Are building culture centers to counter red button really necessary? (Updated with replay)

from Sins Forums

One of the most effective counters to the TEC starbase's red button is to build culture centers. Starbases under the influence of hostile cultures cannot use their abilities, RB being among them. This has been proven in skilled multiplayer matches, where a majority of the pros use this tactic to great effect. However, recent events have caused me to question this long-standing belief. I have recently learned that certain researches can counter the fearsome TEC ability more effectively than culture centers ever could.

Take for example the advent and vasari superweapons. The deliverance engine shoots out a beam of culture from the targeted planet, effectively acting as a superior culture center. This means that you are no longer limited to disabling just the starbases that border your empire. The Kostura cannon on the other hand inflicts damage AND disables all buildings in a gravwell for ~15 minutes, allowing you to easily destroy anything in the gravwell.

Based on this evidence, I think the majority of the community must conclude that the age old tactic of using culture centers to counter RB is very antiquated. A superior option exists. 

 

I notice some people do not believe/know culture affects use of starbase abilities. I will link a handy replay of a skilled MP game showcasing it. Here you go:

http://www.2shared.com/file/Hvt1KEwO/AutoRecord-05182008.html?

 

Make sure to skip to 1:34:54 to see it in action. Watch how the team 1 player prevents the other team from using a critical red button to turn the tide of battle. Amazing stuff!

252,822 views 48 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Starbases under the influence of hostile cultures cannot use their abilities, RB being among them.

Must have missed this in the change log.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

So is Goafan saying that kostura cannons do not disable enemy buildings? Or something else?

BTW, this wasnt in a recent changelog, but a part of the game since entrenchment. Where were you all this time?

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Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Hydrakiller, reply 2

So is Goafan saying that kostura cannons do not disable enemy buildings? Or something else?

BTW, this wasnt in a recent changelog, but a part of the game since entrenchment. Where were you all this time?

IIRC star bases, while not immune to Kostra Cannon, are only shut down for 5 seconds as opposed to the 20 seconds that all the other buildings in the gravwell undergo. That's really not much time. This was changed in Diplomacy IIRC.

Oh and I have never seen culture shut down a star base. Is that a new mod that MP plays?

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Hydrakiller, reply 2

So is Goafan saying that kostura cannons do not disable enemy buildings? Or something else?

BTW, this wasnt in a recent changelog, but a part of the game since entrenchment. Where were you all this time?

I think we both know culture has never disabled Starbase abilities. I didn't quote any part of your OP that mentioned the Kostura.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top


One of the most effective counters to the TEC starbase's red button is to build culture centers. Starbases under the influence of hostile cultures cannot use their abilities, RB being among them. This has been proven in skilled multiplayer matches, where a majority of the pros use this tactic to great effect. However, recent events have caused me to question this long-standing belief. I have recently learned that certain researches can counter the fearsome TEC ability more effectively than culture centers ever could.

Take for example the advent and vasari superweapons. The deliverance engine shoots out a beam of culture from the targeted planet, effectively acting as a superior culture center. This means that you are no longer limited to disabling just the starbases that border your empire. The Kostura cannon on the other hand inflicts damage AND disables all buildings in a gravwell for ~15 minutes, allowing you to easily destroy anything in the gravwell.

Based on this evidence, I think the majority of the community must conclude that the age old tactic of using culture centers to counter RB is very antiquated. A superior option exists. 

I always flak spam the starbase into oblivion. Just hope the TEC starbase doesn't have the frigate factory upgrades and build some defending flak of it's own.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top


The Kostura cannon on the other hand inflicts damage AND disables all buildings in a gravwell for ~15 minutes, allowing you to easily destroy anything in the gravwell.

You're a moron -- it's 15 hours, not minutes...

Can't you read a simple infocard?

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Seleuceia, reply 6


The Kostura cannon on the other hand inflicts damage AND disables all buildings in a gravwell for ~15 minutes, allowing you to easily destroy anything in the gravwell.



You're a moron -- it's 15 hours, not minutes...

Can't you read a simple infocard?

No, its 15 minutes. Check the game files. I used to mod for recreational purposes back in diplomacy so I know my shit.

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Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Seleuceia, reply 6



The Kostura cannon on the other hand inflicts damage AND disables all buildings in a gravwell for ~15 minutes, allowing you to easily destroy anything in the gravwell.



You're a moron -- it's 15 hours, not minutes...

Can't you read a simple infocard?

Be nice.....

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Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

Feel the BURN Seleuceia. Time for a wicket barbeque party!

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Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top

We have an obvious troll thread filled with lies and sarcasm, and the most pressing concern here is....

BE NICE

This is what happens when a gaming forum is policed by people who don't know anything about the game....

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Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

It's sad non modders and non MP are sprouting such misinformed nonsense.

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Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Hydrakiller, reply 11

It's sad non modders and non MP are sprouting such misinformed nonsense.

Cuz Goa has never made a mod not to mention anyone else in this thread.

Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top

I have a confession guys...I have never even played this game, I've just read the manual and the steam reviews...

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Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Seleuceia, reply 13

I have a confession guys...I have never even played this game, I've just read the manual and the steam reviews...

You still know more than I do. Or is that more than Sinkillr? Or both?

Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting GoaFan77, reply 4


Quoting Hydrakiller,
reply 2


So is Goafan saying that kostura cannons do not disable enemy buildings? Or something else?



BTW, this wasnt in a recent changelog, but a part of the game since entrenchment. Where were you all this time?



I think we both know culture has never disabled Starbase abilities. I didn't quote any part of your OP that mentioned the Kostura.

Really? Is that why my replay says otherwise? This is almost embarrassing to watch as Goafan utters falsehood after falsehood that is repeatedly debunked by facts and solid evidence. I recommend for him to drink a tall glass of shut-up juice before he embarrasses himself more.

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Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Ryat, reply 14
You still know more than I do. Or is that more than Sinkillr? Or both?

I'm sensing a Christopher Nolan film in the making...

 

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Seleuceia, reply 10

We have an obvious troll thread filled with lies and sarcasm, and the most pressing concern here is....

BE NICE



This is what happens when a gaming forum is policed by people who don't know anything about the game....

Yeah, I know absolutely nothing about the game.....

Anyways, the "be nice" comment was directed at calling another user a moron.  I'd suggest dropping it at this point.

 

Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top

Funny how Seleuceia runs away after the mod exposes him as a troll.

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Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Seleuceia, reply 16


Quoting Ryat,
reply 14
You still know more than I do. Or is that more than Sinkillr? Or both?



I'm sensing a Christopher Nolan film in the making...

 

A master journeyman of disguise, able to change his name at will and spout all sorts of rhetoric without any basis in logic or reality.

He's not the Sinkillr we deserve... he's the Sinkillr we need barely tolerate.

 

Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top

But Sin, wouldn't that be you running away as well?

Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top

OMFG.

Sel, i suggest you can claim victory in trollfight vs sinkllr!

 

Reply #22 from Sins Forums Top

Seleueceia. you have admitted to trolling numerous times in both this forum and the steam one. Please stop before you further embarrass yourself.

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Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top

Show me "my" posts in the steam forums...this will be interesting to see since I don't post there....

Or perhaps I do, but don't remember because I have multiple personalities...perhaps, Sinkillr, you will help with my psychiatric diagnosis...

Perhaps myself will help myself identify myself...

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Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Seleuceia, reply 23

Show me "my" posts in the steam forums...this will be interesting to see since I don't post there....

Or perhaps I do, but don't remember because I have multiple personalities...perhaps, Sinkillr, you will help with my psychiatric diagnosis...

Perhaps myself will help myself identify myself...

I post in the steam forums. Pretty sure Ryat and Goa do too.

QED you post in the steam forums.

Reply #25 from Sins Forums Top

Well now who can argue with that?

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