advice on assault planet (cross post to SEV.com)

[Dogboy]

I'd like my armed ships to attack a planet, but only knock out its defenses, without damaging the planet. After this, I'd like them to move off and engage any armed enemy ships, and I'd like my troop carriers to move in and drop troops on the undefended planet. This seems like a basic need, so I'm sure there must be a way to do it. Does anyone know how?

Also, is there a way to revert all my tactical orders (e.g., "capture planet") back to the default values, in case I've screwed something up while editing them?

Many thanks!
--DB

[Q]

The problem as far as I know is that in SEV the ships will not attack a planet if there is a troop transport with troops present. That is apparently hard coded.
My solution: I use two fleets in sequence. The first fleet has no troop transporter and has the "damage until all weapons gone" for colonies. This fleet will destroy all ships, bases, fighters and sats present and wipe out all weapon platforms (there might be some collateral damage to the colony). Then the second fleet (which can be only troop transporters in a turn based game but better a mixed fleet in simultaneous game) attacks and will drop the troops.
So far this worked very well for me.

[Dogboy]

Great idea! Thanks. One question: how do you ensure which fleet will arrive first -- just divert the troop fleet so they arrive later in the turn?

[Q]

Yes in simultaneous games you must calculate the time to arrive to the colony with the fleet distance and its speed. And as you said, if both fleets have the same distance and speed, let the troop transports make a small detour.

[Dogboy]

Thanks for the tips. Great advice!