How to counter T1 scout planes.

[Cuddles]

I'm guessing there isn't really any way, but still asking.

Early game T1 scout planes, is there any way to stop them? Mobile AA is no good against them, static AA is too costly early game to go build in forward positions. Interceptors, by the time they kill the scout it's to late.

[Valki]

Radar coverage so you see they are coming, then put some interceptors in their path (flying) and they will stop them.

Or, a saturated air patrol route.

[ColonelSheppard]

you will never be able to kill all scouts if your enemy really wants to scout, intercept them with planes when they enter radar range, have a few planes splitted over the map (like you main group of 20 in the middle and 1 on each side)

[Hawkei]

I'm guessing you're just sitting your planes in a forward position, on the ground. Interceptors are called interceptors, because, they intercept things. But to do so, you need to fill the perimeter of your airspace with interceptors flying on patrol. You will also need radar coverage, so they can effectively engage the air scouts... It's actually pretty basic really.

It is generally not great practice if you are expecting an air fight. But if you don't want to be scouted, that's what you need to do. It is the subtle difference between "Air Dominance" and "Air-space Control". There are some times, when you need to do the latter. Stopping scouting is one example. Stopping Transport Drops is another. Intercepting snipe attempts - even more so. In the T1 air phase, I would devote a small number of my interceptors to Air-space control. But keep a larger blob on standby, to maintain Air Dominance.

The alternative to the patrol command is the assist command. You can tell a group interceptors to assist a ground unit. Which could be your ACU, your allies ACU, or even an enemy unit that you want to keep tabs on. Your aircraft will then move with that unit, and control the airspace over it... Just remember that you will consume fuel. So, if you're doing this, remember to build an air staging platform so you don't have that problem.

In the late game, when you Have T3 ASF, it is better to keep your ASF clustered for "Air Dominance" and have a T1 air factory pumping out Interceptors, and scout planes, to Patrol your airspace. With the patrol route built into the factories waypoint - so you don't need to micro it. The interceptors will keep tabs on everything, while the more valuable ASF can be kept together, in safety. You will expect to loose Interceptors to enemy ASF, but, that is a worthwhile sacrifice. Considering that they will not get away with secret bases or drops, and scouts be less likely to get intel.

If of course your opponent does get greedy, and go after your patrols with ASF, you will be able to manouver your ASF into the perfect ambush . If you are going to patrol with ASF, it should be over a confined area of strategic importance. With every ASF you've got.