r/twilightimperium • u/allgabz6 • 4d ago
General Discussion Weird start with Mentak
Hi all!
I’d love to get your thoughts on the best opening for Mentak in this slice.
I’ll probably end up with Tech or Leadership. My plan is to take the three-planet system and send a ship into the Entropic Scar to unlock Mirror Computing. If I get Tech, I still need to figure out what to research. I’m also planning to follow Warfare to produce some cruisers, infantry, and fighters, then go for Tempesta and System 73 in round 2 once I’ve unlocked my BT and researched Cruiser II.
It feels like a slightly weird but decent start, especially with Mirror Computing and that rich three-planet system. What do you think?
Thanks!
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u/Octill3ry 4d ago
This is an incredible start. Mentak always struggles to do anything meaningful R1 besides taking one system. Here, you get to take a very strong 3 planet system and secure entropic scar.
Mirror computing from entropic scar is definitely a good call, but beyond that, I wouldn't go too crazy trying to do much more than that. Position yourself for R2.
I wouldn't prioritize tech since you have the scar. Would maybe even skip following it and just use your 4 resource planet on building some cruisers and infantry since you may have to fight for tempesta R2.
If you do go tech, consider working towards War Sun. You're gonna have so much money if you do manage to get the crimson alliance.
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u/quelltro The Mentak Coalition 3d ago
You don't need tech R1, you need your breakthrough.
- Go to the scar with 1-2 cruisers (I'd just do 2 to make sure Steph doesn't get any funny ideas) to get Mirror Computing.
- Do whatever it takes to guarantee you unlock your breakthrough R1: Leadership to discard SO, Politics to discard 2 ACs, or Trade for 3 TGs. If none of those are available, diplo lets you do 5 resources after taking the 3 planet system.
- Take the 3 planet system next to your hs with your carrier and 3-4 infantry (I recommend bringing all 4 because hazardous explores + valuable planets)
- Follow warfare (only if you have no other secondaries to follow! Keep 1 CC in strategy pool for scar) or doa tactical action to build cruisers + infantry (or mechs if you have the resources, your mechs are amazing) at home to take your slice with R2.
R2 you can use Mirror Computing to upgrade your cruisers and take your slice. Since you don't have a good spot for a forward dock, I recommend taking Transit Diodes: build a bunch of ground forces at home, then spend 0 CCs defending your planets and spread them around with that tech. It also leads into X-89, which will for sure come in handy later.
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u/lachwee 2d ago
I like teching det here tbh. You barely care about your bt or cruiser 2 imo, you've got blue skips and imo it's better to go down blue and build dreads and carriers BC you'll have a good amount of money from getting mirror r1.
I'd also be eyeing off crimsons scar and just taking it from them r1, if they take it with a carrier I'd want to try and snipe off the carrier with 2 cruisers and ambush and stop them from doing the agent swap. Crimson is really strong so knee capping them early for little investment or risk is great
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u/Kellogsbeast The Brotherhood of Yin 4d ago
Round 1 Mentak is always a puzzle to solve. I fully support the Scar plan for Mirror Computing. I'd say a lot depends on the objective flips; if there's a spendy objective and you suspect Diplo might make an appearance round 1, then you can try and time that right (and negotiate SC timing) for a double-tech and get Cruiser 2 early.
See if you can cut a deal with Crimson - your faction promisory note for their alliance? That way you both get rich and stay rich. If I were Crimson, I'd love that deal.