How to Get troops to use Trenches

[Lynx]

Hi there,

One problem I've had for ages is that once troops either leave their own trenches I can never make them go back into the trench. I obviously am using the Take Defence movement order and place that order right on top of the trench but always find the infantry just set up on top of the trench but never actually in the individual fox holes or trenches.

Is there anyway to actually get infantry to get back into their own, or others trenches?

Cheers!

[Dane]

Try using the ambush order or look at the icon above the unit to the left top that has a tree on it select that for all units in a trench square. I think the ambush order is b-key by default.

whether they stay in trenches during combat I think depends on morale level and command radius.

[Lynx]

Originally posted by rogersdane99:

Try using the ambush order or look at the icon above the unit to the left top that has a tree on it select that for all units in a trench square. I think the ambush order is b-key by default.

whether they stay in trenches during combat I think depends on morale level and command radius.

My problem isnt with them starting in the trenches which they always thankfully do, its just about when the battle is already in progress and they leave the trenches for whatever reason - Route, movement order etc. and then I want to put them back into the trenches.

[Dane]

You can try testing different movement orders in the battle editor and see what works or wait for someone with more experience with this problem to chime in. I generally don't run across this issue in my battles unless they start having low morale issues or arty is pounding the trenches and they retreat.

[Bjorn Ginger]

Some wrote somewhere that you need to use the "act with caution" to make the troops go into the trenches, just the way it is to make troops go into the buildings.

[Lynx]

Originally posted by Bjorn Ginger:

Some wrote somewhere that you need to use the "act with caution" to make the troops go into the trenches, just the way it is to make troops go into the buildings.

Cheers, I will give this a try and see if that sorts it.

[Battleshipfree99]

Disable "AI maneuver control" (AIMC). This is why regular infantry squads keep moving out of their trenches.

Originally posted by Lynx:

One problem I've had for ages is that once troops either leave their own trenches I can never make them go back into the trench. I obviously am using the Take Defence movement order and place that order right on top of the trench but always find the infantry just set up on top of the trench but never actually in the individual fox holes or trenches.

Troops would move into foxholes/trenches normally if they don't see any enemy. But when they spot something, "take defense" won't make them move into hideouts precisely.
No solution at the moment. Try to deploy them in hideouts before getting contact with any enemy, and disable AIMC so they won't leave during the battle.

[Lynx]

Originally posted by Battleshipfree99:

Disable "AI maneuver control" (AIMC). This is why regular infantry squads keep moving out of their trenches.

Originally posted by Lynx:

One problem I've had for ages is that once troops either leave their own trenches I can never make them go back into the trench. I obviously am using the Take Defence movement order and place that order right on top of the trench but always find the infantry just set up on top of the trench but never actually in the individual fox holes or trenches.

Troops would move into foxholes/trenches normally if they don't see any enemy. But when they spot something, "take defense" won't make them move into hideouts precisely.
No solution at the moment. Try to deploy them in hideouts before getting contact with any enemy, and disable AIMC so they won't leave during the battle.

Yeah this seems to be it really. I've tried it and when no enemy are around they get in just fine, however, once they've been engaged they simply wont get back into the trench until they are no longer under threat.

A shame this is the case but atleast I now know for next time.

[Radegast]

Like battleship wrote. Onece AI meuver ON, they try to find their supoerior commander for orders. If theydont have act in caution, they will try to spot enemy and safely fire them. Act with caution means, that they could even let themself suprised by enemy. By the time, they will act individually.

Its just how it is... Its just a game. I experienced this weekend on the raging bridgehead, that even after successfully destrying german pazers, my infantry occasionally start setting up out of safe cover and rushing against scattered MGs...

I would appreciate less suecide individual behavior.

[Bulletpoint]

I only have this problem very rarely. Sometimes they will refuse to enter one particular trench for some reason. But mostly they do, if you use the Take Defence order. AI Maneuver Control and Act with Caution doesn't directly afffect this.

If the target trenches have been damaged by artillery, they can stop working as trenches even if they still look like they should.

[Lynx]

Originally posted by Bulletpoint:

I only have this problem very rarely. Sometimes they will refuse to enter one particular trench for some reason. But mostly they do, if you use the Take Defence order. AI Maneuver Control and Act with Caution doesn't directly afffect this.

If the target trenches have been damaged by artillery, they can stop working as trenches even if they still look like they should.

My recent experience the trench had taken KV-1 Shots so maybe it had damaged it enough to upset the AI