GameSpot's HomeWorld Game Guide

PC GAMES
  News
  Reviews
  Previews
  Movies/Media
  Downloads
  Hints/Codes
  GameGuides.com
  Special Features
  Beta Center
  Release Calendar
  Forums
  Top Games

PC GENRES
  Action
  Adventure
  Driving
  Puzzle
  Role-Playing
  Simulation
  Sports
  Strategy

SWITCH TO:
  VIDEO GAMES
  GAMESPOT LIVE
  GAMEBUYER
  HARDWARE

SUBSCRIBE TO:
  PC Newsletter
  HW Newsletter

ELITE SERVICES
  Join GameSpot

SEE ALSO
  GameFAQs
  Gamespy Arcade
  Netflix

INFORMATION
  Help
  Contact Us
  International

GameGuides.com Presents Homeworld Game Guide

	Introduction Ship Management Resource Collection Movement & Combat Unit Strategies Combat Resource/Specialty Walk-through Multiplayer

Carrier
Classification: Super Capital
Race: Kushan/Taiidan
Cost: 2000 RUs

The carrier is an excellent way to conceal the size of your fleet. Furthermore, the carrier possesses the ability to construct both strike craft and corvettes. Place fighters and corvettes inside the carrier, and use the launch menu to keep them inside the carrier until you're ready to attack. Escort the carrier with capital ships to the battle position. If your enemy has scouted your vessels, he may not realize that your carrier could release up to 50 fighters and 25 corvettes into the battle.

Place some salvage corvettes inside the carrier and release them during a heated battle. Be sure to have a preset group assigned just to the salvage corvettes so you can easily select the specialty ships and swipe enemy capital ships.

The carrier possesses a simple weapon, so don't expect it to fend off a significant enemy attack. Protect the carrier with strike craft and capital ships. When building fighters and corvettes with the carrier, use the launch menu to make sure they remain docked. If you must defend the carrier with its fighters you construct within, it's best to unleash them as a group rather than one at a time.

The carrier is also a convenient way to conceal a large fleet with only a few cloak generators. Move the carrier to a weak area of your opponent's mothership. Mount an attack at a location other than the enemy's mothership position so your enemy will pull off mothership defenses to assist in the battle, then move your carrier into position and release its mobile cargo. The carrier's biggest adversary is the grav well generator; the carrier creates mostly fuel-based craft, which the grav well generator renders ineffective.

Heavy Cruiser
Classification: Super Capital
Race: Kushan/Taiidan
Cost: 3700 RUs

The heavy cruiser is the granddaddy of Homeworld capital ships. As the manual says, when the heavy cruiser appears on the scene, it's time to start paying attention. The heavy cruiser works well against capital ships and strike craft, at least in moderate numbers (the heavy cruiser features six turrets). Its main weaknesses are its high cost (nearly double the next most expensive vessel) and its lack of maneuverability. Don't attempt to micromanage its attacks during a battle. Pick a specific target and fire.

Because it's so expensive, it's extremely important to use support frigates and repair corvettes to trail behind the heavy cruiser and repair it as needed. Further, you must support the beast with a mixed fleet if you are to be successful. Against a fleet consisting of nimble interceptors and attack bombers, with some capital ships thrown in, the heavy cruiser could get worked over by the sheer number of enemies.

Finally, the heavy cruiser is very slow. An important part of multiplayer success (and single player as well) is keeping your fleet together. Don't let the faster ships get too far ahead and into the battle too soon. Attack as an entire force. That means waiting patiently for your heavy cruisers to reach the battleground. Assign all other targets to guard the heavy-cruiser group and place them in sphere formation so they encircle the heavy cruisers. As you near the battle, break formation and target at will.

Next: Unit Strategies (cont.)

ALSO CHECK OUT
HOMEWORLD
DOWNLOADABLE
GAME GUIDE

Definitive ship and resource management strategies

Masterful movement and combat methods

Comprehensive unit information

Detailed campaign walk-through

Proven multiplayer tactics

Requires Adobe Acrobat 3.0 or higher

click here for more info...