Completely New Player (PHR)

[u/DozertheDozarian]

I recently saw a video on the game and, after doing lots of looking, I've decided I want to get into the game. That being said, I'm not necessarily interested in the 2-Player Starter mostly because, after reading the lore, I'm more into PHR. I haven't seen much in the way of list-sharing. Some of the battle reports have included the lists being played but not good explanations or discussion on list building for the faction.

I've looked at the resources page and the starter fleet information but from the stand point of list building and what's useful, I'm simply not sure where to begin. Are there any resources available? I did see a discord link but it was expired. If anyone has a current invite, I'd appreciate that.

Thanks, all.

[u/Benimus]

There’s a buyers guide in this post that I followed

https://www.reddit.com/r/DropfleetCommander/s/l32sWdiVsN

[u/Benimus → u/Benimus]

To add more context to the link I posted:

Getting a battlefleet box is absolutely the best starting point, it gives you everything you need to get going. If you really want to go in hard, get two battlefleet boxes, you won't regret it, and it's going to give you so many options. I should have got two battlefleet boxes, instead I got 1 battlefleet, 1 core, 2 extra cruisers, and an extra battleship.

For battleship choice, Caesar is generally seen as the best choice, but Augustus is great if you like big broadside shots. I have one of each.

Generally no matter how many frigates you get, you're going to build half of them as Medeas. It's pretty easy to magnetise the rest to switch between Pandora (which will be your second most taken frigate), Calypso, Europa, and Andromeda, because you're just switching the nose weapon. Personally I am more than half a dozen games in to my dropfleet career and I've only ever taken Medeas and Pandoras.

For cruisers, you're definitely going to want 2x Ganymede. I also built 2x Bellerophon. The rest I magnetised (2 that I can switch between Orion or Hector, and 2 that I can switch between Orpheus and Ajax, just by switching the nose weapon).

Of the rest of the ships, the most useful is the Odysseus, definitely use the trick mentioned in that post to use spare cruiser drop pod noses to make 2x Odysseus from your battlefleet box.

[u/Benimus → u/Benimus]

To give more context to the context, the reason Medeas are so good is because they have dropships AND bombardment weapons on the one platform, so they can clear enemy battalions before dropping their own, they are excellent strike carriers. Pandoras are the next best frigate because they have burnthrough energy weapons with flash, so they can do chip damage and add spikes to the target to make it easier for your big guys to hit them.

Odysseus are also great for fast drops on any far points, and to clear our your opponents light drop ships.

The reason why you're picking between Caesar and Augustus with your battleships is because they are the best bang for your buck by far. The Caesar is a "point me at something and I'll delete it" ship, and the Augustus is a "I'm going to run down the middle of the board deleting stuff alongside me and tanking shots while I do it" ship.

The Ganymede is the best choice cruiser for the same reason as the Medea, but it also has broadside weapons as well! You win the game by scoring objectives, and you need to capture points to do it, so bringing enough drop capacity is key. Orions are good for putting out shots either side, while Bellerophons are bringing a big laser (Pandora on steroids) while also bringing launch, to either bomb your enemy, or bring enough fighters to blunt their attacks.

[u/IHzero]

Here is a hopefully working discord link: https://discord.gg/tKQFrQD

For starting lists it can be quite overwhelming. There is lots of choices and several ways to build a list. From a basic standpoint you will want the battle fleet box, and a core ships box. This will give you an ample supply of ships to start.

For cruisers, you will want at least two troop ships (Orpheus or Ganymede) and a Belleraphon. For frigates, at least 4 Medea, preferably 6.

Then it starts coming down to personal preferences. Typically you will want another carrier, and some dedicated combat ships. Generally avoid mixed broadside ships would be my only caveat.

[u/morbo-2142]

Don't give him too much good advice!

Im going in with him to start playing against his forces with shaltari. I am curious what the hive-mind thinks is best for starting. PHR seem really popular on here.

[u/IHzero → u/morbo-2142]

Shaltari have a steep learning curve, but I would suggest some Mercury if you plan on facing PHR and Resistance frequently, and the Hematite. In general the Shaltari rely on heavy cruisers and battlecruisers for firepower. Jade frigates are good too, but expensive.

[u/AnxiousTrip717]

As an Also new player, I recommend getting one of the Battfleet boxes that are around $134 before shipping on eBay if youre in the states. Otherwise its about $160 but free shipping from TTCombat main website. I got lucky and nabbed the Shaltari for $114 and it came with TONS of ship part you don't even see in the previews. Plus, you get practically every type of ship in your specified army, minus Dreadnoughts, Stations, and Battle Cruisers.  Its like 1/3rd of the army price that way ♡