Matrix Games Forums

This has been bugging me for a while. I try to end my turn with for any front-line troops in the dig-in deployment, in case of attacks. Not sure if I actually need to do so - and sometimes it feels like a chore going through the formations making sure they are properly dug in. Especially since they often lose their deployment status after bombardment.

I know once units are set to dig-in they will continue to do so, but they still have to be set to do so manually.

I think units should automatically use any remaining movement points to set a dig-in stance but they appear not to. If the unit is not in any Reserve deployment, it makes sense they should just attempt to dig in.

Any ideas why this isn't so and if there are specific reasons why they don't?

I also was bothered by it since once the units are ordered to dig-in then the process is automated.
From military perspective in real-time normally units dug-in when on the frontline and not attacking (although after the assault they also dig in to prepare for counterattacks).
Hiwever imagine moving units behind the frontline, why would they dig in? They rest/refit but normally they do not dig in.
With turn-based games the issue is artificial scaling. In real life you can exert units for short period of times. E.g. a rifle regiment on foot normally would move at average 20 km per day but in the dire need they can do double and still dig in or fight.
TAOW suffers a bit from being jack of all trades (you can set up almost any historical period). Which results in simplification of complex matters.
For IIWW and modern era I'd say by default the digging in should be automated unless you decide to exert the unit which in turn should result in increasing the fatigue and ability to dig in).
I think John Tiller's series had the best implamantation of those factors (morale, fatigue, readiness, supply and combat strenght). But it was designed to be period specific.

PS. I "solved" the issue by ordering all units to dig in ("D" on keybord). Not ideal but saved me a lot of time for checking the status.