~ -X-12- MISSION 12 ~

As soon as the mission starts, build Ion and Gun Platforms (plats) to their maximum capacity, about half of each.

While the plats are building, move your 2 BCs and DN just ahead of the resources on the left and stop them. Ensure all units are set to [F2]. Bring your 5 Destroyers (D's) in right behind them, with your frigate wall positioned behind the D's.

Move your fighters and vettes up behind or beside the frigates, ready for micromanagement.

Position your minelayers just outside your BCs' firing range and begin deploying mines. Immediately recall them by telling them to dock as soon as any enemy appears. It is crucial to create INDIVIDUAL minefields, as having 5 minelayers create one minefield is inefficient and wastes space. Overlap these minefields for maximum effect.

Send half of your collectors to mine for Resources Units (RU's) in the nearby patch and move any mobile refineries (MOBREF) to that location. Assign the other half of collectors to be near the D's.

Bring any carriers (CARRIERS) up to just behind the frigates to affect the FleetCam Target (FCT) on the frigates.

Once the plats are complete, keep at least 2-3 building ships constructing new ones. Change two other building ships to construct collectors and assign them to 'drag select repair' your D's and BCs. To do this, select the collectors, press the [Y] key, and drag a box over the BCs and D's. This will ensure they are immediately repaired upon sustaining damage. Once you have the maximum number of collectors, begin building more fighters and bombers.

Wait a short time for larger enemy ships like Destroyers to arrive. Move your entire platform group to a position halfway between your mines and your BCs and DN. Send in your Pulsars to engage enemy fighters and Bombers to target enemy D's. The mines should eliminate most enemy D's and frigates.

When enemy BCs arrive, direct your bombers to attack their heavy missile batteries, which can quickly turn the tide of battle. If Pulsars finish off most enemy fighters, have them attack the D's, but be cautious if more enemy fighters appear. The primary role of your fighter screen is to eliminate enemy fighters, vettes, and bombers.

As enemy BCs arrive, decide which type you want to capture: those with 'hyperspace inhibitor-FCT' combos, 'cloak generator-hyperspace inhibitor' combos, or 'FCT-cloak generator' combos, as these are superior to a standard BC and more valuable than any captured BCs from previous missions. If you encounter one of these specialized BCs, consider retiring your own BCs or scuttling them if you cannot wait to capture the new, better ones.

If your fighter screen is taking heavy losses, pull them back behind the frigates. Dock fighters and vettes with carriers or BCs to rebuild. Manually fire the plats on the capital ships as they approach; you will lose these plats, but they will significantly soften up the capital ships. If you lose one or all of your minelayers, consider replacing them, as they inflict substantial damage and can be crucial in a prolonged battle.

As the last of the plats are destroyed, prepare your main force of BCs and DN. Move your DFF up behind them, ready to activate its shield on either BC to help it survive. Do not move any other units forward yet, as unnecessary losses must be avoided. Frigates and strike craft, especially marine frigates, have a tendency to move into the line of fire and become obstacles.

Just as the first enemy BC fires its missiles, pause the game and identify its target. Direct the DFF to protect the targeted unit but keep it out of the main firefight. Ensure your DN has a good firing position. Concentrate all your fire on one enemy capital ship at a time until it is destroyed, then move to the next. Concentration of fire is key to this mission.

Continuously monitor unit health and ensure at least one repair unit is active, as this is critical. You should have destroyed the first few enemy capital ships with ease. Do not advance; wait for the next wave to enter your home field. As the next wave arrives, wait for them to begin firing before you engage. You want them to enter the range of your plats and mines.

Optionally, you can move your fighters and bombers forward.