I spent a few hours tonight playing through a number of battles. I had the game speed set very slowly. I lost over and over when it was even (i.e., all squadrons were identical, composed of one of each type of the 10 current ships). When I randomized and put more attention into playing I won with just two support ships left.
I will note that I was primarily testing mechanics, keys, and pressing everything possible, rather than making a serious attempt at strategy. I probably entered about 40 items into Mantis.
Some questions and thoughts:
What is Fire At Will vs Wild Hunter mode?
Is there an Attack Move command?
How about an "Attack any of these ships" command, like a rubber-band select attack targets and then the attackers will attack whichever are closest or whatever?
I love the Pirate Sniper. It's perhaps my favorite ship since the original AI War Parasite (back before limits on what it could parasite - and how many - were implemented!).
In the attached screen shot, why does this lonesome enemy have a pulsing red outline?
More testing tomorrow night.
Cheers!