[geoschmo]

As long as the fighters are allowed to share the same square, and move as a single unit, it shouldn't complicate the viewing of tactical combat even if the damage is calculated separatly. The issue is whether their damage should stack, not whether the images of the units shold stack I think.

I would be in favor of fighter damage not stacking with some additional changes. If the capital ships could not take out Groups of fighters at once. If damage from the fighters is being calculated separatly, then damage to the fighters should be as well.

Then some clearer delineation between fighter weapons should be made. There would be the fighter mounted anti ship weapons that are capable of doing lots of damage, but only fire once. And the smaller weapons, ion weapons or whatever that cannot hurt a ship very much, but are used against other fighters.

With all the changes together you have a situation more parallel to what we have today. With your attack fighters with powerful antiship weapons being supported by persuit fighters that have lost of anti fighter weapons. And the capital ships would be advised to have carriers and fighter escort. Not just to rely on PDC and main guns.

Perhaps ship direct fire weapons should not be able to target fighters. Require them to have PDC or escort carriers. Afterall, a battleships main guns today are no use against a fighter. They can't be targeted that quickly.

Geoschmo