I'm making this suggestion based off my current understanding of how Order Delay works, but I could very well be wrong about the mechanics, in which case please do correct me!
My understanding is that units have a randomised Order delay, and that asking units to change what they are doing (eg, asking a stationary unit to move) increases that delay. The problem here is if the player wants to maintain a reserve with the explicit intention of using them to exploit a breach or to plug a gap: if I understand the order delay mechanic, the way to keep them 'ready to go' is to keep them on constant move orders, but setting the delays between movements to the maximum so it doesn't expire before the next command delay.
This also leads to a counter-intuitive situation that the one situation where units DON'T experience an order delay is if you take a unit in motion, and drag their Movement waypoint (even to the other end of the map) and they will immediately halt and switch direction mid-movement. Changing the direction of a moving unit and issuing entirely new objectives seems a much more complex maneuver than giving a unit a movement order from a dead stop.
I'm wondering if there are two possible changes that might address this:
1) An 'On-Call' posture for non-artillery units that leaves them in a more exposed posture but ready to depart with a smaller order delay.
and
2) An order delay where a unit will halt in place if you drag and drop a movement waypoint while it is pathing, so you no longer have instantly-responsive assault columns (there would probably need to be a confirmation prompt to avoid this happening by accident).
Also wanted to say thanks to the dev team for all your hard work: I'm eagerly waiting for the next DLC
Agree.
When the unit stays at a hex for some time, it will automatically enter COVERED or DUG IN, which will cause a higher order delay in the next move order. But we don't always want them to do this, the unit might just be waiting for the recon intel or something else, it's about to move only doesn't have a certain time(so the delay function in dashboard can't operate well).
There should be a third choice except "screen" and "hold".
Stupid infantryman's perspective here, but IRL there isn't really a situation where within any reasonable distance of the line of contact you'd just have professional soldiers just sitting around waiting for orders. An EXTREMELY IMPORTANT and FREQUENTLY OVERLOOKED aspect of individual small unit leadership is making sure that the men are always maintaining security, and preparing fighting positions just in case shit hits the fan there and they need to fight from those positions.
Yes, the Col in his ivory tower has a plan where the Mech company will stand by until scouts confirm that a route is clear, upon which the mech company will strike with lightning speed, so they need to be ready to go.
From the poor LT's perspective now that he's been shoved into a company command, the last thing he needs is for everyone to be lined up parade style when soviet artillery fire comes in or a Motor Rifle Battalion rolls up the road they just came from. That sleep deprived LT learned in ranger school that the most important thing to preserving his command is maintaining security, and thankfully all the PLs, Squad Leaders, and Salty E4s know that too.
I was only ever light infantry so I can tell you a little about setting up a patrol base, ORP, etc but I'm out of my depth when it comes to mechanized stuff, but my understanding is the same principles apply.
Lets say you're at the Objective Rally Point, or any sort of rally point along your movement. If it's to wait for any longer than a few minutes maximum, you'd set up 360 degree security, TLs/SLs would assign sectors of fire, claymores might even be placed depending on how long you plan on staying there. Any longer than 10ish minutes (there's a doctrine answer for this but I don't remember) and break out your E-tool, it's time to scrape a ranger-grave (hasty fighting position).
This is how it works when you're eating chow, when you're receiving resupply, or whatever. You might have 1/3 of guys pull off the line to clean weapons or eat or whatever, but that is what is happening whenever you're stopping. Security is maintained CONSTANTLY. The longer you're there, the more you dig in. C-wire placed, gun-tables dug, 60mm mortars emplaced, you name it. Never a minute wasted.
And when that order to pick up is issued, it's not just "alright, get up!" all the holes need to be filled back in as best as possible, any evidence of your presence should be minimized. The claymores need to be retrieved, etc. After that the new order needs to be briefed, rehearsals done as necessary, and the men reorganized. It takes time. More time than in game based on my experience but I'd bet those guys in the cold war had it down to a science. The screen order in game will make sure Joe knows not to turn this patch of the woods into Verdun, but he's still going to have to dig a hasty and draw up a range card probably.
Basically, if you want a reserve, keep them in screen or RnR posture, and issue your next order LITERALLY as soon as you possibly can. Do not hesitate an instant. Also minimize distance between HQs and make sure their morale and readiness are high.
Stupid infantryman's perspective here, but IRL there isn't really a situation where within any reasonable distance of the line of contact you'd just have professional soldiers just sitting around waiting for orders.
skeletonboi wrote: Fri Jan 05, 2024 12:07 pm
Incidentally, in game terms, does anyone know if a screen or resupply posture means a lower order delay?
In general it matters more on what order you are issuing than it does what order you are coming from, but for doing a movement next you would want to be in a Screen order.
