Using formation in battle

[bretwalda]

Hi everybody!

Does anyone use the formations in battle? I mean those like "sorted double line" and "foot first" etc...? If yes what is the proper use how can it help battles especially multiplayer when there is no pause? Any suggestion is appreciated...

[bretwalda]

By the way anybody know why is that unhappy face on the top of the first post? How can I remove it? Or is this a forum feature...?

[Mithrandir]

Hullo,
You can pick the smiley when you post, tis a feature.

The formations... You mean when setting up your entire army or per unit ?
I dont use the pre-defined formations, I just drag every unit to the place I want it to be. As for the unit-formations, (lose, wedge,close) they depend on the situation, as can be read in the manual.


-Mithrandir

[bretwalda]

Nope, none of them you mentioned ;)

Keys are assigned 1-9 and it is a way how you can set up 2 or more units groupped together.

You can click on an icon on the right side of the tactical screen and it brings up a new set of icons: "double line" "sorted double line" "cavalry first" etc. that can be triggered by the number keys, but only if more than 1 units are selected.

If I still couldn't express myself clearly I will post a screenie

[Mithrandir]

Please do...

[bretwalda]

Okidoki, I'll post as soon as I get home
Most unfortunatelly MTW is NOT installed on my work computer, such a shame...

Please do...

[bretwalda]

On the tactical screen if you press ctrl + p you get a "group formation" menu. There are formations 1-9

You click on this:


Then you get these icon that represent formations 1-9


An example for "foot first 3 line"



The question is: do you use it? If yes are there a really good way of using them? And I am especially curious about multiplayer since there is no pause so every second you gain can be battle winning...

Thanks!

[jadast]

I use formations to approach enemy formations. I go with the 3 line missle, melee, cavalry. I use this to give my archers a clear field of fire and keeps my melee units out of enemy range. Once I get to my preselected stopping point I bring my calvary units to the wings and begin to circle. If my opponent charges my archers have a nice wall of melee units to retreat behind.

Obviously this plan is very basic and changes with the make up of my forces. Hope it helps.

[Mithrandir]

wow,
played MTW for ages (been a long time now though), mostly online...
and I never knew about these formations...

[ichi]

Select any group and hit the number of the formation. I rarely use any formation other than number 5.

try this in custom battles

Take a second and make each unit the depth that you want - I prefer my missile troops 2-3 ranks deep, my spears 4 ranks, my elite infantry 3 ranks, and my heavy cav 2 ranks deep.

It is not necessary to arrange the units just make each one the depth you want.

Hit Ctrl A to select all units, then hit G

then hold down the 5 key while dragging the left mouse from left to right.

This will create a formation with missiles first, infantry second, and cav behind.

hope that made sense

ichi

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I never use them, I meticulously set up my army and then once the battle commences I usually only break off a unit or two at a time to deal with a new threat or to flank the enemy.

[bretwalda]

Thanks for the replies! My problem is if I drag the selected units from left to right some of then will be different ranks (number of rows) than others. This usually happens when there are different types of units involved. Now this formation button does not seem to alleviate this problem...

[TonkaToys]

Thanks for the replies! My problem is if I drag the selected units from left to right some of then will be different ranks (number of rows) than others. This usually happens when there are different types of units involved. Now this formation button does not seem to alleviate this problem...

Ichi suggested holding down the 5 key as you drag... did you try this?
(Dunno if it works, but will try it next time I play as it sounds like it could save me some time).

[bretwalda]

That could be it! I will read more carefully next time - and try as soon as I get home. Again such a shame that MTW is not installed on my work computer

[ichi]

Thanks for the replies! My problem is if I drag the selected units from left to right some of then will be different ranks (number of rows) than others. This usually happens when there are different types of units involved. Now this formation button does not seem to alleviate this problem...

Exactly. Each unit retains its shape in relation to the other units, so if you have 2-rank deep missiles they will be wider than a 5-rank deep Mili Sarg unit.

If you simply select all units and drag left to right then you get a very poor formationdue to the long missile units. Holding the 5 key allows you to drag the formation out, but it will be 3 units deep rather than one.

ichi

[ajaxfetish]

I use them but only occasionally--If I've got too many archers to spread out to just two or three deep and still keep a concentrated front I'll put them in a double line, and if for example I've got infantry and light cavalry working together to guard a flank I'll set them to 3-row infantry first so the horses are protected till it's time for them to do their thing. The column can speed up bridge crossings a bit (and possibly massed entry through a castle gate?) but I can't think of any other practical uses for it. I don't have much use for most of the others in my tactics.