[capnq]

Some people find it too easy to beat the AI races in Tactical Combat, so they voluntarily limit themselves to Strategic for more of a challenge.

The playback is accessed from the (F10) Log screen; click on the message "Combat in <system>", which lists the results, then click the Combat Replay button. (Note this is not the same thing as the Replay Movement button on the main screen in simultaneous games, which tends to do odd things if you use it.)

The (E) Explore command will send the ship through the nearest unexplored warp point. This can lead to a nasty surprise if you don't notice that the nearest unexplored warp point is one that does damage.

The (Y) Sentry command will let the ship stay where it is until an enemy ship enters the system, which clears the order. You can't put a ship on Sentry if there's already an enemy in the system, or if the ship is low on supplies.

Another way to end tactical combat faster is Orders/Resolve Combat. You should be able to turn Auto off; it only executes one turn at a time, IIRC. Unless you've put the formation leader on Auto and don't have any other ships that aren't in the formation and still on manual; that might be why you couldn't stop it.

[ 19 December 2001: Message edited by: capnq ]