planning my own moves, it occurs to me that if Red captures their airport with their first infantry and immediately builds a T-Copter, they can make it over to their lone base on the same turn as you do - you can build your T-Copter a turn earlier, but transit takes a turn longer for you.

For that reason, you could consider building two T-Copters to get two Infantry over there, or building a Mech this turn to load onto your first T-Copter. If an Infantry is there and attacks, a Sami Mech on the base takes about 3HP damage from an Infantry on a forest and counters for about 5HP damage; then on your turn you can attack for 5HP more damage, then start capturing the turn after that.

[Bobchillingworth]

Ah shoot, wish I had checked this thread before making my builds, went for an APC instead to secure my furthest factory faster.

[Fenn]

Don't worry about it; you can still build a Mech from your forward base next turn and load that onto your T-Copter. You could also build two T-Copters so you can send two Mechs over to Red's land; you'll want two TCs anyway so might as well get it done early, right?

I think I'll build a T-Copter and fly over my lone base myself. I doubt Ipecac will try the base rush strategy, but it doesn't hurt to be careful and it'll be helpful to get my forward port up and running early.

[Bobchillingworth]

Roger on all points.


How do you want to divide the large island between us? I feel like you'll get more out of it, but I'm probably better positioned to capture properties there earlier. I'd prefer you take the factory there at least, if possible.

[Bobchillingworth]

Btw, one thing which I've learned from the FFA and my duel with CH is that T-Copters are really frigging useful. Their mobility makes them peerless as flying roadblocks and/or distractions- provided the enemy isn't swarming with AA, 6,000 points for an Infantry + T-Copter lets you block two tiles and eats up 3-4 enemy attacks to remove. Plus unlike APCs tank units have to switch to their crappy machine guns to take them down.

[Fenn]

Having the island stuff would be nice for Stealth-building purposes, but I'd already have slightly more properties than you (15 vs 13 if my count is right) without the island. When we get to the point where we can send T-Copters at the island, let's decide then. I'd rather you have them if it would take me several more turns to spare a transport that way.

I've always held back from building T-Copters and APCs in maps where they aren't strictly required; feels like unless they enable an otherwise unworkable city capture, they're just delaying my first Tank (and the pressure you can put on your opponent with it) for no good reason. But I'm not exactly running away with the FFA based on that principle, so you might have the better of it.

[Fenn]

Here's how things look on Day 5, after my moves but before Bob's:


We've both got our first T-Copters built; mine's headed for the lone base on my island, while Bob's will be going for Red's lone base, potentially followed by a second. I'm going to follow up with a B-Copter; it'll help dislodge any ipecac units that might be trying to get a foothold on my end, and can be used later to harass their neutral island.