Really, produced swarm of paragons and unable to deploy more then two (if station is alone, if ever single enemy ship present, only one)
That is the case. However, when I crank up the deployment limit I can kick everything's arse from here to Never Never Land in under 1 minute. The balance is off, but, I am not sure swarms of ships make it better as tactics go out the window with easy wins from overpowered player fleets.
In all honesty, I think the current game mechanic is the limiting factor (
No offence Alex, I am only spitballin here). It leaves two outcomes that I see; slugfest, or swarms. There might be merit in looking at other alternatives to fleet composition and limits. Maybe a total amount of points that a fleet can have of based on pure combat ships, a max fleet of combat capable ships based on a skill. Ships such as the hauler/combat role ships could be classified as none combatant or militant ships, and should be restricted purely by the current game deployment limit. This would force you to utilize a few select combat ships and a great number of militant ships. I feel it would also limit a degree the cheesy fleets with 20*3 types of ships that are OP.
A mock load out, of sorts, for max combat deployment skilled player (20 combat points):
1 paragon (6 points)
2 Heron (4 points each)
2 Medusa (2 points each)
2 frigates (1 point each)
Rest of fleet filled out with militant and industrial ships to a total of current cap of 25:
4 Colossus MK.III
2 Mule
2 Shepherd
10 Buffalo Mk.II, because you are super masochistic (This would actually be a combat ship!!!! pick something else).
Keep in mind I think the current way of limiting fleet is still required in addition, higher limit though, maybe 600 or more. This allows you to field your select combat ships and your
trash compactors with thrusters, I mean militant ships, and be able to take that station/fleet with some planning.
We are going to lose ships with these limitations, I believe this should be expected and part of the game. I don't believe everything should be fight or flight, there should be some guess work and some planning. When you leave your base to take on a station/fleet you had better have planned right for that opponent type and gear the right stuff. Failure to plan or use tactics to your advantage should lead to extreme failure.
Just my two cents.