Matrix Games Forums

Bunch of random newbie questions -

I cannot create a division early in the game. Is there a point when divisions become available? Otherwise the option to create a division is not available, so why not?

What are the best settings for Blockade Running? I know you want to retreat, but what about the "Posture".

Should "Brigs" be sent out as Runners or as Raiders?

Is there a To-Do list available about what to check each turn? (There are similar lists on WitP-AE forum)

At what point can Leaders of Brigades (e.g. Longstreet at the start, but promoted to Division commanders, and then what happens to the elements in the former Brigade when the Leader is solo?

Thanks

OK, I found in the forum that Divisions cannot be formed until Oct 61.

Also, when do you want to be IN a city, vs OUTSIDE? Pros and cons of each?

ORIGINAL: dukewacoan
Also, when do you want to be IN a city, vs OUTSIDE? Pros and cons of each?

The only time I intentionally put troops inside a city is when their orders are set to Green/Green with the intent to draw strength and cohesion. Being inside the city helps them recover strength and cohesion faster, but I only put them inside if they are well in the rear and not in danger of being attacked.

Units inside the city will surrender instead of retreating if they lose a battle that would normally force a retreat, so if they are within striking distance of enemy stacks, it’s probably better to set them Green/Green but leave them outside while recovering.

One other time to consider placing units inside a city is vs. cavalry raids. If you’ve got a weak militia regiment defending that can’t possibly win, it might be better to put it inside a city and hope the enemy fails activation. Cavalry will usually pursue and destroy (pursuit occurs automatically at the conclusion of a battle and you see a text message in the text display if it occurred) a weaker opponent so in that case staying outside doesn’t help because even if you retreat from a lost battle you will probably die anyway. By being inside a city there is a chance no battle will occur at all if the leader in charge of the cavalry force failed activation.

Of course there are many other instances where being inside might be a better choice. But generally speaking they are usually unusual cases and not something to consider when speaking in general terms. So generally it’s not a good idea to be inside a city, but occasionally you may find it a good idea for the specific circumstance at hand.

Jim

Edit: One other time to place units inside is due to strategic considerations. All the big Union cities along the east coast with fixed garrisons and immobile guns are good examples. While putting these troops outside the city may help some of them survive if attacked, the downside is your opponent will gain the city and usually huge amounts of supplies located there.

So in some cases placing units inside a city with the intent of staying to fight to the last man is a better strategic option. Even if the entire garrison is almost completely wiped out, as long as 1 element survives the town does not change hands and the supplies remain yours. It also buys you a turn to possibly react and force him out with your own mobile army. So sometimes the loss of troops is preferable to trying to help them survive when you view strategic considerations.