Fighter assistance

[Brutoni]

So really liking the ability for the PA to focus on the fleet and on fighters. Coupled with some noice later Capital ships in terms of versatility I am enjoying them and the concept. HOWEVER.

I really seem to be getting minimal returns from my fighters. Clearly I need some advice .

Currently my distribution is an early rush to Tie Interceptors and Skipray Blastboats (given the number of fighters available to all PA ships as well as large hanger reserves this seems reasonable?).

Current fleet distribution is 66% Tie Interceptors to 33% Skipray's

In combat I rapidly have my fleet target and knock off the enemy AA frigates, they simple do such a HUGE amount of damage that it seems pointless to field fighters without negating them first. Perhaps that is just my perception however? My bombers will have remained in my hangers. Interceptors will have been micro'd away from enemy AA frigates but picked on enemy squadrons as much as possible. Then they will assist where possible.

Afterward AA frigates are down I launch my skiprays.

It is here I seem to struggle. I now have fighter superiority and clear skies from AA frigates. However the effect my bomber squadrons are having is fairly minimal.

What am I doing wrong guys? Or are fighters in the mod just not worth it to this level. Seems likely it is me and not the mod as you guys are fairly consistent with Star Wars lore and obviously fighters were a serious serious threat to the capital ships in Star Wars when utilised correctly.

[tlmiller]

Reverse your fleet distribution.  Because of how plentiful they are, they're NOWHERE near as powerful in the game as in canon (as in, less than 1/2 as powerful as the B-wing).  You'll need decent numbers to win with them.  Interceptors will do basically NOTHING against any shielded vessel, they are only useful for the initial superiority.  If you have ANY AA corvettes in your fleet, you don't need anywhere near as many Interceptors as you have.

[Brutoni]

Reverse your fleet distribution.  Because of how plentiful they are, they're NOWHERE near as powerful in the game as in canon (as in, less than 1/2 as powerful as the B-wing).  You'll need decent numbers to win with them.  Interceptors will do basically NOTHING against any shielded vessel, they are only useful for the initial superiority.  If you have ANY AA corvettes in your fleet, you don't need anywhere near as many Interceptors as you have.

Roger. Seems like AA Corvettes are far more potent at establishing superiority for the bombers than Interceptors anyway. So I will try a 66% bomber - 33% interceptor ratio .

For NR play how do you split your fighter mix up early, mid and late game between the different types out of curiosity?

[tlmiller]

Bombers, all bombers.

[Brutoni]

Bombers, all bombers.

As in Y-wings to start and then B-Wings!!

Hell that is a lot of bombers. Doesn't it make them a bit vulnerable to enemy fighters or do you rely on AA corvettes for that?

[tlmiller]

It does, but with the few numerical fighters they get, you go full bombers.  Only ship I don't put full bombers in is the Assault Frigate, since it gets X-Wing or A-Wing, I do put A-Wings in them.

[TheHubby]

I'm keen to know how you manage to make fighters useful, because I certainly can't. The problem I see with fighters in this mod is a simple one: They are 100%, utterly useless. Just to test, I started a new game, built 5 Quasars full of Y-Wings, took them and 4 Neb-B and 2 Assault Frigates to an unclaimed planet with 2 Lancers and 3-4 Carracks. Had the Quasars keep the bombers in the hangar until the Lancers were engaged out of the way, then let the nearest Carrack have it. It of course, being very little indeed as I watched it's shields regen to full between each bomber pass. Honestly, I hate the fighter supply mechanic to begin with, and when you add on that the limited numbers of fighters you get are 1. Made from some form of tissue paper that tends to leave you with 0/whatever supply after about 10 seconds of battle, and 2. They don't really seem to do anything when they aren't vanishing into the ether, it just seems that you could skip the fighters entirely and just make a few cool whooshing noises as you pretend that you have effective fighters.

[Brutoni]

Ive been trying to target ships with shields down. They seem more effective at that point.

That said I share your concerns TheHubby. I admit I could be using them wrong but they just don't seem worth it over a mix of Combat cruisers and AA corvettes backed up by Support ships.