Engine Craziness...

[Garnier]

A setting would be good too, but not if it was only available bundled with "realism". The "realism" setting forces all the other settings a certain way. I believe we've only used it a few times and that by accident.

Edit: As for kicking players out of MP if they die, if that got added it would be best as a separate option. I don't think it would be used much if at all -- it's something that could already be done as a houserule if desired.

[WriterJWA]

I agree ... it should definitely be an "across-the-board" feature.

Also, for clarification. What I meant I meant by modifiers is something at affects the base die-roll.

Say we're using two six-sided dice and it's established that the base number for leader to be killed is 4. Let's say the leader is near an enemy regiment, about 200 yards, and in the woods, and can see the regiment. The modifiers to the dice roll might be:

Woods +1
Over 100 yards +1

The computer rolls a 6, and then 2 is added to it for 8. 8 is higher than 4 so the leader survives. Then, if it's included in a .csv file, the number scale for each modifier (terrain, range, etc...) can be tweaked individually by a modder.

(Obviously this is just an example and certainly academic and a more scientific means would have to be developed)

Edit: Regarding kicked from MP games at leader death. I think a better option, IMHO, would be just to promote the next subordinate leader to division/brigade command and have the player fill that role. A "kicked from game" option could be a grognard setting for the die-hards out there.

[Little Powell]

Yeah either way it should be optional. I'll get it in for a feature request.

[WriterJWA]

Outstanding, sir. Thank you!

[KG_Soldier]

Sorry to hijack, but how about making it so retreating units will not go into melee?

[WriterJWA]

Sorry to hijack, but how about making it so retreating units will not go into melee?

Wait your turn! LOL

:blink:

[Little Powell]

Sorry to hijack, but how about making it so retreating units will not go into melee?

I'll add it to the list. From one point of view; one could say that a retreating unit is basically an unorganized mob and who knows what they'll do.. Maybe they'll melee, maybe they won't.. But there were also cases of organized retreats. So maybe it should something else that's random. They may or may not melee, but most of the time won't.

[WriterJWA]

Sorry to hijack, but how about making it so retreating units will not go into melee?

I'll add it to the list. From one point of view; one could say that a retreating unit is basically an unorganized mob and who knows what they'll do.. Maybe they'll melee, maybe they won't.. But there were also cases of organized retreats. So maybe it should something else that's random. They may or may not melee, but most of the time won't.

I've had a recurring thought on this....

Melee was a rarity in the Civil War. Most regiments, according to The Union Soldier in Battle: Enduring the Ordeal of Combat, regiments with any level of experience were wary to get involved in melee.

Instead of an autocharge function, what I thought was maybe have a charge chance function that also applies to regiments that have been given the order to charge. Instead of regiments automatically going into a charge (or being forced into a charge when rushed forward to touch an enemy regiment), each regiment goes through a "die-roll" check to see if that melee actually occurs. Each regiment could have a base pass/fail number, and then the die roll could have modifiers that apply to it such as:

1. Fatigue
2. Current losses
3. Grade
4. Target terrain
5. Cumulative Leader grade (if applicable)
6. Volume of friendly units vs. enemy units
7. Formation (Column and skirmisher would serve as a detracting modifier)

EDIT: Regiments that are brand new and have a grade less than 2 could have a modifier that reflects their naivety and willingness to get into melee against better judgement.

There could then be four possible outcomes:

1. The attacker fails and automatically retreats a short distance (<100 yards -- moddable).
2. The defender fails and automatically retreats a short distance (<100 yards -- moddable).
3. Both regiments fail and retreat a short distance.
4. The melee occurs.

Also, when I say retreat.... I mean retreat the whole way. Like soldier, I agree this should also apply to when TC's regiments are ordered out of a melee.

The various modifiers per side should be adjustable per battle as each historical battle did have different morale circumstances applied to it (Pickett's Charge, Little Round Top, and Burnside's Bridge being examples). I'd say having the system in place in the engine and then having the modifiers adjustable by tailored modding could eventually be a way to go, also.

I think this would cancel out, or make very difficult, the column charging, and having a line disintegrate from constant autocharging. I also think this would create a more realistic melee environment.

I had planned on packaging this a little better with video and screenshots, but soldier had to go and jump the gun! j/k

[KG_Soldier]

I think Robinson's idea of forcing regiments out of column when within say 100 yards or so of an enemy regiment or battery would work fine. And then get rid of autocharge all together.

[Garnier]

For the stock game, skirmish formation is faster than column, so you could switch to skirmish when you get to 100yd, and then run through the enemy line, then switch to line for charges.

Not that the "disallow formation within x yards of enemy" wouldn't be a good thing to try.