I finally got around to messing with planetary bombardment. They seem pretty effective (both the cluster bombs and the other population-reducing bombs). However, since they require bombers to be on the ship, it interferes with troop modules. Are AP and infrastructure bombs worth using, or is it generally best to just stack as many elite troopers as possible?



Since troop modules are so effective, is it even worth using siege modules? The fastest you can take over a system is 10 turns using just invasion power.



In the new patch, it seems that bomber damage has been doubled. I'm thinking they're essential to add in any combat ship design (not sure about invasion-focused bombers yet, though). Thoughts?

I never have used bombs so far and can't think of a scenario where they would be more usefull than simply conquering the system.

In Master of Orion bombs made a lot of sense because normal space-weapons couldn't penetrate the planetary shields and thus they were required to kill the missile-bases on the surface and you would conquer their population with your population so reducing them before sending your pop also was a good idea.



In ES's gameplay, where you simply capture the previous population and "convert" them in a few turns killing population doesn't feel justifyable at all.

Agreed, I just use troops.

The other huge advantage is that troops leave the infrastructure intact.

The disadvantage is that they have to be replenished, but if you can make a fleet of 10 destroyers with Siderite healing, and 2 Elite Heavy troopers, they will heal quickly and you can conquer a system every turn. Just keep them out of combat.

Do you guys even use siege modules, or do you just load out cheap ships with troops and repair?

I usually fill the remaining space on the Troop-Ships with regular Invasion modules.