Is this a theory or have you actually tried this? When they start using fleets and ultimate invulnerability, I don't think those cargo hulls are going to do much.

I'd rather have a larger swarm of fighters of slightly less individual firepower. Altogether it'd be more firepower than a few cargo hulls. When they shoot back and take out one or two of the fighters, there's still several more to continue the fight.

You might be able to take out the individual fighters that way, but even the escorts usually have 27+ shields

Get Privateers. Immediately. It was my best investment, ever On some games, like Salvation, where you only have two planets to work with and Earth is beseiged by Dread Lords before you can get an adequate military fleet (I just outtech the Yor and Drengin on every level and then by them off with tech goodies ) Privateers are invaluable. It's so funny watching the Dread Lords follow my freighters for a few turns before giving up in disgust

Your formula for victory will only work on the low-level Dread Lord ships, and then only if you choose missles or mass drivers, attack first, and attack with a fleet. Although, I have never noticed the Dread Lords forming fleets

Although, I have never noticed the Dread Lords forming fleets

Oh, they'll fleet up alright. It usually takes a while, so maybe you're beating them before they start doing that.

I guess you could always spam tiny ships in fleets to take maximum advantage of military starbase bonuses (bonii?)

They kill starbases as soon as they realize you've built one. Even if you cheat to get all the techs and armor a military base with every possible weapon/defense, they'll kill it before it ever has a chance to shoot back. Those escorts...... god I hate those things.

I've played Achillies heel 4 times now... and can't seem to win... what's the secret? I'm trading tech with my 'allies', and they all seem to have a ton of colony and transport ships built, so they always take over invaded planets, but then out come a few dredlord escorts and all my bases are shreded....no matter what I have in fleet. I've tried individual ships with 6 beam, swarms of fighters with 1 or 2 beam... arrgh. Why can't you search on these forums??

Cool idea. what about stacking starbases? do their 'def' and attack bonus stack if their sphere of influence overlaps?

Ok. I tried a cobo of this (cargo hulls with lots of beams) - dred lords had SHIELDS! WTF! I lasted a bit longer this time, and re-took planet 3 times. First time I got no tech at all second and third time I got some awesome techs, but they didi not help much... except as trade bait for my allies - getting all their tech and cash helped keep me around a little longer. but then DL had 3 escorts and took my outpost 22. That was my end.

I'm still against the whole "cargo hull" thing. It's a wasted investment really, since it will certainly die. Tiny ships are cheaper and have lower logistics. With the upcoming combat changes, cargo hulled attack ships are now worthless kamikaze machines that are guaranteed death. Basically, I like to use medium hulls that can double against Drengin and Yor ships, as well as large hulls which (If you're lucky) can defeat a fighter in a one-on-one situation.

I once designed a ship that would take out any Dread Lord that I'd ever met, however sadly it was in mission two (I got irritated by those green starbases and had to fight the Altarians who were superior to me in every way )