Is there any way to disable the player formations?

[QuintusSertorius]

I don't use any of the default formations, because they're no good for the Roman quincunx. It does get a little annoying having to carefully re-order my troops at the start of every single battle, but what's worse is when I sometimes try to move them all, and it tries to re-order them into a single line. Thus I then have to move each and every single unit individually, to preserve my formation.

Is it even remotely possible to delete or otherwise negate the formations that are there for the player?

[PershsNhpios]

I can't help you, Quintus, sorry, but if you don't mind - I would like to add a question on formations.

There are meant to be pre-loaded formations for AI factions to utilize - as in the Roman Manipular formation - to ensure a slightly more historical feel.

However, out of the several hundreds of battles I have fought against Romans - in only one - two days ago, did I see a manipular formation.

How can one make these work properly? Is there a mod?

[konny]

The AI needs (nearly) correct numbers of each troop type to do so. So, it cannot form a manipular formation with 5 Lugoae, 1 Extraordianrii and 2 Triarii.



I don't use any of the default formations, because they're no good for the Roman quincunx. It does get a little annoying having to carefully re-order my troops at the start of every single battle, but what's worse is when I sometimes try to move them all, and it tries to re-order them into a single line.

Deploy your units, select all, group them, ungroup them and group them again. That should do. (Even though I find it eayser to just group the infantry block and move the cavalry seperatly)


Is it even remotely possible to delete or otherwise negate the formations that are there for the player?

Check the unoffical modding forum for battlefield formation mods. These files are also moddable.

[mcantu]

You should give Marcus Camillus' Player Formations a try. Its pretty good at giving Roman formations provided you have the correct ration of units. Its explained in the readme...

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=90313

[The General]

The AI needs (nearly) correct numbers of each troop type to do so. So, it cannot form a manipular formation with 5 Lugoae, 1 Extraordianrii and 2 Triarii.
Or 50% Pedites Extraordinarii, 30% Neitos and 20% random troops (Lugoae, Triarii, Leves, Rorarii et al.). 8D

[Illian the Mediocre]

At the start of the battle put your troops into the quinqux formation, then group all of those units together. You can now still select them seperatley and move them around during the battle but if you select the whole group and move them then they'll return to the starting formation. Plus it means the computer won't automatically spread them out in a line. I agree that it's a shame you have to do it at the start of very battle. I'm not one for formations anyway, I tend to charge first and think about what i'm doing later.:logic:

[Lysander13]

For the AI to use a formation such as the quincunx on a consistent basis such as everytime a human player encounters an AI controlled Roman force. Would require the AI to have recruited in campaign the prerequisite units for this formation as defined by the AI formation file itself. No formation mod would fix this. As it's a recruitment issue or lack thereof as it is relative to the code of the actual formation itself.

I've always found it easier to keep formation integrity by grouping individual battle lines within the overall formation itself....ie...1st grouping would be the first line of Hastati..2nd grouping would be 2nd line of Hastati..3rd Principes..4th Triarii...etc...in this manner I've never really had a problem with keeping formation integrity as opposed to the scenario described by the OP. Perhaps some would consider that too much micromanagement of a battle but that's how I like to fight just the same.

On a side note...mcantu recommended Marcus Camillus Player Formations for the Roman Player. These are very good provided you have the right unit mixture. Along those lines, although little known it seems, Sinuhet made custom Human Player Formations geared specifically towards the Roman Player that are excellent as well. I should probably add them to the formations mod download in the unofficial mod forum when I have a chance. Anyhow, here's the link to the file over at TWC. If your a Roman Player, I'm fairly certain you will find them to be pretty good. Again, for the formation to look exactly as it is intended by the code. The proper unit mixture needs to be adhered to.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=657&d=1141660319

[Tellos Athenaios]

'Tis a matter of grouping and right click/drag which will tell the engine to keep its formation.