Breaking formation

Ruatha · #1 November 25th, 2002, 12:12 PM

How do I make my fleet brake formation when entering strategic combat on PBW.
There's no such option in strategy/formation.

The fleet is diversified with ship capture, rammers, fighter carriers and battleships with beams.
I can't set one strategy that makes them all do what they should.

(edit - set e-mail notification)

[ November 25, 2002, 10:13: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Mephisto · #2 November 25th, 2002, 01:31 PM

Each Fleet has a Strategy assigned to it, normally "Optimal Firing Range". Go into the "Empire Status Window" (by pressing F11), there choose Strategies. Make sure you have selected the same Strategy here on the left that the Fleet uses (i.e. "Optimal Firing Range" most of the time). Chose "Formation" on the right. In the middle of the window you can now select everything that should break formation (i.e. the fleet formation) and should act on its own Strategy (selected in the design window). Make sure to have a green dot in front of everything that should break formation. That�s it.

Ruatha · #3 November 25th, 2002, 01:34 PM

Thanks.

Pablo · #4 November 27th, 2002, 03:54 PM

Didn't want to start a new thread because the question is about a similar thing.
Is it possible to change a ship's strategy if the ship is already built or captured? I just couldn't find such an option.
Or is it possible only in the design window? Thanx

[ November 27, 2002, 13:56: Message edited by: Pablo ]

Suicide Junkie · #5 November 27th, 2002, 04:50 PM

Changing the design's strategy affects the actions of ALL ship of that design, even if already built.

Ships you have captured follow their original design strategy, which you have no control over.
If you've captured the Last of a particular design your enemy had, he may even change that ship's strategy to "don't get hurt" or something

Taera · #6 November 27th, 2002, 05:05 PM

hey SJ - now that would be NASTY!
i can also set it to fire on friendly seekers ( i think) and whatsover.

Question: is Break Formation is useful? i've always used formations...

Ruatha · #7 November 27th, 2002, 06:25 PM

I made a startegy called Break formation and use it frequently.
As I want' some ships to capture other ships, some to try to capture the planet, some to ram and some to go optimum fare range and some to not get hurt.
As most of my ships have heavy weapons regardless of their real task 8capture ships/planets, fighter carrer) I dont want them to stay out of the fight.

Stone Mill · #8 November 27th, 2002, 06:33 PM

Quote:

If you've captured the Last of a particular design your enemy had, he may even change that ship's strategy to "don't get hurt" or something

Yes, nasty indeed. You can counter this, however.

Remember, you can retrofit captured ships to a design you have control over. Always travel with a spaceyard handy.

capnq · #9 November 27th, 2002, 10:50 PM

Quote:

is Break Formation is useful?

Depending on the situation, anywhere from somewhat harmful to critically important.

I've seen fleets destroyed because they weren't breaking from a cluttered formation, and other times that ships were lost because they broke formation.

On average, I think it's better to break than not to.

Taera · #10 November 28th, 2002, 01:51 AM

i'll keep that in mind. recently i've been very annoyed with the formations.