New Function request

Fleet formation and Jump syncronization

from Sins Forums
I do not know if any one as requested this but here is something I think is important.

There needs to be a way to set you fleet into a distinct formation and keep them in that formation as they jump into a planet. For one this will allow you to prepare for entry with say your capitol ships in the front line (heavier armor and guns) will be the first to absorb the initial salvos from the defenders gun emplacments and will more than likely survive the hit.

Then the fleet can launch bombers etc from from behind the big boys. Naturally a formation will not stay consistent throughout a battle, but it would be nice to allign my ships in a way that maximize their attack power.

Also, I think fighters need to be smarter about whom they attack. A proper fighter screen should engage bommber first - then fighters - then small ships.
1,955 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
It seems like, given time and the space to spread out, you fleet will get into formation, in so far as the missile frigates in back etc (excepting that the short range frigates aren't smart enough to stay out of range of stationary gun turrets). I think you are finding a problem with the jump as a group functionally as it is implemented now. When you get in system, everyone is jumbled together and they don't have time to get into proper formations. It would be helpful if you could set a jump priority for each fleet to stagger which ship type jump into the system first.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

Perhaps it can be improved but all these objectives can be accomplished in game now. First, select the ships you want to attack with. Next, right click the movement button until it shows 3 green arrows. Then right click the attack button until they are on Attack Range: Local Range. Then tell the group to jump to the enemy planet. Missile frigates will be in behind, tough stuff in front etc and nothing will move from their formation position without your orders. If you want to make fighters/bombers launch and attack make sure they aren't on Local Range. I typically arrive like this and then slowly advance my fleet in pieces depending on what defenses are there. (e.g I will move the Missile Frigates ahead slightly to take out the Gauss Defenses before advancing anything else).

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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
FYI, atm fighter squads do prioritize other fighters, and bomber squads will prioritize cap ships rather than their own fighters.

Its too bad they named interceptors "Fighter Squads" instead of "Interceptor Squads" or something like that, having to add squad to everything gets a bit wordy at times.