i can understand a custom battle mode in a game like R:TW, and i can see it working here too, but i consider custom battles and opportunity to get your major fleet/army etc set up, set up defenses etc, and fight your ultimate battle... i cant see Sins as having enough strategy to be able to fully appreciate a custom battle mode... like, if this were a land based game, you'd set up your cavalry, your infantry and armor, your long range seige weapons, etc etc, here... well, its pretty much just FF or just all out shooting... and also, once your major fleet overcomes the other major fleet, its essentially just rinse and repeat... counter-attacking is pretty minor, retreating hardly works, and its hard to say launch a surprise attack on a fleet (say, for instance, having the higher ground against land based forces)
idn, on one hand, i really like the idea, on the other hand, i see it as basically jumping straight into a late game setting, and doing the same thing you usually do...
idn... if its done well, it could be good for a while... it would also help greatly with player testing... especially for Mods...
man... ive never been so undecided in my life... i guess im trying to say i like the idea, and i want it, but i have my doubts about it...