Fire control question

[Saibot (OP)]

Do you need 1 fire control for each weapon, or just one beam and one missile fire control depending on what's on your ship?

[Erik L]

You need one fire control per type (beam/missile) per target you wish to engage. One fire control = 1 target.

[Saibot (OP)]

Ok, so I can fire all weapons at 1 target with 1 control, but if I want to divide fire I need another.  Also wondering, do range and tracking speed need to match exactly between weapon and control, or can I have the fire control higher than the weapon?

[Erik L]

It comes down to efficiency.

Tracking speed is either the lesser of the speed of the ship or the tracking speed of the fire control. The only exceptions are turreted weapons.

As for range, a FC that outranges your weapons has room for future weapon advances. But depending on the rate of those advances, it might be considered wasted space. ECM degrades the effective range of your FC also. So there is that the factor in. And are you getting into a chase battle or a closing battle? Chase you want longer ranges, closing it doesn't matter as much.

In effect, there is no simple answer to your question

[Saibot (OP)]

Haven't actually played battle yet, still automating the Sol system and building my expeditionary fleet.  Had about 5 or so failed games where I didn't set up mass drivers and auto mines quick enough, or didn't build enough ships and ground units which made all my officers retire after 6 years.