Bomber (M8 and M7M) AI

[Utsuho Reiuji]

I want to setup some bombers that guard my sectors from invading capital ships but an issue I have is that instead of firing their torpedoes from a distance, they engage the target in a dogfight (well, they do fire missiles but also go Top Gun against those Xenon Qs). How do I prevent them from doing this? I only want them to sit around at safe distance and fire missiles. That's the whole point of those ships after all.

[Thandrall]

I want to setup some bombers that guard my sectors from invading capital ships but an issue I have is that instead of firing their torpedoes from a distance, they engage the target in a dogfight (well, they do fire missiles but also go Top Gun against those Xenon Qs). How do I prevent them from doing this? I only want them to sit around at safe distance and fire missiles. That's the whole point of those ships after all.

I can't remember if it was X3, or X4, but the AI fire range of torpedoes and missiles are a lot shorter than the actual max range.

[Hwitvlf]

If we're talking about in-system combat, just don't give the bombers an attack order. Instead, park them in space and configure their turrets to 'attack enemies' etc. They should stay put but fire missiles when enemies get in range.

[Utsuho Reiuji]

If we're talking about in-system combat, just don't give the bombers an attack order. Instead, park them in space and configure their turrets to 'attack enemies' etc. They should stay put but fire missiles when enemies get in range.

Oh, this could do the trick, I will test this.

[Xe-131]

If we're talking about in-system combat, just don't give the bombers an attack order. Instead, park them in space and configure their turrets to 'attack enemies' etc. They should stay put but fire missiles when enemies get in range.

Oh, this could do the trick, I will test this.

This does seem to work to a degree - although only one bomber will target one ship, so you may need to do a small bit of micromanagement when it comes to capital class enemies. I'm playing around with this myself (13 bombers in a fleet makes a nice X formation), some with the turret to target capitals, some targeting fighters, others targeting all enemies.