Recognized by Council Additional fleet commands

[Brokengauge]

Dr. Whammy these are concise and versatile. I really wouldn't feel lacking in options with these, except for maybe an option to split a fleet into different squadrons lol

 

[Zekester81]

The one command I really really want is: (Wing-commander---you rock Madman)

Follow (current ship) while maintaining formation. Fleet will maintain station-keeping relative to the leader and choose targets based on it's current 'selected target'. Bonus points for letting me choose the precise location of the formations.

It this proves too OP: limit the command to non-combat ships.

I came here to mention an "Escort" mode. Pretty much what you just said there. It's the only thing I can think of to add to the original post and keep it quick and simple.

Spoiler

PS, I love Wing Commander

 

[Madman198237]

No, you need a specific designation for an escort/screening fleet. If attacked, the screen will attack, the defended ship(s) will run.

 

[Dr. Whammy]

I thought I covered escorts in this one.

Defend selected target
- The fleet will follow your currently selected target at a range of 0.2 sectors (or server config). Ships will break off and attack all enemies that enter their weapons range, then abort the attack and return to following the defended unit when its distance exceeds 1.0 sector (or server config) or all nearby enemies are destroyed. The fleet will continue to defend the wreckage if your defended target is disabled or destroyed; making salvage/rescue operations possible.

One way to incorporate escort functions would be to have a single defense target (in or out of a fleet) and assign a separate fleet to escort it.

Another way is to have a toggle button for a single fleet to allow ships to escort their flagship. Example; make a fleet consisting of a transport and a destroyer and some fighters. Make the transport the flagship and toggle "escort flagship" so the others will follow and defend (no mining or trading) it while it goes on its mission.

Most of these ideas will require Schine to get persistent fleet commands working.