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Author Topic: Guide: How to kill an SSD  (Read 9894 times)

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February 19, 2017, 06:48:35 AM

Offline kucsidave

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Guide: How to kill an SSD
« on: February 19, 2017, 06:48:35 AM »
Hello everyone. From time and time again there is somebody who says that with X faction it is impossible to defend against SSDs, so I am going to make a guide here for each faction on the best anti SSD strategies for every era WITHOUT the use of any surface to space weapons and/or any other SSDs. Note that Praetor is not an SSD. It is a battlecruiser, not a star dreadnaught.

NOTE THAT THIS GUIDE IS MADE FOR 2.15 AND I WILL MAKE A NEW ONE WHEN 2.2 COMES OUT

Pentastar Alignment

I start with the PA because their tech tree does not change with the eras, so it is universal at the moment.
The best thing to do as the PA is to have 2 or 3 Praetors in a distance and a whole bunch of Venators as the second line. As a third line you can add some Muunificents if you want. The frigate itself is not good, but the 2 skiprays it carries are more than making up for it. Send in the fighters and let your praetors snipe the SSD from a distance. By the time the enemy beast reaches your lies it will be most possible be shieldless and miss a huge chunk of it's turbolasers. Do not run from it, it's useless. Instead send in the more than expendable Munies to take the fire out of the more valueable Praetors.

New Republic
Era 1-2:
You will need to prepare with reinforcements and a 4 line battleformation.
1st line, Nebulon B-2s. I know that few people uses them because Neb.-Bs come with fighters, but the B-2 is more durable, what you will more than need to do this strategy. They will be the bullet-sponges. they will be your first line of defence/attack. Make sure to micro-manage them and as soon as the SSD concentrates fire on them activate their power to shields, but make sure not to do it to all of them as you would just waste the ability. In the second line, MC80Bs. With them the rule is the same as the nebulon B-2s. Use power to shield As Soon As Possible(ASAP from now on) after the SSD turns it's weapons on it.
In the third line, a whole bunch of quasars(at least 4). keep them away from the fight, just use their fighters and bombers to harass the SSDs. Since NR fighters have proton torpedoes they are still effective against larger ships as well as the fighters.
The fourth line is the kicker. At least 2 dreadnaughts. If you attack don't call them into the battle right at the beggining. If you are defending as soon as the battle starts send them to the left and right sides. As soon as the SSDs shields fall, send them in from the sides, efectively flanking the SSD. The reason is that it will cause more damage, as the ships on the front will only shot at maximum 6 different hardpoints, while the Dreadnaughts will start to take them out in the middle and back section of the ship, efectively reducing their firepower as fast as possible. Don't use power to weapons, only if the ship is about to loose all of it's shields either way, so you won't waste your precious shields. Also if this means that the SSD starts to turn towards one of your dreads you got a bonus out of it, since this means half of their weapons will need more time to turn back towards your main fleet again, and you can spare even more HP and shields.
The whole base of this strategy is to soak up as much damage as possible with as few losses as possible.
Please take note that this strategy requires pinpoint accuracy with ability use for maximum effectiveness, so keep that in mind please.

It is also recommended to pause the game if deemed necessary.

Era 3:
just replace the MC 80Bs with the MC90s and the nebulons with the Corona. Otherwise the same as it was.

Era 4-5:
The main focus should be on Endurances and MC90s. I know it is tempting to use the newer Nebula SDs, but they are extremely easy to destroy. They really make a punch, but an SSD punches harder. You need Endurance to defeat it the most effective way as possible(you see what I did there? ;) ). You can dump the Coronas now. Your first line should contain nothing but MC90s. They still have the power to shields, and you should use it to the fullest. Make sure to rush that SSD and deal as much damage as possible. The Endurances should hang out in the back. When you deem it safe, you can move them in as well for added firepower, but do not let them be the frontline ships. Their greatest strenght is that they keep you with a constant flow of fighters for a long time, so keep an eye out if they spawned new fighters, even after long minutes in the battle.
The flanking strategy still works though, but you should use MC90s to do it. The reason why not the Nebulas is that if the SSD focuses on them the MC90s can hold out longer, therefore distracting it for more time.

Imperial Remnant

I know, this is a surprise. Usually the IR is the faction that is associated with SSDs, but shock on shock, others have them too.
So as the IR, you should have a plan to face them as well. And if you happened to be someone who plays without SSDs like me, then you need some sort of strategy to face them.
Era 1-2:
Believe it or not, ISD II is not your middle name this time around. You have to play it smart. With this VSD Is are the best choice because of those missle launchers. They are very very effective. Your other friend is the Escort Carrier. Keep them behind the front and use your bombers to harass the SSD. In the meantime separate your VSDs into two groups and start to flank the SSD from both sides. When you attack, the SSD will turn towards one side, basically giving you free regin with the other one. After it finishes off one side, it will start to turn slowly, but you can focus that side of weapons  and weaken it as much as possible before it can even turn to fire on you. As soon as it is in firing position, you can call in a whole bunch of VSDs behind it, where you lost the VSDs before, and repeat the process.
Easy as a pie. And those TIE interceptors are very good at keeping enemy fighters clear off your bombers asses.
In Era 2 also make sure to take full advantage of those TIE Scimitars. They are your best friends from now on.

Era 3:
Basically the PA strategy, just replace the Venators(since you don't have them yet) with ISD IIs (having nothing to really replace Venators go for the second best option fighterwise) and the Munis with Modular Taskforce Cruiser.
The only real difference is that you should use the ISD IIs as the front line to lose them instead of endangering the praetors, as they are more valueable as the remnant. Don't forget that in later eras you will only have what you spared now, so you have to be careful and take good care of them.

Era 4:
The tables are turned. Now you are the underdog. Time to think like one and start sparing your units. Spam venators. Use their fighters and bombers to harass the SSD and only engage in ship-to-ship combat as a last resort. Use the still remaining praetors from Era 3 if there is any.
If you play reunification then god help you, you are either more than capable or foolish. that can't be done without night hammer. But, as I have to think of something...
Use Crimson Commands as much as you can. Pro tip, build 14, then start cuing up 5 more. as long as Cronus is there they will finish up building. You can get 19 instead of 15. ABUSE THIS!
VSD Is are also good friends of yours.
Era 5:
About the same as Era 4, but you lost the Crimsons, so use VSD IIs as there  is nothing better. Go for quantity. Make your fleets big or go home in a body bag.
You WILL be desparate.

Empire of the Hand

EotH method was made by Director Krennic and you can find his post bellow.

Quote
So first off, try to isolate the SSD by it self or at least not many fighters, then distract with a fodder ship in the front and front your big guns in the back so it cant you . If there is still a strong force with the SSD, just try send all you got at it so it blows up first and attack the rest. To me phalanx destroyers and Syndic Destroyers are the best choice but also fighter carries. Good luck hunting.  Oh one last thing. Once it gets low start attacking the other ships and try to use your fighters.

If its that new SSD with the superlaser similar to the Eclipse or is the Eclipse, Run for your lives.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2017, 12:06:23 PM by kucsidave »
"He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.
And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee." - Friedrich Nietzsche

February 19, 2017, 11:22:54 AMReply #1

Offline GreyStar

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2017, 11:22:54 AM »
Correct me if I'm wrong but I didn't have any Coronas in Era 3 as the NR.

Also where the Hell can I find some MC90Bs? Gimme gimmie gimmie!

February 19, 2017, 05:07:55 PMReply #2

Offline Helix345

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2017, 05:07:55 PM »
For era 5 imperial remnant, I find that a good quantity of tectors in the front will soak damage while you use whatever you can spare to actually do damage.

March 03, 2017, 09:26:40 AMReply #3

Offline jacob_weeks

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2017, 09:26:40 AM »
fighters work well...hell a good well. check theXPgamer if unsure.

March 03, 2017, 09:45:29 PMReply #4

Offline DarthRevansRevenge

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2017, 09:45:29 PM »
there's also the very obvious strategy of the IR and PA of use another SSD.

as the EoTH, you want the Syndic destroyers and Chafs in the front, with Au'Riette carriers behind. as you get more advanced ships, add multiple Phalanxs to the line-up, as these are relatively inexpensive for their power and do wonders to enemy capital ships


 with all none-SSD fleets, you want a LARGE number of reserves, as the SSDs pack a punch. and yes, lots of fighters are needed to take these beasts down
do you know what really makes me mad? that the NR didn't make as many different SSDs as the empire. they would have won much faster had they done so. it's just not fair. but, if their were more NR SSDs, they would be absolute SUPER-CARRIERS.

but, i'm a member of the PA at heart, and my wish here is to join the ranks of grand admirals... sorry, the elite imperial alignment

March 03, 2017, 09:51:52 PMReply #5

Offline Darth Kaiden

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2017, 09:51:52 PM »
Or just get behind it.

March 04, 2017, 08:04:12 AMReply #6

Offline kucsidave

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2017, 08:04:12 AM »
there's also the very obvious strategy of the IR and PA of use another SSD.
Please read the top of the post:
WITHOUT the use of any surface to space weapons and/or any other SSDs.
"He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.
And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee." - Friedrich Nietzsche

March 26, 2017, 06:08:12 PMReply #7

Offline Mr.Puerto

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2017, 06:08:12 PM »
In 2.15 SSDs are not indestructible, any "heavy" capital ship will kill them if you are able to jump in from behind them. By heavy I mean ISDII for the IR, Preator for the PA, MC80b and anything capital ship created after era 3 for the NR, and any capital ship for the EOTH. However in the  2.2 demo Bombers will do easily do the job for much less, I predict X wings will be the best tool against SSDs for the NR, since they are fighter bombers, they can target any fighters thrown at them, then quickly get away and do a bombing run on a SSD. Gladiators pocket star destroyers will be the best for Greater Maldrood, EA ( I think they have them)? and Zisnj, since they spawn 2 Skipray squadrons. If you use a fleet of just gladiators and a couple anti fighter corvettes you can basically kill any SSD. Since we haven't seen EOTH too much I won't attempt to guess, however I'm thinking the doctrine will be the same for them as in 2.15
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March 27, 2017, 06:05:43 PMReply #8

Offline Director Krennic

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So first off, try to isolate the SSD by it self or at least not many fighters, then distract with a fodder ship in the front and front your big guns in the back so it cant you . If there is still a strong force with the SSD, just try send all you got at it so it blows up first and attack the rest. To me phalanx destroyers and Syndic Destroyers are the best choice but also fighter carries. Good luck hunting.  Oh one last thing. Once it gets low start attacking the other ships and try to use your fighters.




If its that new SSD with the superlaser similar to the Eclipse or is the Eclipse, Run for your lives.
Quote
The power that we are dealing with here; is immeasurable


March 27, 2017, 10:16:35 PMReply #9

Offline briG

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2017, 10:16:35 PM »
In 2.2 you can also attempt to fight the SSD on a planet where you have an ion cannon and remove its shields instantly.

March 27, 2017, 11:20:01 PMReply #10

Offline Mr.Puerto

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2017, 11:20:01 PM »
In 2.2 you can also attempt to fight the SSD on a planet where you have an ion cannon and remove its shields instantly.
This guide is about not using SSDs and surface to space weapons to kill the SSD so yeah...
“In this world, whenever there is light, there are also shadows. As long as the concept of winners exist, there must also be losers. The selfish desire of wanting to maintain peace causes wars and hatred is born to protect love.“


March 28, 2017, 12:18:12 AMReply #11

Offline Bucman55

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2017, 12:18:12 AM »
As Maldrood 1 Providence and 2 Gladiators + their fighter compliments can almost take down Zsinj on thier own under the right circumstances (Zsinj being dumb and facing backwards, no Zsinj support).

March 28, 2017, 09:29:55 AMReply #12

Offline kucsidave

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2017, 09:29:55 AM »
Okay, since by the end of it nobody remembers the beggining, i highlight it red and quote it here again:
... best anti SSD strategies for every era WITHOUT the use of any surface to space weapons and/or any other SSDs.

NOTE THAT THIS GUIDE IS MADE FOR 2.15 AND I WILL MAKE A NEW ONE WHEN 2.2 COMES OUT
« Last Edit: March 28, 2017, 09:32:34 AM by kucsidave »
"He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.
And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee." - Friedrich Nietzsche

March 28, 2017, 07:08:07 PMReply #13

Offline Director Krennic

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2017, 07:08:07 PM »
I recently wrote my way of killing a SSD as the Eoth, Maybe for the time you can copy it and past it in your Eoth section, maybe even edit it to the way you like.
Quote
The power that we are dealing with here; is immeasurable


March 29, 2017, 01:40:14 PMReply #14

Offline kucsidave

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2017, 01:40:14 PM »
okay, thanks, but please link it here. I can't find it. Oh, and don't even think that I'm not gonna credit you for it
"He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.
And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee." - Friedrich Nietzsche

March 29, 2017, 04:05:17 PMReply #15

Offline Slornie

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #15 on: March 29, 2017, 04:05:17 PM »
I recently wrote my way of killing a SSD as the Eoth, Maybe for the time you can copy it and past it in your Eoth section, maybe even edit it to the way you like.
okay, thanks, but please link it here. I can't find it. Oh, and don't even think that I'm not gonna credit you for it

I've merged it into this thread instead.  Reply 8, above.
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March 29, 2017, 06:29:05 PMReply #16

Offline Director Krennic

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #16 on: March 29, 2017, 06:29:05 PM »
okay, thanks, but please link it here. I can't find it. Oh, and don't even think that I'm not gonna credit you for it

Thanks Slornie for moving my post for use :D


« Last Edit: March 29, 2017, 06:30:55 PM by Director Krennic »
Quote
The power that we are dealing with here; is immeasurable


March 30, 2017, 09:48:51 AMReply #17

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #17 on: March 30, 2017, 09:48:51 AM »
In terms of the EotH, I've found Warlord Gunships to be VERY effective SSD killers in numbers. If you can hyperspace them in(or distract the SSD in question with something else) behind, they can have the shields of the SSD down before it even turns around. In one battle, I used 10 Warlord Gunships to kill an SSD, and only lost two.
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March 30, 2017, 01:24:47 PMReply #18

Offline Revanchist

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #18 on: March 30, 2017, 01:24:47 PM »
In terms of the EotH, I've found Warlord Gunships to be VERY effective SSD killers in numbers. If you can hyperspace them in(or distract the SSD in question with something else) behind, they can have the shields of the SSD down before it even turns around. In one battle, I used 10 Warlord Gunships to kill an SSD, and only lost two.

Those are the torpedo boats right? They are fantastic vs. SSDs.
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August 24, 2017, 03:36:48 PMReply #19

Offline carpemark

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Re: Guide: How to kill an SSD
« Reply #19 on: August 24, 2017, 03:36:48 PM »
Some key points I have used against SSD's
If they warp into a system with your fleet warp out and then back in. Take on an SSD on your terms.
First ship warping in should have fast engines, why?  After hunting and destroying enough of them I have found and SSD will go after the first ship that warps into a system. Make it chase after the ship - use the environment in the map to your advantage and make it turn or stuck around comets. While it is chasing that ship its up to you : do you swarm it with fighters?
When I first warp in I send the ship off to a corner - this leaves me time to access the environment as well the MAP will show itself once the ship goes a certain distance. Strategy over everything else. If the first ship is getting hit warp in another somewhere else to avoid losing the battle OR your not ready and come back anther day.
Recommendation: If there is a supporting fleet take it out first. You wont last long against all the guns on an SSD trying to take it down and having a supporting fleet do the same to you. Be patient. Now analyse your ships, yes attack the SSD from behind BUT you have to take down its shields first. Thats where Ion cannons help you. Open the PDF for the game and see which are best in your fleet and bring them in.
Warp in Carriers a bit away and launch fighters into the fray.
Warp in an Interdictor into a corner farther from but keep an eye on the SSD direction should it inadvertently lumber over to the ship. Small interdictors can cross comets without damage - thats why I like them over their SD counterparts.
But the SSD has so many fighters! Ignore them, they are gnats in comparison to the damage of the SSD weapons. Everything attacks the SSD BUT when you need a anti-fighter to protect your big gun ships from bombers.
I typically do not fill in the full 40 population as you never know what you may need in a situation. I may leave 4 or less to allow for a surgical strike or opportunity.
Remember = your the Admiral. Pause often and access then simply, wipe them out. Your going to lose ships, with experience this will lessen.
I once played from a single planets then got spammed with 6 Viscounts over a single Planet...... Tie Defenders held the day I hate to admit it. Fighter spam gets boring though Furion/tie defender swarms are fun to watch.
« Last Edit: August 24, 2017, 03:39:02 PM by carpemark »
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