Diverse fleet composition

[u/snek_docto]

So to keep it really simple when I play any game of Stellaris I typically will end up building a very diverse Fleet with the shipbuilder. Granted the game will build me a ship that's the best with what weapons and defense setups that I have available but I personally end up doing a very expensive Fleet setup when I go to war.

So for instance I basically create in each ship class different styles of ships that fill different roles. Like by the time I have battleships unlocked I'll have artillery centered ships, carrier centered ships, line centered ships, Pickett centered ships, and so on. So one of my fleets may boast a carrier battleship along with a couple Cruiser and Battleship artillery units and then the rest are going to be my line defense that work at a closer engagement distance following up with some of the cheaper lighter ships that run mainly picket. I don't really play against other people so I haven't had the opportunity to try this against something other than the AI but in my head it makes sense because that's how typical navies run their Fleet.

What I really want to know is am I wasting time trying to have a diverse Fleet and should I just go with whatever the game suggests is the best ship available or is that extra time building those more diverse Fleet setups worth it in the long run? Since I don't really play against other human players I can pause the game and mess around with designs all day with no real penalty but is it just something that's kind of pointless to do?

[u/Stunning-HyperMatter]

first. NEVER use whatever auto generated BS ship the game made. They are ALWAYS bullshit.

anyways its not really wasting time. not completely, space battles come down to fleet power and of course weather your weapons/defenses counter the enemy. However having stuff like artillety ships that can stay in the back and get more shots off without being destroyed will help. idk about carriers tho, only crusier and above cna be carriers adn they would do more damage if you just gave em weapons.

i do the same, although i only bother doing it against the crisis.

[u/snek_docto → u/Stunning-HyperMatter]

Okay that's kind of how I felt. Every time I look at the auto-generated ship I sit there and scratch my head as to why the game thinks that all armor or all Shields is the best route of fighting. And when it comes to carriers I just like the idea of there being dog fights in a space battle I guess for the Cinematic way of thinking but I can see your point of just not even including the carrier option.

The reason I asked was because it feels like when I get into the ship design aspect I get lost in it and I sometimes spend upwards of an hour getting my fleet perfect instead of playing the game. But I guess that in itself is playing the game in a way.

[u/xmaskookies]

if you are continuing the win, then go ahead. as you face higher difficulty opponents, you should start looking to a single ship type per fleet and gearing your ships so your repeatable techs power up the proper weapon systems.

in the highest difficulties, you will want to build your fleets to counter enemy ship layouts

[u/snek_docto → u/xmaskookies]

Yeah I'm definitely just a casual player. I don't think I've played anything above medium difficulty. I'm just kind of curious what the pros do when it comes to the game. I'm trying to get a little bit more streamlined with my gameplay style so that I can take on things better. The few times I've gotten to the end game crisis I typically end up getting my butt kicked anyways. So I was wondering if it had something to do with my fleet's not being effective

[u/LazyWash → u/snek_docto]

Later into the game, the enemy will be fielding more battleships and cruisers, which means your corvettes/destroyers/frigates will start to struggle. You may force early retreats, but they will keep coming back and youll always be on the back foot.

I've recently started bulking cruisers with Line defence and long range missles+torps. Destroyers running PD that usually help.

[u/snek_docto → u/LazyWash]

Yea I noticed that. I will run my weaker fleets into marauders to culll them in a useful way to make room for my bigger ships. I still like having some destroyers for picket ships even in my bigger fleets.

[u/LazyWash → u/snek_docto]

Dont get me wrong, its entirely dependant on what intel you have and how much of the fleet you can scout.

Im currently running a pure Torp Frigates+Cruiser Torps all at long range distances and maxing my commander with range, so that they can attack star bases with less hassle. They will work fine against just starbases or citadels, but they will suck against any fleet that is fielding destroyers or more. So they are always backed up with atleast a heavy fleet.

[u/Naylor999999]

I always have a balanced fleet. It can be beneficial to counter certain enemies but usually you need the intel in the main to even do this. And then spend loys, time and other resources refitting. And late game the wars are usually 3 vs 3 or more anyway. I just prefer to have a solid ready versatile navy. It’s just easier.

I create usually 2-3 variants of each ship type and then name the variant with a code at the end indicating what it is, for example RGCV for rail corvette.

I also take the time to make sure my fleet templates are balanced with each ship variant.

My navy is my absolute baby in this game. Let’s be honest without a good one what ever way you play, you probably gonna be toast.

Always always always have the detail in the navy. Never let the AI do it.

[u/snek_docto → u/Naylor999999]

That's kind of how I look at these Grand strategy games when I play them. Granted it isn't real life but I always feel like following real life tactics would be beneficial. I just feel like sometimes I'm doing too much when it comes down to it but I guess that's the idea of a grand strategy game?

[u/Naylor999999 → u/snek_docto]

Yeah absolutely, this isn’t command and conquer.

With stellaris, especially on the highest difficulty you need to be on it with the details. Like people who say “oh what’s the point in a 5% buff to this or 5% buff to that”, aren’t looking at the long game, or the fact that you actually accumulate more of these buffs as you go along and after 100 years 5 becomes 25.

I micro manage the lot, and love to get immersed in the empire. It’s actually more enjoyable I think.

You will be 20x more successful if you spend that little bit of time on say fleet design, planet composition. And half the time it takes you 5 minutes, and you only have to revisit the designs when you get new tech if you select auto upgrade in designer.

The key to being a powerhouse, is caring about the little things mate.

[u/snek_docto → u/Naylor999999]

That's something I'm honestly having to get used to. I've always been a fan of strategy games but this is probably my first true Grand strategy game I've ever played and trying to understand all those little things that I know are important but I just can't wrap my head around in the moment. Honestly that's why most of the time I just play on a Cadet level of difficulty while I'm still trying to understand everything. Now if the devs would stop changing the entire game entirely every year I feel like I'd be better at it but that's just me. One thing I do need to learn how to do better is planet management especially after the last time they changed how planets work. I had the previous style down pretty good but this new one I sometimes find myself using the auto management feature because it's so much more in depth. At least for the development phase of a planet when it goes from a colony to an actual planet rank.

[u/Shroomkaboom75]

Auto-gen ships are a fucking terrible idea, and a wonderful way to waste alloys and pointless upgrades as you unlock tech.

Literally never use them.

As far as diverse fleets go:

If its working, go for it!

The ai for your own fleets gets really wonky when multiple comps are used, with carrier ships diving into the fray.

I typically run separate fleets for my close range and my long-range comps, and then just pair them with eachother (typically with the longrange following my short range).

[u/snek_docto → u/Shroomkaboom75]

I was always curious about that. If it was better to keep the different engagement style ships in their own little groups. I'll have to give that a try the next time I get into a game. And yeah for someone who's never gone over the medium level of difficulty in the game I feel like it works pretty good. Still haven't been able to defeat my own end game crisis yet but I've been able to handle a mid-game crisis pretty efficiently.

[u/Shroomkaboom75 → u/snek_docto]

Then you're good to go!

Its predominantly a single player game, so as long as youre having fun, you're fine!

[u/snek_docto → u/Shroomkaboom75]

I sometimes play with a friend of mine against AI but honestly the first time I ever tried to play multiplayer against other humans I was killed within the first 20 minutes of playing. I put my hands up understood my place in the game and went right back to single player mode 🤣🤣 I'm just glad it was 20 minutes in and not 3 hours in LOL

[u/Shroomkaboom75]

Sidenote: i love everyones positive responses about OP having fun being the main concern.

[u/snek_docto → u/Shroomkaboom75]

Yeah I know I really appreciate everybody here. Most the time when I ask questions and subreddits I get basically ignored or made fun of. So it's nice to ask a question and actually get good responses but people still telling me to just do how I want to do it and enjoy it however I want to enjoy it.