Opinions on realism settings

[Thelonelychair]

What are you guy’s opinions on the various realism settings, Ie. Admiral mode, rear admiral mode, and captain mode. I’ve been playing on admiral mode an my main gripes have been detached ships behaving poorly/getting themselves sunk, as well as generally poor handling of divisions in combat. Though for the latter, I don’t hate that too much since the AI is under the same constraints and I don’t want to make the game play too easily.

[martinworsey]

I never use captain.
I prefer vice-admiral as I can change the orders of divisions. For example, a formation used to scout in a skirmish line can be set to core in line ahead once contact is made and the enemy engaged. Otherwise, I treat this as admiral.
This can be justified historically as for example flag communications or standing orders such as Grand Fleet Battle Orders in WW1.
Note that I generally play Steam and Iron or Expanded Battles.