Demo UI questions

[quadalpha]

1a. Only select the units you want to attack with when you attack.
b. No, just don't select the whole group.
c. The group formations are useful for arranging your line.

2. I think the infantry is designed to wheel before firing.

3. React ... how? In general, units will try to do what you tell them.

4. I think the unit position is a pretty good indication of area of fire.

5. You can waypoint movement with shift but not actions, as far as I know.

Groups are mainly useful for preserving your custom formations when moving, or for organising yourself.

[vallu751]

Thanks Quadalpha!

2. I think the infantry is designed to wheel before firing.

Then I may be experiencing a potential bug. Or then there was a delay in carrying out orders, which could very well be intentional - even if annoying.

3. React ... how? In general, units will try to do what you tell them.

Heh, definitely. Let me be more precise: In many RTS games you can either give a "move" or "attack-move" order. Moving means a unit does what I've experienced with TW, they simply move to a location no matter what happens around them. Attack-move sets the unit towards a given location like a move order, but if enemies come within it's attack range or the unit is attacked, they engage the offending unit and continue movement after the engagement - provided that they are still intact of course.

It's basically just a way to reduce micro. It can be useful if you send flanking units somewhere you can't look at for the time being. Kind of similar to the old archer command to fall back if an enemy unit comes close.

5. You can waypoint movement with shift but not actions, as far as I know.

Okay, thanks.

[peacemaker]

yeah, about #3. True, that could help, but think about this:You need to rush through an area to get to more favourable ground but there's one unit of riflemen or whatever far away, would you have the whole unit(s) ignore going to their place and instead detatch and try to engage the far-away riflemen? I could see it being good as an option to turn on/off but definetely not a good idea to leave ALWAYS on

[quadalpha]

I see what you mean, but I'm pretty sure there is no attack-move order. TW isn't that kind of RTS.

[vallu751]

I see what you mean, but I'm pretty sure there is no attack-move order. TW isn't that kind of RTS.

Or course, TW is quite a different game from most RTS games.

One could argue that intelligent unit commanders able to perform limited functions independently would be more suitable for a TW type game than the typical click-fests. But I'll let that rest. I was just a bit put off by the demo battle when I split my forces and found it very difficult to organize a flanking attack while holding the main line. And it was not because of any intellectual challenge, I simply couldn't browse and click around the map as quickly as I should have. Pausing a game is an option, but not in multi-player.

I for one hope that TW games would reduce click-festing and promote tactics.

[vallu751]

yeah, about #3. True, that could help, but think about this:You need to rush through an area to get to more favourable ground but there's one unit of riflemen or whatever far away, would you have the whole unit(s) ignore going to their place and instead detatch and try to engage the far-away riflemen? I could see it being good as an option to turn on/off but definetely not a good idea to leave ALWAYS on

Yeah, it should definitely be optional. Starcraft uses simple right click for a move order, and ctrl-click for a move-attack IIRC. Or pressing A and then right clicking. It should definitely be optional.