Navigation Console
The navigation console is a powerful station which controls the direction and throttle of the Battle cruiser on top of several fulfilling several other minor roles. Not only does the station control the ship's velocity, but it also acts as an early game tool for detection through the use of radar ping. Upgrades will also allow the console to gain access to a multitude of abilities, including Engine Boost, Broadside Lasers, Tractor Beam, Inertial Nullifier Field, and the renowned Yamato Cannon. Navigation is very difficult and requires a lot of knowledge to execute effectively, it is common to let one of your more experienced players handle it.
During the early game phase, the navigation console will primarily be used for Radar Pings in order to detect the positions of various small ships, such as Miners or a potentially deadly Wraith. Normally a battle cruiser will not need to move during the early phases unless the team decides to Chomp, is rushing the opposing team, or is responding to an incoming rush.
Navigation requires a large degree of communication in the midst of a fight because of the amount of utility that revolves around the facing angle of the battle cruiser. Not only does pointing your battle cruiser in a particular direction dictate fight or flight, but it also aims your Broadside Lasers, Yamato Cannon, Missiles, and even the direction in which small ships will launch. Often times the captain will lead from navigation as the direction of the fight will often lie in the hands of the helm.
Engine Boost is best used to either chase the enemy battle cruiser, or to retreat from it. Engine Boost should never be used for any other reason in combat except those. Each use costs 3000 energy, therefore if you're not doing something useful with the boost, you should not have used it in the first place. Some experienced Navigation operators will occasionally use a boost with well trained navigation controlling to avoid incoming fire from broadsides, missiles, and Yamato blasts without losing their own line of fire on the enemy.
Broadside Lasers are aimed from the port(left) and starboard(right) sides of your Battlecruiser and are a very strong means of DPS in a combat situation. Like any offensive laser, you should not shoot it unless it will land (BE ENERGY EFFICIENT) Note however that you can fire both A and D broadsides at the same time if you are surrounded by a bc and his allied destroyer, Open fire on both kill the destroyer as fast as you can (Or retreat with a boost)
Missile attacks are a coordinated effort between weapons and navigation. While you're aiming and firing your Yamato cannon your weapons officer should be readying to fire his missiles. It's the weapons officer's job to shoot all 6 missiles quickly*, it's your job to count each missile fired and turn as soon as your missiles and Yamato have fired. Immediately when in range open fire with broadsides (Keep an eye on your energy and your weapons cap, if either become extremely low it's your call to engine boost and retreat (Tell power to give you more power to engines to retreat if he has not already)) If your missiles and Yamato are reloaded, repeat this same process while keeping an eye on the flow of battle. If the fight is not in your favor consider retreat!
- (Depending on loaded missiles, not necessarily all 6 should be fired, some missiles are much better on hulls than shields, and some are much better on shields than the enemy's hull.)