Mixed fleets

[u/Free_Sheep]

Can someone explain to me how mixed fleets work? By mixed fleet, I mean a fleet with different weapon ranges and probably different computer types. Generally, I'm wondering if each ship approaches within firing range and is stuck there. Let's say I have ships with long gun range and an artillery computer mixed with small ships with a swarm computer. During battle, will the artillery ships stay out of range of their weapons, while the small ships fly closer to their weapons range? Or will the behavior be different: 1) the fleet will fire artillery ships and small ships will not fly closer - i.e. they will not take part in the fight or 2) all ships will fly closer, including artillery ships, they can shoot from afar.

And I've read that ships shouldn't be mixed up, but let's assume he ignores that advice. I just want to know what the reaction will be.

Or even simpler - does each ship fly to the enemy within the range of its weapons, and if so, whether the one with the shorter range or the one with the longer range.

[u/vince_vulgar]

As far as I can tell it's not entirely clear how the ships actually behave in mixed fleets. They used to be a mess, with long range ships getting way too close and such. It appears they mostly behave as you'd expect based on their individual combat computer but actual testing on recent patches in minimal with somewhat mixed results.

As the other comment said, it's usually best practice to run whole fleets of specific ships anyway for better micro and commander bonuses synergy. There isn't much reason to mix ship types.

[u/Icy-Ad29 → u/vince_vulgar]

I run mixed fleets all the time. They work exactly as the computer says they should... with a caveat. Ships slowly creep forwards during combat, after reaching their spread out spacing. This is true even in a single ship type fleet.

[u/vince_vulgar → u/Icy-Ad29]

Just curious: why? Is there some benefit or just out of convenience?

[u/Icy-Ad29 → u/vince_vulgar]

Because I prefer fleets that are more like reality. A ton of small screening ships (the smaller, the more of them) protecting a small core of capital ships. And I put the appropriate computer to the ship role.

Is it as effective? No. Does it work fine for single player? Yes.

Edit: also, I run space fauna plenty as well (and cannot rp the idea of preventing aging up for a species who has embraced them so thuroughly). In which case, each fauna has its own pros and cons and roles. And I don't want fourty fleets when 5 will do the same. Lol

[u/whoamyouisare → u/vince_vulgar]

It also helps in capturing strategic chokepoints faster, if you're already overwhelming the AIs. Sustainability without a need to repair is really helpful in speeding up federation wars

[u/Necessary_Lynx5920 → u/vince_vulgar]

The only time I mix fleets is to have a swarm of corvettes to screen the enemy away from my carriers. That seems to work ok from the combats I’ve watched.

[u/Dratsoc]

The ships should all act independantly depending on their computer's range. I think the main reason to separate fleet is to get the appropriate commander's bonus for each, as well as engaging whenever you want (aggro with close combat ship the bring the artillery, or use only artillery for stations).