AI control when units are grouped

[artavazd]

Im curious has any one put their units under Ai control on the battle map? When you group units togather, there is an option to make them under Ai control. I have not yet tried, but I wanted to know if anyone has. If for example I put my infantry under Ai control, and just manage my cavalry will the infantry engage the enemy, and basicaly give me more time to work with the cavalry (or whatever unit it is you want to)

[Aemilius Paulus]

I have tried it once in vanilla, in a custom battle, and the units under it stayed in the n00b box I put them in. They did not even break formation. They did however throw their pila (as they were legionnaires) despite the fact that I turned fire at will off. Otherwise, they just stood there.

[Yyrkoon]

If you want more time to work with your units pause the game. Another strategy is to give multiple orders at once by shift + right clicking multiple points. Useful in city battles where AI is terrible at pathfinding.

[Aemilius Paulus]

I'm sure he is asking out of curiosity, not because he is actually having trouble handling all of his units. Enemy AI is pretty stupid, but bearable. However, when your own troops are commanded by AI, it seems like your 5 yer old brother could do a better job, which he could, once given a bit of instructions .

[Woreczko]

Playing with general camera is one of my houserules and with this setting delegating some units under AI control is often a must. Contrary to opinions stated above, I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of AI. While not genius, it did it job...of keeping his units alive and grouped ("in formation" would be a little far-fetched). The trick is to give AI units, that are already in formation you won`t them to be. Don`t count on brilliant outflanking maneuvers or coming to your help, when it`s needed - but AI is capable of handling it`s portion of the battleline (against equally dumb enemy AI, that is). Some surprises are inevitable, but such is a hazard of battle, is it not?

Granted, I play with alex.exe and Sinuhet`s formation mod, so that may have made AI smarter, than in vanilla EB.