Noob question

from Sins Forums

Hey everyone,

I've recently picked this up & still learning the ropes.

I had a question that I am unsure of how this works.

Sometimes when I find myself in combat - I see my fighters & bomber strike craft targeting the wrong things that they specialize against.  I can correct this, doesn't really bother me - but what I wanted to know was...

I was playing 1vs1 against the CPU.  A capital ship & about 30 disciple ships show up in a grav well.  How can I make any of my ships attack a group of ships?  Most of those disciple ships were hanging out together & Im sure there is a way other than shift-clicking each ship to queue up.  i wanted my LRM & fighter craft to attack this group of them... and I had to shift-click to get them goin for a while...

I guess what Im asking is if there is a way to drag an area & have it select multiple targets?

Thanks for your help!

3,732 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Only way to que up targets is shift clicking.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

At first, don't overstress the micro management of battles. The game philosophy is to let the AI take care of most of it.

Later on, yes.

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Usually, the reason why your ships go after a different target is if they haven't finished killing it or they are more effective in attacking this other target. For example, heavy cruisers will chase long range frigates as they have a better damage multiplier against them than say light frigates.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

 

The AI is very limited compared to what a human can do.  I barely trust the AI to do anything right in this game, which is not to say that the AI is bad as far as computer game AI goes.  Rather, it's just hard for AI to weigh the hundreds of variables and to see the big picture like a human can.  I wish that there were an option to set enemy ship type priorities for each of your ship types so that if the AI is in control it attcks the stuff you want it to attack.  (I see this same problem often in the early game when I'm colonizing and, if left without orders, your mothership's strikecraft will start attacking militia flak frigates (which are anti-strikecraft).)

Anyway, once you've learned about the in's and out's of the three races and feel comfortable with the mechanics of the game, you'll probably tire of playing against the AI (which is awful compared to human opposition) and want to come play the game in online multiplayer.  You just click the Ironclad Online button, create an account, and come join the fun.  Note that you can also play humans v. AI games called Comp Stomps which can be a good way to learn from other people and to enjoy having human teamates and camraderie while you're learning the game.

 

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

Thanks for the replies.

I will move into the online before too long - still getting comfortable with the races as you said.

Im very impressed with this so far, just trying to find my way around.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

The biggest issue for AI targeting are fighters, as they tend to go after other bombers.  In reality, you want your fighters to target enemy fighters, bombers, and long range frigates relatively evenly.  This can be a pain to manage.