Hey all.

So I decided to try something different for the midgame crawl. I decided to role play the hell out of the game. I organized my navy after the model of the US navy, and split my fleet into organized battle groups.

I send My battle groups on deployments.

I keep 75% of my fleets at home. I patrol my rivals borders (god I wish there was an automatic patrol/sentry option)

I deploy battle groups to deal with pirates near allied systems.

I deploy battle groups and station them in the home systems of empires who's independence I've guaranteed.

Currently a neutral empire (whom I have a non aggression pact with) is facing an AI rebellion. I've sent a battlegroup with orders to follow their main fleet to help quash the uprising. Systems I've liberated and under my control are being given back to them.

This is an extremely fun role play and I've become a "galactic peace keeper" of sorts. And all my admirals have leveled up because of this. It's extremely satisfying! In the event of war, there is an added level of realism of "mobilize/deploy the fleet"

Does anyone else to something similar?