Why is fleet power so low?

[SirAlexius]

Perhaps I missed something important in the information about the update, but it seems like my fleet power has been way lower for every playthrough after the new update than it has been previously.

Am I doing something wrong? I am not sure how much naval capacity has changed but my fleet power in early/mid game is nowhere near what I remember from previous playthroughs.

 

[The Grumpy Buddha]

They did that on purpose, and I like it! If you really go for it you can still have your 1000+ naval cap and your 5+ 80k fleets but it takes longer to get there now that you need alloys instead of minerals.

 

[icon41gimp]

Fleets cost alloys now instead of minerals, but the value of input required didn't really change.
Alloys are more valuable than minerals and take longer to get industrialized for.
End result is that you have fewer resources to buy fleets with until much later in the game.

A 200 capacity battleship fleet is still around the same fleet power as it was.

 

[Objulen]

Army power is also lower on most planets, so you don't need as many troops to take most planets.

 

[TofuFox]

Perhaps I missed something important in the information about the update, but it seems like my fleet power has been way lower for every playthrough after the new update than it has been previously.

Am I doing something wrong? I am not sure how much naval capacity has changed but my fleet power in early/mid game is nowhere near what I remember from previous playthroughs.

No, fleet power buildup is slower than it used to be, especially early to mid-game, for a few reasons -

1. The switch from minerals to alloys means it is harder to build and replenish fleets, especially as some things (science / construction ships, upgrading ships) cost the same or close to it alloys as they did minerals, and combat ship cost reduction was less than the loss of minerals -> alloys.
2. Population count no longer contributes to fleet cap; you can compensate for this with fortresses, but they take time to be researched and come online, and require resources directed to them.
3. Research is slower early-midgame, though it may actually be faster lategame, due to higher tech costs and the changes in building/resource techs.

The crisis fleet power also seems to have been reduced however (3x Swarm from ~360 to ~240) though FE/AE/Khan/Leviathan weren't.

 

[SirAlexius]

No, fleet power buildup is slower than it used to be, especially early to mid-game, for a few reasons

I think the end result of the balance changes is probably fine, as I am doing reasonably well against AI empires, but I just feel like a weakling with such small fleets now.

Right before the update, the Khan spawned on my border and I was able to hold off his fleets for several years with a station and my fleet, even killing his main fleet.

Now I do not think this would be possible with my under 10k fleet in 2300 lol

 

[Turnil]

I played the beta and fleets are much stronger because of the 50% increase in alloy production form founderies. (from 2 to 3)

 

[SirAlexius]

I played the beta and fleets are much stronger because of the 50% increase in alloy production form founderies. (from 2 to 3)

I am on the beta patch as well and I have noticed some improvement as well, although I would still say that my pre-2.2 fleet power was greater than it tends to be now.

 

[Bouchart]

Awakened Fallen Empires have comparatively huge fleet power in my experience. Anyone else notice this?

 

[GuildenSpur]

Yes they are a handful. Makes it more interesting. They used to be good for some nice tech after conquering them. Now you need to plan such an attack better.