I also didn't, and still don't, understand the effect of mothballing, and why my resource indicators go totally wonky when I have ships that are mothballed. More specifically, what does it do? I feel there are complex mechanics here that are lacking explanation.
@Aven Actually it's far more simple than you're making it out to be. From experimentation and experience, this is the basic list of does/does-not:
Mothballing a ship stops it from:
- Participating in combat
- Providing storage space to your fleet for cargo, crew, or fuel
- Requiring crew to operate
- Consuming supplies
Mothballing a ship does not prevent it from:
- Consuming fuel
That's really it. A mothballed ship still uses fuel in hyperspace, but everything else it would use or contribute from/to your fleet's stockpiles is nullified. The "resource indicators go totally wonky" thing is due to the sudden drop in fuel/crew/cargo capacity when you mothball a ship, sometimes leaving you over capacity.
You can see a very quick example here:
Spoiler
NB: The reason my supply consumption goes up when I mothball the ship is because I'm suddenly waaaaaay over capacity in terms of crew.
NBB: Ignore the ship I'm mothballing there - it's a WIP from my mod. ;)
(https://i.imgur.com/PNBCDKA.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/chLJJ8e.png)
Hope that helps clear up at least that part of your confusion. :P