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[Zibywan]

1) Formation: Keeps fighters inside your shield arc so they don't get wasted by barrage fire or flanking enemies, and still provide some support against attacking fighters and missiles.


2) Rearm and Repair: Like the old recall command, the fighters would land on the carrier and relaunch when the whole wing is fully repaired and restocked with missiles, mines, etc.

Interceptors often carry a small stock of missiles to put down other fighters, but once expended the only way to get them back seems to be letting them die. I like keeping my crew alive, and I like me replacement rate high. Letting my fighters dock to rearm would be a blessing.

Some fighters are surprisingly durable. Seeing my two Xyphos down to 10% hull and wishing I could just tell them to land and repair so I don't have to go into a fight knowing I'll lose them early on. Let me repair when when I'm out of a fight to breathe, like venting flux.

[Wyvern]

These would be excellent options to have available, yes.

[Thaago]

These both sounds excellent.

[Not a Pirate]

Agreed.

I'll give both these commands a +1

[Bulletkin]

This gets a yes from me. As a sidenote, would it be balanced to be able to give orders such as these to carriers from the command menu?

[Sundog]

In order to avoid complicating the ui, maybe it would be better to simply change the behavior of "regroup" to make fighters behave more defensively and allow them to rearm/repair.

[FooF]

In order to avoid complicating the ui, maybe it would be better to simply change the behavior of "regroup" to make fighters behave more defensively and allow them to rearm/repair.

That’s what I was thinking. Default regroup behavior would cause ships under a certain hull% threshold or without ammo to dock. Or perhaps add one new order “Defend” which is what we currently have for Rearm with the Nu-Rearm prioritizing staying close and docking.

[SafariJohn]

Formation is a cool idea! Sadly I do not think Alex will do anything with fighters. I have suggested similar stuff before to no avail.

I will just quote my previous suggestion:

I think carriers, particularly hybrid carriers, should have more control over their fighters. I propose fighters be commanded by two keys: Fighter Stance and Fighter Command.

Fighter Stance toggles fighters between two modes: Regroup and Roaming. Regroup is exactly as now. Roaming lets the fighters fly around attacking whatever they please.

Fighter Command changes functions depending on which mode the carrier's fighters are in.

 - When in Regroup, Command sets the fighters' mode to Repair. Repair mode causes damaged fighters to land for a moment to repair and rearm, just as bombers do after an attack run. Hitting Command again toggles back to Regroup.

 - When in Roaming, Command's function depends on what is currently targeted. If the target is an enemy ship, it sets the fighters' mode to Engage; the fighters attack that ship until given a different Command. By which I mean the carrier can target something else without distracting its fighters. If the target is a friendly ship, it sets the fighters' mode to Escort; the fighters protect that ship until given a different Command. If nothing is targeted, it sets the fighters back to Roaming mode.


This suggestion really only adds one fighter mode, but it makes all the existing modes explicit and more useful.

[gG_pilot]

Fighters need some attention,
1. rules for bonuses over bonuses which are modified by other bonuses by diminishing progress are far over an average mortal  could understand.
2. Battle control over fighters is qestionable

1) Formation:
2) Rearm and Repair:

I think carriers, particularly hybrid carriers, should have more control over their fighters.

agree that battle commands should come  into game. I  would  polish your idea, could I ?

1. Formation -- > make it rather  toggle  option Operation status - Close defence vs  Assault
Operation status Assault : (current  state of game)
Operation status Close  defence : make wing work  like  Mine drone - stay close to  carrier and defend it. Any fighter can do defend job. Even a bomber. On top, this toggle bring simplicity, you want added  defence  - fine install Talon  figher > toggle to Close defence enjoy.  You dont  need special Xyphos,Sarrisa, whatever to defend. Just give order to your man "Stay  close!" thats all. Difference is, when mine drone has short range radio  and is man-less, then it can do  Assault status in the very limited range.
2.Rearm&Repair --- > make i rather toggle option Tactic status - Harass tactic vs Focussed  tactic
Tactic status - Harass tactic : each wing could choose one target. (current  state of game)
your opponents are fighters, frigates or your task is simple make some mess across the battlefield
Tactic status -  Focussed  tactic : all wings attack together against one target. e.i. all wings will wait in Operation_status: Close_defence until 90% of total fighter force is reached, then attack one opponent.
your opponent has strong PD  defence so your wings cooperate to fly close together to be able overcome PD defence by numbers and deliver damage.

These two toggle controls can be applied to each wing separately or to all wings at once (button).
These  two toggle controls can be set at weapon fitting  screen, so it is starting status of the  ship.
Get  noticed, you can toggle on peculiar combination like Operation :Close defence & Focused tactic.  It might be interesting see  a  swarm  of angry bees spring at once at attacker   foolish enough to come close, then bees come home for refill.
AI dont need to change the fighter statuses. it will only use statuses set in the dock. Fiddle fighter status in the middle of  combat is  player only  feature. Note : Well, later on, perhaps in 5 years or so when AI chips will be standard part of Graphics card, then  Alex could add a fancy  AI to control that.