lol i presume you mean the flags for non fleeted players?
This is a quite complete differente proposal, he actually propose (i presume) that non fleeted players to participate to HA as mercenary, and not just have a fancy picture at the side of their name....

lol i think you might be recruitet to join the attacking/defending fleet. And you can also not think to that as a fleet.
Its a kind of soldier of furtune status more than a regulare fleet.
I will recc the idea because of the gigantic fleets who control harbors, nowaday is easier to join one of those gigafleet than try to make an new one to gain control of an Harbor.
Or just to attack an Harbor and have a real chance of winning the match.

IMO Fleet selection is tricky because of what you say RedNemo.
Maybe alliances could be an idea, some kinda fleet diplomacy ability, then smaller fleets could band together without having to merge.

I Like the Ronin idea also, my only concern is how difficult it is to create and maintain a fleet. Would the Ronin reduce players joining a fleet or staying to maintain and build the fleet since they could get the benefits of HA without the efforts needed for fleet cohesion and survival.

Maybe having to pay the 'Ronin' credits (depending on level of ship) as an idea to maintain some type of balance between mercenaries and fleets. Or a maximum amount of Ronin per Attacking or Defending fleet.

Just some ideas for the discussion ................

Thanks Original Poster for the interesting discussion.