Tactical Combat Problem

[Krakenup]

I attacked a large Pyrochette fleet Last night. The starting position looked something like this:

AAAAAA


.XXXXXXXXX.
XXXXXOXXXXX
XXXX...XXXX

where my ships were A, X is a Pyrochette ship, and O is their leader. Anyway, since the Pyrochette leader was hemmed in, it couldn't move so that none of the Pyrochette ships could move. It was like a shooting gallery. Obviously, this is primarily a problem with the AI combat minister, but using a different formation might help.

Edit: Actually, the best solution would be to always break formation. I've also had instances of a missile boat leader staying at max weapons range escorted by direct fire battle cruisers. The battle cruisers never got within range to shoot.

[This message has been edited by Krakenup (edited 09 November 2001).]

[DirectorTsaarx]

I've taken to setting the "Break Formation" option on as well, for pretty much the same reasons. It also helps when you want to turn the fleet.

My other complaint about combat with fleets is that sometimes a fleet will lose a turn of movement/fire when the leader is destroyed. I don't think it always happens, but it's usually devastating when it does happen.

------------------
L++ GdY $ Fr>Fr++ C++ SdS T-- Sf Tcp? A%% M- Mp! RTH!P Pw Fq-->Fq+ Nd>Nd+++++ Rp++ G+