Directive: Optimize
Gives access to two new units
- Recycling Center
- Prime Module - Sphere
Gives access to the following benefits
- Reduces the construction costs of selecting a Borg chassis by 30 percent
- Allows you to upgrade the productivity of Incubation Centers
- Increased Defensive Value for Resource Assimilators by 5
You begin with an Assembly Node and a Detector
Scout Cube / Probe Start
Special Notes
For Which Avatar: both
Tactical Tidbit: A good generalist strategy that is flexible.
Strongest Against: customizable
Weakest Against: customizable
Up-Time: 264 seconds (2 Probes constructed)
Initial Build Order
Queue up four Resource Assimilator freighters.
First freighter produced mines tritanium, second mines dilithium, third tritanium, fourth dilithium.
Assembly Node constructor starts Conduction Matrix.
Once the Conduction Matrix is completed, research Energy Nodes Level 1 and queue up two Probes at the Assimilation Matrix.
When you reach about 8 Collective Connections, build a Collective Uplink in a protected location. Select the Scout Cube chassis.
If facing a Klingon or Romulan opponents they will most likely utilize their cloaking abilities to retreat from you. Equipping a Scout Cube with an EM Module thus will allow you to prevent their escape. Keep in mind that EM Modules also take reduced damage from Shrikes.
Against the Dominion, if you face an Early A-26 Bomber strategy you will probably want to equip your Scout Cubes with an EM Module to prevent the Fast Tracking Weapons passive from decimating your forces. If facing just A-20 Attack Destroyers, or even S-2 Escort Cruisers, using an Interception Module is a better choice due to the damage bonus.
Against the Federation, if you are faced with a Monsoon / Canaveral, you will want Scout Cubes armed with Interception Modules. Against Intrepid hordes, if your opponent micromanages them well, utilizing a Regeneration Module will be best because your Scout Cubes will last much longer and be back in combat faster. Against Norways with Plasma Coil, a Regeneration Module will also be better.
Against the Borg who rely on Scout Cubes / Probes, a Scout Cube equipped with an Interception Module is best, unless you believe you can micromanage them out of combat – in that case, Regeneration Modules are key. An opponent who jumps to Adaptors can also be countered by these same configurations (Interception does more damage, Regeneration returns to combat sooner).
When you reach about 8 Collective Connections again, build a Collective Uplink in a protected location. Select the Scout Cube chassis.
The second chassis follows the same rules as the first for all other factions, but when facing cloaking factions (who don’t use just Shrikes), it is a good idea to equip the second Scout Cube with an Interception Module to pick off ships faster.
Gameplay becomes more malleable at this point. It is possible to construct an additional Scout Cube, or to wait a few more seconds and produce a powerful Dodecahedron etc.
If building a Dodecahedron, a Regeneration Module and Interception Module will offer the greatest combination of damage dealing and resilience.
After this third Collective Uplink vessel has begun production, it is necessary to queue up an additional two freighters to mine dilithium at an expansion.
Queue up an additional Dodecahedron if deemed necessary - if going with a Holding Beam equipped Sphere, a Dodecahedron equipped with two Vinculum Modules is best.
At this point it is possible to use a number of different units, though going directly for a Sphere will provide a powerful middle game. Thus, after the fourth (or fifth) Collective Uplink vessel has been produced, it is necessary to research Energy Nodes Level 2.
When you reach roughly 47 Collective Connections have your construction ship build a Collective Uplink.
Wait until you have enough funds to purchase both the Sphere Chassis and your preferred modules. Note that in general, a Sphere equipped with three Regeneration Modules and a Prime Sphere Module offers the greatest offensive and defensive capabilities, however, the unit analyses discussions should be taken into consideration.
Generally it is wise to produce three Spheres per Diamond to take full advantage of the Bring Order to Chaos special ability.
Dodecahedron Start
Special Notes
For Which Avatar: both
Tactical Tidbit: Specialist, but is flexible.
Strongest Against: Vor'cha Rush, ADAI spammed starts
Weakest Against: factions that begin with TWA spam
Up-Time: 264 seconds (2 Probes constructed)
Initial Build Order
Queue up four Resource Assimilator freighters.
If you want to begin with Dodecahedrons equipped with two Interception Modules, the first freighter produced should mine dilithium and not tritanium.
Assembly Node constructor starts Conduction Matrix.
Once the Conduction Matrix is completed, research Energy Nodes Level 1 and queue up three Probes at the Assimilation Matrix.
When you reach about 13 Collective Connections, build a Collective Uplink in a protected location. Select the Dodecahedron Chassis.
Adaptor Start
Special Notes
For Which Avatar: both
Tactical Tidbit: Specialist, but is flexible.
Strongest Against: Generix Spam, B-5 Battle Cruiser Rush, T-15 Heavy Cruiser Rush/Early
Weakest Against: small-sized unit spam
Up-Time: 264 seconds (2 Probes constructed)
Initial Build Order
Queue up four Resource Assimilator freighters. The first Resource Assimilator should mine dilithium and not tritanium.
Assembly Node constructor starts Conduction Matrix.
Once the Conduction Matrix is completed, research Energy Nodes Level 1 and queue up two Probes at the Assimilation Matrix. You will be able to build two Probes for each Adaptor constructed until a point at which you choose to expand.
When you reach about 18 Collective Connections, build a Collective Uplink in a protected location. Select the Adaptor Chassis.
If facing a Romulan opponent they will most likely utilize their cloaking abilities to retreat from you. Equipping an Adaptor with an EM Module thus will allow you to prevent their escape. Keep in mind that EM Modules also take reduced damage from Leahvals.
Assimilator / Dodecahedron Rush
Special Notes
For Which Avatar: both
Tactical Tidbit: Specialist, but provides a strong opening lineup.
Strongest Against:
Weakest Against: anti-long range spam
Up-Time: 200 seconds (1 Assimilator constructed) or 200 seconds (2 Dodecahedrons constructed)
Initial Build Order
Queue up two Resource Assimilator freighters.
First freighter produced mines tritanium, second mines dilithium.
Assembly Node constructor starts Conduction Matrix.
Once the Conduction Matrix is completed, purchase Resistance is Futile.
Construct a Collective Uplink in a protected location. Depending on what sort of force you want to field you can mildly adjust your build order:
Select the Assimilator Chassis and construct the vessel with a Beam, Torpedo, Regeneration Module (or two Torpedo Modules if you are facing larger vessels). You will have exactly enough resources for this task. If need be, cause your tritanium freighter to dock prematurely. This vessel will provide you with substantial offense early on, though bear in mind that it is just one vessel. Against a Borg opponent this strategy will be affective against most combinations of Scout Cube / Probe as well as Adaptors. Best used if you are the Assimilate Directive.
If you do not care too much about dealing station damage and are not concerned with being hard-countered by anti-long range units, select a Dodecahedron chassis as your first unit. Since you will be relying heavily on this vessel to protect you, it is wisest to equip it with a Regeneration and Interception Module. Construct an additional Collective Uplink and build a Scout Cube (or another Dodecahedron).
Remember the Dodecahedron also counters units such as the A-20 Attack Destroyer and Intrepid, A-26 Bomber, Canaveral, and Chargh.
After your first Collective Uplink vessel begins production, you should have enough funds to build a single Probe as extra fire-support and distraction.
Immediately harass with your small group as this is an extremely aggressive strategy and you will quickly lose if you do not seize the advantage. After these first few vessels are complete you will have to invest in two additional Resource Assimilators so that you might purchase Energy Nodes Level 1 and begin producing ships regularly.
Scout Cube Rush
Special Notes
For Which Avatar: Optimize - costs too much for Assimilate
Tactical Tidbit: Specialist, but provides a strong opening lineup.
Strongest Against: Assimilator / Dodecahedron Rush, many small-sized units
Weakest Against: anti-short range spam
Up-Time: ~196 seconds (3 Scout Cubes constructed)
Initial Build Order
Queue up three Resource Assimilator freighters.
First freighter produced mines tritanium, second mines dilithium, third mines tritanium.
Assembly Node constructor starts Conduction Matrix.
Once the Conduction Matrix is completed, purchase Resistance is Futile.
Construct two Collective Uplinks in a protected location.
Select the Scout Cube Chassis for both Collective Uplinks. If you are facing mainly small sized units, equip these two units with Interception Modules. If facing cruisers it is wiser to equip them with Regeneration Modules for durability (as this rush is weak after the initial flow of units), unless you think you can kill your opponent's forces immediately. You will probably not have enough funds to build an EM Scout Cube, and the build speed negates the effects of this rush.
Queue up a single Probe after the first Scout Cube has begun construction and build an additional Collective Uplink
Select the Scout Cube Chassis and follow the previous recommendations. This will leave you with two Scout Cubes and a Probe roughly one minute before the same number of units in a "Scout Cube / Probe Start".
Immediately harass with your small group as this is an extremely aggressive strategy and you will quickly lose if you do not seize the advantage. After these first few vessels are complete you will have to invest in an additional dilithium Resource Assimilator. This will allow you to purchase Energy Nodes Level 1 and begin producing ships more regularly.
Three and Two
Special Notes
For Which Avatar: Optimize - costs too much for Assimilate
Tactical Tidbit: Specialist, but provides a strong opening lineup.
Strongest Against: Assimilator / Dodecahedron Rush, many small-sized units
Weakest Against: anti-short range spam
Up-Time: 264 seconds (3 Scout Cubes, 2 Probes constructed)
Initial Build Order
Queue up two Resource Assimilator freighters.
First freighter produced mines tritanium, second mines dilithium.
Assembly Node constructor starts Conduction Matrix.
Once the Conduction Matrix is completed, purchase Resistance is Futile.
Construct a total of three Collective Uplinks in a protected location.
Select the Scout Cube Chassis for each Collective Uplink. If you are facing mainly small sized units, equip these two units with Interception Modules. If facing cruisers it is wiser to equip them with Regeneration Modules for durability (as this rush is weak after the initial flow of units), unless you think you can kill your opponent's forces immediately. You will probably not have enough funds to build an EM Scout Cube, and the build speed negates the effects of this rush.
Queue up two Probes after the first Scout Cube has begun construction.
Select the Scout Cube Chassis and follow the previous recommendations. This will leave you with two Scout Cubes and a Probe roughly one minute before the same number of units in a "Scout Cube / Probe Start".
Immediately harass with your small group as this is an extremely aggressive strategy and you will quickly lose if you do not seize the advantage. After these first few vessels are complete you will have to invest in an additional dilithium Resource Assimilator. This will allow you to purchase Energy Nodes Level 1 and begin producing ships more regularly.
Early Sphere
Special Notes
For Which Avatar: Optimize
Tactical Tidbit: Works best in Cooperative Multiplayer. Weak to rushes and reliant on very few ships.
Strongest in Situation: facing non medium-range specialists or mainly pulse-based units
Weakest in Situation: strong harassment, ally being pushed hard. Intrepid, Leahval spam, Breen Cruiser spam
Up-Time: 396 seconds (1 Sphere constructed)
Initial Build Order
Queue up four Resource Assimilator freighters.
First freighter produced mines tritanium, second mines dilithium.
The construction vessel builds a Conduction Matrix.
Once the Conduction Matrix is completed, research Energy Nodes Level 1.
Once Energy Nodes Level 1 is complete, immediately research Energy Nodes Level 2.
When you reach roughly 47 Collective Connections have your construction ship build a Collective Uplink (it will take 6 minutes from the start of the match to reach this stage).
You should have exactly enough funds to select the Sphere Chassis. Immediately outfit it with three Regeneration Modules and a Prime Sphere Module.
When you reach roughly 47 Collective Connections again have your construction ship build a Collective Uplink (it will take 11 minutes from the start of the match to reach this stage).
You should have exactly enough funds to select the Sphere Chassis. Immediately outfit it with three Regeneration Modules and a Prime / Holding Beam Module.
Borg versus Borg Special Notes
If faced with an early Assimilator the Scout Cube / Probe early build order will be adequate. Ensure that your Scout Cubes are equipped with Regeneration Models, else they will die more quickly, and remain out of the fight for longer. It will most likely be necessary to construct three Scout Cubes and two Probes to combat the Assimilator plus one Probe build.
Holding Beam Spheres will prove to be greatly useful to ensnare and destroy the few numbers of opposing enemy vessels.
Adaptors are quick reinforcement to your Scubes but will be weak against Torpedo Module equipped Assimilators. Use them to demolish buildings instead with their fast speed.
Interception Scout Cubes will quickly take down Adaptors of any configuration, but if you are not aggressive with the Scout Cubes, Adaptors will build up and be able to destroy them via kiting and brute defense.
Note that if you are chasing enemy Borg ships and your vessels are targeting a unit you don't want them to hit (for instance, Probes or Detectors if you are using torpedo heavy units), it is possible to transport aboard these enemy ships to prevent yours from auto-targeting them. Likewise, it is possible to capture some of the lower level Borg vessels in this manner. Remember that in a Borg versus Borg battle, all units can act as weapons for capturing - including Resource Assimilators and stations.
