I'm not sure if I'm missing something here, so wanted to ask the vets.

When giving a non-TC'd sub-commander a general order (attack, probe, defend, hold, etc.), a waypoint icon pops up at his location. Is there some further use of this? Can I somehow move it in the direction he should be facing/heading to be more precise in those orders?

That means he will take that stance at that location. If his troops are already engaged, they will finish their fighting and then head back to this general location and execute that stance. The only way to move the icon is to click on a spot where you want the commander to be and then choose the stance. Usually he will avoid commiting suicide and not cross into enemy territory until it is safe ...but not always.

This procedure is actually easier with courier orders, as you can stack several orders at once, e.g. move to a location, assume a formation, give the unit a stance.

I'm slowly figuring that out.

After fiddling with it some, there seems to be a proper order I need to use else my general runs straight out there by himself.

So it's.. 1)Give generals move command 2) Order Formation (Use Roads optional afterward) 3) Order Stance. Hopefully not missing anything there.

One thing odd that happens is when I give a move order to a brigade that already has a waypoint and stance. No facing arrow shows up. Do I need to give a 'No Order' first, then send a new series before the arrows of the general and his formation show up again? As clicking the same stance, again, that he previously had doesn't seem to do it.

I'm guessing the AI controlled Brigades generally attack/probe to forward of their ordered stance location varied somewhat by enemies of course? I've had it expose regiment's flanks with individual facings along with attacking along a different axis. I'm trying to refrain from micro-managing everything and keeping my finger off the TC button as much as possible. Though it looks like it'll be awhile until I start learning the courier-only commands, I've played with it a little.

Everyone's been helpful in replying to my myriad questions, so thanks again. I'm still figuring out the intricacies of how to best utilize the AI within the order system, and it's relatively slow going for me.

NefariousKoel wrote:

The arrow doesn't show up because the unit hasn't completed its' current mission yet and will most likely ignore your new orders. With couriers, giving the 'No orders' command will cancel the orders the unit is currently operating under. Then you can continue with a new set of orders. The 'No Orders' button should do the same thing. I know it works when trying to move arty that is firing away. I assume it also works for infantry.

Great, I'll give that a shot.

It was only moving the waypoint (and my general) when I tried it as I previously mentioned. So that must be it.