strat combat strategy

[Pocus]

Hi there,

I have big troubles finding a valid fleet strategy which works half as good as I perform in tac combat.

For example it seems that if you want to have some fighters fire a bit before destroyed, you'd better tell them to fire at nearest enemy. Otherwise I have found that they move thru the enemy ships to an unknown target (perhaps the heavier ship) and get bLasted to piece by the PD weapons.

Also, do you use ships which haves only seeker weapons? My idea would be to have ships with capital missiles, without shields, and shielded ships with direct fire weapons to close the enemy. The problem is that my capital ships fire stupidly at the enemy (at longest range each time), then while they reload goes away. This lead to missile volleys which are scattered whereas I would like to fire a barrage all at once (so that PD dont kill them all).

Should I put a direct fire on them so they stay in range? how can i order them to fire at distance, but without moving away while they reload?

Any hints appreciated. I'm rather deceived by strat combat as of now. Each time I watch with horror how dumbly they perform.