Formations?

[Capt Cliff]

What kind of formations will there be? Obvious line and road march, I assume. But what about mixed order for infantry in woods and villages? What about skirmishers? Can we prolong artillery intead of limbering them up then unlimbering them? Cavalry also needs multiple formations. A mixed order for village fighting and to allow the Great Redoubt to be taken, from behind!

[Tim Coakley]

Sorry for delay...missed the question before...

Line (3 and 2 rank)
March and attack col.
square
defensize (for occupying forts, towns...)
open (resting/recovery/working)

[amrcg]

What about skirmish formations? =)

Cheers,
Antonio

[strebe]

ORIGINAL: amrcg

What about skirmish formations? =)

Cheers,
Antonio

And formations that had skirmish troops deployed out while the main body stayed in formation as opposed to units that could totally go to skirmish formation (Rifle units etc.)?

Dave

[amrcg]

ORIGINAL: strebe
And formations that had skirmish troops deployed out while the main body stayed in formation as opposed to units that could totally go to skirmish formation (Rifle units etc.)?
Dave

This one is easy. Like in H&M, you can just abstract the skirmishers in the firepower of the unit. No need for special formations.

Cheers,
Antonio

[sol_invictus]

I agree amrcg, Age of Rifles did that as well with Skirmishers. I really don't like the way HPS handles Skirmishers being detached from the parent unit. It allows the Skirmishers to much freedom to act independently with them zipping all over the battlefield.

[amrcg]

ORIGINAL: amrcg
This one is easy. Like in H&M, you can just abstract the skirmishers in the firepower of the unit. No need for special formations.

In fact, not only "firepower". It should also influence the range at which enemy units are detected. Units featuring a significant skirmisher component should be more difficult to be ambushed.

Cheers,
Antonio

[Capitaine]

I'm not sure about skirmishers adding anything to the firepower of a battalion. The light company would deploy in skirmish formation in front of the battalion, thereby screening it but also masking the firepower of the rest of the formation. As long as skirmishers are deployed in front, the rest of the battalion won't be firing. It's an either/or situation at best.

[amrcg]

ORIGINAL: Capitaine

I'm not sure about skirmishers adding anything to the firepower of a battalion. The light company would deploy in skirmish formation in front of the battalion, thereby screening it but also masking the firepower of the rest of the formation. As long as skirmishers are deployed in front, the rest of the battalion won't be firing. It's an either/or situation at best.

Yes, I agree with that. Skirmishers somewhat increase the shooting range (albeit with minor power) and sighting capability of units.

Antonio

[Capt Cliff]

Skirmishers I believe had a tendency to mask the main unit from enemy fire. Even from horse back you couldn't see where the main battle Battalion was located, unless you were on a hill. But you could only direct fire onto units on the "plain" with units that were on the hill. Get me? Plus Skirmisher fire had a tendency to disrupt enemy units, the added fear factor of being shot at. This needs to be modelled into the game.