Targeting and Priority

Targeting determines which enemy unit is selected when a ship or defense fires.

Each unit has a defined Target Priority value that influences how likely it is to be selected as a target.

Target priority plays a major role in fleet survivability and battle outcomes.

How Target Selection Works

During each attack cycle:

1. An attacking unit selects a valid target from the opposing side. 2. Target selection is influenced by that target’s priority value. 3. The attacker deals damage to the selected unit. 4. If Rapid Fire applies and the target is destroyed, another target is selected.

Target priority does NOT guarantee selection. It influences selection probability.

Understanding Target Priority Values

Lower numbers indicate frontline preference.

Typical values:

Priority 1 → Frontline combat units
Priority 2 → Midline / support combat units
Priority 3 → Logistics / utility units

Example from ships:

Fighter → Priority 1 Battleship → Priority 2 Cargo Ship → Priority 3

This means Fighters are more likely to be targeted before Cargo Ships.

Example 1 – Mixed Fleet Engagement

Fleet A: 20 Fighters (Priority 1) 10 Battleships (Priority 2) 30 Cargo Ships (Priority 3)

Fleet B attacks.

Most early damage will hit Fighters first.

Only after frontline losses increase will Battleships and Cargo Ships begin taking consistent damage.

This is why frontline composition matters.

Example 2 – Shield Support Strategy

Fleet: 10 Heavy Cruisers (Priority 1) 5 Frigates (Priority 2) 2 Support Vessels (Priority 3)

Since Support Vessels have higher priority values (3), they are less likely to be hit early.

This allows them to provide sustain mechanics during early combat rounds.

Interaction With Rapid Fire

Targeting determines who is selected. Rapid Fire determines how many consecutive attacks can occur.

Example:

Destroyer has Rapid Fire against Frigates.

If Frigates are Priority 2, but Fighters (Priority 1) are present,

Destroyers will more often hit Fighters first, unless no Fighters remain.

Thus, target layering can reduce Rapid Fire impact.

Defensive Targeting

Planetary defenses also follow priority logic.

Turrets often eliminate:

Frontline attackers first
Swarm units before capital ships (if Rapid Fire applies)

This is why sending only Light Interceptors into Flak Cannons is inefficient.

Strategic Implications

1. Frontline units protect logistics. 2. Mixed fleets reduce catastrophic collapse. 3. High-value units should not be lowest priority. 4. Support ships survive longer in layered compositions. 5. Defense grids should counter expected attacker roles.

Target priority is one of the key tools for fleet design.

Common Mistakes

Sending only one unit type (exposes Rapid Fire and priority focus).
Protecting cargo without frontline buffer.
Underestimating defense layering.