Formations.txt (SEIV)
From SEWiki
The graphical outlines of the formations found at the beginning of Formations.txt are never referenced by SE4. They are only there as a mechanism to aid in designing the formation, and for viewing what it will look like outside of the game.
Arrowhead 0000000001111111111 1234567890123456789 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 L 10 1 2 11 3 4 12 5 6 13 7 F 8 14 9 G H A 15 B I J C 16 D K L E 17 18 19
This is the layout of the Arrowhead Formation. Remember, this picture is not at all necessary in the Formations.txt file.
Formation Properties
Name := Arrowhead Description := Formation with...
These are the Name of the formation and the Description shown when viewing the formation in-game.
Leader Position Xpos := 10 Leader Position Ypos := 9
These define the position of the Leader ship of the Formation. The grid used is a 19 x 19 square, with 1 in the top left corner for each axis. See the above graphic.
Leader Design Type := Any
This will have only have an effect if the leader of the fleet out of combat is set as a non-combat ship (which will break formation and run for the corners). The leader of the fleet will then be a ship of this particular design (or the 2nd ship in the fleet, in order of construction, if set to any).
Number of Positions := 21
This is the number of possible positions in the fleet. If there are more combat ships in the fleet than this number, the extras will be placed more or less randomly on the combat map, and not follow the fleet leader around. There can be up to 100 ships designated in the formation.
Position 1 Xpos := 9 Position 1 Ypos := 10
This is used to tell SE4 where to place the next (non-leader) ship in the fleet. The grid used is a 19 x 19 square, with 1 in the top left corner for each axis. See the above graphic.
Position 1 Type := Any
This can be used to tell SE4 to place a specific design type in this position. This could, for example, be used to have Missile Ships be placed in the rear of the fleet, and Beam Weapon Ships up in front.
