Proposal: Retire TC

[RebBugler]

So, you go to your toolbar to move your troops, instead of the present TC option, you select 'No Orders'(could also be named something like 'Player Controlled', or keep the name 'Take Control', just changing it's behavior). After you select this you click your destination and select formation. Your units move to their destination unabated, unless engaged, upon which they would halt and engage, the immediate unit commander being free then to move around and support his troops, but without further orders. Engaged units' 'destination orders' would then be canceled, the price you pay for giving 'Player Controlled' orders because strategic orders would 'Stay the Course'...their advantage.

TC to force units to move while ignoring engagement is no longer necessary. The new command 'attackmarch, Aattackmarch' fulfills this necessity even better...no TC to turn off to initiate engagement. With attackmarch, unit will move to destination unless within melee range, upon which a melee will result. Otherwise, unit moves to destination while ignoring enemy fire, then upon arrival to destination is free to wheel an fight, or capture a gun if threatened (a common use for attackmarch).

I have played these TC games for years now and I feel SOW is primed to grow and evolve beyond the necessities of TC. TC is in essence player control, but for me, it's a lot of micro managing, especially with scenario design...many TC on and TC off lines to script to just get units from point a to point b, and then letting the AI do what it does best, manage the troops on the battlefield.

I know there's a lot of die hards here, and cherish their ole TC. But don't you all think we can make this game better, and retire ole TC?

One other thing, TC is already useless in the new 'advanced difficulty' courier mode of play.

[BOSTON]

What are you NUTS! TC forever/forever TC!

[Marching Thru Georgia]

You're going to catch a lot of flak for this :ohmy:

Personally, I try to minimize the use of TC, although I don't think most of the official scenarios can be won without the liberal use of it.

Can the new 'attackmarch' command be used to charge batteries? How would we make sure the regiment double times it the entire distance? For any other command, the player can order a unit to double time, but the unit decides on its own weather to keep the pace for any length of time.

[Tacloban]

I think attackmarch would do a lot towards retiring ol' TC. That is one major use of it. Other (non-gamey) uses, as I think of them are:

1. Keeping a brigade or division in position when there are enemy troops (or fighting) nearby (maybe a "defendhold" command?),

2. Keeping the ammo wagon from scouting down the road ahead (maybe a "staywithbattery" command?),

3. Keeping a battery from moving out in front of the brigade line (maybe a "dontgetshot' command?), and

4. Allowing me to take over a brigade or division for a while (micro-managing can be fun), then go back to overall command (maybe a "lemmedoit" command?).

P.s. Is there a corresponding "forcemarch" command? For example, I want to move a regiment out to my flank or to a wall, though it will take fire while getting there, but it's not attacking a target.

[GShock]

I have expressed several times my wish to see the courier level brought down to RGT level and hence the removal of TC can be replaced by couriering your specific orders.

Since this obviously implies couriering which means time delay and risk that the order is not received, the battle itself would mostly be managed by the AI following strategic orders issued by the player rather than with the use of TC whose sole purpose, as far as I see, is to correct deficiencies of AI general controls.

This solution still lets you "TC" units by giving direct orders to them, albeit via courier and that's why the RGT courier level is needed. Just my opinion.

[RebBugler]

BOSTON wrote:

What are you NUTS! TC forever/forever TC!

Congrats, 1st on the list of Die Hards.

[MarkT]

Reb,

So if you retire "TC" and replace it with "NO Orders", What is to prevent a superior from issuing an order and changing the "No Orders" to attack or defend?

"TC" breaks the chain of command, while "No Orders" is simply no orders.

Also, a modder can just remove it from the Tool Bar.


Mark

[RebBugler]

Marching Thru Georgia wrote:

You're going to catch a lot of flak for this :ohmy:

Personally, I try to minimize the use of TC, although I don't think most of the official scenarios can be won without the liberal use of it.

Can the new 'attackmarch' command be used to charge batteries? How would we make sure the regiment double times it the entire distance? For any other command, the player can order a unit to double time, but the unit decides on its own weather to keep the pace for any length of time.

Flak? But I didn't send out bombers, just seeking a diplomatic solution. B)

Regarding attackmarch, yes, great battery assault weapon. Select unit, click destination, select formation, select attackmarch, select run. Once unit reaches guns, unit initiates capture. Rather slow to capture multiple guns, unless player remains with unit hitting Charge as needed. Still, equally as effective as TC, and more easily managed, especially because the player does not have to remember turning off TC, and leaving a 'sitting duck'.

[MarkT]

"Personally, I try to minimize the use of TC, although I don't think most of the official scenarios can be won without the liberal use of it."

All the scenarios can be won without it used.

[RebBugler]

MarkT wrote:

Reb,

So if you retire "TC" and replace it with "NO Orders", What is to prevent a superior from issuing an order and changing the "No Orders" to attack or defend?

"TC" breaks the chain of command, while "No Orders" is simply no orders.

Also, a modder can just remove it from the Tool Bar.


Mark

I just called it 'no orders', implying that strategic orders cannot be received from superiors while under this command. In essence, behaving like TC, but giving it flexibility when engaged, enabling immediate commanders of engaged units the ability to support and not be in a strict TC stance, usually resulting in them continuing to move blindly into enemy troops, and die.

In a way, the TC concept would still live on with 'Me'. It has to, and would be exactly the same when 'Me' is on the brigade level.