Shells lofted by surface navies crash back to earth when their acceleration is
overwhelmed by gravity and air resistance. In space, a projectile has unlimited
range, it will keep moving until it hits something.

Practical gunnery range is determined by the velocity of the attacker's
ordinance and the maneuverability of the target. Beyond a certain range, a
small ship's ability to dodge trumps a larger attacker's projectile speed. The
largest-ranged combat occurs between dreadnoughts, whose projectiles have the
highest velocity but are the least maneuverable. The shortest-range combat
is between frigates, which have the slowest projectile velocities and highest
maneuverability.

Opposing dreadnoughts open with main gun artillery duel at EXTREME ranges of
tens of thousands of kilometers. The fleet close, maintaining evasive lateral
motion while keeping their bow guns facing the enemy. Fighters are launched
and attempt to close to disrupter torpedo range. Cautious admirals weaken the
enemy with ranged fire and fighter strikes before committing to close action.
Aggressive commanders advance so cruisers and frigates can engage.

At LONG range, the main guns of cruisers become useful. Friendly interceptors
engage enemy fighters until the attackers enter the range of ship-based
GARDIAN fire. Dreadnoughts fire from the rear, screened by smaller ships.
Commanders must decide whether to commit to a general melee or retreat into
FTL.

At MEDIUM range, ships can use broadside guns. Fleets intermingle, and it
becomes difficult to retreat in order. Ships with damaged kinetic barriers are
vulnerable to wolfpack frigate flotillas that speed through the battle scene.

Only fighters and frigates enter CLOSE 'knife fight' ranges of 10 or fewer
kilometers. Fighters loose their disrupter torpedoes, bringing down a ship's
kinetic barriers and allowing it to be swarmed by frigates. GARDIAN lasers
become viable weapons, swatting down fighters and boiling away warship armor.

Niether dreadnoughts nor cruisers can use their main guns at close range;
laying the bow on a moving target becomes impossible. Superheated thruster
exhaust becomes a hazard.