Homeworld2 Platforms
Platform class represent the static
gun turrets. They do as you would expect: they simply open
fire on any hostile units that stray into range. Platforms are strictly
defensive: they move too slowly and are designed only to support
your defenders, not replace them. You can quickly build a small wall
of them in the opening minutes of the game. When the game first came
out,
there were serious issues of Platform Rushing wrecking multiplayer games.
Turrets were nerfed by the 1.1
patch so they could only be used in the manner they were originally intended
for. You need to build the Platform Control Module to
produce them, but this class of unit isn't classified as regular shipping so
you don't lose any precious Production slots.
The most important thing you must realize when using Platforms is
that they can only be given one Move or
Attack command. Once they've moved, that's it - they are locked
in place forever. Platforms, like Probes,
are so immobile that if one is built from a moving production ship
it will be left behind in space - it won't travel in "parade formation" with
its parent. Turrets ignore Waypoint commands
completely. Its strictly straight line navigation at a snail's pace,
with absolutely no shooting until they come to rest, although they
will line up their guns at targets along the way. You can short circuit
a Move command by prematurely selecting the
moving turrets and then order Attack on nearby
ships, but this will lock the Platform in place. If you've stupidly
told them to attack something on the other side of the map and it dies
before they reach it, they will simply stop halfway to their destination,
never, ever to move again.
They can't be repaired. You can't Retire or
salvage them either. If you need to free up your Platform unit cap,
or deploy some fresh turrets in a new location, you'll have to Scuttle the
old ones first.
Platforms come in two sizes: big and small.
Or rather, the one basic hull with two different types of turrets: one
that only shoots Strikecraft and small targets and another that only shoots
Frigates and big targets. The Gun Platform is
the small version, a pair of kinetic (i.e. super futuristic bullets) gun
turrets mounted on a pod that shoots down Fighters
and harasses Corvettes. It might
manage 15% and 20% accuracy and its slow rate of fire invariably disappoints
beginners. They're vulnerable to Bombers,
and readily demolished by any force or ship that can kill a Frigate:
Pulsar Gunships and the Vaygr
Corvettes can be a real worry, while Capital
warships merely find them mildly irritating. But with a bit of crossfire,
Gun Platforms can hold the line against an attack long enough for reinforcements
to show.The big version uses each side's favourite major weapon. For the
Hiigarans, its the Ion Beam Platform.
The Vaygr use the Heavy Missile Platform.
These larger weapons have exceptional range, but relatively little striking
power and they have a terrible time hitting Strikecraft. You'll also be
lucky to put a dent in any Capital warships before they clean out your
turrets at long range. Don't even bother trying to stop a Battlecruiser
with them. All Turrets come with 5000 hit points
and have their own special armour, Turret Armour.
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