[TC] Having Commanded AI Ships Use Front Turrets?

[HateDread]

Hey all,

Pretty obvious from the title, but now an example;

My Split Panther with 8x IBL in the front turret, vs 2 Xenon Qs. I order it to attack one of them, and it just flys towards them, as they fly towards it, and they all get jumbled up together, usually without having my Panther facing towards them. How do I make this occur? Otherwise the Panther can't beat them

(This is because I'll be flying a Spitfyre along with a fighter wing for support, at the same time).

Cheers.
- HateDread.

[jkjklkl]

You have to set individual turret commands from the ship's command console.

[HateDread]

I have - what should I set the front turret to? I had it to 'Attack my target', thinking that it'd attack the ship's target, I.e. the Xenon Q I tell it to attack.

None of the turret commands will change how the Panther physically moves/engages the enemies, though. How does everyone else coordinate/position their capitals correctly?

[pulzarokkit]

edit;
wtf did i see tiger, scratch my post

[HateDread]

Ah, but I did say the Panther? This is where all of my issues are occurring! (Although you did pick me up my error - I meant 6 x IBL, not .

[Master of the Blade]

If I want a capital to stay still while pointed at an enemy, I tell it to attack, thn immediately tell it to stop all commands. With a front turret on 'attack enemies' this means it will keep its most damaging weapons on the enemy for longer.

Unfortunately the AI is too incompetent to avoid capital furballs like the one you described in your first post, so there's not really any other way to prevent it. Even then, if it takes a hit it will automatically run attack scripts and does that anyway.

To be fair, though, do you expect your one AI controlled frigate to defeat two AI controlled frigates? Even with you in a Spitfyre the damage the Q can deal to capital enemies is huge, and the AI doesn't know how to dodge.

[Triaxx2]

Don't get me wrong, I like the Panther, but it's a bit of a fatty for AI engagements. Don't leave it unless it's got support. Rather than just relying on it's own guns, give it nice heavy fighter wings, like Falcon Haulers to engage and distract the enemy. Ten F. Haulers on protect ship can mean the difference between easy victory, and acquiring a new ship.

[HateDread]

[Jumee]

[Master of the Blade]

Eclipse is very expensive to use as a standard carrier ship. Like Triaxx2 suggested, Falcon Haulers are a popular choice for low cost, heavy shielding and good versatility, Nova Raiders also work fine. For anticapital work, deca.cefas from the Aldrin shipyards mount the devastating PM/AMLs, but are quite fragile and the weapons are ridiculously expensive, so they'd be a smaller, 'special ops' wing if you chose to use them.

[zazie]

[Jumee]

[Triaxx2]

Pikes are utterly AMAZING as carrier fighters. Fast, short, cheap. I've seen them swamp under Q's, and a Tiger.

[HateDread]

And would your suggestions mean that I'm going down the wrong path with Nova raiders with 8 x HEPTs, and a PAC for missiles? This is for supporting my Panther. And any good, yet cheapish interceptor ships?

[Master of the Blade]

Pikes are cheap and effective (I always forget about the M4 class, but the Pike is definitely worth it). Solanos are extremely cheap and effective to the point of being overpowered. The Nova Raiders you already have are fine, but a general rule for carrier ships is to have high shielding and low speed, for best survivability and minimal kamikaze runs.