Line moving by flank: The command we desperately need

[Wolves in the Throne Room]

The most common method for a regiment (in the game's case a brigade), that was for example facing and firing west from a rail line/fence line, to shift northward along that line and then return to facing and firing west was called moving by flank.

It is the most simple method and it was THE method used to shift a unit left or right during the war and it was the easiest thing to do for the individual soldier.

In this example a command would be given to right face and instantly the unit would be in a column formation facing north and then the unit would move until halted and then a left face order would be given and the unit would be facing west again and could continue to fire.

It was in fact very flexible because it could navigate any terrain, for the soldiers are just following the man in front of them.

In real life the move by flank order the regiment formed into two parallel columns but for gameplay needs this isn't necessary.

Currently, the units pivot on their center, swinging in a huge arc to face the new direction, march forward and then pivot on their center again to turn back to where they were originally facing.

Even as a parade ground move this is perhaps the hardest maneuver to master, it was simply never used in the field.

If you've played the game long you know the order to move left or right is a death sentence. Even on parapets and breastworks you have to fallback, go into attack column and then turn and move along the line, face back towards the breastworks and then return to line formation and move forward.

I would hope and think it would be easier to code the little unit boxes to right face, left face, about face etc than it was to code them to execute the pivot on center maneuver.

This one addition would be a massive increase to immersion and play-ability in one go.

I picture a command button that is for right, left and about face and can be given by the brigade commander and the brigade remains in place and all the soldier/company/whateveryoucallthem boxes simply change facing. and then new shape will form/attach to cover just like the line formation does.

It would be even cooler if the unit returned to its original facing once in place automatically without the need for the last facing command to be given.

[Mr.Dman]

+1

[Dreadful]

+1

[Jack John]

I would put this in the "topics to improve AI" thread in the Development Patch forum all the way at the top!

[Polygon]

Yes and amen

[Monkman]

+1

We definitely need a Guide-on trumpet call that moves the Guide-on colors (Flag) that the brigade follows to either flank of the formation. The guide-on flag shouldn't be in the center

The basic formation trumpet calls that we need are:
Guide Right
Guide Left
About Face
Right Face
Left face

The facing calls get us in and out of column formation instantly, no more weird and impossible pivoting from the center.

[JohnnyReb]

+1

[crono900]

+1

I would like the movement to be similar and as smooth as it is for 'Ultimate General: Civil War'. When you order a unit to fallback the currently look the other way briefly, which causes flanking from behind for just a moment, but it is long enough for the attacking units to cause a rout. The way, a unit is ordered to face should be the determined by clicking the move button and dragging. If the move distance is over, let say, 300 meters or so, then they should turn and face the direction they are moving.

Again (to simplify), if they are only moving a short distance then have them face the direction you assigned when giving the order, and for long distance movements, they move facing the destination then turn to face the direction ordered as they get close.

[Wolves in the Throne Room]

Originally posted by crono900:

+1

I would like the movement to be similar and as smooth as it is for 'Ultimate General: Civil War'. When you order a unit to fallback the currently look the other way briefly, which causes flanking from behind for just a moment, but it is long enough for the attacking units to cause a rout. The way, a unit is ordered to face should be the determined by clicking the move button and dragging. If the move distance is over, let say, 300 meters or so, then they should turn and face the direction they are moving.

Again (to simplify), if they are only moving a short distance then have them face the direction you assigned when giving the order, and for long distance movements, they move facing the destination then turn to face the direction ordered as they get close.

Yeah the movements in general need a lot of refining... just finished a battle wherein everything clunky and frustrating about the movement happened everywhere at once.

RE flanking: its really in need of a overhaul. Units being outflanked behind parapets when it's a curved section and part of the unit is facing directly at the enemy, yep, doesn't matter you're still 'outflanked'.

[Wolves in the Throne Room]

Originally posted by Monkman:

+1

We definitely need a Guide-on trumpet call that moves the Guide-on colors (Flag) that the brigade follows to either flank of the formation. The guide-on flag shouldn't be in the center

The basic formation trumpet calls that we need are:
Guide Right
Guide Left
About Face
Right Face
Left face

The facing calls get us in and out of column formation instantly, no more weird and impossible pivoting from the center.

Yes, great idea here

[feanorsta]

I agree, this would be a massive improvement.

[the Baron]

+1

[Fred Sanford]

+1

[RedLibrarian]

+1

[Psmal9]

+1

[Not a black panther not white]

+1
I mentioned this to the dev team. I am confident with how long this next update is taking that they are working on this along with the economy update.