Tactical ?: Changing Formation

[Wyatt123]

I kinda think I have the mechanics down, but if so I am frustrated, and I am hoping for some help if I am doing something wrong or advice if not. As I understand it, changing formation in the "presence" (how many hexes? Anytime in line of sight?) of the enemy creates an (extreme, or so it seems to me, is there any way to lessen the risk?) risk of disorder and shaken-ness, modified, to my knowledge by quality of troops involved (including assigned Generals?). Did I miss something (everything?)

If so, is the solution just to leave everybody in column and fight it out on that basis? Switch to line before you let'em move a hex or see the enemy and inch your way along (am I correct battles are unlimited in duration, timewise?)? Any advice?

It also seems to me that the effectiveness of pretty much every class of unit in descending order is line, column, disordered. Where am I wrong? Am I right in thinking a square is just an anti-cavalry formation which sacrifices mobility and firepower for defense?

Thanks for the help.

[Treefrog]

Wyatt,

Best formation is a matter of opinion, depending on what you're trying to do.
Chances of changing formation improve with certain Upgrades, certain commanders, and, I suspect, unit morale.

Your sense of history probably suggests other authentic factors which you can indulge in your order and hope/expect translate in fact (i.e. distance from enemy, proximity to your own routing units, site blocked and/or infantry suddenly seeing cavalry, etc.).

Have fun.

[Kevan]

My personal preference is to find some way of getting my infantry and artillery into line formation, even if it requires first falling back. The only time I don't make it a priority is when columns will allow me to capture and hold a defensible position, especially heights. Fighting in line will reduce your chances of catching and capturing routed units, but I usually assign a higher priority to routing them in the first place.

With cavalry, I'm more flexible. The mobility of a column, and the effectiveness of charges in many situations, means that one or more of my cavalry divisions will often go an entire battle without forming a line.

Fighting in line is most difficult with low-morale nations and in earlier scenarios. Playing Spain in 1792 can certainly be a challenge. In later scenarios or after a few years of a longer scenario, the proper military upgrades will increase the versatility of line formations. I know some other players prefer artillery upgrades early in the game, but anything that improves line formation is a huge priority to me (except double line and opportunity charges, I think that those upgrades are a matter of personal preference).

[Budgie]

Quickly.

Deploy cavalry in line to screen your units.

Quickly.

Deploy inf/art in line behind screen.

Quickly.

Retire screen.

Quickly.

Re-deploy cav to flanks.

[Southern Hunter]

...and get the military upgrade 'formation drilling' as quickly as possible, which makes it very easy to form line (or other formations).

I find it hard to play without this upgrade, even as French.