Question re formation and movement

[pcelt]

From my current experience so far it seems that though you can organise your brigade into a line, double line or column of regiments, when you wish to move that formation it will not march in that formation but convert to columns until it reaches its destination and then reform.
Is there any way to maintain those line formations during a move if you wish to. As an example I was thinking of how would you replicate Pickets long assault march at Gettysburg.
Thanks for any insights or ideas and have I missed some key order?

[ADukes]

They will maintain their formation if they have to move a short distance (100yards) only.

[Cruiser]

Don't know for sure if it will work but I am going to try to accomplish a long assault by line formation using a series of waypoints.

[pcelt]

A Dukes--Many thanks for the info---is there any game or programming reason why a player could not command a longer march in any legitimate formation. If feasible in programming terms it would provide much more flexible options for in- game movement and tactics.
Thanks


Cruiser ---Good idea--will give it a try myself---let us know your results

[ADukes]

As soon as the SDK is available there will be a way to mod it, but then they won't form columns to move to destinations further away.

[Kerflumoxed]

ADukes wrote:

As soon as the SDK is available there will be a way to mod it, but then they won't form columns to move to destinations further away.

If I understand this correctly, the SDK would allow Pickett's charge to advance in line over the mile+ distance to the ridge. That would certainly be a plus and historically correct.

If one was in a "Line of Battle" (such as in Pickett's Charge), one would have to "physically" re-align the "Line" back to columns before moving. Makes sense.

Great point!

J

[pcelt]

I dont really see that problem--if you wanted to you could at any time order a brigade in line to form into columns for movement as we do now . The problem at the moment is that we cannot use any of the line formations for more than 100yds (without it automatically changing into columns) so that a range of options like a long-distance charge become impossible to simulate.

[DrMike1997]

So, if in the name of realism we wanted to simulate Picket's charge with the regiments in line, could we program in a whole lot of way point marches across the field?

[pcelt]

Ive experimented with that and it does not seem easy. You can place waypoints close together but you cannot click in the whole route quickly because if the final waypoint you insert is 100yds+ then the line reverts to column ---you can only click in 1 at a time and allow unit to do each stage and this is a very clumsy and time consuming activity especially if your attention is required in other places as well. It would seem that some programming change is necessary for long distance line movements to be really feasible.

[Davinci]

pcelt wrote:

I dont really see that problem--if you wanted to you could at any time order a brigade in line to form into columns for movement as we do now . The problem at the moment is that we cannot use any of the line formations for more than 100yds (without it automatically changing into columns) so that a range of options like a long-distance charge become impossible to simulate.

My, understanding of the Modding – will require separate folders instead of making any massive changes, it appears that you will not have to alter any of the current files.

With that said, if someone were trying to make a Pickett’s Charge Scenario – they could alter the csv files that would only affect that scenario.

With these altered files, the units could be ordered to march in battle-line formation, instead of the standard column formation, no matter what the distance is!

The same thing is possible with the TC2M game, so I doubt that the files will change that much!

davinci