How can little empires support such massive fleets?

[Conan]

im really getting into this game, i feel its more addiciting then civilization personally, but something I dont understand is how my neighbour empire who has only 1 planet and about 8 systems (because I blocked them in early game) can support a fleet that has 8k strength and steam role my defences while my empire with 30+ sectors and 4 plants can hardly support a fleet of 4k before I go bankrupt after a few turns and my fleets power gets cut in half, while this little empire next door can keep there 8k fleet up Indefinitely.

Do AI empires not have to pay fleet maintenance? I admit I dident really build my fleet strength and focused mostly on exspansion and diplomacy and rushed to build up my fleet when I got invaded but still....Im probably doing something wrong as im still pretty new to the game.

[HugsAndSnuggles]

Originally posted by Conan:

while my empire with 30+ sectors and 4 plants

You mean systems? Because even if you go for tiny sectors, with that many you'd owe like 25% of 1k star galaxy with default number of habitable worlds.

Originally posted by Conan:

Do AI empires not have to pay fleet maintenance?

They do. Though, on most difficulties mineral part is cut in half. Also, you pay upkeep per ship, not power, so when talking upkeep better bring up fleet size.

Most logical explanation would be their tech level or ethic/civic bonus.

Originally posted by Conan:

Im probably doing something wrong as im still pretty new to the game.

That's most likely the case, yes. Ships are, probably, autodesigned too?

[Conan]

Yes systems. And i do use the autodesighned ships as im still new I don't mess with that much. I guess that can play a big part? I also use the biggest class of ships I can build which are destroyers. I suppose they could be a higher tech level then me which again its odd how a small empire can resarch faster then a larger one but thats nice to know that ai empires get handicapes, explanes how they can keep there fleets up so long.

[Mistfox]

Originally posted by Conan:

Yes systems. And i do use the autodesighned ships as im still new I don't mess with that much. I guess that can play a big part? I also use the biggest class of ships I can build which are destroyers. I suppose they could be a higher tech level then me which again its odd how a small empire can resarch faster then a larger one but thats nice to know that ai empires get handicapes, explanes how they can keep there fleets up so long.

You mistake 'fleet power' for number of ships. For example, some really high tech can give you up to 1k power PER CORVETTE! So in my extreme example, the '4k fleet' might just be 4 corvettes. You need to see what ships they are supporting, not just look at the 'big numbers'.

That being said, you can build 'crew quarters' at a starport and reduce the upkeep by keeping them docked until times of war. This is how the AI keeps their cost low and support a fleet out of proportion to their economy. Fight until your economy can't stand it, then run back to base.

And a warning. Bigger is not necessarily better. A horde of corvettes can easily and frequently rip apart even battleships.

[Conan]

Originally posted by Mistfox:

Originally posted by Conan:

Yes systems. And i do use the autodesighned ships as im still new I don't mess with that much. I guess that can play a big part? I also use the biggest class of ships I can build which are destroyers. I suppose they could be a higher tech level then me which again its odd how a small empire can resarch faster then a larger one but thats nice to know that ai empires get handicapes, explanes how they can keep there fleets up so long.

You mistake 'fleet power' for number of ships. For example, some really high tech can give you up to 1k power PER CORVETTE! So in my extreme example, the '4k fleet' might just be 4 corvettes. You need to see what ships they are supporting, not just look at the 'big numbers'.

That being said, you can build 'crew quarters' at a starport and reduce the upkeep by keeping them docked until times of war. This is how the AI keeps their cost low and support a fleet out of proportion to their economy. Fight until your economy can't stand it, then run back to base.

Im going to have to try this for sure I seen those but never thought to use them lol. Thanks!
And I see that higher tech can give a big boost to a ships power and that the total power does not mean the total fleet amount. From what I remember are fleet sizes where about the same, so they must have had a higher tech level after all. Ill have to check next time I get a chance to play.

[wolkenwand]

To support big fleets built lots of anchorage and trade port in starbase. A system with full trade port net you big energy income.

The AI pays maintenance but the higher the difficulty setting the higher they get energy+mineral bonus %.

[galadon3]

Originally posted by Conan:

I suppose they could be a higher tech level then me which again its odd how a small empire can resarch faster then a larger one

The technology costs go up when your empire gets more systems and colonies, so small empires actually don't have problems keeping up with bigger ones.
Especially rush expansion and colonialization phases when the colonized worlds and systems aren't developed yet but already count against the tech cost can cost expansion empires a bit of their edge.