I've been quite busy. Things are rough at work, and it's the GF's birthday coming up so I've been occupied.
I know I said I wasn't likely to come around, but then Sigoroth made a decent argument for making it harder to stick in coherency (damn him!
, so I don't object to these Ld rules, even though i'd still prefer the previous.
However, if we're going to create stragglers much easier, it means we MUST define the squadron in such a way that the stragglers don't gimp the entire squadron. This means a squadron command ship. Also, given that large formations become increasingly unwieldy with this method, is there really a necessity for a 4 ship restriction on Cap Ship size?
Ok, so based on what's been discussed, I'd formulate the rules something like this:
Squadron Command Checks:
A single command check is rolled for every ship in the squadron, and every ship whose leadership equals or beats that roll has passed the special order. This is called a Squadron Command Check. If a re-roll is used, this only affects ships which did not pass the first time, so that ships which have passed remain on special orders even if the re-rolled value is lower. As long as at least one ship in the squadron passes, the squadron is considered to have passed for the purposes of issuing orders to other ships or squadrons.
Individual ships within a squadron may Brace For Impact using their own leadership, but otherwise may not check to go on Special Orders. Braced ships are unaffected by special orders attempted by the squadron.
Squadron Command Ship:
This ship is determined first by which has the highest level character on board (if any), then by the ship with the most hitpoints, and finally by the ship with the highest leadership (including any modifier for Improved Auspex Arrays, as these ships make ideal command vessels).
If the Command Ship is destroyed or suffers a Bridge Smashed critical, the next most eligible ship becomes the Command Ship.
Squadron Formation:
A ship must be able to link itself back to the command ship either directly or through other ships in the squadron without any individual link between ships being more than 15cm. A ship which cannot link itself back to the Command Ship in this manner is out of formation.
Ships which are out of formation at the end of the movement phase lose the benefit of Lock On orders. In addition, whilst out of formation they may not combine fire with other members of the squadron, are unaffected by squadron command checks, and automatically fail any leadership tests they are called upon to make. Ships which are out of formation MUST attempt to move back into formation at the earliest opportunity.
Targeting Capital Ship Squadrons:
Capital ships within a squadron may be targeted in the same manner as individual ships. As usual, a leadership test must be passed in order to target any ship which is not the closest. Unlike escort squadrons, hits do not carry over onto other capital ships.
Commanders:
Fleet Admirals confer their leadership to the ship they are on even if it would normally be higher. Their re-rolls may be used for any command check taken by any vessel or squadron within the fleet.
Veteran Captains allow their ship or squadron to attempt a command check even if a command check has been failed previously. Their re-rolls may only be used for command checks affecting the vessel they are on, or for Squadron Command Checks if they are part of a squadron.