Task forces

[Coal]

If the BBs are on the AI's side it could make things real interesting. Would create a whole new level of tactical challenge.

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Rules? What Rules?

[jc173]

I looked into trying to simulate command datalink also, but there doesn't seem to be an equivalent ability available for now. We could think about proposing it to Aaron for implementation later, but it would definately require code changes to the engine.

[Sinapus]

How about being able to group fleets into sub-fleets, i.e., task forces or squadrons? Something so you can put your heavy close-combat ships in one group to close with the enemy and have your missile ships and carriers in another to stay back.

You can do something like it by simply putting each type into separate fleets and using the group move command to select and move them on the strategic map in turn-based mode. The only problem is that it takes some extra effort to move them and if you give them move commands that take more than one turn to execute they move one at a time, which can have your carriers running into that huge enemy fleet you were going to hit en masse w/o support from your heavy warships.




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"What do -you- want?" "I'd like to live -just- long enough to be there when they cut off your head and stick it on a pike as a warning to the next ten generations that some favors come with too high a price. I would look up into your lifeless eyes and wave like this..." *waggle* "...can you and your associates arrange that for me, Mr. Morden?"

[DirectorTsaarx]

I think you CAN split your fleet into subGroups in Tactical combat. I don't think you can set the game up to split it for you in strategic combat, though...

[capnq]

quote:

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I think you CAN split your fleet into subGroups in Tactical combat.

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Yep, under Orders there are set member, clear member, set leader, and clear leader commands. I think I remember a clear all assignments command, too.

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Cap'n Q

[Suicide Junkie]

Just use "CTRL-#", where # is a number from zero through nine.
Zero will clear the currently selected ship's group designation, while the others assign it to that group number.

Its just faster than going through the menu.

(There must be a group leader before any ships can be added to the group)
If you remove the group designation from the leader (or he's destroyed), the group will act as individuals until you assign a new leader.

[This message has been edited by suicide_junkie (edited 18 April 2001).]

[nerfman]

Tactical datalinks are vital systems in today's modern navies. The link allows unit to share sensor data, effectively engage by not overtargeting (i.e. having 20 ships all fire at the same target and ignore its partner by accident), and timing strikes so they oversaturate opponents.

The closest thing I could think of would be to have a component (only one allowed per ship) that would give you offensive and/or defensive bonus based on the number of other units that had the device in combat. Pretend it is a 2% bonus. In that case if you had a Division of 5 battlecruisers fighting each w/ a datalink, then each ship gets a +8% (don't count the datalink for each independent ship sense having a datalink wouldn't make a difference if you were all alone). This bonus represents the richer sensor picture and more efficient response to threats that you would get by having mulitple ships share data. You may also want to effect the ECM %'s with this as well as this should help jam/decoy/fool missiles more effectively.

This may actually encourage new trends in fleet design as well. Well, later yall - Joe