Star Wars: Empire at War ships, hardpoints and fleet counters
Use escort ships and targetable systems to control space battles.
Edition covered
Original Empire at War campaigns and mechanics. Steam Gold Pack also includes Forces of Corruption; its Zann Consortium and expansion units are outside these base-game guides.
Bring escorts for bombers
Bombers threaten large ships and stations, but enemy fighters can destroy them quickly. Use your fighters and anti-fighter escorts to clear their route before sending them against the most valuable target.
| Role | Typical task | Needs protection from |
|---|---|---|
| Fighters | Intercept enemy fighters and bombers | Anti-fighter ships and concentrated fire |
| Bombers | Attack major ships and station systems | Enemy fighter screens |
| Corvettes | Screen against small craft | Heavy capital-ship weapons |
| Capital ships | Anchor the main battle line | Bombers and focused enemy fire |
Choose hardpoints deliberately
Large ships and stations have targetable systems. Attacking shield generators, engines, hangars or weapons changes what the target can do; select the system that removes the greatest threat to your current fleet.
| System | Reason to target | Battle use |
|---|---|---|
| Shield generator | Reduce shield protection | Prepare follow-up damage |
| Hangar | Reduce fighter support | Ease pressure on your small craft |
| Engines | Limit movement or retreat capability | Keep a damaged target vulnerable |
| Weapon battery | Remove a dangerous attack | Protect the ship class it threatens |
Reinforce into useful positions
The battle population limit prevents deploying every ship at once. Keep a balanced reserve and place reinforcements where they can support the fight without appearing isolated in front of the enemy line.
Retreat before losses become permanent
Campaign and Galactic Conquest losses affect the next battle. If the engagement is lost, consider the retreat option while enough ships survive; do not assume a badly damaged capital ship will be replaced for free.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Publisher game and edition listing | store.steampowered.com |
| LucasArts original manual transcription | pdfcoffee.com |