How Do I Make a Patrol Order Permanent?

[Tampa_Gamer]

Sorry, I think this was asked in a thread a couple of weeks but cannot seem to locate. I like to have a few escrots in each system on patrol. However, it seems like each time they refuel, I have to give them the order again. Is there some way to make them patrol automatically and refuel when needed without me having to touch them again?

Sidenote - I tried making a system fleet for each one, but it appears there is a cap on the number of fleets, is that correct? It seem after 20 or so the option to join [new fleet] via the r.click command was no longer present.

[Data]

you're correct about the cap on the no of fleets
as for your issue I don't know the thread but i do know there is a known issue with command stickiness (especially after refueling, the same applies to explorers when given a command to explore a sector) , not just in this case
not sure if there are workarounds aside from manual intervention but if it's not already working with just the basic command you gave them then it is not WAD

[James009]

If you plan ahead you can "Queue" them to patrol again after refueling... but that defeats the purpose and is only temporary. I wish things like patrolling would be remembered after refueling... the micromanagement is a bit tedious with larger fleets.

[Data]

i actually tried that James but did not succeed in giving these queued orders. Did you manage to make it work, even if temporary? Something like patrol X, queue refuel at the nearest source, queue patrol X? if we can manage the queue or at least queue more orders we could use this method but i found it unreliable so far

[BigWolfChris]

Personally I'd say this might be a bug as I'm pretty sure, at one time, such orders remained in place on non-auto fleets/ships until you said otherwise

[gmot]

I think it's reasonable that giving an individual ship a patrol order includes telling it to refuel as required. Queueing up the refuel and then patrol is an awkward workaround, even if the command stickiness wasn't an issue.

I'm essentially automating this ship to repeat a standing order until I change it - and that should include the ability for the ship to refuel itself as required. Same goes for an escort command.

[caerr]

I posted this issue to tech support, I hope this gets fixed.

[Data]

it will be awesome when it will get fixed as the automation of tasks is one of the strongpoints in this game

[Howard Mitchell]

ORIGINAL: Tampa_Gamer

Sorry, I think this was asked in a thread a couple of weeks but cannot seem to locate. I like to have a few escrots in each system on patrol. However, it seems like each time they refuel, I have to give them the order again. Is there some way to make them patrol automatically and refuel when needed without me having to touch them again?

Sidenote - I tried making a system fleet for each one, but it appears there is a cap on the number of fleets, is that correct? It seem after 20 or so the option to join [new fleet] via the r.click command was no longer present.

Patrolling - I agree with BigWolf, I am sure this was fixed but seems to have fallen away again in RotS.

Fleet Creation - Same here, looks like a bug. You've probably already figured it out but as a workaround you can go into the ships and bases screen (F11), assign a ships to a new fleet there, and then the new fleet will show up in the right click list even though the option to create one is not there.

[Kevin2202]

I came up with this, and this is the best solution so far.. (for me that is). Produce as much escort or frigate ships as you can, do not belong them in any fleet, just let them all loose, fully automated. They will not just patrol vulnerable areas, but escort and refuel. My empire has over 25 fleets scattered all across the empire (for each systems I have), I only need to worry about them, but not the mining stations outside of my empire, because I know they will be protected by my automated defenses.

[James009]

ORIGINAL: caerr

I posted this issue to tech support, I hope this gets fixed.

Good idea.

ORIGINAL: Kevin2202

I came up with this, and this is the best solution so far.. (for me that is). Produce as much escort or frigate ships as you can, do not belong them in any fleet, just let them all loose, fully automated. They will not just patrol vulnerable areas, but escort and refuel. My empire has over 25 fleets scattered all across the empire (for each systems I have), I only need to worry about them, but not the mining stations outside of my empire, because I know they will be protected by my automated defenses.

Escorts and frigates are the way to go, lol. I do enjoy how they do their jobs nicely.