Tips for Fleet Composition

[R3d_Rain+]

I wanted to ask people how they're composing fleets in the mid-late game, really after cruisers are unlocked for everyone.

I know about torpedo bonus damage to large ships, and I understand most of the stats (tracking evasion etc) associated with weapons. High tracking weapons, often small weapons, will counter crovettes and destroyers, destroyers are the best for countering torpedoes which will help protect your cruisers and bships from torpedoes etc.

However, I'm finding that I'm taking a lot more damage in fights than before in battles and I think it's because of frigates and torpedo ships being strong against cruisers+.

What fleet compositions are people running in the new combat rework?

[Gustuv Wynd]

On the latest version I run full fleets of Cruisers with torpedoes, swarmer missiles in medium slots...normal missiles in small slots, computer set to artillery mode. It tested more effective than a battleship artillery fleet and mixed fleet setups.

[Big mean bunny]

Mid to late I am not building many corvets frigates or destroyers. You can run with just cruiser battleship and maybe fill with a bit if destroyer picket if the enemy has gone crazy for missile /torp.
Two builds i have found work are full shield piercing with either direct fire energy or missile/fighter (with PDS backup) Or shield stripping fast autocannon and plasma/laser.
The auto cannon synergies better with PDS . The battleships are better loaded with kinetic artillery and large laser to get some long range anti kiting firepower. Plasma works for medium slots but if you go large the artillery battleships can be mauled by swarming tactics .
if you like a standard torp cruiser will also fit into the build. If you like to run with missiles they are feasible now against AI and you might want to run an anti PDS Behemoth and enemy weapon speed malus titan if you do. repeat tech on missile attack speed is better than damage if you are going that build.

[KoV]

Early using small fleets 4 times 10 ~16 T1 just plop on a gun laser rocket
Add 2~8 T2 midrange spread out weapons

THEN
Add 2 different T3
1 with hangar picket (VS rocket/hangar)
1 with only missiles swarmer missiles
The 2 T3 can then defend vs enemy T1/2 ships because you can take out opposing missiles and hangar ships while spamming your own missiles

once you get further use those 4 fleets to support your 5th 6th fleets etc
OR
patrol your trade routes where needed
OR
just crash them and just use T3/4 with the right offense/defenses

Also smaller near equal fleets will still win from bigger ones with ease 4 1k fleets VS 1 5k fleet is doable and even bigger so keeping your smaller starter fleets around to send with your bigger fleets can have quite the big positive effects

As for T4 I personally prefer spinal mount for long range

Lategame I just have the starter fleets
Four times | 16 T1 | 8 T2 | 2 T3 | 2 T3 | 2 T4
Then making the same fleet 5th 6th but adding more T3/4 and titans as main fleets because more fleets are more usefull instead of just one doomstack

Either way different people have different preferences hope advice helps