How to Counter Iconus Repulsion

Just played a one vs one with both me and my opponent playing Advent Rebels.  The game was going well for both sides, and there was a tremendous amount of tug and pull.  But the entire game shifted when my opponent pulled out two (2) Iconus Guardians with Repulsion. 

No matter what I threw at his fleet, mine would simply be decimated, and I have absolutely no idea how or why.  I've heard of this technique, but I have never heard of it being entirely effective, especially since the counter to it is to spam LRF.  I did just so, having a fleet of over 30 Illuminators with Deceptive Illusion (so well over 60 illums) and about 20 defense vessels to counter his corvettes.  For some reason, my illums weren't even firing; like they were incapicated or out of range the entire time.  I'll be honset, I forfeited after my fleet was AGAIN destroyed within about a minute. 

So, my question is pretty obvious: How do you counter repulsion effectively early on?  The easy answer is strike craft, but with Advent, that is no cheap endeavor, especailly when the enemy fleet consists of nothing but corvettes that can simply run your carries down and destroy them.

17,629 views 21 replies
Reply #1 Top

Use bombers and guard your carriers with flak.  Illuminators don't really have enough range.  Or make your own Iconus and try to do the same back to your opponent.

Reply #2 Top

Also if he only had 2, then they will have down time. Especially when all AM is used, So get light frigates, get the steal antimatter upgrade.. and steal his. 

 

Bombers are also great against them, and you'd hardly need many for that size of a threat.

 

Getting some yourself would be a good idea. However again, against 2 using only the shields to outlast and tank damage whilst it's up would be fine. 

Reply #3 Top

Since you were both playing Advent the obvious solution would be to do the same he did to you, but with more ships. To be a little smarter about it, build the navy that directly counters his units. Illuminators aren't the counter to the repulsion battle ball, light frigates (Disciples) are - make sure these have the 'steal antimatter' ability. Flak frigates aren't the counter to bombers, fighters are (I assume he used mainly bombers, because otherwise your Defense Vessels should have minced his fighters).

 

Overall, by the sound of it your solution should have been massed Disciples with some Aeria Host fighter backup to suppress his strike craft.

Reply #4 Top

All points are good, just wanted to mention that while the Disciples might counter the Iconus, he is going to lose them pretty fast against massed Illums, which is what the other guy reportedly had.  And the flak was to discourage corvettes raiding his carriers, not bombers.  He said he was being harassed by corvettes.

Reply #5 Top

I'm surprised nobody discussed corvettes...they have great turn rates and therefore aren't threatened by repulse nearly as much as other ships.  They are fast and can exploit the vulnerable window of the guardians.  They are low tech, and quick to produce en masse.  They also counter illuminators.  

Reply #6 Top

Due to illums attack arc, they dont really counter, especially when focusing other targets

Reply #7 Top

I actually agree with carpet above, vettes are decent however there is "no" actual counter to Guardians with repulsion (unless you make your own). Its all about fleet micro, positioning and ship grouping.

When you see them its obvious how your enemy is going to deploy them. If the numbers of guardians are low just fly around with small groups of appropriate ships to make him waste repulsion while focusing them one by one. Dont let your whole fleet get trapped, remember you can micro your strikecraft as well to move them or focus firing! Use antimatter/disable abilities.

You just cant right click your fleet on your opponents fleet and hope for the best.

Im probably failing at explaining this very well, i ll try to find a replay or record my battle vs guardians if i get a chance at some point.

Reply #8 Top

Quoting JinglyGoo, reply 7

I actually agree with carpet above, vettes are decent however there is "no" actual counter to Guardians with repulsion (unless you make your own). Its all about fleet micro, positioning and ship grouping.

When you see them its obvious how your enemy is going to deploy them. If the numbers of guardians are low just fly around with small groups of appropriate ships to make him waste repulsion while focusing them one by one. Dont let your whole fleet get trapped, remember you can micro your strikecraft as well to move them or focus firing! Use antimatter/disable abilities.

You just cant right click your fleet on your opponents fleet and hope for the best.

Im probably failing at explaining this very well, i ll try to find a replay or record my battle vs guardians if i get a chance at some point.

 

lol

 

Reply #10 Top

Repulsion can't move.

Kite your fleet (Attack long range with Bombers).

Jump your fleet (Get him to consume his AM).

Use a Dunov (it's AOE EMP Blast removes AM from infinite targets in range).

Use a Kortul (it's OP with passive Ability disruption and AM removal).

Use your own Guardians.

Use Stilakus Subverter's Distortion Field.

Lure him to attack where you have the advantage - Planet with Starbase and PJI... Starbase with Meteor Storm. Starbase with BRB. Vasari Starbase - Can't be repulsed.

silly things you can try...

Get Illuminator ability that clones the ship. Set up a macro to launch ability 'a' for all Illuminators. Launch phantom illuminators at repulsion fleet.

Mass Hoshiko's with demo bots to counter any frigate fleet they have while they use repulsion.

Mass Domina's with Disable and target Guardian's before you send fleet in.

Get Vasari Mine Layer and lay mine field to area you are going to kite too. (make sure you do it ahead of the pursuing fleet so the mines have time to set).

Get Advent Mine Layer and lay mine field to area to are going to kite too. (Make sure you do it ahead of the pursuing fleet so the mines have time to set).

Set TECH minefield on adjacent planet and try to get Advent to jump/follow you.

 

If your Vasari all you really need is massed Carriers with Bombers. Guardian's have a low hull to shield ratio and die quickly to OP phase missiles.

If your Tech all you really need is massed Carriers with Bombers. Takes a bit longer than Vasari but still allows ranged attack.

If your Advent all you really need is massed Carriers with Bombers. Takes a bit longer than Vasari but still allows ranged attack.

Reply #11 Top

Generally speaking Repulsion has lost a lot of power since Rebellion.

Reply #12 Top

On the contrary, I think it is more useful now since it can keep enemy titans at bay or trap them for a kill...

Reply #13 Top

Quoting ZombiesRus5, reply 10

Repulsion can't move.

Kite your fleet (Attack long range with Bombers).

Jump your fleet (Get him to consume his AM).

Use a Dunov (it's AOE EMP Blast removes AM from infinite targets in range).

Use a Kortul (it's OP with passive Ability disruption and AM removal).

Use your own Guardians.

Use Stilakus Subverter's Distortion Field.

Lure him to attack where you have the advantage - Planet with Starbase and PJI... Starbase with Meteor Storm. Starbase with BRB. Vasari Starbase - Can't be repulsed.

silly things you can try...

Get Illuminator ability that clones the ship. Set up a macro to launch ability 'a' for all Illuminators. Launch phantom illuminators at repulsion fleet.

Mass Hoshiko's with demo bots to counter any frigate fleet they have while they use repulsion.

Mass Domina's with Disable and target Guardian's before you send fleet in.

Get Vasari Mine Layer and lay mine field to area you are going to kite too. (make sure you do it ahead of the pursuing fleet so the mines have time to set).

Get Advent Mine Layer and lay mine field to area to are going to kite too. (Make sure you do it ahead of the pursuing fleet so the mines have time to set).

Set TECH minefield on adjacent planet and try to get Advent to jump/follow you.

 

If your Vasari all you really need is massed Carriers with Bombers. Guardian's have a low hull to shield ration and die quickly to OP phase missiles.

If your Tech all you really need is massed Carriers with Bombers. Takes a bit longer than Vasari but still allows ranged attack.

If your Advent all you really need is massed Carriers with Bombers. Takes a bit longer than Vasari but still allows ranged attack.

 

theres no counter for repulsion so don't kid yourself. Theres only preventing it so don't expect to adapt when your enemy is fielding repulsion and pressing against your current build to adopt the strategies above in time.

Reply #14 Top

Isn't that the definition of a counter? To prevent, oppose, to answer or answer a move by another in response. To many quit after the first battle. There's usually time in sins to regroup, adjust or change the odds in your favor. Learning how to scout and change the odds to your favor is an important aspect of this game. 

And if they had time to research 3 shield, guardian and repulse then you should be able to craft something yourself. Considering how long it takes advent to siege a world you will usually have time to come up with something even if they surprise you. 

 

Reply #16 Top

Quoting danny1199, reply 15
Isn't that the definition of a counter? To prevent,

A poor choice of words mate. To prevent is not to cure and a counter is a cure to the repulsion outbreak. Once its hit then there is very little you can do at which point to will suffer heavy looses that can make you loose the game before u adapt your fleet composition.

A prevention is of-course massing bombers, using fully researched subverters and overseers. 

Reply #17 Top

You know, back in the old days, you know, before Rebellion, one countered repulsion with LRFs or bombers....

Some things never change...

Reply #18 Top

Guys cmon there is nooooooo counter, you are literally are dooomed or have to jump. The amount of "o"s represents the futility of trying to find a conventional counter.

Reply #19 Top

Quoting JinglyGoo, reply 18

Guys cmon there is nooooooo counter, you are literally are dooomed or have to jump. The amount of "o"s represents the futility of trying to find a conventional counter.

 

:rofl: :thumbsup:

Reply #20 Top

The obvious choice for the Guardian/repulsion counter would be to micro a Vasari Kortul with weapon jamming ability toward the offending ships, jam weapons when in range and then stage a timed attack with other, faster ships. 

As long as no flak ships, or other more powerful cap ships were in the area, this would be a good tactic to use against Advent cruisers with spacial abilities.

Now, what to use against a Vasari egg at say, level 5....Hmm..

Reply #21 Top

Quoting P4QmA1, reply 20
The obvious choice for the Guardian/repulsion counter would be to micro a Vasari Kortul with weapon jamming ability toward the offending ships, jam weapons when in range and then stage a timed attack with other, faster ships. 

As long as no flak ships, or other more powerful cap ships were in the area, this would be a good tactic to use against Advent cruisers with spacial abilities.

Now, what to use against a Vasari egg at say, level 5....Hmm..

HAHA

another troll like this forums needs more of them