~ -XVI-B- Ramblings ~

Discover the top 10 loved and hated features in Homeworld 2, plus a powerful tactic for building your fleet quickly.

Homeworld 2 Most Loved Features:

• Improved graphics with impressive explosions.
• Story quality comparable to Homeworld 1 and Homeworld: Cataclysm.
• Distinct ship classes including fighters, corvettes, frigates, and capital ships.
• The continuation of the 3D RTS formula from the original Homeworld.
• Enhanced task bar and UI elements consolidated on a single screen.
• The effectiveness of the Destroyer's (DN) gun.
• The Vaygr Battlecruiser (BC).
• Partially transparent onscreen displays.
• Destroyers turning side-on to broadside and fire all weapons.
• The ability to zoom in on individual missiles.

Homeworld 2 Most Hated Features:

• Capture frigates are difficult to use, being targeted by their prey and designed to capture ships that can destroy them. Players must stop their own ships from attacking the target.
• Battlecruisers, Destroyers, and Carriers are no longer considered super capital ship classes.
• Heavy Munitions Frigates (HMF) and the Vaygr Battlecruiser's trinity cannon are considered overpowered.
• Units are specialized, excelling at one task but poor at others, unlike the more multi-functional units in Homeworld: Cataclysm.
• The story is not fully compatible with Homeworld 1 and Homeworld: Cataclysm.
• Homeworld: Cataclysm is not included or referenced.
• Absence of a pilot mode, which was present in Homeworld: Cataclysm.
• Bombers may wander and attack allied ships if not set to an aggressive or passive mode.
• Lack of energy weapons from Homeworld: Cataclysm.
• Resource Controllers are not sufficiently armored.

Interesting Tactics and Observations:

• Building a Gun Platform and observing its role.
• In Mission 6, there are two dreadnought holding structures; one is yours, and the other is initially empty and can be taken.
• A humorous situation where a player's Infiltrator (inf) attempted to capture an enemy Infiltrator, which then attempted to capture the player's Infiltrator back.
• When a ship has a hyperspace module, activating full ATI/TO and using the sensors manager (radar (your minimap with nearby blips and threats marked)) before a hyperspace jump reveals the hyperspace sphere traveling at extreme speeds across the map, showcasing detailed polish.
• Tactical Maneuver: Pre-building Fleet at 95% Capacity
  If struggling with a mission, you can retire all ships and craft, then rebuild them to 95% of their capacity. This allows for rapid undocking and deployment when the mission begins, as the game calculates enemy forces based on your current size without the ships that will be built instantly. This is particularly useful for missions with multiple capital ships and frigates, such as Balcora Gate or Mission 12, Thaddis Sabbah. For this tactic, use 'separators' like scout squadrons to prevent multiple bomber squadrons from joining and being wasted. The example provided for Mission 12 lists a full fleet composition built to 95% capacity, which was maxed out in under 10 seconds upon entering Balcora Gate, overwhelming the enemy force of 1 Battlecruiser, 12 Frigates, 1 Supercarrier (SY), and strike craft squadrons. The drawbacks include renumbering all ships, building FCTs (Fleet Command Transports), and waiting for capital ships and frigates to undock before they become operational.

Author's Notes:

• The author spent 4 days creating the FAQ, ensuring mission strategies were tested in-game.
• The author believes the game is challenging on the first playthrough but easier on subsequent ones.
• Updates were delayed due to attending a LAN party. The author aims to complete mission walkthroughs up to level 12 by the next day, with sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (missions 9-11), 11, and 12 remaining. Section 12 will not be covered due to lack of knowledge, and players are encouraged to submit multiplayer tactics.
• The author acknowledges the time taken to create a quality FAQ and thanks those waiting and providing limited feedback.