Using Orders

[Trilogy]

I've been playing the game, but I still don't feel entirely confident of how best to use the stance commands (e.g. Attack, All-Out Attack, Hold, Hold At All Costs, etc.).

As I understand it, the procedure for a non-TC'd commander is this:

1) pick a spot to send him
2) order a formation for his unit based on that spot
3) select the stance button (e.g. Probe)

I can do this, and I see how commanders generally obey those orders within the limits of their personality and enemy action.

However, my understanding of what to do after these initial orders is shaky. My questions:

1) When I try to give new orders to a commander, I can't really select his facing (there's no arrow), so the new formation orders might be 90 or 180 degree from what I wish. How do you give new orders in these circumstances?

2) What happens when I just give the commander a new location order and a new stance, but I don't give his unit a new formation order. Will the commander eventually pick a formation for his unit on his own, or will he ride off as a one-man attack?

3) How come, sometimes, I can give a commander a new location and then click a new stance, but the "shield" for his target zone snaps away from the new location I ordered and back to his present location?

In short, I need a lesson in how orders actually function for non-TC'd commanders, and how to get results most reliably.

[RDBoles]

Well let me see if I can help a little. The non TC'd units will or not respond to your orders. Especially when engaged they will not respond at all or very little. When moving you indicate a place for them to be but the icon disappears and goes back to the original or current position. So to get the most out of your orders you need to TC the units. For a brigade I TC the brigade commander and set the formation and let the regiments go to the formation set. Unless the battle is right on top of them, and I want exact formations, then I TC the regiments. Micro management of your entire command is very daunting. I usually play Sandbox Corps against Corps with me controlling only one Division. I TC the brigade commanders and move my brigades to the area I want and set the formation prior to arrival and way before engaging the enemy. I usually let the battle progress on it's own until I feel I should get control. That is when I TC any unit I feel should be handled better than the AI. The AI in this game is the best that has ever been produced for any game out there. But you as a human are far superior to any AI once you get a better handle on control, as well as knowing your commanders and the enemy.

[Trilogy]

Thanks for the reply.

I know micromanaging is one available style, and I've had fun with it. But one way I want to try to play is as a commander giving orders, trying to use my subordinates the way a general would. If I don't want to TC everyone, what are the best techniques within the limits of the interface?

[con20or]

I have to agree with you, i try and avoid TC'ing troops as much as possible. The stances commands confuse me as well, i generally only use them when im ordering an 'all out attack'. Other commands i use the courier menu for, you can specify your unit formation, directions with that.


One thing i think is missing is an 'attack flank' order, otherwise you could order 3 brigades to attack the 'enemy to your front' and they'd all go for the ehad on attack..