Creating Groups in tactical combat

[Growltigga]

Apologies, another newby question.

How do you set up Groups of ships for tactical combat? I have worked out how to clear all assignments for all Groups (tricky one that) from the menu, but I would like to be able to assign a fleet at the start of tactical combat into various smaller sub-Groups, each with different formations etc.

I have also hit this problem when trying to invade a planet. I have 3 troop transports loaded to the gills with my finest troops but because I have disabled all group assignments, when I move then to the planet, each troopship drops its complement individually and naturally, gets whomped by the defenders.

Help?

[dogscoff]

quote:

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I have 3 troop transports loaded to the gills with my finest troops but because I have disabled all group assignments, when I move then to the planet, each troopship drops its complement individually and naturally, gets whomped by the defenders.

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If this is the problem I think it is, then your problem is nothing to do with group assignments.

You can only drop troops one ship at a time, regardless of group /fleet assignments. Once a shipload of troops has been dropped, 10 rounds of ground combat (less if one side is destroyed before that) must take place before another shipload can be dropped.

Unfortunately if your first wave doesn't survive the 10 rounds, then the militia defence for the planet is fully replenished for your next deployment of troops! Therefore, if your first wave didn't take the planet, an identical second wave doesn't stand a chance. This can make homeworlds seem to be impossible to capture without planetary bombardment.

However, there is a trick: Make your first few waves of troops *extremely* heavily armoured and/ or shielded, even if it means dropping them without weapons. (That said, I think troop shields might still be buggy. Can anyone confirm?)
The first waves won't do much damage but they will soak up firepower and keep the combat open long enough for you to drop subsequent (more heavily armed) waves.

Can't help with your other problem. Anyone else?

[ 19 December 2001: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

[Growltigga]

Cheers for that Dogscoff, I think this is something that MM should pick up. It does not make sense for each of your transports to drop separately, also a good rationale for building the biggest damn troopship you can - good point on the first wave, will try that and see where I get to

Anyone else able to help on how to set up Groups in the tactical combat section?

[capnq]

I'm not 100% certain of this, but what I think you want to do is:

1) Click on the ship that you want to lead the group.

2) Orders/Set Group Leader. It will prompt for a group number.

3) Click on each ship you want to follow that leader, Orders/Set Group Member, give it the same group number.

4) Repeat for each group.

I'm not sure about formations; I suspect that each group will use the same formation that the fleet used.

[Krakenup]

quote:

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Originally posted by capnq:
I'm not sure about formations; I suspect that each group will use the same formation that the fleet used.

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When you assign the new leader, you are given a formation choice. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to work well. The new formation (always wall for me) is usually so spread out that it appears that the group members are trying to escape from the leader.

[PsychoTechFreak]

quote:

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Originally posted by capnq:
I'm not sure about formations; I suspect that each group will use the same formation that the fleet used.

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Yes, the formation is set to the fleet formation before the combat starts, it cannot be changed in combat screen. [I seem to be wrong with it, but I cannot remember the possibility to choose another formation if I set a new Leader]

Isn't it a bit disturbing how much mouseclicks you need to change the Groups ? This could be solved much more convenient with drag and drop functions, by sliding a box over a group of ships.

[ 20 December 2001: Message edited by: PsychoTechFreak ]