Is anyone else looking forward to their old tactics being out of date.

[Malkut]

It will be interesting to see how this pans out in game. IRL, depending on range, opposing lines of infantry would only fire a few volleys before one side would attempt a charge or withdrawal.

See, that's got me thinking that, should two units of infantry meet on the battlefield, than it might be wise to let the enemy fire a volley first, at long range. Then, while they're reloading, my unit can run closer and fire a somewhat more effective volley.

It'd be a micromanagement nightmare to do with an entire army, but I can't help but wonder if the principal is sound.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

It absolutely works on a 1v1 basis. If you want to try that with groups (ie, two lines against each other) turn off fire at will, wait for the enemy to fire, advance a bit (the GUI has a shortcut button for that now), set to run, stop, and turn on fire at will.

[quadalpha]

Though you will have fewer men to fire with.

The elimination of the time limit also removes a bit more of the defender bonus.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

However, if you only lose a handful on their volley, it can still be worth it.

Don't try it against platoon-firing units though. You'll move forward just to get hit with a second (and possibly third) volley at closer range. Theoretically, you could wait for the enemy to finish firing all the volleys, but you'd have just a few seconds to move into position with a lot less men.

[Malkut]

However, if you only lose a handful on their volley, it can still be worth it.

Yes, I too am thinking of it in terms of attrition. You absorb a weak blow to deliver a stronger one.

I wonder if that kind of thinking will be more common, in an era where everyone can kill instantly from a distance.

[Explodingcannonballfromhell]

Yes, I too am thinking of it in terms of attrition. You absorb a weak blow to deliver a stronger one.

I wonder if that kind of thinking will be more common, in an era where everyone can kill instantly from a distance.

It should be carried out by disciplined troops however.But like others said against platoon firing this is a bad idea.So in that case the best tactic would be to use weaker troops that are able to carry out one volley and then engage in melee to interupt the enemy while the more professional regulars advance in firing range behind them.Once in position relief those weak units and let your professional troops finnish the job.