The Phalanx Destroyer

[Senza]

I've seen a lot of varied opinions on this ship. Some people say its really powerful, and apparently in the XMLs its supposed to have the highest damage of any standard capital ship, but yet in game it doesn't seem to measure up to this mark to me. It seems to me its primary failing is that it can't target most of its guns on one ship at at time due to its shape. Anyway, I wanted to know what others thought of this ship, and maybe suggestions that could improve its effectiveness?

[yutpaeksi]

Actually I do agree with this, it's not a great damage dealer against a single opposing ship. If you target a single opposing ship it tends to spin around trying to bring its guns to bear. It appears that the weaponry on one side can't fire at ships on the other, unlike star destroyers with their dagger like shape. However I find this both realistic and tactically fun. I really like them this way.

On the other hand I use them as line penetrators. Since they're so tough and can take a beating, I drive them straight into enemy formations where all their guns are then useful. I don't have them attack any single ship. Then I follow up with Ascendancy SDs and Chaf frigates to do directed damage. Very effective.

Another thing you can do that's useful with them, and really most ships, is you can turn them such that their guns are always facing ships. Just right click and hold on a position you get a little green arrow that you can rotate to orient your ships.

And Star Destroyers and most capital ships have massive blind spots in their aft too in this manner. Use that to your advantage!

[Senza]

I suppose that's true, still though they feel a little off to me. Not that its not an effective ship. I think probably its greatest asset is its strong armor and totally indestructable engines that let it retreat and come back to fight another day.

[Corey]

This was intended in the design. It is the most powerful of the non-SSDs, but that power is meant to be distributed. That's part of why it has the name it does. It can take a lot of damage and really dish it out, but unless you're careful with it, it can still be beaten. Although, from what I can remember of the numbers off the top of my head, the power of the weapons on one side that it can use against any target at one time is still almost as high as an individual ISD. Any lack of effectiveness you see from it is probably from the limited range all ships had in 1.3, which has been almost doubled in 2.0.

[Senza]

Alright! Thanks for the explanation, that does make sense. On the note of massive firepower and high range, any chance of a nerf to the strike cruiser?

[Corey]

The ranges and firepower of individual weapons are standardized unless we had a reason to change them on an individual ship. Virtually nothing in 1.3 is the same in 2.0 balance-wise, but the Strike Cruiser is meant to be powerful and fragile.

[yutpaeksi]

I like the Strike Cruisers exactly as they are. Perfect for flanking maneuvers in groups, but yes as Corey said, amazingly fragile and can't stand up to even other frigates without support...The only thing that might balance them a little is their price. 1800 creds is crazy cheap for that kind of firepower, including TIEs. Even nebulon series frigates cost more.

EDIT: In term of range are you giving the Majestic long range weapons? Otherwise its crazy high cost, lack of starfighters, and mediocre armament render it almost obsolete/worthless...

[Lord Xizer]

I think the Phalanx is perfect as it is. It can take an impressive amount of damage and dish out punishment at the same time. If used tactically Phalanxes are more than a match one on one for any other cap ship(other than Executors and Sovereigns)

[Senza]

I like the Strike Cruisers exactly as they are. Perfect for flanking maneuvers in groups, but yes as Corey said, amazingly fragile and can't stand up to even other frigates without support...The only thing that might balance them a little is their price. 1800 creds is crazy cheap for that kind of firepower, including TIEs. Even nebulon series frigates cost more.

EDIT: In term of range are you giving the Majestic long range weapons? Otherwise its crazy high cost, lack of starfighters, and mediocre armament render it almost obsolete/worthless...

Don't forget its fairly weak shields and armor and its shield generator that is easily destroyed by bombers! I just think the Cruiser's armor is a little too strong, but I suppose its okay, the mod team knows better than I do.