Changing Formations

[Gunner98]

Newb question here - getting back into TOAW and recall in TOAW III you could change units from one formation to another and that makes a lot of sense - I just cannot remember how to do it! I've done some searches in the manual but not getting any hits. Thought it was from the formation dialog but can't see it.

Any tips please?

Tx

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: Gunner98

Newb question here - getting back into TOAW and recall in TOAW III you could change units from one formation to another and that makes a lot of sense - I just cannot remember how to do it! I've done some searches in the manual but not getting any hits. Thought it was from the formation dialog but can't see it.

Any tips please?

Tx

TOAW III had no such ability. Nor does TOAW IV. Yet.

[Gunner98]

Roger, thanks - must be mixing it up with another game.

By your 'yet' comment, I take it that such a function may be in the works for a future patch?

Thanks for the quick response.

B

[Curtis Lemay]

Let me add that I was assuming you were talking about swapping in-game. Of course this CAN be done in the Editor.

[Lobster]

[Gunner98]

I was assuming you were talking about swapping in-game.

Correct, playing the Barbarossa scenario and it would be nice to switch some of the Divs in the reserve formations into the front line Corps. No biggie, just need to use the Reserve formations as front line Corps for a while.

Thanks

B

[Hellen_slith]

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

ORIGINAL: Gunner98

Newb question here - getting back into TOAW and recall in TOAW III you could change units from one formation to another and that makes a lot of sense - I just cannot remember how to do it! I've done some searches in the manual but not getting any hits. Thought it was from the formation dialog but can't see it.

Any tips please?

Tx

TOAW III had no such ability. Nor does TOAW IV. Yet.

It would be useful, in scenes like Russo-German War, to be able to "re-assign" units that are "internal support" to other larger formations, "on the fly" ...

Is that what we are talking about, as if "in game" having a button to "re-assign" units to more active participation w/ a larger formation?

Or am I just not understanding (which is more likely) the usage of such?

[Gunner98]

Have not played that scenario but that is the essence of the idea. Keeping your front line formations full of refreshed units while you rotate tired units back to the rear and re-assign them to a rear area formation so they can rest.

I suppose you could just rotate your entire formations but this would give you more fidelity and control.

[Hellen_slith]

I see where such a function could be very useful,

e.g. in my FiTE game agsinst GeneralJCL,

the soviets are still a bit disorganized,
due to 'internal support' rules of many formations...

but at the same time,
such a function might be used gamey?

and override scenarion design?
not sure ... ok going to watch TV now,
I am a bit under the weather, so must slow my moves

Good new year to you!

[StuccoFresco]

Being able to reassign "internal support" units would defeat the purpose of them being "internal support" unless it came with some sort of cost (like the reassigning unit going into reorganization).

[Lobster]

ORIGINAL: Hellen_slith

I see where such a function could be very useful,

e.g. in my FiTE game agsinst GeneralJCL,

the soviets are still a bit disorganized,
due to 'internal support' rules of many formations...

but at the same time,
such a function might be used gamey?

and override scenarion design?
not sure ... ok going to watch TV now,
I am a bit under the weather, so must slow my moves

Good new year to you!

What is gamey is the inability for units to become competent at cooperation or being wholly unable to change formations. As I've said many times before, Soviet divisions changed Armys and Fronts on a regular basis. How can a newly formed unit instantly become able to cooperate with other units in an Army yet a unit that has been on the battlefield for months be entirely inept at cooperating with other units? It should be the other way around yet the game encases the entire concept in a suit of concrete, flying in the face of history. This is where the ability to change formations comes in.

[StuccoFresco]

Well, Soviet coordination wasn't their selling point, and often scenarios have a limited time frame so they don't really have time to operate smoothly under a new formation. There should be a malus when two units from different formations operate togather, as it's historically accurate. This malus, however, should be limited to big units (from battalion upwards at the very least).

[Lobster]

ORIGINAL: StuccoFresco

as it's historically accurate

[:D]

That's a good joke.

[Hellen_slith]

ORIGINAL: StuccoFresco

Well, Soviet coordination wasn't their selling point, and often scenarios have a limited time frame so they don't really have time to operate smoothly under a new formation. There should be a malus when two units from different formations operate togather, as it's historically accurate. This malus, however, should be limited to big units (from battalion upwards at the very least).

I thought the malus was handled by setting units / formations to various support levels. E.g., "Internal Support" ... as is the case w/ many Soviet formations in (e.g.) D21 or Russo-German War ... so that formations / units set to "internal support" fight not so well with other units not in their formation / support group?

I forget what the levels are ... "Free" support (fights well with all), "Army" support, "Formation" support, "internal" support levels. I forget what they all are. I just try to keep the colors together, and watch for "internal" support units, and keep them together. Otherwise, they don't do as well?

Is also the case in scene France 40 ... most formations are IIRC "internal" support level, at least for Allies ... I found at least one French formation at "Army" support level. But most are internal support. So you have to be careful to keep those together and not hot dog them around.

Isn't that the malus?