by Paravastha
When my group has played Eclipse, we tend to go for cruisers or dreadnoughts to deal with ancients. We haven't really figured out any ways to get good use out of interceptors. Some build a cruiser in turn 2, others find one during discovery/exploration.I have waited to turn 3 for my first build action so far, to good effect. It's usually a dreadnought that has gotten 1-2 nice techs. Either IH or PC, or a -1 shield. The dreadnought get's the job done but often need Turn 3 to come into play.
Some people try to rush ancients on turn 2 but the gambles haven't payed off so far. Too many actions: build-upgrade-move that could have been better spent on exploration/research.
I didn't have a chance to try it, but I'm thinking that 3 interceptors on turn 2 could deal with a single ancient if there is no good tech.
A early Plasma Cannon would make me want to try:
PM, +1 computer, default drive/source. 3 ships hitting on 5+ and one-hitting ancients. That's 1 upgrade action, 1 research action to a cost of 5 (-1 tech cost due to star base tech) and 6 resources.
It is similar to the Turn 2 cruiser but the upgrade action benefits all 3 interceptor, instead of moving in with an default interceptor and an upgraded cruiser.
A Improved Hull would probably work too, and if all tech sucks, I guess ion cannons +1 computer could try to "get it done". I identify this early 3-interceptors to be a weak tactic against double-ancient-tiles.
So to my questions:
What is the most efficient way to deal with ancients early game?
What tech do you look for, and if no tech available - what upgrades?
What ships do you build and on what turn do you move on ancients?